what do christians (and people in general) mean by "feeling empty inside"?

[bladevalant546]

I think that religion as a concept works against the potential of peace and tolerance. It separates people into friends and non-friends (if not outright enemies) and draws some very clear lines. That doesn't promote peace or tolerance. It's why even religions that have some teachings of peace and tolerance don't seem to be able to get people to be peaceful or tolerant. When your concept requires that you recognize an "us" and a "them" and a system that provides "us" with rewards for being "right" and provides "them" with punishment for being "wrong" you're not really teaching peace and tolerance.

Hmm, you make a valid point. Which goes into another perspective which I personally believe. Since Religion is a construct of human consciences, we should look into what they are trying to say. All religion is, basically bridging the gap to a desire with in the human mind, which at that stage of intellectual discovery is not ready to cope. So it create an artificial construct to bring about better understanding of ones surroundings and ones actions. Basically eat the meat and spit out the bones.

I try not to generalize to much as dogma in whatever belief structure one upholds is always harmful. However, in terms of the "us vs them" I think your spot on, that is a interesting perspective that I knew but never fully gave thought.