A lot of it comes from religion. Religious texts are routinely used to justify 'holy wars' and have the participants believing their efforts are righteous. Nations having undergone a scientific revolution casting aside devout religious beliefs tend to participate in conflict less, and let religion enrich their lives peacefully...if they so desire. The Middle East is one massive tinderbox because they have yet to undergo scientific enlightenment; the clerics will not be able to control people with fear and conjecture forever, and there will come a time when the wars will end both in the Middle East and in Africa. My only concern is that this natural progression towards a more complete scientific age will be hijacked by an extinction event or die-off of some kind, rendering the process incomplete.Originally Posted by Ady In Accy
