As I watch the news feeds pull in more information on the tragedy unfolding in Norway – I find it harder to concentrate on some of the things that I had planned on doing.  Instead, my attention is drawn to the individual that wreaked this chaos on so many people.  While there’s very little information on this guy in the American news media – the European news media is reporting that he has “right-wing Christian” ties or beliefs.  Originally, the initial bombing was believed to be the work of radical Muslims retaliating on Norway for some perceived slight in the past.

At first glance, a lot of people will be quick to point the finger of blame at the Christian community — citing that this is the type of behavior that can be expected of a belief system that claims to be the “only way” to salvation.  Frankly, the same type of rhetoric can be applied to the Muslim belief system as well.  And getting even more into that mindset — this can be applied to nearly every religious sector, even parts of Paganism.  The concept of “the only way to salvation” isn’t the problem though.  At least not in my mind.  Its a lack of tolerance and acceptance – not being able to understand that each human being approaches every concept from a different perspective.  And that sometimes that perspective can be diametrically opposed to our own.  Its the typical fallback position of human beings in general:  “Us” versus “Them.”  I’m not a Christian, nor am I right-wing or conservative in my political outlook.  However, I understand where others can draw their strength, inspiration and even indignation from those particular perspectives.  Where I see the problem arising is when people start to think that everyone else should think like they do — and they hit that unmovable position of hardcore fundamentalism.  If you will, that “Us v. Them” mentality.  So many things in the world would be a lot more peaceful if folks would just understand and accept that not everyone will think exactly the same as they do.  Nine Hells — even I don’t believe that everyone will agree with my statements above…and for me…that’s just fine.  They have their own way of looking at things — this is just mine.