I'll admit that I might misunderstand the point but surely there is a gray area of what is considered "stolen" and what is "preserved"
Humans or groups can be responsible for many foolish acts. Stealing is one of those traits. I am open to accepting this when referring to the British Museum. However, I am also open to groups of people DESTROYING historical items all because they do not share their culture or religious views!
Again, I see no issue in Countries like UK returning items that's not theirs but only under grounds that they will be SAFE in their new (returned) home. However, the middle east is mixed with different cultures -- languages and religions. It's also a place of much conflict.
As a British man myself and interested in Ancient Egyptian mythology, I would be just as much heartbroken of ancient items being destroyed. You don't have to be an Egyptian who's lineage traces back to this historical times.
Its sad, really. One of these days those pyramids will likely be destroyed. Perhaps by War. Perhaps by religious uprising.
Again - is "stolen" correct, here? If the British did not take any of these back with them, would many of these items still be around? It could have been destroyed of gone missing.
>As a British man myself and interested in Ancient Egyptian mythology, I would be just as much heartbroken of ancient items being destroyed. You don't have to be an Egyptian who's lineage traces back to this historical times.
That's none of Britain's concern. How would you feel if Americans showed up and started breaking the angels off of Westminster Abbey or carting off Stonehenge because they didn't trust you to keep them SAFE? You'd probably riot.
The belief that you're entitled to another culture's knowledge and artifacts is colonialist thinking. They have the right to destroy their own culture if they want, you only have the right to ask and negotiate with them as peers. What Britain did in many cases wrt these artifacts was clearly theft.
And Europeans stripped the Colosseum for parts and the Church destroyed the artifacts of European pagan culture. You people really have no moral high ground to stand on.
> That's none of Britain's concern. How would you feel if Americans showed up and started breaking the angels off of Westminster Abbey or carting off Stonehenge because they didn't trust you to keep them SAFE? You'd probably riot.
Let's not change things up with a made up invasion compared to the discovery of ancient egypt in 1800. Two different scenarios. We already have a good understanding of the meaning to Stonehenge today. For a Country to 'take it' is different compared to discovering something COMPELTELY NEW and captivating!
The point I am making is that I am not having some bias or attachment with my comment just because I live in the same Country that has "stolen" goods.
Doesn't matter whether I am British or not. Certainly not entitled.
If anything was stolen over 200 years ago from Britain but is "safe" today elsewhere at some museum is no concern for me. It is what it is. However, I am open to returning things back to their original Countries. Despite being British, it's unlikely to be my decision.
> They have the right to destroy their own culture if they want
It's not their own culture culture I am worried about.
> You people really have no moral high ground to stand on.
> And Europeans stripped the Colosseum for parts and the Church destroyed the artifacts of European pagan culture
There is NOTHING I have said/wrote that gives me a 'moral high ground' to any of this. Just focusing on Britian, we have a rich history - this includes changes in many ways, including culture, religion, artifacts, etc. This country on it's own has lost many historic things as a result - and I find it an absolute shame! Imagine the type of evidence we could have that may be in the BC era. It's not just about Britain but many other places around the world with rich history.
But I will say/write this - if we do return things, they are returned to a place where they are preserved/protected.
Seriously - don't get me started with Britain. Again, I am in favour of many things being returned. I only say this because this Country might be doomed in the next 50 years. Whatever we have that is historic to Britain.. whether Christain or pagan.. will likely be destroyed. This includes anything in museums. All because it goes against the "right" religion.
I don't write this as a Christian myself - but as an Atheist.
I would add that these finds would, and many did, find there way to the black market, ending up in private collections, which is almost as bad as their destruction.
Humans or groups can be responsible for many foolish acts. Stealing is one of those traits. I am open to accepting this when referring to the British Museum. However, I am also open to groups of people DESTROYING historical items all because they do not share their culture or religious views!
Again, I see no issue in Countries like UK returning items that's not theirs but only under grounds that they will be SAFE in their new (returned) home. However, the middle east is mixed with different cultures -- languages and religions. It's also a place of much conflict.
As a British man myself and interested in Ancient Egyptian mythology, I would be just as much heartbroken of ancient items being destroyed. You don't have to be an Egyptian who's lineage traces back to this historical times.
Its sad, really. One of these days those pyramids will likely be destroyed. Perhaps by War. Perhaps by religious uprising.
Again - is "stolen" correct, here? If the British did not take any of these back with them, would many of these items still be around? It could have been destroyed of gone missing.
Just a thought.