Hi, tena --

: You guys quit pussyfooting around! Please don't presume to
: tell me that mankind has improved and now has just learned
: to love his neighbor, even if they are different from
: themselves..

: To quote a famous comedian:"I bet when they were attacked
: (at Plymouth Rock) they didn't say "here comes those
: sweet indians again!" No, looking at people TODAY,
: merely extropolate and you will know if something is the
: truth or not, it always follows a pattern! Now, what do you

: guys really think? People in ancient times were more
: "enlightened" than we are now??? hahahahaha

: Do you really think people have changed that much?

I haven't seen anyone suggesting such an idea; you've apparently inferred the meaning on your own. :)

I think that "human nature" hasn't changed very much at all. I think "evolution" is yet only a theory and might very well be a myth.

However, I do think new ideas have made their way into the world human beings live in, and _some_ human beings have adopted those new ideas as "a better way to live".

Thus, human sacrifice was "the way we do things around here" until the "new idea" showed up, represented in the story of Abraham and Isaac. I think most folks liked this new idea better than the old one, and went with. That doesn't mean I think _all_ human beings adopted that same attitude.

I think human nature out from under the guidance of and orientation to "the higher human self" (put the words "spirit" or "God" or "Source" there if you like - whatever works for you) is an ugly and arrogantly childish thing in general and tends to remain immature (stunted) unless something happens to allow it to resume and continue its growth and maturation.

That can go either way, in any individual, in any time, past, present, or future.

But I also think this is true: "Lo, that which I feared has come upon me" - quote attributed to Job. I think fearfulness produces a state of self-fulfilling prophecy, one in which nasty things are emphasized and given more life and power than they might otherwise have - till finally they 'manifest' in the individual's experience and s/he can then wisely say, "See? I _knew_ that was gonna happen!" :) I think it's well to be aware of the creepy-crawlies in our world, but also to be aware of the higher Source from which Life actually flows. Perspective and balance are pretty useful ideas.