This symbolizes “what bullies think of humanity & what humanity thinks of bullies.” Patriotic, political, or religious conditioning invariably perverts intuitive moral judgments without humanity being aware of it. Diverse tribal rituals or practices are employed by leaders of church or state in their attempt to gain strength of unity through loyalty and allegiance. Such indoctrination is then often imposed upon other less powerful neighboring states or unsuspecting peoples round the world by intrusive methods, such as evangelism, various forms of propaganda, or by blatant expansionist aggression. These attempts at subjugation may be motivated by greed, megalomania, or simply by blind indoctrinated bigotry; but, in the end, the consequences are often counterproductive when humanity comes to realizes there is a far deeper universal truth over which no nation, religion, or political ideal can ever justifiably claim monopoly.

***

One of the oldest cultures in the world has just been destroyed by one of the youngest, whose only understanding is money and the glitzy artifacts it can buy. Now, under the guise of “reconstruction” begins the systematic rape of the hearts and minds of that nation by the “hidden persuaders.”

Leaders throughout history have invariably measured the strength of a nation by the loyalty of its citizens so they have always encouraged patriotism. If, however, the brainwashing appeal of national identity is examined more dispassionately, it may be seen merely as a self-congratulatory fantasy based on nothing more than an accident of birth. Only when it is realized that no nation has an intrinsic monopoly of truth or status over another and is therefore not worth killing or dying for, will peace between nations be possible.