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| Britain | |
| Chief Rabbi: Britain is losing its identity | |
| 2007-12-16 | |
| Sir Jonathan Sacks said that the drive for a multi cultural society had left Britain increasingly intolerant and that too many people were embarrassed about their history. In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, he stressed that the historic Union with Scotland and the concept of Britain must be preserved. Backing the Telegraph's Call Yourself British campaign, he endorsed plans for a British Day, suggested a more inclusive national anthem should be created and urged the Government to give people a "British dream". Sir Jonathan said that he was proud to call himself British. A poll conducted by this newspaper last week found that more than six out of 10 English voters shared his view, but had growing concerns about the future of the Union.
Sir Jonathan added: "A tolerant society is one that ignores difference and a multi cultural one is one that highlights them. It is confidence in your own heritage that allows you to be generous to those of another heritage." His new book, The Home We Build Together, argues that the experiment of multiculturalism has failed. Sir Jonathan predicted that ending the Union would lead to further fragmentation. "I am concerned about the rise in nationalism in England and Scotland," he said. "We have so much history in common, some of it painful, but all of it contributing to this sense of being together. These bonds of belonging are so important, particularly as we have this splitting into ever smaller fragments, an increased tribalism, in this global age." He also said that the plan to set aside one day to celebrate Britishness was a good idea, suggesting it should be the equivalent of Remembrance Sunday, "but looking at the future not the past". While he likes the national anthem, the Chief Rabbi argued that it might be time to introduce something more "inclusive". He said: "We always sing God Save the Queen, but I don't think many other people do." He also expressed his concern that children were not gaining a sense of identity. "What we have lost in British culture is Sunday lunch, dedicated family time. How many families sit together around the table to enjoy a meal together? We come in and stick the pizza in the microwave and eat watching television. "I think that's one reason why the deregulation of Sunday was a mistake. It gave us one day in seven where who you are is not determined by how much you spend." | |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #17 New national anthem? How 'bout dumping "God Save the Queen" for this little ditty, then nuking some popcorn as we wait for the Seething and Whining™ to begin... |
| Posted by: Ricky bin Ricardo (Abu Babaloo) 2007-12-16 22:46 |
| #16 "A tolerant society is one that ignores difference and a multi cultural one is one that highlights them. It is confidence in your own heritage that allows you to be generous to those of another heritage." Bingo. Which would explain the islamonutcases.... |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2007-12-16 22:14 |
| #15 Briton of Mosaic faith. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2007-12-16 20:47 |
| #14 Milton's poem seems to apply better to the USA. Many of the founding fathers saw this country as either a new Jerusalem or a "city on a hill," taking the best parts of European civilization and establishing a better alternative. The US faces the same issue as Britain. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2007-12-16 18:34 |
| #13 It is all about replacing a system that worked so well that others immigrated to take part, with multiple systems that the immigrants are running away from yet, can't quite shake out of thier heads, they are so used to the old ways they left. |
| Posted by: www 2007-12-16 10:52 |
| #12 Do I hear the "new " European constitution??.."destroying western culture, morals and identity"...... |
| Posted by: Jeremiah Omans5729 2007-12-16 10:17 |
| #11 You people are right. The entire west faces this problem. The left has almost been completely successful in destroying western culture, morals and identity. And as goes our identity, so goes us. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2007-12-16 08:28 |
| #10 Let us never forget the central tenet of multiculturalism, as practiced: All cultures are equally valid, except for Western civilization, which is uniquely bad. |
| Posted by: no mo uro 2007-12-16 07:04 |
| #9 This is the natural consequence of decades of the Left's savaging of Western history, accomplishments and social norms: alienation, anomia, an unwillingness to act in national self-interest and ultimately societal fragmentation. We can no longer cede control of schools and the media to those who so despise their homeland. |
| Posted by: Bill Chaving6409 2007-12-16 05:37 |
| #8 As an ex-brit my vote for a new national anthem would be William Blake's Jerusalem. BTW the feet is a reference to Jesus. And also the 'nor shall my sword sleep in my hand' reference may yet prove to be remarkably precient. Here are the words but go google an audio version. It is a moving hymn. (disclaimer: I'm not a Christian, but I love this song) And did those feet in ancient time Walk upon England's mountains green? And was the holy Lamb of God On England's pleasant pastures seen? And did the Countenance Divine Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here Among these dark Satanic Mills? Bring me my Bow of burning gold: Bring me my Arrows of desire: Bring me my Spear! O clouds unfold! Bring me my Chariot of fire. I will not cease from Mental Fight, Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand Till we have built Jerusalem In England's green and pleasant land. From Milton, a poem in two Books (1804-1808) by William Blake. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2007-12-16 05:26 |
| #7 Scotland will have a referendum on independance within the next 2 years. |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2007-12-16 05:10 |
| #6 There is no inherit reason that flanders and walloonia should be the same country, based on the need for a buffer between France and the netherlands a couple centuries ago; and Scotland has a lot more or a case for independance that kosovo does |
| Posted by: Albemarle Cleaque8456 2007-12-16 04:27 |
| #5 well if Kosovo is going to be separated from Serbia then the same could happen to Scotland and Wales....The Basque Country...Corsica...North and South Belgium..... |
| Posted by: Spinerong Jones9261 2007-12-16 02:36 |
| #4 The sad reality is France, Spain, Germany, and the United States face the same dilemma. The elitists view multiculturalism, open borders and free immigration as the key sustainment of their socialist, the gummit will take care of you cradle to grave tax & spend ponzi schemes. Unfortunately, quite a lot more is at stake in all of this than simple national identity. I suspect the Japanese have had it right all along. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2007-12-16 01:28 |
| #3 more inclusive national anthem Gawd Save the Queens and Other People of Interdeterminate Sexuality? |
| Posted by: Thomas Woof 2007-12-16 01:08 |
| #2 Depends. If the change is to "Land of Hope and Glory," maybe for the good. |
| Posted by: Fred 2007-12-16 00:24 |
| #1 This guy almost gets it completely. Loses track of what he's trying to do when he talks about changing the national anthem though. |
| Posted by: Mike N. 2007-12-16 00:17 |