Hi Hilmar,

>>Also, why don't the leaders go blow themselves up rather than their own children? That is, if they're so committed to their cause... Personally I think they're cowards. What did Arafat say when the Israelis decided to respond with force? Oh yeah.. He wailed like a baby about how the Israelis were going to kill him. Some leader. The Israelis could kill him any time they want. They haven't.
>>...
>
>Why do people do all this?

May I offer a short or simple answer? Pride. Religious self-righteousness.

>In part because some people have the quite dangerous belief that their own religious beliefs is the Only True Way. It is precisely in this point that the muslims are not alone.

Yes indeed. The Historic Christian position, as opposed to so much that wants to pass itself off as 'true Christianity' (remember, you haven't heard me go after them yet. <g>), teaches us that it is by the grace of God, motivated by the love of God, that God Himself took my sins and failing and MY just punishment upon Himself on the cross. The perfect blend of love and justice. As such I am taught and enjoined to treat every other human being as I have been treated. Utter love combined with utter justice. As a man I can only acknowledge that those are only goals. Each and every day I wake up being full of the knowledge that I am completely unable to live up to this standard myself (so I can't get mad at others who also fail) but also with the knowledge that God will help me personally if I ask.

True Love lives within Truth. True Love produces Truth.

Most men hate the truth. Love still loves though.