Zealism

Zealism. I don’t know if this is a real word, but it is my term to describe someone who is extremely passionate about anything. This can be a good thing. It can be applied to someone working to create the next miracle pharmaceutical. Or a world class Olympic athlete in training. Zealism can also be a terrible thing.

In the United States, there was a New Year’s Day mass murder in New Orleans. The term terrorist attack is already being used to describe the attack. This article is not about the approval or disapproval of any particular group or faction. It’s about zealism itself.

The problem with any extreme zealism is its destructiveness, intolerance, and the blocking of free thought and speech. With zealots, you cannot have thoughtful discussions. You cannot dissuade them from their position. They have shut their minds. It’s their way or the highway, or much worse. This type of zealism, therefore, does not result in peace, love, harmony and respect for everyone. Disagree and you could be dead.

How is the world to find peace and hope when you have groups of extremists who have no desire for peace? This has been a blight on humanity from the very beginning. Fighting can never end if the involved parties blindly hate each other and don’t have the desire to talk and start fresh. Still, I always hope for elusive peace. You cannot ever give up on this hope.