On Sun, 01 Dec 2002 18:20:21 -0500, James and Mary Burbidge <jamesandmary.burbidge at sympatico.ca> wrote: >From a slightly different point of view, religion has often been made an >excuse for things which had other, radically different motives behind >them. The existence of the religion, however, provides the opportunity for the abuse of power that leads to the atrocities. I'd go further and say that the concentration of power due to one particular religion being widespread often comes about because of atrocities committed to achieve the dominance of that religion. I still wouldn't blame "religion" for that. This is due to the acts of people intentionally, for one reason or another, trying to achieve the concentration of power. I suppose in some cases it might be for reasons stimulated by teachings of the religion - in others, for more political ends. Of course my thesis all along has been that it is natural for people to develop religion and the two extremes mentioned are often hard to separate. When this country (USA) was formed, some thought went in to setting up a system that would make it difficult to concentrate power. It has worked here sufficiently well if not great, so far - similar things have failed elsewhere because a system by itself is not sufficient for the task. What is worrisome to me these days is the concentration of power represented *by* the USA. But to return to the topic at hand, I lay the blame on people being people and the concentration of power. corollary: I am personally unenthusiastic about the "true" religion being revealed and concentrated under one organized clergy. I don't trust the people who will become the clergy. Fortunately for my peace of mind, I also consider that eventuality unlikely. Richard