I've been thinking about this a lot lately and I'm pretty down on strong belief in general. I find it depressingly common that believers of any stripe come from

I've been thinking about this a lot lately and I'm pretty down on strong belief in general. I find it depressingly common that believers of any stripe come from a foundation of reaction and not introspection. Their ideologies need an "other" to be the anti of rather than standing alone. I see this in everything from politics to religion to clothing to food. Everyone is defining their ego against the perceived arrogance of some other group. edit: After I made this comment in good faith I saw you were being downvoted. I just want to make it clear that I do not think your comment is downvote worthy and that I find both the pious and atheist guilty of what I describe.