The wars that never seem to end

e humans are afraid of the unknown. That is why we have feelings of wariness and vigilance when we see strangers or foreigners around us. Sometimes, we may even become hostile to those who are not one of us or who are different from us. This is especially so when we are obsessed with tribalism, ultra-nationalism or dogmatic ideologies, whether political or religious.

- KIM SEONG-KON

Nazism, communism and religious dogmatism are good examples. These have one thing in common: They do not tolerate differences. They perceive different races, creeds and faiths as a threat and condemn them as inferior species, reactionaries, or heretics. The firm conviction that they are right and pure and that others are wrong and impure justifies their cruelty and brutality. Therefore, they do not hesitate to kill others under the excuse of “cleansing” or “purging.”

As for communism and Christianity, they have long thought of each other as threats and adversaries. Despite fundamental differences, however, they have exhibited one striking similarity: neither can endure different creeds and beliefs. Inthe past, therefore, some communist regimes ruthlessly executed opponents they called “reactionaries” through summary courts, and premodern Christian inquisitors, too, brutally killed adversaries they called “heretics” through inquisitions and witch trials.