Charismatic Chaos

Hey Oni. How's life? I suspect that many religious ideologies do in fact inherently breed destructive motives. Many seem to be founded very much on a "them and us" basis that all but inevitably results in the "true believers" (of watever flavour) railing against the "infidels". Resulting in destructive consequences for humanity at large. All true...but...(there had to be a but didn't there )Political ideologies can be debated and argued on the basis of reason, pragmatism, cause and effect etc. etc. They can incorporate compromise and even, in theory at least, refutation and subsequent modification. In the long term whole political ideologies can even arguably be tested and overturned. History, both ancient and modern, can teach us much about the different political approaches available to us today. Whether we choose to learn these lessons or take this more rational approach to political ideologies and allegiances in practise is another question. The fact is that we (i.e. humans) all too often don't. But it is in principle possible to take this more rational approach to political differences of opinion.Religious differences, on the other hand, cannot even in principle be resolved. Conflicting matters of faith will always inevitably boil down to "I'm right". "No, I am right". "I know that I am right". "But I know that I am right" etc. etc. In the case of religious differences the best that can be hoped for is tolerance and that tends to be fairly precarious given the inherently divisive nature and exceptionally strong emotional aspects of faith based thinking. In any practical sense I think I agree entirely with what you are saying here. However I would argue that faith based pursuits, like religion, are inherently divisive whilst political differences, at least in theory, should be able to be resolved without recourse to simple assertion that ones beliefs are inerrant and the use of force to trample on anyone who disagrees.But, as you suggest, I suspect that human nature dictates that ANY ideology or human pursuit, whether faith based or otherwise, will result in divisiveness and the beliefs of one "tribe" being forcefully imposed on others against their will.

Yep. Good post Oni. Cheers!! Was away in Paris for a bit which was fun but not easy with the little fella in tow. More recently been working at the London Olympic site. Been too busy for EvC participation. But things back to normal now. I think the difference is that people come to realise that faith itself is not a sufficiant basis on which to rationally subscribe to a particular ideology. Abandoning the particular faith based ideology in question itself is secondary to this realisation. This is subtly different from being swayed away from a particular political ideology by means of reasoned argument that an alternative political ideology or form of thinking leads to superior practical results.As long as faith in a particular ideology remains part of the equation it is impossible to reason people out of that ideology. Religious ideologies are inherently reliant on faith. Political ideologies, at least in theory, are not. You are right. The differences I am trying to express above are so subtle and of such little consequence in any practical sense that they can be completely ignored.I guess I just could not bear the thought of agreeing 100% without at least attempting to find some small point of potential disagreement

I agree. C'mon! You didn't really think I had abandoned that one did you? It appears that RAZD and I are on speaking terms again too. Life is peachy!!