"The Truth Will Set You Free" series of sermons presents sermon #010 on The Blessings of Nationalism.

Main Entry: na·tion·al·ism
Pronunciation: 'nash-n&-"li-z&m, 'na-sh&-n&-"li-z&m
Function: noun
1 : loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially : a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups

Greetings Brothers and Sisters of Amarr and the lessor races. Today I would speak to you about the concept of nationalism and the blessings of this state of mind. I know when you hear the term "nationalism" you probably think of the Caldari or Gallente but the truth is this is a state of life in its truest form when it is applied to the Amarrian Empire. While some would contend that nationalism is a bad thing clearly it is not.

Amarrian Nationalism is a blessing..... You're probably looking at that and wondering "what? how?".... well the answer is quite simple.

What do we have in Amarr? We have the righteousness of God and His blessings in our daily lives. Someday we will again have an Emperor who will ascend the throne and take His place as Gods link to us who will guide us as a shepard guides his flock in safety. Nationalism is the state in which we operate as faithful Amarrian citizens. The definition above states "loyalty and devotion" and "exalting one nation above all others". Clearly those definitions are directed at Amarr and our place as the chosen race of God. While we serve with humility and kneel in subserviance there is also great pride in flying the banner of the Empire and bringing the justice of God to the heathens and criminals. This sense of nationalistic service is one thing that makes us great and the fact God gives us this opportunity to serve and carry his banner makes Amarrian nationalism a blessing indeed.

What is worth fighting for? Some who would oppose government contend that individual freedom and self-determination are a cause worth fighting for yet they would oppose the right of others to make their own free choice to be nationalistic. How hypocritical is that? Very my brothers and sisters let there be no doubt. You are free to choose...... but only if you choose what I choose...... yes my brethern hypocritical indeed.

What is the price of the anti-nationalist? Well we in Amarr have built the largest and most powerful Empire in the universe. We have populated more systems than any other race as the Empire scientists restored warp drive and jumpgate technology first. I don't recall seeing any non-nationalistic supporters creating anything of merit in fact all I see from them is destruction. It has always been easier to destroy than to create and for some destroy is all they have ever done. But to create, to wave the banner of your nation, to support the greater good and cast aside personal desires for something larger than yourself, those are the traits of a truly free man.

I would contend the only free man is the one who has given all of himself for his Empire. If you don't give yourself to God and Empire you are in fact a slave to your own desires and wishes. You are a slave to those who would take advantage of you for their own gain. You are a slave to your needs and no amount of "freedom" will save you. Most of all you are a slave to sin as those without God are doomed.

There are those who would cast aside nationalism and claim all should provide for themselves. What these people fail to do my fellow Amarrians is answer some critical questions such as who will provide for the poor, who will care for the sick, who will provide for the handicapped and who will protect the weak. In the universe of darkness where sin and violence reign they would contend "fight for yourself" and be free. But what if you fail? You just die and that's the end of it or worse you become a slave to someone who would use you to profit themselves at your expense while feeding you scraps from the table of "freedom". Contrast that to life in Amarr and nationalistic fevor for the Empire of God. There is no comparison. It is clearly superior to be an Amarrian servant of God and nationalist to the Empire who believes in supporting all for the greater good.

Selfish is a word not in our vocabulary.

Likewise the galactic spacelanes are not without the constant influences of governments. While the Amarrian Empire is great and the other Empires are also of good size most of space is still unclaimed and considered unsafe. In these truly lawless areas of space one could see the results of anti-nationalism first hand. No support, no healthcare, no education, no law enforcement to stop criminals, random piracy, death and mayhem at every stargate. Yes it is truly a wasteland of non-nationalism.

Yet even there we have some form of government. For example in a non-nationalistic universe who would pay to maintain stargates? Who would pay to maintain stations? Who would pay to maintain the Navy? No one would. Those who oppose the cause of government would stand in alliance with the darkness and cast our society into oblivion. They are the destroyers of all we work to build.

They would claim "people would have to make their own way and pay their own way" but fail to answer for the weak. What would the handicapped do? Those who are unable to work? Those who are attacked by pirates and lose everything? Would they in fact end up working for others as virtual slaves of poverty? There are those who would condemn Amarr for slavery yet those who would create slaves of fear are far more heinous and do so with no good intent as we Amarr do when we bring the Minmatar to the gates of Enlightenment.

Imagine for a moment a universe without working stargates, without stations to dock at, without the Navy to clear away the pirates and criminals. What type of lawless hell would this be? This is what those who oppose nationalism seek after all. They never answer the question of who will pay they just seek to destroy. They would have everything organized go away and be replaced with nothing. Is this the universe you want to live in? Im sorry brothers and sisters but compared to a life in service to God and Empire that looks like a life of hell and torment to me.

Brothers and sisters I give you the cause of Amarrian nationalism. Righteous, blessed by God and ordained by our Emperors past. The Empire is all that matters to those who are true. Those who do not believe do not matter for they are lost. Those who would toss us all into anarchy likewise do not matter for they are lost. It has always been easier to destroy than to build and this is why the Amarrians are so great. Rather than destroy we have built the largest and greatest of the Empires. Rather than destroy the Minmatar we have built a system to bring them to Enlightenment. Rather than destroy the government we have supported it and developed a Navy that patrols the Empire day and night seeking out criminals. Rather than destroy our homes we have developed an Empire with starbases and opportunities for those of faith who will take up the mantle of God.

Yes my brothers and sisters this is a time of nationalism and a time of service for all Amarr. When you see the lessor races talk about nationalism do not despair rather know in your hearts that Amarrian nationalism is alive and well and is a blessing we receive from God for our service. Know in your hearts that it is the only way for the truly blessed to be.

Go with God.

Archbishop
PIE Priest