For me, tribalism and religion are basically the big reasons

The words of George A. Romero—“For me, tribalism and religion are basically the big reasons we’re in trouble. Patriotism, tribalism, and religion”—strike like a bell in the silence, echoing with both lament and warning. They speak of the shadows that arise when humanity clings too fiercely to divisions of blood, creed, and flag. What should bind us together becomes, too often, the very chains that tear us apart. These forces—when guided by wisdom—can inspire love, unity, and sacrifice. Yet, when corrupted by fear or ambition, they become the engines of strife. Thus Romero’s words come to us like an ancient oracle: beware of these powers, for they are double-edged, capable of creation or destruction.

Tribalism is as old as humankind. In the beginning, it was our shield: it bound kin to kin, safeguarded the vulnerable, and gave identity to wandering souls. But what once ensured survival now breeds division. When the tribe is exalted above humanity itself, it becomes the seed of war. Nations fracture, neighbors turn against one another, and the circle of loyalty shrinks until compassion is reserved only for those who look, speak, or worship the same. Thus, what was once our protection becomes our peril.

Religion, too, bears this dual nature. At its purest, it offers light to the heart, comfort to the suffering, and a path toward meaning. But history shows how often it has been wielded as a sword rather than a lantern. The Crusades, the Inquisition, the countless wars waged in the name of the divine—all remind us that when men claim ownership of God, they unleash destruction in His name. Here lies the essence of Romero’s warning: faith, meant to unite mankind with the eternal, can be twisted into the fiercest justification for cruelty.

And then there is patriotism. Love of one’s land, devotion to one’s people—these are noble instincts, capable of inspiring sacrifice and service. Yet when distorted into blind allegiance, patriotism becomes a veil for oppression, silencing dissent and glorifying conquest. Recall the words of Samuel Johnson, who once observed, “Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.” In every age, rulers have cloaked their failures in the colors of the flag, demanding obedience in the name of loyalty. When this cry drowns out reason, nations stumble into ruinous wars, and it is always the common people who bear the burden.

History offers countless examples. Consider the Rwandan genocide of 1994, where ancient tribalism was inflamed by leaders to ignite hatred. Neighbor turned against neighbor, and nearly a million lives were extinguished in one hundred days. Or look to Europe’s Thirty Years’ War, when religion became the rallying cry for endless bloodshed, devastating an entire continent. And in the twentieth century, patriotism was exalted by fascist powers, leading to a global conflict that consumed tens of millions of lives. Each of these tragedies was born not of love itself, but of love corrupted, twisted into a banner for power.

The lesson, then, is not to reject tribalism, religion, or patriotism, but to refine them—to anchor them in wisdom, compassion, and humility. Love your tribe, but do not despise others. Cherish your faith, but do not wield it against your neighbor. Honor your nation, but remember that true loyalty is shown not in blind obedience, but in the pursuit of justice and truth. These forces must serve humanity, not enslave it.

Practical action lies before us all. We must guard our hearts against the poison of division. Seek common ground across tribes and nations. Let your religion guide you toward love, not hatred. Let your patriotism inspire service, not arrogance. When you hear leaders call upon these powerful forces, pause and ask: do they use them to build bridges or to sharpen swords? In your daily life, practice this wisdom in small ways—reach across divides, listen before you condemn, and hold fast to compassion even when the crowd cries for vengeance.

Thus, Romero’s words endure as a fire-lit warning for future generations: the greatest perils are not born from without, but from within the human heart, when tribalism, religion, and patriotism are corrupted. Yet if we master them with wisdom, they can become sources of strength, guiding humanity not into ruin, but into a future where love is greater than fear, and unity greater than division.