Tolerance, anyone...?

We humans like humans like ourselves - be it people of similar interests, tastes, region, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and the like. Owing to this trait, since time immemorial, people of similar backgrounds have 'clung' together and formed groups or sub-groups. While this has resulted in strong bonds and communities, it has arguably perpetrated fear and loathing of 'outside' groups or clusters. The belief that people who are unlike you will destroy you and undermine your existence has been sub-consciously imbibed or actively promoted.

The Arab-Israeli conflict, gay-bashing across the globe, Rodney King riots in LA, the demolition of the Babri Masjid are a few events in recent history that reflect this growing intolerance.

When will we realize the need to accept our differences and agree to disagree?
Yes, there are all kinds of people in the world. People who do NOT subscribe to your way of life and who are NOT similar to you. Why is it hard for us to accept that? Why is it becoming more prevalent among us humans to immediately perceive threats to our being and foster hate and intolerance to offset the same? Why are we so insecure? What do we think this will achieve?

Perhaps I am an idealist, who thinks peaceful co-existence would be utopia. While I strongly believe in survival of the fittest, I am not certain that the aforementioned differences really epitomize 'fitness'. Perhaps there is more to conflict than is apparent on the surface - maybe its not about skin color or religion or caste; maybe its about greed, sloth and the rest of the seven sins that are manifested in the conflicts mentioned above. Perhaps these immutable basic human instincts will continue to drive the change and equilibrium in the world...

Thoughts...?