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<\/a><\/p>\nAfter reading Anderson\u2019s book addressing \u201cnationalism\u201d, my mind thought of many clich\u00e9s. I am a Houstonian by birth living in the largest state in the United States of America, Texas. At least we were until Alaska, but who is considering Alaska. We even have the slogan, \u201ceverything is big in Texas.\u201d This term, \u201cnationalism\u201d identifies with power, superior, better, bigger, and any other term that gives life to the separation of our society by fruitless power.<\/p>\n
Anderson compared nationalism to a neurosis individual. He was making reference to society in the 80\u2019s yet our countries current situation seems to mirror this comparison that he described in his book. He proposed \u201ca nation: is an imagined political community \u2013 and imagined as both inherently limited and sovereign.\u201d (Anderson, 6, Kindle) Limited because they won\u2019t ever know everyone, and sovereign because the \u201cEnlightenment and Revolution were destroying the legitimacy of the divinely-ordained, hierarchical dynastic realm.\u201d (Anderson, 8, Kindle) He referred to them as a community because \u201cthe nation is always conceived as a deep, horizontal comradeship.\u201d (Anderson, 8, Kindle)<\/p>\n
There were several examples Anderson used to define and demonstrate his position on nationalism. For example, how \u201ca nationalist has no concern regarding the identity of the unidentifiable dead soldier. They take little concern in identifying the gender and nationality of the soldiers. They even go as far as placing bones from another source in the coffins, so they don\u2019t bury an empty coffin. They did not want to bring in the spiritual or religious view of death.\u201d \u00a0(Anderson, 9, Kindle)<\/p>\n
Anderson touched on culture as it relates to demographics, nationality, gender, and race. He discussed how nationalism feeds on defining and categorizing people based on where they live, born, their gender, or the color of their skin. He wrote on \u201cpatriotism and racism\u201d including making references to white and black relations and the derogatory names designed to dehumanize and devalue the black race, as well as, the Vietnamese, and Jews.<\/p>\n
These and other social stigma feeds nationalism and the need for one group of people or a nation to be greater than others by defining them to be less than who they are. Many of us have experienced that on a personal level where one of our peers, teachers, co-workers, parents, and others have said words to us or identified us as inferior to promote their superiority. That person can be identified as neurosis. Where a government is dominant in infrastructure, technology, etc., some promote themselves as superior, for example, in history Germany, Russia, etc. American has always been viewed and considered by the world as a powerful nation based on its infrastructure, technology, and other areas. We have now moved to become a powerful nation with a leader who demonstrates neurosis behavior. That leader\u2019s success was limited to a particular party, demographics and racism often overlooked as well as sovereign because of the strong evangelical presence. Are we the definition of \u201cnationalism.\u201d<\/p>\n
An article, written by George Friedman, he states that \u201cthere are some articles and statements asserting that fascism is rising in Europe and that\u00a0Donald Trump\u00a0is an American example of fascism. This is a misrepresentation of a very real phenomenon.\u201d [1]<\/a> He continued to identify what\u2019s really going on. \u201cIt is the return to nationalism in Europe and America. Fascism focuses on self-determination on its local government, whereas, nationalism focuses on national self-determination on a universal level.\u201d [2]<\/a><\/p>\n Do nationalism and fascism breath in the Christian church and it overseer organization? With many structures of denominations designed and implemented to control the actions and lifestyles of their leader and members around the world, could it be placed under the umbrella of nationalism? Christian leaders refer to it sometimes as God\u2019s desire \u201cfor decency and order\u201d in the church.[3]<\/a>\u00a0 Many church leaders have lost their position or members in the church because of their self-determination. We as leaders must realize that we are not exempt and we must \u201cself-examine ourselves\u201d to preserve integrity.[4]<\/a><\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Gordon Friedman, Nationalism is Rising, Not Fascism<\/em>, https:\/\/geopoliticalfutures.com\/nationalism-is-rising-not-fascism\/<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n