A pattern that is common to all situations of so-called ethnic violence. This pattern reveals what is behind ethnic violence - and what is, for the most part, hidden. Catholics, Protestants and Muslims used to live peacefully. The facts are that most people in multi-ethnic societies live in peace most of the time. Of course, there are the occasional exceptions, but they are exceptions.
Peace is the norm.
And for centuries, usually. At first, we heard rumors that the Muslims would attack Christian villages. The myth-making begins. Stories are heard. Often, these days, they are heard through the media.