I think the same way you do about that, Don, and yes, I think that is the fundamental difference.

There are really 2 basic philosophies out there when you get to the very bottom of it.

One is based on the presumption that people are basically rotten, and one must plan around that...and it will always be that way.

The other is based on the presumption that people are basically good, and that we are moving always toward attaining perfection...and that we will someday.

I subscribe to the latter.

Religious groups also tend to focus on either one or the other of those viewpoints. They either assume we're all miserable "sinners" or they assume we're shining angels who have temporarily lost our way.

Again, I subscribe to the latter viewpoint. I think humanity is basically good. This doesn't mean I don't expect bad behaviour from people....I do...because I know that most people are afraid. To the extent that they are afraid, their essential goodness tends to get crushed and blocked from expressing itself or reaching its potential.

A conservative takes that as normal, I guess. I take it as an abberation. A temporary malfunction in consciousness. If I didn't think there was a soul and an afterlife, however, I would have a pretty dark view of humanity.