Them Kind Isn't Like Us Kind

My (very) basic understanding is that most cultures develop based on the needs of society according to the resources available in the environment they happen to be in. As such, trying to impose values from one culture (such as religion or a political system) into a different part of the world where the needs of society aren't the same becomes a very difficult task to accomplish. Colonialism would be a good example of this.

The problem occurs when there is a failure to communicate. One of the most obvious examples of this is when one culture encounters another culture and assumes it is inferior. Particularly when sedentary cultures were came into contact with nomadic hunter-gatherer type cultures. It was assumed that because these societies lack the conveniences "civilized" cultures became accustomed to, they were somehow inferior.

Ironically, if many of these civilized sedentary societies were deprived of their conveniences, survival for them would be far more difficult than it might be for the "inferior" hunter-gatherer cultures - it's the primary reason North Americans celebrate Thanksgiving.

Religion is similar. When abstract beliefs become internalized as faith; having those beliefs challenged means risking personal value systems to vulnerability. The concept of vulnerability wreaks havoc on many people's emotional and psychological stability; especially when the unity of a society may also be at risk. Sometimes, this fear of vulnerability leads a culture to the point where even atrocious acts of barbarity justify ones actions if it means maintaining ones internalized system of beliefs.

This does not mean that cultures and religions can't find common ground. In fact, the basic primary needs of all people are largely the same. We all require food, shelter, clothing, confidence, and emotional security. However, in order to see eye-to-eye with other cultures and other religions, one must be humble enough to learn and accept a different way of life to be equal and just as valid as the truths they internalize for themselves.