> Damon Agretto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > [I think Nick wrote:]
> > I ask myself, what provokes widespread irrational
> > beliefs -- what are
> > these people reacting to? Some sort of vast sense
> > of helplessness?
> > Intuition tells me that fear underlies this, but
I'm
> > not at all sure
> > what fears are playing big roles today.
> The first thought that comes to mind is fear of the
> future, which by its nature is uncertain (and can be
> frightnening). As human beings we have a number of
> methodologies for dealing with this fear, from
> planning "contingencies," being proactive,
astrology,
> and yes even religion. So I would argue that these
> people are coopting religion in such a way as to
> give them greater comfort in light of an
increasingly
> uncertain future...
I think another fear involved is that of feeling/being
inferior. I have no studies to back this, but the
sample of extremist fundamentalists I personally know
*definitely* feel insecure about their own worth.
What separates an 'extremist' from a 'purely'
fundamentalist, in my view, is that the latter tries
to increase their sense of self-worth by changing
themselves; the extremist seeks to rise by stomping on
others - whether figuratively or literally. The
figuratives are bloody annoying; the literalists,
just plain terrifying.
What so puzzles me about those who need/demand
Absolute Certainty, is that my own faith - while it
_can_ be comforting - constantly challenges my
personal 'zone of comfort.' It is a goad when I feel
complacent, a prickle when I become too smug...it
doesn't tell me that I am superior, but snaps that I
can be better than I am now.
Debbi
Heretic Lutheran Deist Maru ;-D
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard.
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
_______________________________________________
http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
