Who have more people died "in the name of" throughout history?

Question

A) Roman Empire
B) Alexander the Great/Hellenistic Empire
C)Hitler and the Nazi's (WWII/Final Solution)
D)Communism (Russian Revolution/Stalinism)
E) Christianity (Crusades/colonizaton, etc)
F) Islam (jihad, modern terrorism, etc)
G) any other source- please site

Just doing a vaguely related question to one I answered (which person in history died the youngest but left the greatest impact on the world- I answered Alexander the Great but Jesus was also mentioned and I agree that was another equally good/interesting answer) which inspired this question. Just thought this was an interesting point to debate/discuss and if anyone has any thoughts, ideas, and/or sources of info on this topic. And yes, I think those that kill in the name of either of the faiths mentioned above have hi-jacked/misread/misunderstood/misrepresented the tenets of both faiths for political purposes.

WOW- too many goog answers to pick just one. The use of Christianity to justify killing seems a popular choice but then I guess combining all religion makes more sense. Then the debate is it religious principles, political principles,or, economic principles that have led to death, violence, and destruction ,or, is it the use of religions to achieve political objectives to gain wealth? Let's vote.

Answer 1

Christianity. there are thousands upon thousands (if not millions) of people who have willingly given up there lives for the sake of christ.
i re-read your question and christians have been martyrd for their faith (killed), rather than being the ones killing others "in the name of". in the crusades christians, yes, did kill people for "the sake of christ". but their view of christianity was warped and it is debateable if they were actually true followers of Christ. but it was never God's intention for people to kill each other for the sake of christ. that is why i question if the leaders of the crusades were truly followers of Christ.

Answer 2

Almost all the great problems of the humanity are caused by economical interests of a group of people. However, those have been the interests of only a group of leaders. It doesn't mean that the followers felt the same. The Crusades were begun by a pope called Urbino and an emperor of the Byzantine Empire. The emperor wanted to defeat the Seljuk Turks, who were gaining territory to Constantinople, but he needed help from West. The pope wanted to have again the power the papacy used to have, and he used as pretext a Holy War against the infidels to impregnate again the feeling to obey the Church. Those were personal interests. However, many crusaders went to war because they really had faith on it, though many others also had personal interests. The jihad was instituted by Muhammad to spread the Islam. But he acquired most of his fellowship because many Arabs (specially the warriors) saw a golden opportunity to become rich.
The religious struggles are the factors that have caused more deaths. But, in the majority of the cases ( specially in the major religions by influence, the Christianity and the Islam), the doctrines are not the problem, but the personal interests of the leaders, even when they might have good intentions.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I'll say E & F or G for God, whether you are a follower of Allah or Jesus Christ the overall killings for the name of God have created more death and destruction than any of the others combined.

I believe in one god above all but until someone proves without a doubt otherwise I will continue to believe that God has many facets. That though as a christian I worship him as the father of Jesus, that others worship the same God when they follow the Islamic tenets and pray to Allah. God is all powerfull so why can he not be worshipped by various religions. The religions are mans point of view it was not something instilled in our being from before we were born to belive one way or the other, it is through teachings and readings that we learn our place and Gods in the universe.

So with this some may argue twisted logic it is easy to see that more deaths have occured in his name than for any other reason in the world. The various religions do not agree over points of view and thus they claim his name in their defense against oppression or in their right to annihilate the infidels.

Answer 5

I'd have to go with Communism, between Lenin, Stalin, Mao & Pol Pot we're probably getting close to 50 million dead.

I don't think anything else will come close. The other movements & empires had more time to work with, but also smaller populations.

Answer 6

Christianity

Answer 7

You named your answers very well. Christianity is the popular answer, but it is in question of the overall conflicts in the Middle East (not the recent, but all). If you take into account that one form of religion or other has battled over the holy lands in these territories, you could conclude that to be the correct answer. Unfortunately, the correct answer is "fighting in the name of G(g)od. The conflicts over religion far out number the conflicts concerning land, rights, or freedom. Communism doesn't even come close as it is a recent introduction into world (war) history, and even then, the types of "communism" are almost as numerous as the types of religion. Thank you for the question, but more importantly to the tactful way in which you asked such a difficult question for many people to consider.

Answer 8

Stalin

Answer 9

Religion in general

Answer 10

I am an ancestor of Alexander thr Great but I believe that it would have to be Jewish people.

Answer 11

Money:sheckels, krona, dollars, pesetas, pesos, pounds, lira, sols, rubles, rupees, crowns, francs, bolivars, gold, silver, salt, whiskey, water.