This is http://www.essayz.com/a9807141.htm Previous-Essay <== This-Essay ==> Following-Essay Click HERE on this line to find essays via Your-Key-Words. {Most frequent wordstarts of each essay will be put here.} ========================================================== %DICHOTOMOUS EITHER/OR YES/NO GOOD/EVIL CONFLICTS+980714 %COMPLEMENTARY IDEALS VALUES PRINCIPLES BALANCE SIN+980714 %EXCLUSIVE INCLUSIVE COOPERATE CONFLICT RESOLUTION+980714 %ADDICTIVE CODEPENDENT COLLUSIVE DISHONEST EVIL 980714 Extremists of various sorts operate on the principle that if a person is not fully "with" them in their cause, issue or position --- then the person should be regarded as "enemy" and/or "against" them. Lack of enthusiasm for their cause is viewed by extremists as reliable evidence that the person cannot and should not be trusted; for the person may really be an enemy trying to pass for something else. This is often true of extremists on both sides of a particular battle. Anybody who is not "behind" the battle lines and can be seen in "no-man's-land", is regarded as a "spy" and is caught in the cross-fire. It is inconceivable to extremists that any "good" person could intentionally be "between" the opposing armies. Extremists who operate (consciously or un- consciously) in terms of the above attitude/view cannot see any reason for showing respect, honor, trust or support for "peace-makers", "negotiators", or "conflict- resolution." In fact, they are likely to see good reasons for undermining such threats to their cause --- as has often been tragically demonstrated over and over in protracted conflicts in Northern Ireland between Christians of differing traditions, in the Middle East between leaders within the Judeo-Christian-Muslim tradition; and in the Indian sub-continent between various religious/political factions. Extremists affirm ideals, values and principles in exclusive ways which are out of balance. Often they worship some small subset of all ideals, values and principles --- to the exclusion of other complementary ideals, values and principles. What they seek to affirm is usually worthy of affirmation --- but only within the context of balanced affirmations of other complementary ideals, values and principles. Personal and communal disintegration are the usual tragic outcome of unbalanced/exclusive affirmations of any small subset of all essential/complementary ideals, values and principles. Often extremists contend that it is improper to take note of the experienced consequences of their unbalanced affirmations --- for all truth was revealed fully in the past and contemporary experiences are not to be trusted. In truth, it is extremists' tendency to manipulate their authoritative sources --- in order to control their followers and others --- which is not to be trusted by prudent and wise people. (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy) ==========================================================