On Us and Them

I, like so many people, was at one point fascinated by the Tudors and Henry XIII’s exploits with his wives and his tumultuous relationship with Christianity, particularly the Vatican.  The ripple effect the impassioned decisions made by King Henry XIII set families against themselves for generations to come.    The Reformation and the Counter-Reformation split one of the world’s largest religions into two competing branches.  I like that imagery.  It is very important to understand why the world is the way it is.  The history of religion, namely Christianity, is something everyone who calls it their faith should understand and put into context.  I realize this is my opinion, but this is a blog entry, right?  I believe faith is a wonderful thing to have.  But I also think blind faith is dangerous.  People with blind faith are easily manipulated and even easier sent in the wrong direction.  Informed faith, with the understanding that most things will never be understood, but it’s okay to be open to new information as it comes, is much more beneficial to society.

            Why do people become so offended when someone disagrees with them?  What is it about the human condition that causes a person to become suspicious and affronted by anyone who believes differently?  What are they so afraid of?    I realize that this doesn’t apply to everyone, but it explains the majority.    People kill each other over differences of opinion regarding their heart-felt beliefs.  They always have.  It makes me wonder if they always will?  I would hope not.   I’m holding on to the notion that the world is about to undergo another major transformation.   My fear would be that, as mentioned before, it usually takes a catastrophic event to upset the status quo enough for change to happen.  It’s not something that keeps me up at night or anything, but it’s always just sort of there in the background.   I watch the news looking for it from time to time.   I realize the world is about to outgrow itself.  Earth can’t sustain this many people.  But enough fear mongering.  I can’t worry about things I can’t control.  It’s a waste of energy.   Just some thoughts for today.