These were my thoughts yesterday when I heard about the additional three or four. I just got in from a little hike and need to catch up on the latest. Mouse... I didn't know that. I thought they had significant case-breaking info... :(

Anyway, guys... I could go on and on about this... Vic's and Harmony's lament. We could talk about it sometime if you want. Vic is so right about the abuse concept here.

I certainly don't have all the answers, and I have nothing against religion per se - although I'm not religious - but it does seem to me that most of the world's societal ills and conflicts have their roots in fundamentalist, dogmatic, religious idealogy. Belief in something greater than oneself, whether or not it actually exists, can be beneficial if it's healing. But it's the BELIEF that is healing and a source of strength... not the ENTITY at the end of the belief... in my view.

But fundamentalism and dogmatism are exclusive of thought, rationalization, and flexibility. They are crippling in that they disallow autonomous thought. And herein lies the problem: blind allegiance to some self-proclaimed status of elevation that allows murder in the name of God. Clearly, no one is thinking for themselves.

The only way out of this is to reach the children... children worldwide. Hatred is not innate. It's learned. I hope that everyone here has at least one opportunity in their life to encounter a child, to whom they can point out the value of tolerance and compassion.

Well... I'll shut up now. Lunch and a shower! :grin

TC