The idea of putting people in groups and then putting labels on those groups? I wouldn't call it the root of war, since this is rarely the reason wars start, but it is often used to intensify wars and broaden it into new areas, geographically, politically or otherwise. Maybe I would call it the bark of bark of war.
Good point!!!! We humans can't help but put people into some sort of category.... almost like filing an e-mail into a folder.... so that we have some idea of what is top priority... and what is lower priority for our time???!!!!!
Well, I would say that's a separate point. We can help putting people in categories for certain contexts, and I believe any context where war is a possible outcome should be one of those. My point was mainly aimed at careless choice of words when it came to exactly what role the segregation you mention actually plays in the starting of wars, which is what I interpreted your "root" comment to mean.
Self imposed ignorance, bias, and a fear of that which is different are the roots of conflict in general IMO. The forum here is a great example. Has anyone else ever sat back reading a thread seeing the bias and complete lack of objectivity of both sides? I have... often. The Left vilifies the Right while the Right demonized the Left... day in day out. How can their be conflict resolution when each side only seeks to prove the other side wrong? This encompass the microcosm of the forums to the world in general.
I agree with this premise. I doubt it is the root of war but it definitely is used to rally the masses.
We seem to be facing some sort of conflict with Islam but..... the flavour of that conflict can vary greatly...... depending on our ability to begin to "agree with our adversaries" at least to some degree....... Mat 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
