What wars were started by Religion?

Question

Many have accused religion of starting wars or at least making them worse. I would like to know which wars were started by religion in the past 250 years.

Afghanistan, which war, the one where Russia tried to expand her empire and destabilized the nation, or the one the UN got involved in to try and remove the government that was supporting terrorism.

The second Iraq war was started by the belief that you could impose democracy with a gun. Bush maybe a Christian but he leads a secular country and is not attempting to convert the population to Christian beliefs, just western democracy. (Like that’s any better).

Jared, that is a well detailed answer,
but how many of those wars, were waged for economic, or strategic aims and later, justified by ethnic differences or belief

Zriah: That is my hypothesis, but I want to see if I should look at history from a new perspective

D Rocker: You are half right. I’m ignorant. I know very little about the world, and I have misconceptions of the way the world works, and I’m not even sure what they are most of the time. This question was designed to get the opinion of different people and give me an idea of what books I should look at the next time I feel brave enough to pay my over-due charges at the library.

Answer 1

TRY TO THINK ONE THAT WASNT ABOUT RELIGION!!

Country Main religious groups involved Type of conflict
Afghanistan Extreme, radical Fundamentalist Muslim terrorist groups & non-Muslims Osama bin Laden heads a terrorist group called Al Quada (The Source) whose headquarters were in Afghanistan. They were protected by, and integrated with, the Taliban dictatorship in the country. The Northern Alliance of rebel Afghans, Britain and the U.S. attacked the Taliban and Al Quada, establishing a new regime in part of the country. The fighting continues
Bosnia Serbian Orthodox Christians, Roman Catholic), Muslims Fragile peace is holding, due only to the presence of peacekeepers. 2
Côte d'Ivoire Muslims, Indigenous, Christian Following the elections in late 2000, government security forces "began targeting civilians solely and explicitly on the basis of their religion, ethnic group, or national origin. The overwhelming majority of victims come from the largely Muslim north of the country, or are immigrants or the descendants of immigrants..." 5 A military uprising continued the slaughter in 2002.
Cyprus Christians & Muslims The island is partitioned, creating enclaves for ethnic Greeks (Christians) and Turks (Muslims). A UN peace keeping force is maintaining stability.
East Timor Christians & Muslims A Roman Catholic country. About 20% of the population died by murder, starvation or disease after they were forcibly annexed by Indonesia (mainly Muslim). After voting for independence, many Christians were exterminated or exiled by the Indonesian army and army-funded militias in a carefully planned program of genocide and religious cleansing. The situation is now stable.
India Animists, Hindus, Muslims & Sikhs Various conflicts that heat up periodically producing loss of life.
Indonesia, province of Ambon Christians & Muslims After centuries of relative peace, conflicts between Christians and Muslims started during 1999-JUL in this province of Indonesia. The situation now appears to be stable.
Indonesia, province of Halmahera Christians & Muslims 30 people killed. 2,000 Christians driven out; homes and churches destroyed.
Iraq Kurds, Shiite Muslims, Sunni Muslims, western armed forces By mid-2006, a small scale civil war, primarily between Shiite and Sunni Muslims started. The situation appears to be steadily degenerating.
Kashmir Hindus & Muslims A chronically unstable region of the world, claimed by both Pakistan and India. The availability of nuclear weapons and the eagerness to use them are destabilizing the region further. More details Thirty to sixty thousand people have died since 1989.
Kosovo Serbian Orthodox Christians & Muslims Peace enforced by NATO peacekeepers. There is convincing evidence of past mass murder by Yugoslavian government (mainly Serbian Orthodox Christians) against ethnic Albanians (mostly Muslim) Full story
Kurdistan Christians, Muslims Assaults on Christians (Protestant, Chaldean Catholic, & Assyrian Orthodox). Bombing campaign underway.
Macedonia Macedonian Orthodox Christians & Muslims Muslims (often referred to as ethnic Albanians) engaged in a civil war with the rest of the country who are primarily Macedonian Orthodox Christians. A peace treaty has been signed. Disarmament by NATO is complete.
Middle East Jews, Muslims, & Christians The peace process between Israel and Palestine suffered a complete breakdown. This has resulted in the deaths of thousands, in the ratio of three dead for each Jew. Major strife broke out in 2000-SEP. Major battle in Lebanon during mid-2006. No resolution appears possible.
Nigeria Christians, Animists, & Muslims Yourubas and Christians in the south of the country are battling Muslims in the north. Country is struggling towards democracy after decades of Muslim military dictatorships. More details
Northern Ireland Protestants, Catholics After 3,600 killings and assassinations over 30 years, some progress has been made in the form of a ceasefire and an independent status for the country.
Pakistan Suni & Shi'ite Muslims Low level mutual attacks.
Philippines Christians & Muslims A low level conflict between the mainly Christian central government and Muslims in the south of the country has continued for centuries. More details
Russia,
Chechnya Russian Orthodox Christians, Muslims The Russian army attacked the breakaway region. Many atrocities have been alleged on both sides. According to the Voice of the Martyrs: "In January 2002 Chechen rebels included all Christians on their list of official enemies, vowing to 'blow up every church and mission-related facility in Russia'." 7
South Africa Animists & "Witches" Hundreds of persons, suspected and accused of witches practicing black magic, are murdered each year.
Sri Lanka Buddhists & Hindus Tamils (a mainly Hindu 18% minority) are involved in a war for independence since 1983 with the rest of the country (70% Sinhalese Buddhist). Hundreds of thousands have been killed. The conflict took a sudden change for the better in 2002-SEP, when the Tamils dropped their demand for complete independence. The South Asian Tsunami in 2004-DEC induced some cooperation. The situation in mid-2006 is degenerating.
Sudan Animists, Christians & Muslims Complex ethnic, racial, religious conflict in which the Muslim regime has committed genocide against both Animists and Christians in the south of the country. Slavery and near slavery practiced. A ceasefire was signed in 2006-MAY between some of the combatants. 3 Warfare continues.
Thailand Buddhists & Muslims Muslim rebels have been involved in a bloody insurgency in southern Thailand -- a country that is 95% Buddhist. The army has seized power and has agreed to talks with the rebels.
Tibet Buddhists & Communists Country was annexed by Chinese Communists in late 1950's. Brutal suppression of Buddhism continues. *
Uganda Animists, Christians, & Muslims Christian rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army are conducting a civil war in the north of Uganda. Their goal is a Christian theocracy whose laws are based on the Ten Commandments. They abduct, enslave and/or raped about 2,000 children a year. 6

Answer 2

Every war in history were started and is still starting by economical reasons. Read history of politics or just ask a professor who teaches politics - just as the troy war is 'not caused' by love of Helene- the Iraqi war, world wars, the wars today - all caused by the greed to have more money - is it a coincidence that the area which USA is trying to conquer is the land which is the greatest source of petroleum! religion is and has always been an excuse for war and it has been used to cover this truth!

Answer 3

Islam didn't storm through Europe and kill people forcing them to convert or die! Thats not what Islam teaches! In fact, the reign of the Muslims was Europe and all the other countries' most prosperous!! Also, almost all the wars were started by christians "in the name of god"

Answer 4

Christians started Crusades from France

Answer 5

None.
They were all started by politicians.
Religion is for serving people.
Politics is for organizing wars.
Sometimes politicians use righteous sounding rationalizations, but in the final analysis, it is just politics. As usual.

Answer 6

None. Nearly every war was been start by religious people.

Religion doesn't wage war; people wage war.

Answer 7

*points to iraq*

one could also argue "positive Christianities" influence on Nazi Germany.

Answer 8

None. All were about territory, power and wealth.

Answer 9

typical ignorant religious person right there

Answer 10

How much time do you have?

Answer 11

>It would be easier to ask which ones weren't, and would produce much shorter answers.<