In death, the symbolic unity of man transcends the separation of different cultures and nationalities; the naked soul, metaphysically, rises into the electrical darkness of the universal mind – no military uniforms, ammunition, or flags between anything now. Death claims all its victims without prejudice and, in its quest for equality, transforms swords into plowshares by the power of its absolute reality. In the spiritual realm patriotism cannot exist.
Battles of Light and Darkness
In most wars, both sides believe they're fighting against incredibly evil opponents. Good and evil, however, cannot realistically be divided by nationality, religion, race, or anything other than by the individual (and even that is debatable since most people, regardless of how unlikeable, have at least some redeeming qualities).
There is not a nation on earth that is entirely good, nor entirely evil (there never was and never will be). These are very simplistic labels, without much depth. Human history is a long and undeniable account of both man's benevolence, and cruelty, regardless of background. There are no collective heroes or villains; men simply demonize the enemy in an attempt to justify their own horrible deeds.
Self-Righteousness Equals Wars
The golden myths of war, needless to say, are often accepted by people who have never experienced its cold on-the-ground reality. All of America's battles, with the exception of the Civil War, were fought on foreign grounds. The dying babies, burnt flesh, bright blood, scorched thirst and raw hunger have always happened somewhere else.
This is both America's blessing and curse, because no one can afford to remain so myopic. The West must change the way it regards itself in history for the sake of global harmony, admit to wrongdoings, and give up the grandiose notion as redeemer of the planet. The millennium stretches its unknown path into the future where deep self-introspection (instead of a critique of others) could become a saving grace. Nations must finally let go of childish myths and old allusions of grandeur, abandoning the kindergarten philosophy of "good verses bad guys."
"Perhaps one day," writes University of Michigan professor of political science, J. David Singer, "politicians will view international conflicts the way doctors view diseases – as malfunctions in a system rather than battles between the forces of light and darkness."
In ascent into the afterlife
a young man cried up to God,
"Unto what mansion, O Father,
will you take me on this night?...
Blood stains my hands
and I am a murderer!
Torture me then, as I've done
to others on black battlefields
of torn consciences and minds;
banish me to purgatory,
where the real war
is the impossible struggle
between myself and humanity.
"Dear child," answered a voice,
"The sin that destroyed you
was never yours. It was given
selfishly to you by others
who wanted you to carry their
evil burden. Come here now
to the place where the souls
of those you murdered wait
- they stand here in the thousands -
those "enemies" you were forced to kill.
Come, I'll take and gently place
their arms around you.
I'll forgive you now if you repent.
Go, embrace them dying soldier! -
tonight you enter my kingdom innocent.
*(1) Sleep Softly, P. Mari, 1995, Voices From Our Conscience
 |
