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The essence of human personality and human nature stems from variety. We are each unique, and all think, act and feel in slightly different ways. We each have our own beliefs, aims and goals and methods for achieving these.

Physically, we all differ and, whilst it is often these outward differences that are the first to attract discrimination, we should remember that it is ALL differences that give society a multi-cultural, colorful nature and we should be thankful for the opportunities that it brings.

Differences create discussion and drive ambition, and a "difference of opinion" can often lead to a debate that produces solutions and compromises that benefit the much wider community.

However, it is our prejudices and concerns toward "differences" that cause us to judge others for them, and this creates division and hatred.

We are all, in some way, looking to reinforce our own beliefs and way of life. We seek to protect what is sacred to us, so look unfavorably on anything or anyone who threatens that or differs from our viewpoint. Often this means that we do not socialize with anyone who holds these different views, but this is not in an overtly divisive, insular way, we just gravitate towards people with similar lifestyles and views to ours.

However, in the modern competitive society, where many of us are happy to trample on others to make progress, the innocence of this gravitation starts to take on a much more sinister and realistic tone. We shy away from, and argue with, anyone with whom we have a difference and division is created.

Our weakness comes from the fact that we are scared of "difference" and, as those people are "different", we judge them negatively for being so. We form our own little groups within society and suddenly, we are divided.

The judgment that causes this division is made due to fear. We are scared of difference because we are insecure about it, misunderstand the teachings or methods behind it or are threatened by it. Often we are jealous of it. It may manifest itself in a difference in salary or social standing, so we segregate ourselves within these bandings. We feel that we do not want to mix with "them" and judge them for their extravagant tastes, or slobbish behavior, depending on which side we sit. Society is divided and antagonistic.

These differences, and the fact that we judge them as wrong in our eyes, cause us to argue. We argue over possessions, our rights to carry out our practices or try to diminish the rights of others to act. Or it may be due to the fact that we may just wish to exert our dominance and prove that we are "right".

The judgment over the "right" and "wrong" way to live our lives is what is at the core of this division. A large majority of serious conflicts start on religious grounds, which is a real paradox and should give us a template to heal this division.

All religious groups are basically peaceful. All mainstream texts promote love, peace and harmony and guide their followers on a path to achieve this. The differences in these methods of achievement cause the conflicts, and the wish to "correct" an alternative viewpoint causes war and death, but these groups, much like the wider community, have lost touch with the bigger picture.

The ultimate aim is peace and harmony, and the only way to achieve this is compromise and understanding. We seem to have lost the ability to compromise and live together and are too quick to judge others on the basis of our differences. Only when we remove the insecurity of our fears over "difference" will we stop judging and re-unite society fully.

Learn more about this author, Stephen Bate.
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