Final answer:
The phrase addresses the irony of conflicting parties invoking the same god for victory, highlighting the moral and religious contradictions in human societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase “Each looked for an easier triumph and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same bible and pray to the same god and each invokes his aid against the other” speaks to the paradox of people in conflict each believing that their cause is supported by the same divine entity.
This sentiment is reflective of the long history of religious and moral contradictions within human societies, such as during the Civil War, where both sides invoked the same God for victory. These lines illustrate the irony and tragedy of such circumstances and underscore the common humanity of opponents in conflict who share similar beliefs yet find themselves at odds on the battlefield or in ideological struggles.
Throughout history, individuals and groups have used religion to justify their actions, even when those actions directly contradict the ethical or moral teachings of that religion. The passages provided highlight this by discussing scenarios where prayers for help or victory result in hardships for others, where religious justifications are used to defend the indefensible like slavery, and where both sides of a conflict believe that the divine is on their side, as seen in military conquests.