[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Church, state and doing what comes naturally

[Kathryn Cawte]

>
> Dave wrote:
>  <snip>
> > Now there are two very peculiar characteristics of human beings
> that come into play here.  The first is that many people, when they
> are told by somebody else that something they believe is incorrect,
> they feel persecuted.  The second is that when they see somebody
> > believing something incorrect they feel that it is worth trying
> the use of force to change the other's mind.
> <snip>
>
> Laura:
>
> I think these reactions come from fear and ignorance-I've found that
> the more knowledgeable and secure you are in your own beliefs, the
> less threatened you feel by those that are different than yours.
>
> As a species, our intellects have far outstripped our instincts,
> sadly.
>
K

Well to be fair it's not necessarily ignorance in the case of trying to
force someone to change their mind - depending how religious you are and
which particular brand of any religion you follow some people strongly
believe that anyone not following that belief is destined to burn in hell
for all eternity (or whatever your particular religion views as a
punishment). Now if you believe someone is going to suffer such a punishment
because they are 'misguided' it's not exactly unnatural to strenuously try
to 'save' that person. I'm not saying that this is right - but it's not a
surprising reaction.

K