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Originally Posted by Charlatan
There are all sorts of ways we can demonize the Other and justify killing them.
For example the Hutus and Tootsies were tribal rather religious, the US and Soviet Union was ideological rather than religious.
This could go on but I think you see my point.
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I think you need to look a little closer at history. The dispute between the US and the OLD Soviet Union was as religious as it was ideological in the sense that conservative Christian politicians would not accept anything other than American style democracy, "praise god". No large mass of people died. Demonizing each other was the order of the day.
DOGMA IS DOGMA IS DOGMA.
Had there been a war, preachers all over the USA would have proclaimed that the faithless” Russian Atheists" must be routed out. The American Government would also have used any means necessary to justify this to their people.
The dispute between the Hutu’s and the Tootsies has everything to do with the religious history of each of the tribes. They have been enemies for ages and their religious beliefs have now accommodated this fact. To change the minds of the masses, away from a hatred for each other is now impossible.
The Tootsies and the Hutu's have to be able to kill each other without the penalty of eternal damnation according to their own religion.
Think about it another way, Why won't the Palestinians accept that the Jews control the holy grounds? Why won't they just live together in peace? To do so would fly in the face of each of their "faiths". (This is a provable fact based on their own religious texts) In the same way that an Atheist living next door threatens some peoples fundamental religious beliefs.
The Koran repeatedly says that unbelievers must be routed out, that they are an affront to God. So does Deuteronomy Chapter three. Oddly the Israelites have been more “mainstream” lately; they have actually been quite tolerant. PLease don't try to tell me that HAMAS isn't a religious organization first and political second.
Do the people run to the Holy texts and look to see if it is ok to kill? The religious belief set sets the context for them well in advance of the conflict.