One of the greatest minds of all time is Krishnamurti, who once said, “ We are each one of us responsible for every war because of the aggressiveness of our own lives, because of our , our selfishness, our gods, our prejudices, our ideals, all of which divide us. Obviously what causes war is the desire for power, position, prestige, money; also the disease called nationalism, the worship of a flag; and the disease of organized , the worship of a ”

John Lennon wrote and sang, “Imagine there are no countries”……..

Fanatics come in all colors, shapes and sizes and fanaticism goes by many other names. Take your pick!

Now I am not talking about screaming 15 year olds swooning at a Britney Spears concert, for as extreme as that can be its impact on society is debatable.

What I am referring to is religious fundamentalism and nationalism which, in my opinion, is not something to applaud, encourage or even tolerate.

In theory and reality they are divisive and dangerous for they leave no room for any other belief or behavior except for their own. Whenever one person’s or group’s belief system, doctrine and methodology is imposed, in any way, upon another, it is an act of violence.

We are all aware of the more overt act of this type of violence and we see it daily all over the media. Yet, as terrible and unconscionable as that violence is and can be, it is not, however, the type of violence that I am referring to.

There is a more subtle, nuanced and insidious kind of violence that I am concerned with and fearful of.

This violence is that which is born in our churches, synagogues, mosques and other educational institutions that preach dogma and teach curriculum irrespective of the facts in order to further an agenda.

This psychological or intellectual brand of violence is extremely damaging and unfortunately long-lasting when it is imposed on young impressionable minds.

So, whether it is in the madrasahs in the Middle East or a parochial school in the Deep South the intent and result is similar….warped, narrow-minded individuals that can be easily manipulated.

Invariably it ends up with a shooting or bombing at an abortion clinic or suicide bomber in a crowded marketplace. Never a pleasant result!

Now if you think of me as an alarmist or an embellisher of the truth. THINK AGAIN…………