Insanity is a contagious disease

Insanity is a contagious disease.
What is the definition of insanity? The Encarta dictionary says it is 1.- The lack of reason or good sense. 2. – Legal incompetence or irresponsibility because of a psychiatric disorder.
Of course it is much more complex than this. For many of us the acts of Muslim extremists such as suicide bombings are insane but in their minds they are normal and they view the rest of us as insane. Sanity is therefore relative to the culture. Is there a standard for sanity that can apply to the whole human race? I doubt it.
So sanity boils down to what you believe. Belief is the most powerful thing we have. If we believe we can accomplish something the odds are greatly improved we will. If we believe it is impossible, it is. The problem with belief is that we all try to sway others to our way of thinking. Thus, like a contagious disease such as the flu, ideas and beliefs are spread through contact. Some are more contagious than others. Look at religion for an example. One man with an idea (or a “revelation”) can start an epidemic that spreads throughout the entire world. Just like viruses do, these beliefs evolve over time, sometimes until they only resemble what they began as. All religions develop sects or denominations which often wage war with each other.
With belief often comes blindness. As someone’s belief grows it begins to take over just like any disease will. A person’s paranoia can grow till it overwhelms all commons sense. At some point this will cross an invisible line to insanity.
I was fascinated to read in the news today the statement of an Imam regarding Islam and the riots connected with cartoons depicting Mohammed. He said that Islam is a religion of peace and then talked about how the insult to Mohammed should be avenged. He is so blind he evidently is unable to see the contradiction of his words in one statement.
I began to study the history of Islam and found that when Mohammed conquered Mecca, the place where he and his followers were cruelly tortured and killed he forgave and did not take vengeance. The quote of his words said “This day there is no reproof against you and you are all free. This day I trample under my feet all distinctions between man and man, all hatred between man and man.” He even pardoned those who had killed Hamazah, his uncle whom he loved, and ripped his body open even eating his liver. How different this is from what I see from his followers today.
The infections of thought that seem to be the most entrenched and lead to insanity are the ones based on hate. Whether it is the racism of Hitler and the Neo Nazis or the KKK it never dies like a virus that becomes immune to antibiotics. There will always be these infections brought by those who are adept at swaying others to their way of thinking. Just look at the small cults like the Jim Jones followers who committed mass suicide or Charles Manson crew who killed on his command. It’s not just religion. Look at the mafia and gangs who also kill and die for what they believe. Are they insane? I think so but who am I.