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This is why I think nationalism is far more dangerous than religiosity. For one, it's random i.e. you do not choose where you were born. Secondly, it is not tempered with any of the normal wisdom that you might find in a religion. Thirdy, most of the wars and unpleasantness that are blamed on religion were actually nationalist conflicts. The participants were really not interested in the religious bias of their counterparts, just that they were forgeigners.
In many ways though, nationalism and patriotism are indistinguishable from organised religion. They are all authoritarian, participants are expected to believe what they are told to believe, truths are simplified in order to be understood by the masses and subservience is required. For the cynical amongst us, they would also appear to be equally non-sensical and full of irrationality and contradiction.
I would however, say that religion provides us with deeper benefits, and tells us more about ourselves than the shallow pools of patriotism and nationalism. At least religions teach peace and put us in touch with a more thorough understanding of the world around us. This is something that no amount of flag-waving will ever provide.
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