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Politically, I am (as you know) a member of the SNP. I would like to see the English, Welsh, Scots and Irish as a family of nations living in harmony and equality (rather as the Nordic countries do).

The Britishness that you describe seems to be (subliminally at least) about supporting the monarchy, to which I am rather indifferent.

I am British when I am with Americans, Chinese, Japanese etc – because they define me that way. Personally I feel akin to “Rick’ in the film Casablanca when he is asked “what is your nationality?” by the Nazi villain and replies “I’m a drunkard.” (Perhaps I should say “I’m a blogger”?) I consider myself a European.

Of course I’m affected by patriotic thrills just like anyone else – comprehensively in my case – I am inspired by Burns, by the singing of the Marseillaise (e.g. in films like Renoir’s La Grand Illusion). I will never forget appearing in the (Tarkovsky production) coronation scene of Boris Godunov swinging a halberd to catch the light, as the bells of the Kremlin tolled and the people sang “Slava! Slava!” (Glory! Glory!) – unbelievable – and there must be lots of other examples.

All the major countries have their good, and bad, points. I am or have been attracted to aspects of life in Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Russia, China, Japan, America and others. Fortunately I have never been in the situation where I was confined to one culture. It would be miserable.

Imagine being condemned to British food, British drink, literature, TV, films, music, holiday resorts etc etc. horror, horror, horror . . .I suppose that is what prison must be like.

Having said all that I must add that the English language has been of great importance in my life.

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Simon – I agree on the church and state point you made – another whose elegant analysis is admirable.

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Although the aboriginal population were the true British, they appear to have disappeared as a separate entity. I understand that little is known of them, apart from some archaeological discoveries, which apparently go as far back as the 8th Millennium BC, with traces of hunter

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Freedom of religion (and freedom of speech) are essential, but the state should not be involved in church affairs, and church leaders should not hold un-elected political office.

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You have in fact just missed the 12th. , so we must wait another year for ” The Sash”( incidentally, I was unaware of this particular “difference of opinion”, until I was stranded in Glasgow , one fateful 11 July evening, when my train was delayed for a number of hours. An eyeopener!)

However, my point about the instigators still stands. I believe that these acts were not the result of any stance taken by the ruling hierarchy of whichever religion was concerned in each case; rather the actions are those of separately acting individuals, who believed that there was no other way to prove a point.

I suspect we now approach the crux of the matter in its particularity and totality.
RELIGION,
I was always told, that religion is a particularly personal way in which to express one’s belief in the omni -presence; the omni-prescience, of someone or something supernatural, a supreme being, known by special ‘Holy’ names or descriptive phrases, special in the sense that it would be recognized in the religion where it was conceived.. Religion does not always travel well, rather like some wines. Therefore it is better to drink from a known and trusted source, rather than from a suspect bottle.

All religions claim, in some form or other, their own superiority over other religions, and jealously resent any incursions into their territory. Those religions and the followers thereof, who do tolerate other religious incursions into their previously exclusive territories, almost always end up regretting their misplaced trust. However, in many parts of the world, new religions are being founded and introduced to a seemingly insatiable and dissatisfied waiting public , and these new ?Religions? are typified by the particular missionary zeal of their followers. This should not give reason for; or incitement to street demonstrations or even acts of terrorism, sometimes culminating in’ war’: supposedly to prove the supremacy of one set of beliefs over another, but it very often does.

Religion is a matter of Conscience; not of Science: of Belief; not of Knowledge; all are merely human attributes. These “facts”, as seen through the differently focussed eyes of the different disciples, are set to be argued forever, since there is no definitive answer to be found.

The proponents of each branch of, “The One Truth”, are all equally convinced that theirs is the only way to God. None will brook an argument that they might be mistaken. The inevitable result will be conflict between the Religions; each one vying for the supremacy of THEIR brand of The Truth.

As each religion becomes entrenched in its own monopolistically inclined ideology, there will be ‘war’: not necessarily physical war, although that is not unknown( Crusades), but war nonetheless; in which innocent people might get hurt, mentally as well as physically; in the name of a Supreme Being.

In my opinion there are no innocent religions, there are only innocent victims of their struggle for Power and supremacy. Religion is, or at least should be, a private matter, residing in the heads and hearts of its followers..

Remember the old favourite, often played on a honkey-tonk type of piano at School Assembly:-

Onward Christian Soldiers, marching as to war; with the Cross—– Etc Etc Etc

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