Or 150 million, if you accept that the common ancestor of humans and chimps practiced warfare.
The idea of "Progress" meaning that human beings are steadily evolving to higher forms of morality has been around for at least a hundred years now. Take a look at Star Trek -- it's a perfect example of this "progressive" ideology: In TNG, humans have evolved beyond needing _money_, for pete's sake.
Also, the idea that "religion" rather than "people" is the problem is quite easily dispelled with two examples: The Terror after the French Revolution, and the Soviet dictatorships, both of which were anti-Religious, but still contained _people_.
I would argue that people can make the world _better;_ what they can't do is make it _perfect._
If enough people take the message of Daniel Pearl to heart, the world may be a better place for some people. You're right, though, that nothing this side of Kingdom Come is going to bring an end to war, murder, slavery, and hatred.
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