Leo Tolstoi: If Christianity is true, then patriotism must 'by every means' be rooted out

If patriotism be good, then Christianity, as giving peace, is an idle dream, and the sooner we root it out, the better. But if Christianity really gives peace, and if we really want peace, then patriotism is a survival of barbarism, and it is not only wrong to excite and develop it, as we do now, but it ought to be rooted out by every means, by preaching, persuasion, contempt, ridicule. If Christianity be truth, and we wish to live in peace, then we must more than cease to take pleasure in the power of our country; we must rejoice in the weakening of that power, and help thereto.

Leo Tolstoi, Patriotism, or Peace?