PROFESSOR KELLY DENTON-BORHAUG, MORAVIAN UNIVERSITY (CLICK LINK)

"During the period of the First World War, with the experience of hundreds of thousands sacrificing themselves for the nation, the connection between war and Christianity became clear. One scholar wrote:

"The figure of Christ was present in the cult of the fallen soldier—and in Germany, Italy and France familiar Christian symbols represented national sacrifice. The First World War was the climax in the evolution of modern nationalism.

"Nationalism has been described as a religion, yet with insufficient attention paid to the theme of sacrifice that binds the experiences of nationalism and the Christian religion." 

The First World War descended directly from the crucifixion of Christ. Each of the millions of soldiers penetrated with machine-gun bullets symbolized the crucified Christ.