A reporter asked Mahatma Gandhi what he thought of western civilization. Gandhi replied, “I think it would be a good idea.” After chortling, one wonders if any organized society has ever reached real civilization status as defined by an honest critic of human behavior. If one discounts academic pronouncements from cultural anthropologists or the literal definitions one finds in many social science research papers, it becomes at least arguable that the human race has never been civilized enough to be considered anything more than a bestial lot of wildlife let loose from God’s zoo.
Human nature is largely reprehensible. Sure, people have fleeting moments of grace and kindness, but, on balance, all things considered, the chapters of human history are pointlessly blood-spattered, and overwhelming evidence underscores hatred and perfidy as primary and common human characteristics. Read newspapers or watch the evening news if you have doubts.
Not convinced? Check out the core beliefs of the Christian Nationalists, who are neither patriots nor Christians, as they stormed the Capitol on January 6th. Many of these insurrectionists displayed Christian imagery, along with Trump banners, war whoops, Confederate flags, nooses, “Jesus Saves” signs, Viking helmets, Bibles, and wooden crosses, not to mention a blinding sea of red MAGA caps. One infers they were sent by the Holy Ghost and subsequentially marshalled by Donald Trump (a pairing that defies imagination) to set things right by storming the defenses and lynching a lib or two, maybe more. One Trump lawyer even suggested Vice President Pence face a “firing squad.” Why is an apt question. Word spread through the mob that several moderate Republicans might deserve the noose as well, unless those milk toast RINOs chose to stoop to the idolatry of the Christian Nationalists. If given a chance to break into the rooms where congresspersons were hiding, the mob would surely have pressed their cause further and many more would have died in our inner sanctuary of democracy.
Okay, I admit that not all insurrectionists would identify as Christian Nationalists, but most would align nicely with the CN objectives, and a scattering of others would identify themselves as Evangelists or “born-again” believers, those inspired by the Holy Ghost to spread the truth of their beliefs, even if they needed a sidearm or a cudgel to get their point across to the infidels.
It is difficult to see any difference between these home bred insurrectionists and hard-right Islamists. Or hard-right Hindus, or any other flavor hard-rightists. Extremism fouls the air for all of us who desire a kinder and gentler world, a peaceful world. Those who sign up for, say, the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers or Al Qaeda, pledge their lives to freedom fighting (though others may call them terrorists). They volunteer to wage battle against the overlords, those authorities who stand in the way of truth as they (the extremists) see it. No compromise is possible with righteousness. It is absolute.
Two groups, the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, among others (Patriot Prayer associates and the Three Percenters), were promoters and coconspirators of the attack on democracy. These groups are buoyed by self-appointed “warrior class” status and are sworn to uphold the Constitution, which they ironically despoil. Underpinning their beliefs come the whole pallet of “patriotic” trappings: God, country, anti-globalism, anti-government (unless Trump is in office), and pro-hate just about everything that is other than their view of what constitutes authority. They raise the cross and the flag and pretend that these untrumpable symbols give them license to do whatever they please. Onward Christian soldiers marching as to war, marching toward the palisades of power, repeating the same folly as chronicled in every paragraph, page, chapter, and book of human history.
Yes, Gandhi, western civilization is a good idea. We’re working on it. We are still too ignorant and ill-bred to fill the order. Just give us a couple more centuries and perhaps we will develop a fair system of justice and a social structure that is equitable to all people.