OneOfMany-
It does go hand in hand with kadmus, and that is a concept which certain minority elements did try to fit into the Torah – I believe Ralbag was one of them. But obviously the consensus is not that way, and such a view is regarded by the mainstream as kefirah.
regardless, there is SOMETHING there that we ALL have, and that deserves respect.
Respect, yes, but why to be sad when it is lost? I respect my opponents too, that doesn’t mean I mourn their loss (I am not saying non-Jews are our opponents, I am making a conceptual comparison).
To clarify: I always thought
I’m not that into Kabbala, and the terms you are using and the distinctions between them are kabbalistic ideas. So I can’t really help you there.
WHY do so many people (including some people on this forum, apparently) use this as an excuse to regard goyim collectively with a general distrust and contempt?
You are absolutely right.
The distrust comes from fear as a result of thousands of years of persecutions. Contempt for non-Jews collectively has no excuse; maybe it’s a defense mechanism. Either way, “eisav sonei l’yaakov” is most definitely not absolute.