This chapter explores how the modern nation-state has inherited and transformed humanity’s ancient cognitive tendencies to personify collective forces as intentional, moral beings. Like early religious institutions, nations redirect our innate sense of kinship and reciprocity toward millions of unrelated citizens through symbols, rituals, and shared myths. Flags, anthems, parades, and founding heroes serve as ever-present reminders that evoke loyalty and altruism, while rival nations mirror the role of antipodal deities in ancient pantheons. The chapter also examines how other modern organizations—sports teams, political parties, militaries, and universities—elicit similar devotion through ritual, competition, and shared identity, functioning as additional “deities” in our modern pantheon. These parallels highlight how industrial societies continue to harness evolved predispositions for belonging and moral purpose. The book concludes by asking whether future institutions can transcend these inherited cognitive patterns to foster cooperation beyond tribal, national, and ideological boundaries.