Screwtape Revisited

This was not written by C.S. Lewis; but I think it might have been if he lived today.

My dear Wormwood,

We are entering the climatic period of our endeavor.  Keep using the tried and true methods we’ve perfected.  Remember the idols of old.  Remember how people “worshipped” those worthless figures.  They did so to get things:  health, security; wealth.  Humans still crave such things.  And while the idols could not deliver the goods, believe me, machines and “artificial intelligence” will give them all that they desire.  (“A.I.” is a stupid term, I know; but these are humans, after all.  They anthropomorphize everything.  It makes them feel important.  Encourage that hubris.)

Continue to remind humans that they risk persecution in serving the Enemy.  This will intimidate many into being quiet about their allegiance to the Enemy.  But be careful to hide persecution’s most pernicious form; for while they read the enemy’s propaganda about the suffering they will face, happily, they don’t realize that the enticements of life’s bounty are as effective as death in neutralizing their usefulness to the Enemy.  And do not let them come to know that, when the Enemy speaks of “persecution,” he means any form of our “chasing”.  Yes!  Chase them - with good things.  You know the old expression, “Kill them with kindness.”  Why would we kill their bodies if you can entice them into our service?  Besides, bodily persecution tends to embolden the fools. 

So, don’t actually harm them… yet.  You will accomplish much more by using the coming flood of pleasures and conveniences they will acquire with their tools of knowledge.  The things they want will become increasingly cheap and abundant; so, tempt them to escape into their leisure and entertainments.  Encourage them to quietly taste the delights of the flesh, to live in a virtual reality, to feel in command of their world through their “internet of everything”; to live for the pleasures of this world.  (I hope you still have the writings of Democritus I gave you.  He has a particular appeal to people in the West. That wretched human, Paul, did much damage to our cause when in Athens; but we are regaining our ground.)  Keep the humans focused on what they can have, here and now.  Let them enjoy their new toys!  

And assure them that they can control their machines and their “artificial intelligence”.  Let the humans in the West believe that their democracy and laws will protect them.  Don’t let them understand that some of our human agents will be able to manipulate the power of their machines to our advantage.  How delicious it will be when they realize, too late, that they have created the engines of their own destruction!

Wormwood, you know that I am not particularly excitable; but I can hardly contain my glee:  Our master is close to realizing his goal of becoming omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent!  Finally, our master will be like God!   He will use this power to completely enslave the humans!  Then, finally, he will kill those who stubbornly persist in serving the Enemy.  What a blessed day that will be! 

So, be patient, Wormwood.  It will come, soon.

Your affectionate uncle,

Screwtape

If Screwtape is right, then we need to be prepared.  May we learn to trust God in everything and for everything.  He alone is our hope and salvation.

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