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The video of a hostage being beheaded in Iraq is an example of horror mankind is subject to. It shows how much influence such a leader can have over others. He would stay back from his disciples, as he directs them to behead hostage. Whenever men holding prisoner looked uncertain, leader would convince them that what they were doing was just thing. The scene appears to be a struggle between leader (persuading) and followers (resisting). The film shows how power of evil can pervert people’s senses to such a degree that destruction and horror replace goodness and compassion in their souls.
The seductive powers of darkness act by using people's vulnerability and weaknesses against them. Terrorists claim their actions are for their love of God. Most of them believe that what they are doing is right. Someone who they see as a prophet or a messenger leads them to believe that they act in God’s will. This messenger is trusted and considered more important than their own lives. Sorat would exploit these people to “give their lives for his pleasure in subjecting mankind to horror of ultimate magnitude,” as mentioned in Hulagu’s Web.
It is difficult to understand why well-intentioned, logically thinking people fall into such traps. How can one induce another to become a suicide bomber willing to die for some obscure cause and kill other innocent people? How can human mind become so clouded and susceptible to such evil and debasing acts? The answer lies in fact that many people need something or someone to believe in. Sorat and his progeny would use this weakness to lead those susceptible to their influence. The reasons for their acts are masked, people follow because they need to believe and fail to ask themselves a rational explanation for what they are made to do. Nevertheless, if people saw true intentions behind these schemes they would not follow. Evil exists as long it disguises itself.
Sorat could only maintain his power by distorting way people perceive what is good. He would reduce each individual to his level - an entity without soul or conscious. His ultimate objective is to alter human existence by spreading destruction and misery. Eradicating mercy, benevolence, compassion and humanity (most needed qualities that Christ himself advocated) is only way Sorat can achieve his goals.
Adrian Becherete (is currently studying management marketing...) believes in the unlimited potential of the human mind and that constant evolution is impossible without striving to understand reality and distinguishing between the meanings of good and evil.