God or Country (Christianity and Patriotism)

 

In part six of Christianity and Patriotism, Tolstoy argues that love between nations is false since it cannot experience such a thing. Alliances are framed as measures to ensure peace but that is a lie. It is a lie in a sense that the purpose is to establish an equilibrium of power and this is impossible as any sort of “reaction is met with an equal and opposite reaction.” This cannot lead to peace. Tolstoy goes on to mention how “the devil is a murderer and the father of lies.” Which is used to express the evils of war. Citizens claim that God is on their side with “God save the tsar” being printed across Russia. Tolstoy uses this to highlight the irony of all of these emperors embraced by God are warring with each other. The pious order the least pious act. He laments that the “love will wane.. and the Christianizing of mankind which begun will be retarded again” while merchant celebrate their increase in profits. 

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