There is also something in declaring your actions sacred. Islam has a principle that states 'To the pure, all things are pure' - a dangerous concept if ever I did see one. Although I must point out that it is a principle that cuts across religions and even to atheist movements. Communist movements have been past masters at being oppressive b*stards all for the freedom of the people. Once again the great words of C S Lewis come to me:

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."

Although in this example perhaps it should read:

"but those who torment us with the approval of their own conscience will torment us without end for they have no reason to stop"