(V):

Perhaps thinking more carefully, rather than just "organized religion", I would say "organized ideology". Stalin's Communism had many of the traits of the organized fanaticism that we see in other places. It could be the head of the communist party, or a supreme spiritual or political leader. The uncertainty in a person's beliefs is reinforced by a large group of believers who obey an ideology blindly. Religion can become ideology, and it seems that once happens the ethical and moral aspects of religion are cast aside. Churches, temples, mosques, political parties, etc., they breed blind obedience and ostricize those who do not believe in the same thing. Those with different beliefs become an enemy that must be destroyed. That is how God-fearing men can commit murder, and convince themselves that they are doing it in the name of God, or some greater good, as Communists did with "freedom from Capitalist oppression and human equality".

I feel that western society is falling prey to a blind belief in freedom and democracy as ideology. That blind belief is used to justify governments spying on their own citizens. Massive armies and weapons of mass destruction become necessary to "protect those higher principles". Our governments manufacture intelligence to justify wars, and individuals are detained without trial. We must protect freedom and democracy at any cost. Is there a line that we can cross in our devotion to higher ideals? I think it comes to personal belief and faith in a system. We believe in freedom and democracy, so we must do whatever it takes to keep them.