Im talking about the one thread that connects the two situations, and thats religious extremism. I dont think it deserves anything but scorn and isolation from the civilized world, regardless of context. Because in reality, each context is pretty much the same:

1) followers of a certain creation myth are in power

2) followers of different creation myths are not in power and are subject to the whims of those who are

3) Delusionally righteous violence ensues as people equip themselves with rage and millenial thinking

Thats it. No different context can change that. That is the nature of human religion, and has been for 5000 years.

So again, i will never understand the respect afforded to it.