Nullification of Radical Religious and National Aspirations is Critical for Survival of Humanity

Abstract

This opinion article argues that radical religious claims and exaggerated national aspirations endanger the survival of humanity. The author describes human development as marked by two contradictory aspects: unprecedented technological and cognitive achievements on the one hand, and competitive aggression, hatred, envy and cruelty on the other, which now risk mass-destructive military clashes. Religious belief is presented as arising from limited human understanding of the world's formation and from fears of death and the unknown, and its history is linked to violence, from European religious wars and the Crusades to the present Islamic Jihad against Western civilization. Exaggerated national aspirations are associated with colonialism and with current cases such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Chinese claims over Nepal and Taiwan, and Iran's military involvement across the Middle East; the author holds that the removal of leaders pursuing such aims is essential. Noting that humanity has acquired the means of mass destruction without guaranteeing that they will not be used, the article calls for the unification of humanity to prevent man-made disasters, proposes dividing Russia into several states by national affiliation, and suggests reorganising the world under rational leadership with an appropriate division of resources. The author concludes that, since diplomacy reduces tension only temporarily, the required new world order is achievable only by force.

Abstract prepared by the editorial office from the full text of the article; the authors did not supply one.