And there you have it.

The difference between fundamentalists and others is that fundamentalists think vigilance is more important that compassion while others know better.

I cannot ask anyone to have compassion for one whom they hate and fear. But they ought to have respect for that person. Not because that person is worthy, but because it is too easy to become that hateful enemy oneself, if one does not have such respect.

When you adopt the tactics of your enemy - you become him.

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We are all going to hell Rude the job of the warrior is to make sure his enemy's get there first

Kosher

Your thought sums it up as well, it's the same attitude that leads to putting "adherence to the Law" above "Justice"

Sky

It isn't so much "compassion" per say, as not allowing a thirst for "Revenge" to distract you from the goal- in the case of Fundamentalist "Christians". ( as with Zen Buddhists ) that goal is theoretically "At One Ment" (with Being) . hard to achieve if you insist on punishing your right hand because it offends thee.

Jack

I've always favored a kind of Viking notion about my "Enemies" : There are "Worthy Opponents", who should be honored and sent forward to Valhalla as Future drinking companions, and then there are Vermin, who should be disposed of as expeditiously as possible and are not worthy of any consideration of "where they end up" ( That is up to them and their god ).

Theoretically, you might "forgive" your enemies and prayer for them until they find redemption; but, hey where's the fun in that?

jmac

Being certain that your "enemies' know that they are being considered as either "adversaries" or "vermin" is part of what bugs bunny is saying when he questions, "You know, this means war?"

[r] interesting. best, libby

a fundamentalist is one who has a "reaction against Modernist theology, primarily to promote continuity and accuracy" of
books theories and mores
developed once upon a time
in the spacetime continuum.
Usually quite a ways back...

The pseudo-religious mania among mainstream masses
of unthinking men and women is
quite familiar to those of us in mental health.
Feelings of grandiosity.
To define an enemy, one who no doubt has characteristics
the religious nutball envies, and feels urges for,
is a simple matter of Transference. The desire
to destroy what one cannot abide in oneself.
For whatever reason. usually a cultural brainwashing.

Fundamentalists hold back the advance of civilization,
for they fear it.
In doing so, they utterly screw up this advance, and stymie it.