a reply to: 727Sky
I would first prepare the ground. The establishment of a cargo cult, centered around an individual is no less powerful than a cult or religion founded
on any other principle, and no less pervasive in its effect on the minds it touches. Therefore a certain amount of groundwork would be required in
order for the people involved, to even begin to accept the truth.
So, if I had unlimited resources, I would drop leaflets and a cloud of speaker, and projector equipped drones over the island. The leaflets would
have information about not only John, but the place in which he lived, and the normal lives of people there. It would include the phrase, in bold.
"He was, but one of many, and is no more."
The leaflet drop would also include leaflets with images of the modern world, and the fact that many people wander its streets, and that some of them
have nothing, and others have much, to illustrate that not all is peachy in the realm of their corpse God.
The speaker drones would play a spoken history of the Second World War, with a focus toward the reason for the arrival of the troops from the US,
including this notional Frum character. They would explain that far from being gods, these were men, Frum included, and to worship any one of them as
gods cheapens their efforts and sacrifices in war. It is nothing for a god to travel half a world away from his family, and make war on his enemies.
But for a human being to do these things is to risk everything.
Some of the speaker drones would pair up with projector drones. The projector drones would project moving pictures from the Second World War, images
of men in US uniform, unfortunately and unmistakeably dead, to show that Frum and his ilk were not gods, but mortal. The speakers would offer
documentary commentary, further explaining the meaning of all these soldiers arriving on the islands, and the wider context within which these things
occurred. They would also play audio and show video of what the world is like today, with more commentary.
This would only be the groundwork. Some might say, "why not just land there yourself and set up a learning center to enlighten the people on the
island to the truth?". I can understand that, and certainly, it would be easier in terms of logistics and equipment spending. However, people who
receive news that they do not like, often respond with violence, especially if that news challenges their understanding of not only their lives and
culture, but their faith. Therefore, placing a person on the ground to do this would place that person in significant danger. In addition, sending
some sort of security force to protect that individual, would put the islanders in danger as well.
That is why a hands off approach would work best, just to get people used to the idea, or at least spread the information around, so that it was out
there in the ears and minds of the islanders, without risking their lives, or the lives of those trying to provide the data.
After that, diplomatic efforts could take a more direct and hands on route.