The problem of ideological confrontation has recently presented itself to me in a new form: what happens to ideological passion in the after-life? For the sake of this query let us say that Heaven is a reflection of our earthly desire for peace, harmony, joy and perfection.
In this life the only work-around against ideological passions is friendship; it is possible to disagree about abstract matters and remain friends. This is even possible in the face of alleged consequences of the given positions. Americans who believe it is a good thing to bring Democracy to Iraq and those who believe that the war is a bad thing, e.g. might remain friends even as American soldiers take casualties.
Friendship, however, is only for men of good will; even friends must always disagree about some things because each man is unique. Those who mock, who use one standard for thier side and another for the other, are not such men. This takes us to the heart of the question: ill-will defines the situation even when it is unilateral. In Heaven the truth will be clear. Men of good will can accept it gratefully; they can recognize their errors because they subordinate thier ideology to something else. Men of ill-will are not interested in self-perfection but in winning. Their positions are not steps on a path towards truth but a weapon.
Men should recognize the finite character of human intellect, their own in particular, and subordinate their conclusions to the results of honest debate, which perhaps can only be concluded in Heaven, where the truth, in all its splendor, will be clear and undeniable. This apparition will not effect men of ill will because it does not affect their lust for success.
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