[Jenae LaTorque]

At first thought, I said to myself, "There is no connection between the two."

Then I thought about the similarities. Both are a belief system for which there is no hard evidence. Both have divisions among their believers where some believe one thing, while others believe something else. Sometimes the differances are minor, sometimes not. Both are clouded by ignorance and uncertainty. Both have the possibility of great love on one hand, and great hatred, even killing, on the other hand. Both can be a great shaper of lives, both for the better, or, sometimes for the worst.

What it finally boils down to in the final analysis is that both are perhaps simply creations of the human mind. And since the mind differs from one individual to another, so our belief systems must differ. Of course man is a societal animals so a need to belong also shapes our beliefs. And then there has to be an accomadation between differant facets of an individuals beliefs (truths?) so it is interesting to see the ways this plays out among people of differant cultures, places, history, etc.

I have seen theories about both of these behavior patterns being based on something physical in our makeup but nothing that has convinced me yet. My personal feeling about both of these is simple; no harm - no foul

As long as you follow your own beliefs and do not present a danger to myself then I say "live and let live". However, If you cross the line and my well being is threatened, then my survival belief system will kick in.

Also, for the record. I do not believe in the existance of any type of God as manifested by the religions of this world.