Bloodlust

The shedding of human blood is significant. When our heroes die in bed we mourn them. Should they be slain, we adore them all the more. Our villains die unpunished unless put to death. The end of human life by an act of will is a spiritual phenomenon beyond the mortality of flesh. It is an exercise of will at the ultimate expense of another.

Blood sacrifice, in all its guises, is the committing of murder with the intent of harnessing the energy released by the victim. The quality and quantity of the sacrificial life determines the quality and quantity of the energy released. Humanity is the only creature endowed with the divine spark (the soul), thus, a human being is the most potent victim. The shedding of innocent blood releases the purest energy.

Human sacrifice is not a ritual humanity has outgrown. The shedding of innocent blood for the sake of empowerment is more prevalent now than ever before. Our priests wet their knives. Our mindless masses cheer, believing the ritual shall bestow blessings upon them. We are told the sacrifices are necessary to preserve the world. Alas, for all our fancy toys and erudite sophistry we have not changed.

War is a clash of wills. The intent to kill is the will to prevail. The act of killing is to thwart or dominate. Lust, fear, anger and hatred are stirred to their utmost by rumors of war. They are realized as violence in the waging of war. Heroes are celebrated for killing and martyrs for dying. The common victims are mourned en masse. The slaughter of the enemy or supposed enemy is cheered. War is humanity pitted against itself. War is the shedding of human blood by human hands. It is killing with intent to kill.

People are thrilled and empowered by the slaying of people. Whether by murder, sacrifice or war, humanity is roused by the shedding of human blood. Right or wrong, good or evil, humanity is a race of killers.