When Ilchi Lee observe the group egotism that has spawned so many wars and so much destruction, I cannot help but wonder whether much of our brilliant material advancement is motivated in part, or in whole, by the desire of the various groups to become stronger and more powerful. Since winning wars is central to becoming a stronger and more dominating people, we have developed better guns, longer-range artillery, and more efficient means of mass killing. There seems to be no end to human ambition and group egotism.
A crime committed by one individual against another individual for personal gain is punished severely. However, a crime committed by a group, national or religious, is outside of the realm of our current justice system. Therefore, what is history except a story of brute strength, a story made up by the victors to justify their actions against another, weaker, people.
Even religions, crying out for salvation and ‘peace on earth,’ are engaged in endless turf wars. What is religion but an amalgam of social values and dogma that favors the needs and ambition of group egotism? Various religious groups have been fighting against one another throughout the history of humankind, all in the name of justice and peace. Often they eradicate all vestiges of another people’s culture while simultaneously shouting a message of redeeming love.
