Part of everyone's world view is a definition of the difference between "us" and "them". While this is not by any means a purely bad thing, it does often lead to unpleasant complications (prejudice, for example (which is by the way not bad either, rather a natural way of navigating an otherwise innavigable world)).

Well, this thread basically boils down to the question of where you fellow forumgoers belong, and your reasons for it (if any).

I'll be back with my own once I've seen some of your views.

I have the strongest ties with my family and friends. I know it is quite broad in that sense, but that's only because they are the people I spend the most time with. I feel I belong with them because they are good people, and are people close to me that I can talk to. I am not a particularly religious person, and I don't have a very high opinion of my country. I care not for social class or racial prejudism - I am not a prejudist person. I value people for their views, and most of my family and friends share my views.

I think of myself belonging to "the group" of my friends(I voted "other"). I do have extremely strong feelings for some of my family, but some of them.
ST; you are right about the part about prejudice being a handy tool, but it should never ever be taken further than thought. If you run from every punk you see around you arenґt very functional either.
Also take into account that prejudices arenґt exactly correct most of the time. But only when you actually come into contact with them the above is relevant.

Where do you belong?

My religion
My country
My social class
Those sharing my political views
My nationality
The ethnic group to which I belong
The demographic (age) group to which I belong
My family/clan
Those with similiar education/professionNone of the above :) *votes for 'other'*

I 'belong' where I feel most comfortable, and I tend [and try] not to pick my company based on what their religion, nationality, social class, ethnic group, age group, family or those with a similar education/profession :p

I just think that it's bad to avoid different ways of thinking, different ways of doing things, and different cultures - I like a nice mix, but if I get on with someone, it really doesn't bother me what beliefs they hold (religious, political, etc.) - I just think of them as another person who I'm lucky enough to be able to call my friend :)

I hate intolerance, willful ignorance, racism/sexism and bigotry, but I'd rather try to change someone's views if they're like that than simply write them off as a person unworthy of my attention...

If I had to say any one thing from that list, I'd probably lean more towards associating with people of similar political views, but I still very much enjoy talking to people with different views, if only because it often gives me cause to re-evaluate my own, and to look at something from a different perspective :)

Of the ones above, probably similar age group or ones with the same political views. But that's pretty much the only choice I have, seeing as I can't find many mature people below my age, and people above are "too mature" (though I like talking to them, we don't share interests which makes it hard being a friend). Regarding political views, I think you'd be hard pressed trying to find a right wing teenager where I live. Damn hard pressed.

"Friends" is an obvious choice, but that's more an example of how certain people makes better friends with you. Check your friends - are there any common traits? Are you all of the same age group (check age group)? Are you all from the same school/education (check similar education)? Are you all from the same religious society, regardless of age (check religion)? Are you all middle-class people (check social class)? Etc etc.

It's a cause-effect chain in reverse.

And yes, I pride myself on getting along with most people, but there are certainly people I get along with better.

Well, I don't trust many other people other than myself, so I marked other. The fact is, I trust me, my mother, and my brother. My circle of friends is really diverse, so I don't fit in with any specific group. And my ties with my family are nil.

Er.. Religion, and political views, I guess.

My social class
I didn't get this one.

Originally posted by Dagobahn Eagle
I didn't get this one.

I think he meant social class, as if you're poor, middle-class or from a rich background.

Not too sure though.

I know, but I don't know how you can "belong to your social class".

Do you mean by supporting Welfare (if you're poor), or supporting capitalism (if you're rich), just to stereotype a bit? Sorry about my ignorance:o.
__________________________________________________ __

Back on topic:

My loyalty would be with my friends and with my politics. Family comes next, I guess.

I chose the other. Apparently I belong to the group which Wacky_Baccy was talking about, perhaps one should name it somehow and put it in the vote list.

Any way it's interesting that group attribution is hereditary. So we are predistined to choose a group which is written in our genes. But there's also upbringing which can override (not completely) one's predistination and form a group characterized by the conditions in which one is raised: religion, country, social class, political views, nationality, ethnic group, family/clan. (all are compulsary attributes of any society)

A few thousands of years is actaully enough to form a dominant gene which controls our behavior but it fails in front of human society and every person can be arranged the way this society wants. The other thing is rearranging it which is almost impossible resulting with mind hurt.

I have the strongest ties with the earth. Im not any kind of religous and dont believe on gods. I believe on a power like the force, the powers of friends, family people, animals every human being!!!!!!!!

A little clarification:

Social class: Proletarian, Capitalist (as in social class, not political ideology), etc. I kinda reckoned that the term was somewhat dead. But it played a significant role in the last half of the 19th century, and first half of the 20th, so I figured it had a place.

Got to go now.

I chose other, for "the human race".

I want to able to instantly identify with humans from all cultures. Despite language and traditional barriers.

I think I identify with many different groups at different times. Overall, I will have to admit being a consumer-capitalist. I buy goods and rely upon some of the same corporations that piss me off (though I don't buy Nike ;) ). I want to socialize with intellectuals, but, sadly, I don't get that opportunity very often. I've actually considered starting a "Intellectual Readers" group at my local bookstore just to have a "group" to belong to.

Good question, Shadow T., it's one that's been on my mind in some form for a while now.

I'm definately family group oriented and my family ties get stronger every day, particularly with my immediate family.

I don't relate to many religious groups, though I regularly engage in conversations (non-biased.... not like here ;) ) about the religious views of others. I spoke to someone about Buddism a few days ago......

Wonderful question.... I must ponder it some more and be careful to observe myself as I interact with others.....

im a people person. i stick to intellectuals, potheads, basically people like me. but also talk to the other side people. religious people(not devoted but the average church goer that goes just because it's something) also the conservatives. i try and see the other side of my views and i usually have a debate. mostly my debates are against religion and peoples idiotic ideas of patriotical profit(like those stupid iraqi leader cards).most of my friends are girls though so......


smart, beautiful girls and some guys with brains. and then my fellow smokers. we are the matrix crowd.

OK. A little clarification here (which makes the poll entirely useless):

Where you belong is, for the purposes of this thread, defined as: From which group should a person come, if he didn't want to be regarded as a foreigner? Keyword: Foreigner.

Personally, I'm a patriot, through and through. Not one of those silly I'll-support-el-Prez-no-matter-what-he-does, though. That's not the definition of patriot. Not the original one, anyway. The original definition is one who "belongs" with his state. Which also sums up my vote.

Tuff question......

I can say very readily I don't get along with allot of people.:p Particularly christens to me they are the original fascists along with muslims. Muslims, Christians, and Jews all have one big problem. They are the same basic religion and none of them get along. christians don't even get along with different christians. How retarded is that. No other group of religions supports such separation of humanity that I know of.

Off my little trip there. I guess I find my Clique not in my country, race, or sex, but people who I can share the same views. Which at the heart of it is few and far between. I know every time I get a little to carried away and say I how I feel about something especially if it’s religious. I might as well walk around with a nautilus shell stamped on my forehead, because I’m shunned from that point on. Christians don’t exactly like how I brake down their religion. Even if I do it in a kind and gentle manner. New age laws protect me for being burnt at the stake.

So now after allot of heated and sometimes near violent arguments. I have found I’m surrounded by fascist christians. I now think it’s best to not speak out on how I feel on things if anything just to get along at work and school. So at the moment I’m me, myself, and I and that’s my group.

Originally posted by Cosmos Jack
No other group of religions supports such separation of humanity that I know of.

Not to spoil a good Christianity-bashing, but Hinduism is actually more marked in this regard.

Originally posted by Cosmos Jack
Christians don’t exactly like how I brake down their religion. Even if I do it in a kind and gentle manner. New age laws protect me for being burnt at the stake.

Lol. Same here.

Originally posted by Cosmos Jack
So now after allot of heated and sometimes near violent arguments. I have found I’m surrounded by fascist christians. I now think it’s best to not speak out on how I feel on things if anything just to get along at work and school. So at the moment I’m me, myself, and I and that’s my group.

Sad.

Originally posted by ShadowTemplar
Not to spoil a good Christianity-bashing, but Hinduism is actually more marked in this regard. I always forget them. Maybe it's because I don't put up with them on a daily bases and don’t know as much about them as I do the other 3.

Originally posted by Cosmos Jack
I always forget them. Maybe it's because I don't put up with them on a daily bases and don’t know as much about them as I do the other 3.

True. They're easy to forget. But I usually CMA by merely saying "all religion, including Nazism, Facism, and Communism*".

*which is, by the way the same as Socialism, only Communism is militant (word derived from the militant, Socialist organisation the Paris Commune), but radically different from Social-liberalism, which actually works.

Well I vote for my religion.
Although it's not like that. I have my own spiritual way which is very important to me and my wife . These two are the most important things in my life...and where I belong to :)

I also vote for my religion. It's a religion that cares for others and wants to help. It's a religion I can turn to when I'm depressed and when I'm mad. It's a religion that has helped me make friends and given me countless blessings. It's a religion called "Christianity", and I'll forever be in His debt and His service.:)

I'm a human being - no more, no less.

The more we categorise ourselves the less likely we are to integrate and unite.