> Yes, there would still be conflict, but adding religion to any ethnic
> dispute adds an element of literally insane self-righteousness to the
> struggle that is likely to produce a high body count.
It certainly adds that element (see the Rev. Ian Paisley for a perfect example), but it should be noted that the body count in Northern Ireland nonetheless is relatively low - approximately 3600 in 38 years - compared to many other conflicts in which religion was even less of a factor. Those who were truly motivated by *religious* zeal have always formed only a small minority of those who have taken up arms in this country. It just isn't anywhere near the factor that most casual observers imagine it to be.