In this fifth chapter, Wormwood is happy that a great war has engulfed Europe. So Screwtape writes to him not to take pleasure yet as things can go against their interest. How could war go against the Devil's way? Aren't humans killing another humans the best that the Devil can hope to achieve? The author says that war can divert the minds of humans to external issues rather than concentrate on their self-centredness so though humans killing killings can serve the purpose of the evil ones, it can go against their interest unless they see that human souls are finally brought unto 'their Father Below'.
Screwtape also advises Wormwood to carefully see whether it's best to make the patient an extreme patriot or an ardent pacifist. So that accordingly they will devise their scheme to lure him towards their Father Below.
Well, how would being an extreme patriot or an ardent pacifist serve the purpose of the evil one? C S Lewis does not delve into the matter. But it may go something like this. The Nazi Germans were hardcore patriots. They love their countrymen and countrymen, and also hate others -- the Jews, Communists and Trade Unionists. Loving one's own countrymen and countrywomen is good, but hating others is a problem. And a hardcore patriot can make those they hate the scapegoat -- responsible for their ills.
A ardent pacifist may stand against war, and even in the face of extreme evil, just let the evil men walk over all the innocent persons and enslave everyone. And this is is bad, and this pleases the evil one.
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