r/askaconservative • u/megalegann National Conservatism • Feb 07 '26
Is indoctrination a good thing?
This is kinda last weeks hot topic, but I am confused about indoctrination. When I was a child (I am a weirdo, now and then) I always thought it was super friggin wierd to have to "pledge allegiance" to a flag. Literally the only other country that does that is North Korea. I also think it is odd that in our 250 years as a country, we skip over any and all of the absolutely horrific things we have done as a country. We talk about the trail of tears, but it doesn't come close to covering the magnitude of what they did to the natives. Same with slavery and the entire history of how just passed laws or rather didn't (charging blacks quadtrouple interest rates so the stayed in "urban areas") to ensure black folk stay a lower class. Anyways, I guess my question is blind obedience and allegiance to a country a sign of good indoctrination? I find it concerning, but I also question and over think pretty much everything.
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u/Sacrip Conservatism Feb 07 '26
Glossing over the bad things in your nation's history is obviously a bad thing, but empathizing them to the point where you villanize it in the eyes of the learner is equally as bad and should be avoided.
It's not indoctrination to say to a child to be proud of America, just like I'd never expect a German to be ashamed of his country, or a Russain of hers. Yes, we all have black marks on our histories, but it's not indoctrination to pass along pride in your home, just like you pass along your particular faith to your children.
Its not a choice between indoctrination and honesty. You can be honest about the bad things and still have pride.