Screwtape #3 - Patriotism

My dear Wormwood,

I hear you've had a new assignment. Don't get too cocky about it, though, or you'll stuff it up like last time.

You say that there's a wave of nationalism sweeping through the country at the moment, and you're wondering what to do with your patient in response to it. Well, we have two choices. If he is the sort that secretly wishes he was born somewhere else, and actually thinks his own country is a bit stupid, then feel free to push him against it. Let him declare that all nationalism is, in fact, idolatrous, and should be stamped out at once. Let him follow this with such conviction that his anti-nationalism becomes poisonous, and is in itself idolatry.

But, if he is of the other persuasion, and instead loves singing the praises of his country - as, it seems, your patient is more than happy to do - then let him declare his love for his country from the rooftops! Let him say that he is the one that loves his country most, that nobody could love it more! In fact, that anyone who does not love their country should be shot on the spot, for daring to consume the same air, the ungrateful swine. Let him put the country upon such a pedestal that nothing could ever seek to replace it.

Let him entwine his ideas of God, with his ideas of his country - to the point where he starts to believe that by loving his country, he is actually loving God as well. And, indeed, those that do not love their country must be unreligious heathen, and need to be converted, evicted, or wiped out! Push him ever closer to the edge, and then watch as he himself jumps off. He will start saying that his country should be pure, clean, undefiled; that nobody should be allowed in, if they aren't special like him. That the swine and the scum should be cleaned off the face of the earth!

And if you manage to convince him in such a direction, I shall speak to the demons own in our political division, as I understand your subject has certain aspirations. I'm sure that with some small encouragement, if he proves to be malleable to our cause, that we could easily see him climbing the ranks to the top. All in the name of his God and country, of course, and none could say otherwise; but really, he shall be nothing more than a puppet, leading those under him as far astray as we can take them.

You doubt that this can happen? Well, my young Wormwood, you have clearly not read up on the human wars of the last century. Do Soviet Russia, or Nazi Germany, not ring any bells? Goodness, the education these days really isn't up to par.

Rest assured. If your patient is half the man I think he is - he will do much work for us yet. I only hope that you are up to the task.

Your affectionate uncle,
Screwtape