I am currently reading a wonderful book called The End of Faith, and finding it a remarkably astute, funny and important book. His basic point that the sectarian dogmas, myths, delusions, and untestable hypotheses upon which so many religions are based are causing massive damage to our world. He calls for a spirituality that is based on reason but also embraces spiritual experiences and meditative and related technologies, a spirituality that will create loving, kind, sane, healthy individuals and societies rather than xenophobic, violent ones. I see these forces not only in the Middle East but also within meditation groups and traditions that purport to be all about kindness and wisdom, yet when pressed also show strong elements of divisive sectarianism, ignorance, and blind faith. I highly recommend that you check this book out, as it is full of much needed wisdom and good common sense.