Originally posted by 18secFerio
see, I'm thinking too high of myself...
I guess I'm a pessimist. I view what I said (about human nature, organized religion and extremism) as fact. Dichotomies are how we see the world around us, just as we constantly use stereotypes to comprehend the world around us. I can see past differences, but the problem is, someone so emboldened by their beliefs cannot. Thats the problem. Religion gives these extremists the right to hate, the right to judge and the right to deny forgiveness (which is ironic, because
every religion preaches compassion and forgiveness). The righteousness of their actions, their secularism, and their animosity stems from the righteousness of their religious beliefs. I see organized religion as the most insurmountable barrier of mankind. You have to think about these things a lot when youre a historian

h:
I don't want to dampen your zeal. Your idea is beautiful, and you are right to share it. These are just my interpretations.
:EDIT: I personally agree, for the most part, with your idea... I just don't think it can be universal. Too many people are intrenched in their systems of polarity.
Another flaw, as I see it, is that people must recognize a god, and be monotheistic.
The monotheistic part helps, its a way of creating a bridge between mindsets. Heck, most people believe theyre worshipping the same god, just a different way, and thats great.
The problem is, this theory shouldn't be god-centered. Not only so it applies for athiests, agnostics, dejected religious types, but because the principal stems from a mindset that needn't be religious.