...In particular, many Christian groups believe that we are all sinners, saved and unsaved alike. It is only by grace that we come to that state.


I wholly agree here.

Now, all of this is, of course, theoretical. In practice, any individual or tribe can be downright cruel. And I would agree that religion tends to cause divisiveness and that people tend to be smug about their beliefs....


And you can substitute politics for the word religion in that sentence as well, and probably many others.

I'll grant that religion has been fraught with violence. What I don't particularly accept though is that it was the necessary ingredient. For my money, economic and political motivation has a higher correlation to the events that have unfolded in human history. Religion is but a tool used to motivate others to that end.


My thoughts exactly, great post!

Nightowl >8#