Ours were not; and there is nothing more to be said. Germans may repress the memory of what they and their leaders did, to carry on with life. But repressing the memory, does not make it disappear from the Psyche; and it will remain there for hundreds of years.
I have been amazed, and amused, to read modern English philosophers, writing about as dry a subject as the academic theory of knowledge, declare plainly that other peoples’ views depend on the assumptions they make; but who seem apparently unaware that their own views are similarly influenced. Frankly, I do not believe they were unaware; they were far too intelligent. I believe they could not contemplate the thought that their own views might be vitiated by their own false assumptions. They too had to cling to their totems or shibboleths. They could not bear to admit, even to themselves, that there were no yardsticks or signposts in the secular world, other than expediency; they feared that the moment you let go of all spiritual landmarks in this mortal world, it would be as though you had set out in a tiny boat into a wild sea, disorientated and mentally seasick. Just imagine what it would be like to have no confidence in reason or judgement; not even your own, certainly not other people’s? Just imagine what it would be like to have the order we are all used to, being replaced by utter chaos! No wonder even philosophers are afraid of such a transformation. But the price you pay for your composure and peace of mind may be that your thoughts, or philosophy, are undermined by your mistaken assumptions – and false. And you can never know for sure whether that is so, or not, because you have never dared to look.
So it is I feel driven to the view that there are no yardsticks or signposts in this secular world, other than expediency. I accept too that my Theory of Consciousness only contains substantial truth, and inevitably contains error; yet even if substantially true, it prevents me holding onto the shibboleths that comfort other people. If I am right, then it is only the religions that teach the difference between right and wrong. Without a religion of some kind, the secular world may recognise the difference for a time; but the difference becomes blurred, and in the end merges into expediency, especially where wrong is cheaper. Yet heaven help us when someone who thinks, or believes, he has found faith in God, when in a position of power, translates this into practice by declaring that he is doing “The will of God”. There can hardly be any worse arrogance or blasphemy, especially when it involves War. War may on occasions be necessary; but it is a necessary expedient. And as Clausewitz and every competent commander since has known, war must fought for some specific and realisable political goal. You are not doing His will by waging war; you are doing your own!