I don't believe religion can be blamed for all the world's ills. I think living/life and people doing "their" thing is responsible. I know it isn't the dinosaurs fault or some mega conspiracy but just "normal" history taking place. As this generation German "children" complain, Hitler and WWII were not of their making, why must they still be under the restrictions put in force after that War? Those living in the former Soviet Union are not "responsible" for Communism or the Cold War.

I believe there's both continuity and "new" taking place with each generation and each generation's individuals decide how to respond to what is in front of them. You and I feel "pure" and like there's no way we would be party to war but we war with ourselves and our neighbors, some bomb in the name of "peace", etc.

Today or tomorrow is the beginning of the three day festival, eid Al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, in the Muslim world. It commemorates Abraham giving his son Ismael up for sacrifice (half-brother Isaac for Christians).
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It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: "It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Qur'an 22:37)

The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah's commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us. (from islam.about.com)

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I think, Nowhere, that what one believes, religious or otherwise, drive one's behavior. That's what therapy/CBT teaches as well as what is "obvious". I don't think what anyone believes is bad/wrong, only the behavior they choose. One can think and feel what one thinks and feels but it is the "expression" of that thinking and feeling that I believe matters. The care one takes in posting, for example, is an "action" and whether one takes the time to spell check or think through what one says and whether that "shows" is important to me.

We are all related and in "this" together. But we are also all individuals with individual beliefs and ideas of what is right/wrong, good/bad, heaven/hell, etc. That some Believe and quote the Bible does not, in itself, either bother or thrill me. Their individual character that I connect with, their "Divine Spark" that shows in their posts is what I'm looking to meet up with, learn and grow from. That's my purpose here.