In early man's effort to answer those basic questions about his origins, those in different societies through the centuries proceeded in many different directions. 
      They did, however, have these things in common: 
A. They assumed and accepted that there was a creator with supernatural power. 
B. They assumed that there was a hereafter and that special behavior was required to get there.
In the evolution of man, one has to wonder when these concepts originated and if they have changed as man's knowledge increased.
What have we learned and what do we do with it ?

Michael Don Fess

     Examination of religious customs, traditions, and opinions reveal some interesting facts:
A.  The big picture; those eternal truths as found in the "ten commandments" and the "Jesus teachings" of love, are wonderful influences in our lives for the better.  Almost one third of the world's population reaps benefits from those teachings.
B.  We, however, are still living with the stories and mythical history that has a powerful influence on our lives.  These were composed by ancient thinkers trying to answer the big questions using knowledge available to them at that time.  Mythical history is still being used and perpetuated by religious leaders in today's world, while ignoring the available knowledge of today.
C.  Man's myriad interpretations of those mythical bible stories lead to various perversions of the basic message.  Much of this was deliberate and was for the purpose of exercising power and control.  Throughout history, various leaders have used this religious power and control to wage wars, gain wealth, and to take advantage of illiterate and uneducated masses.
D.  The present "information age" can serve to overcome many of these problems.  Soon, we should see a majority of earth's population with access to knowledge on a scale never before experienced. Then we only have to worry about the illiterate minority and religious fanatics.
E.  Intolerance is a burning ember that threatens to destroy civilization as we know it in the free world.  We must be ever vigilant so history does not repeat itself again.

            Dhimmitude is a neologism first found in French denoting an attitude of concession, surrender and appeasement towards Islamic demands.  It is derived by adding the productive suffix-tude to the Arabic language adjective dhimmi, which literally means protected and refers to a non-Muslim subject of a Sharia law state.
           As for the concept of dhimmitude, it represents a behavior dictated by fear (terrorism), pacifism when aggressed, rather than resistance, servility because of cowardice and vulnerability. The origin of this concept is to be found in the condition of the infidel people who submit to the Islamic rule without fighting in order to avoid the onslaught of jihad.
          By their peaceful surrender to the Islamic army, they obtained the security for their life, belongings and religion, but they had to accept a condition of inferiority, spoliation and humiliation. As they were forbidden to possess weapons and give testimony against a Muslim, they were put in a position of vulnerability and humility.

       A Georgia mega-church, the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, suffered a big hit when its founder, Bishop Eddie Long, was accused by several young men of having a sexual relationship with them.
      Eddie stated from the pulpit that he was not a perfect man, but he would fight the allegations.     AP News