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The Psychology of Jingoism

Christianity à la mode. Those who have followed the records of the pulpits as reported in the religious press, and have read the editorial comments of that press, will be astonished by the consentaneity of voices. Amid the clash of creeds, the angry disputations upon ritual and Church government, the scornful refusal to join hands in any common work of human charity, there has resounded one clear, harmonious, passionate note, representing the oft-dreamed Union of the Churches – a note of loud fanatical encouragement to armed Britain to go forth in Jesus' name to slay their fellows and to take their land.

From the conception of England as a country with a special mission to 'civilize' the world with blood and iron, to the conception of 'England's God' as a tribal God of battles who shall fight with our big battalions and help us to crush our enemies, is a step taken with ease and confidence by most of our Churches.

Scotch evangelicism (save the mark!) strikes the note most loudly. Here is the whole philosophy of the business from Dr. Watson (Ian Maclaren): – 'Why should we not recognize in our England the modern Israel, called of God, and set apart by God for a special mission?' That 'mission' is based upon a

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