bobevenson wrote:Government and religion are our two most dangerous institutions, and can lead us to perdition alone or in concert.
What you fail to comprehend, bobevenson, is a basic law of nature, i.e. duality is the driving force in life. Government in and of itself is beneficial to society on many levels that have given the world's people many, many benefits thanks to their balance of giving and receiving. The same is true with religion, an institution that I'm not a great supporter of but I do know religion of any type is what strengthens societies worldwide... the name of the religion is not important but the manner in which it encourages good from their followers makes life more livable, tolerable and even enjoyable.
Throw any of the two out of balance, which I should include giant corporations, and too many suffer the consequences which is normally due to that insidious monster, Greed, that seduces those in power into holding onto it as long as they do not get caught, to hell with the others. Those are the ones that have allowed their addiction to distort and destroy governments and even religions (and corporations!).
Everything in life is subject to duality. It is the balance between the two forces that must be maintained in order for society to continue evolving for the betterment of all.