Matt - I suspect that the images had more to do with "spiritual warfare" (meaning the war that occurs inside a person's own breast when trying to reach a decision or make a change in some way). I may be wrong, but I suspect those pictures were allegorical.

My impression is that all the great religious teachings are meant to be acted out more within a human being than on the outer field of battle, so to speak, but people are literal-minded, so they usually focus it outward instead.

Lepus - You are probably correct that actions taken to isolate that country have had only tragic results. That is usually the case with such actions.

- LH