from: Bloodstone43956@i-mail.irs
to: Raventrap39996@i-mail.irs
date: 7518.37526
My Dear Raventrap ~
Your observation that religious extremism, indeed extremism of any kind, has at its core a deep form of selfishness is very astute, and I would not be surprised if your Undervisor recommended you to the graduate program in Extremist Belief Systems (EBS) at Tempter’s University. I’m even tempted to do so myself, and I would if I thought another tempter mattered more than me.
There are many reasons extremism is powered by selfishness. First is the notion that holding a particular set of beliefs makes you better or “holier” ~ egad, what a noxious word! ~ than those who do not subscribe to that belief system. By accepting an extreme viewpoint our clients can reassure themselves that not many can be part of their “in” group, thus making them feel all the more “set apart” from the masses. This notion is to be encouraged whenever possible.
Second, extreme positions are easily fueled by this belief: we are certainly right while they are simply wrong. There is no better way to encourage selfishness and isolation than by confirming the bias that one group has a lock on the truth, while the other possesses none of it. It’s “us vs. them,” and there can be only one “true” point of view. Much can be said about the majestic growth of pride in being on the “right” side.
Third, particularly in religious circles, if you want extremism, it is extremely useful to convince each side that the other side will ultimately be the cause of their demise, that the other side will drag them into some sort of abyss, and that their very lives depend on not allowing the poor bastards on the other side to succumb to error or “sin.” Sometimes extremists can be led to believe the fate of the whole world depends on others doing exactly as they do ~ or suffer the consequences. Thus, their natural interests in self-preservation and self-superiority can be brought into play. What a ridiculous, but charming situation for us! It can lead our clients into holy wars, crusades, and all manner of killing in the name of their religion ~ even in the name of Our Competitor! Our Executive has taught us well. The winners of this farcical competition will not be determined by the little poseurs, but by forces far greater than they can imagine. Even though Our Executive doesn’t fall for the rumor that in the end Our Competitor will decide who is right and who is wrong, it is obvious to Him that keeping our clients in the dark about who ultimately gets to judge can bring many contracts to The Corporation.
Finally, extremists can be driven to identify with other like-minded extremists. Their biases, bigotry, feelings of superiority, sense of legitimacy, and basic hatred of the other can easily be confirmed. No facts will dissuade them ~ we can see to that! ~ and no amount of argument will moderate their opinions and beliefs. Some can thus be duped into believing they are in fact Our Competitor! Once one of our clients starts acting as if he thinks he is Our Competitor, not just his contract, but all the contracts of those he encounters can easily be won. Selfishness can spread like a virus among the little lab rats. The power of pure selfishness is awesome and impossible to overestimate, and we have the contracts of literally millions of clients here who could testify to that ~ if only they were able!
Your Devoted Cousin,
Bloodstone
MurrayWorks 