Cyprus-Forum.com

[Oracle]

Actually ethnicity has absolutely nothing to do with genes.

Ethnicity has to do with language, religion, traditions and how people identify themselves.

If it was about genes then the people that call themselves Turks would be mostly Kurds, Greeks and other Mediterranean people and would have very little to do with the original Asian Turks.

So do you believe genes (DNA transmitted information) identify our species, i.e. we are all Homo sapiens (one Human Race) whereas our ethnicity is represented by memes (culturally transmitted information)?

[Magnus]

I can't speak for anyone else, but in my own case I vote 'yes'.

I don't want Cyprus to be part of 'mother Greece' or anything like that, but I identify with and love Greek culture, and I think it is important to maintain this cultural heritage. I was born and raised in the UK but I'm proud that my parents exposed me to Greek (and Cypriot) culture and kept it in my life, rather than trying to make me forget it and be a Brit.

I don't know about all the DNA stuff, I think that just over-complicates things. If they could do enough DNA tests on the appropriate people, we might all be descended from ancient Africans.

So to describe it all, I'll just borrow a phrase from Bruce Lee:

Being Greek 'is like a finger pointing to the moon. Concentrate on the finger and you miss all that heavenly glory'.

Personally, I don't care about 'how exactly' I am Greek, I'm happy and proud just to be Greek and enjoy the culture in the same way that I am proud of the distinctly Cypriot aspects of my heritage.

If some people don't feel the same then fair enough. Let them be whatever they are happiest being but I'm not giving up my heritage any more than I would force 'Greekness' on someone who doesn't want it.

[Rebel.Without.A.Pause]

I can't speak for anyone else, but in my own case I vote 'yes'.

I don't want Cyprus to be part of 'mother Greece' or anything like that, but I identify with and love Greek culture, and I think it is important to maintain this cultural heritage. I was born and raised in the UK but I'm proud that my parents exposed me to Greek (and Cypriot) culture and kept it in my life, rather than trying to make me forget it and be a Brit.

I don't know about all the DNA stuff, I think that just over-complicates things. If they could do enough DNA tests on the appropriate people, we might all be descended from ancient Africans.

So to describe it all, I'll just borrow a phrase from Bruce Lee:

Being Greek 'is like a finger pointing to the moon. Concentrate on the finger and you miss all that heavenly glory'. Laughing

Personally, I don't care about 'how exactly' I am Greek, I'm happy and proud just to be Greek and enjoy the culture in the same way that I am proud of the distinctly Cypriot aspects of my heritage.

If some people don't feel the same then fair enough. Let them be whatever they are happiest being but I'm not giving up my heritage any more than I would force 'Greekness' on someone who doesn't want it.

What was that? An exhibition??

We need emotional content.

[Kifeas]

A question for all GREEK CYPRIOTS (including the ones who argue that they are not Greek in any way). I am not sure if this question how been put to a poll before, if it has, I apologise. But I hear so much about whether we are Greeks or not that I would sincerely like to know where forumers stand on this point.

Do you regard yourselves as Greek or not? I am not talking about being a Cypriot, we are all obviously Cypriots; my question is do you regard yourselves as Greek in addition to Cypriot. Yes or No?

Thank you in advance.

Simon, I claim you are not a Greek, because I am sure (and you will have to prove the opposite) that if you cut your veins, the colour of your blood won't be blue with white stripes in it, but red instead! Did I say red? Oh, that would definitely make you a Turk!

On a more serious note, according to Isocrates, an ancient Greek rhetorician and philosopher, Greeks are all those embracing Greek education and culture, obviously in its classic sense, therefore in a way “Greekness” is a rather pan-western or a universal attribute, in this day and age, rather than a racial one!

[free_cyprus]

to answer some of those questions that been put forth regarding if we are greeks or cypriots, my imagination stops right there to think that after 5 or 6 thousand year rule by outsiders we suddenly became greeks. iam going to inform the vatican and have them come to cyprus to witness a modern day miracle, and the miracle is with everyone going over us raping our ancesters and murdering our ansesters , and yet you lot have no shame at all and you ask such a stupid question as are we greeks the same can be applied to so called turks as well from the island of cyprus. frigging donkey brains all you. except the donkey is more clever

[Magnus]

What was that? An exhibition??

We need emotional content.

You know you love that phrase.

[Rebel.Without.A.Pause]

You know you love that phrase.

BULLSHIT MR HAN MAN......man, you come right out of a comic book.

[Simon]

[quote]With all due respect, Simon, the logical underpinning of this poll is tenuous. Since you are calling out to all Greek Cypriots, I think its safe to assume that anyone who votes considers himself a Greek Cypriot to some extent whether or not he wants to admit it.[/quote]

Filitsa, there is nothing wrong with the question in this Poll. I refer to the Greek speaking Cypriots as Greek Cypriots because this is what I regard them as. However, they may disagree with me and vote no, as six have done. You are just trying to play games with something that is perfectly understandable. Have you nothing better to do?

[Filitsa]

With all due respect, Simon, the logical underpinning of this poll is tenuous. Since you are calling out to all Greek Cypriots, I think its safe to assume that anyone who votes considers himself a Greek Cypriot to some extent whether or not he wants to admit it.

Filitsa, there is nothing wrong with the question in this Poll. I refer to the Greek speaking Cypriots as Greek Cypriots because this is what I regard them as. However, they may disagree with me and vote no, as six have done. You are just trying to play games with something that is perfectly understandable. Have you nothing better to do?

Since you asked, Simon, I feel compelled to pose the same question to you. Have you nothing better to do than underscore more divisiveness among Cypriots of Greek descent as if you didn't know these varying attitudes toward ethnicity existed?

[Simon]

Filitsa, do you have a problem discussing things on which opinions differ? Because it sure sounds like it. It is precisely because I am aware that views differ on this matter, that I felt compelled to discover just what the majority view on this forum was. This is especially the case as the "neo-Cypriot" group on this forum seem so vocal, and therefore I wanted to discover if their view was the prevailing one. If that offends you in some way, then quite simply, tough. Do not waste any of your obviously precious time discussing the topic in that case.

P.S. It is rude to answer a question with a question. Were you not taught manners?