I still think that religious dogma is something which grows exponentially in troubled times. We all have tendencies to try to validate our subjective belief systems that comprise

1 belief that everything we do is good, and anything that does not please us is bad

2 the earliest tenets handed to us by our parents when we did not have enough evidence to validate them ourselves

It does not matter what variety of belief system it is, if we are white alpha male, there will be white alpha male good and god wanted him to rule earth. If we disagree with status quo it will be new age doctrine and feeling good everything else stupid.

However when the times ease up and there are no horrendous wars and famines and global uncertainties, we lean more to pluralism of beliefs and tolerance for religious differences.

Joe, that is certainly interesting about the resurgence of creationism in the catholic church.

Interestingly enough, I think we are witnessing the phenomenon now that has plagued our history for millennia, and that is one step forward two steps back.

I think we are at risk of entering into another civilisation decline just as their have been civilisation declines in the past . dark ages, destruction of earlier civilisations pre greco-roman etc.