Reader Questions Answered, Eh

Father Time: Religious doctrines tend to be mutually exclusive, partly because some people get wrapped around the pole on minor issues, and partly because many religions are exclusive to begin with. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." By its very nature, the tenets of one religion tend to exclude and contradict the tenets of other religions, and that's why most religions claim to be the only true religion (though many will acknowledge that other faiths have some of the story right). I don't think that it's an underlying psychological condition that's in play; I just think it's simple logic. The problem is when people get militant about it.

Jacob: I have no idea, but it's probably big, and it's an odd number.

Poosh: Islam is an extremely dogmatic religion, possibly the most dogmatic religion in the world. Also, I'm not a sociologist or anything, but as far as I can tell Islam encourages an unyielding devotion in most of its incarnations, requiring absolute adherence. Thus, the cartoon debacle. I think it's ridiculous, too.

Anna: I've never in my life run into that; my solution to coughing is usually water. I've noticed, though, that Altoids and Mountain Dew are a bad combination, so if that's what you're getting at, I feel your pain.

M@: I'd say that dialysis is a good thing. For one thing, diabetes isn't the only source of renal failure. For another thing, diabetes is not always caused by poor diet and lack of exercise; I know you specifically mentioned type two diabetes, but I'm speaking generally. So, I would probably agree with you that the volume of dialysis "need" in this country is a problem, and that people in general ought to eat better and take better care of themselves. However, I have no fundamental opposition to dialysis in general.