the siren call of absolutist beliefs "To my mind, the siren call of absolutist beliefs is to be found in the immediate relief from inner self-doubts. The inverse of this solution, though, is that there seems to be a reflexive urge to power. Control of the external behavior of others seems necessary if not to be continually confronted with one's own suppressed inner demons. The only way to sucessfully ward them off is to also suppress their appearance in the challenge of other opinions. Oppression is a marvelous distraction from introspection. That it is also a road to riches is no deterrent. I believe the history of intolerance within every absolutist society testifies to the evil which attends the relisious solution to the problem of inner insecurity.' -- Patrick Frank.

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