A nation cannot be Christian or Jewish or Muslim, only it's people can be.
By
Tom Morris
on May 02, 2007
I'm fed up of people talking about the 'Christian nation' or the 'Muslim nation'. We don't have an 'existentialist nation' or a 'utilitarian nation'. Philosophical and religious positions are held by individuals, not countries.
Agreed
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Discussion (6)
What else would you call it if a nation's government and legal structures are built explicitly upon a particular interpretation of a religion?
A nation not in the sense of a state, but of a group of people with distinct identity which is based on common history, ancestry, and language, might also include religion as part of its definition.
I can't agree on this one:
You are attributing more significane to 'shared territory' when a nation is also defined by shared descent, beliefs, language and history.
Modern borders these days are so arbitrary - e.g. Pakistan / Kasmir India - that a lot of terrorism is inspired by uniting peoples who have been artificially separated.
I do understand where you are coming from though ... allegiances outside of those shared by a country sometimes seem to tear peoples and loyalties apart.
The people are a Nation. The country they live in is a different entity.
your grammer is wrong. you maent "its".