Fear.

In the end the root of all the world's problems is fear.

Whether it be personal relations, prejudice, or international relations fear is the cause.

War, divorce, the arms race, Culture Wars, drug addiction, bullying, politics, persecution, homophobia, misogyny, or xenophobia fear is behind it. 

This may not be immediately apparent but if we look deeper we will find fear.

The response to fright is fight or flight.

Therefore all aggression is triggered by fear.

Domination is triggered by fear of being dominated.

This plays out in sexual politics.

Fear of being bullied triggers bullying of one who is more vulnerable.

This all takes place in an atmosphere of fear.

It has been said that there are only two things in the world:

Fear and Love.

When you let go of your fears you experience love.

And "perfect love casts out fear."  1 John 4:18 (NRSV)

So strive to overcome your fears and you will find the love that you seek.

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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