Why do athiests not get this?

Question

I keep seeing over and over again literally 100's of times by now About how Religon caused the Crusades, and other bloodshed. But the Truth is Men created these atrocities. They Used religion as a means to their own ends. These powerful rulers (kings etc) Used their authority to make people believe that their word was from God. Yet the Bible which is taught in the constuct of religion teaches piece, and Loving thy neighbor. SO isnt the fault on those Rulers and not religion? Heres an example. Today we fight a War against Islamic folks that believe that it is the Will of Allah That the infidel (U.S. Britian and the west) should be killed, beheaded, and blown away. Yet we get from the Mainstream Muslims that this is not true teaching of the Koran.. So if you believe that the Crusades were caused by the Christian religon then also are not the problems of today caused by the Muslim Religion? or is it the acts of some using those Prespective religions to attain their own goals?

Answer 1

Here's how it works... racism teaches people to hate other races, yes? I mean, it's ultimately up to the people to decide if they're going to buy into that kind of bullhonky, but racism, as it does the persuading, isn't really the best kind of mindset, would you not agree?

I'm sure being part of a racist organization, big or small, powerful or not, creates a sense of community, of brotherhood, of acceptance and understanding from within, but as it creates so much "bad", for lack of a better all-inclusive term, the positive side-effects are pretty much overshadowed.

I'm NOT saying religious organizations are racist and I'm not saying the two are equivalent, but the basic storylines are similar: despite the positive feelings, kindships and generally wellmeaning intentions associated with religion, it has still been the driving force behind some of the cruelest and most horrific attrocities the world has ever known.

Now... I might be wrong. There may NOT be a correlation. It may be coincidence that so many mass murdering monsterous mentalities gleaned inspiration from religion and the supposedly evermore "mistranslated" holy texts.... but I doubt it.

Answer 2

Stop stereotyping atheists and learn to spell. This is exactly what peeves me so much. The question has nothing what-so-ever to do with the issue. You pop a prejudice question on atheists and then formulate this bizarre theory about leadership using religion as an excuse for invasions using dreadful English sentence structure and the questions are all over the map.
What the hell are you anyway, escaped from some nut house?

I'll answer the question you didn't ask properly in the first place. The world religions have much to do with the conflicts. What would that be? Christian determined prophecy. Islamic fulfilled prophecy.

http://www.accel-team.com/pygmalion/index.html

Within our lifetime a nuclear Holocaust will occur and mankind will be lucky to survive. Israel and Islam will be in the middle. Your religious opinions will also be extinct. We do get it even though you have difficulty explaining anything.

Answer 3

SOME athiests have a problem with religion, and often, especially Christianity, simply because that's the religion they see as having harmed them in some way. Some people just lump everyone of a certain mindset (say, religious people) into the same category, and thus, assume that it's the religion that caused certain things. While religion certainly plays a part in various things, it is, as you say, not the religion to blame, but the people who intepret it and act on those interpretations.

As a side note... you're doing the same thing to athiests with the title of this question.

Answer 4

Good question , but then monotheism was also created by a pharaoh that was tired of the powers the priests had. So yes religion will always be used as an excuse. So, such I see your point, I definitely would not like religious leader to be in power, because then the world would he a worse place. You mentioned my Examples.

Answer 5

First of all, even though man started war, a lot of battled were fought because of religious differences. plus, some religions are based on war, and which is the problem of the rulers. Christianity may be responsible for some battles, and I don't give a **** if you disagree right now, but many others are in involved.

P.S. YOU GO PHILIP!

Answer 6

you are confusing your terms. religion is a man-made construct. it IS what caused the crusades, etc. FAITH, on the other hand, is what is taught by the bible. the word religion means to reconnect. it was created by man to reconnect man to god, but god has never asked it of man. he has asked for faith, trust, and love. organized religions have nothing to do with god or truth other than that they give people of similar beliefs a place to talk with others

besides, most of the athiests i know aren't athiests because of religion. it is because they have found explanations other than god, and have no need of faith.

i do not follow any religion, and have always believed faith was a private thing between you and the ultimate. i could go into a very long discourse on that, but no one cares.

Answer 7

You are correct sir. Religion in and of itself is perfect. It's when people get involved and start interpeting and telling people this is what it is that things get messed up. That's the main conundrum with religion. Man wrote the Bible, as well as the Koran, and it's all a matter of what each individual person interpets to be what they believe. Some people believe that all who don't follow their beliefs must die. That doesn't mean they are right but they sure do think they are. But I bet Christianity has a way higher body coutn than Islam. None of this is really sanctioned by God, who wants us to treat each other as we would want to be treated. Fundamentalist wack jobs can be found in any religion, it really makes no difference.

Answer 8

Atheists arent saying RELIGION killed ANYONE. Like religion didnt go out and chop someones head off. Atheists are saying people USED religion as an excuse to commit acts of violence. By saying someone or a GROUP of people was evil and sinful and killing them because of it, some rulers used this as an excuse to acquire more wealth and property.

I agree ERIK, as was the Bible......

Answer 9

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male andfemale, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A friendof mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned inExodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is inher period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is, my neighbours.They claim the odour is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbour who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees'of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses.Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden byLev 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them?(Lev.24:10-16). Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev.20:14)

Answer 10

Yes, men (or humans, rather) created these atrocities. But humans also created religions and the concept of God.

And if you think the Bible teaches peace and loving thy neighbour, you haven't read the Old Testament very thoroughly.