True Believers

True believers know they are right.  There is something seductive about being certain.  Religion and politics seem to breed people who are certain.  From generation to generation, that has been the case.

I understand the seduction of certainty.  I was part of it in the 1960’s.  We knew we were right and they were wrong.  It was a kind of self-righteous arrogance to which we are all susceptible.  I have met Jews, Christians and Muslims convinced their version of their religion, theology or politics is the only one.  And there are always people on the extreme right or the left who know they know and who know you do not know.  They are not interested in having a conversation.  They want to inform or convert you.

But, when true believers become violent it is usually due to idealism, desperation and wanting power.  They picture what they think is the original intent of God or their own tradition, and decide there is no way to implement that original ideal except through violence. These true believers are usually intelligent well-off idealists; they are keenly aware of the injustices of history, and are determined to establish justice through violence and terrorism.

If you have a chance, read the small wise book by Eric Hoffer, entitled, The True Believer.  Hoffer explains what “True Believers” are all about from Nazis to Communists.  His words, written many years ago, are applicable to ISIS as well.

 And, remember for your own religious or political sanity, Whitehead’s quote, “Seek simplicity but distrust it.”