Is religion the UNDERLYING cause of all wars?

Question

I was just wondering... *and for argument's sake, please consider that I'm not suggesting it is the actual cause, although it is in some cases*

Answer 1

think so. simply because the difference between religions as what is causing conflict. Do you think there would be conflicts of the recent magnitude if we all had the same religion. How do you see it on a local level. there is usually conflicts of the lesser kind there. (Which church do I go to?) expand that same idea to a world scale and add weapons of mass destruction. If we all had the same religion everyone know the customs of every other person without even questioning what their 'angle' was. Will not treat anyone different because he is different. The truth will emerge eventually. Problem is, Every religion thinks theirs is the best

Answer 2

Religion never is and never was the cause of any war. Religion is and has always been a tool used by those who seek war. Either against it or in the name of it.

Wars are fought for reasons of power and control, land, food supplies, other resources, dominance over others, etc. One can argue that Hitler was a Christian and in his own mind he was, but if he wasn't don't you think the same things would have happened anyway?

Long before religions were in place people fought about these things. Wanting what the other person has, and taking control which then gives them power.

And, actually, the greatest war-mongers of all time like the Moguls
and Romans cared little or nothing about religion or who was what religion. But if those that they wished to conquer, say, were Christians then that was their battle cry. But if they were Islamic, Jews, Christian, Hindus, or any other religion, still, they were conquered.

The religions are always a target because they hold a great amount of people who may form an army to resist.

The radial Muslims in the middle east simply want us to leave and stay out of their lives. Many believe that western culture is bad, not the Christian culture but any non-Muslims.

Answer 3

It's never the underlying cause for a true war. It can be the underlying cause for a small scale fight, or discrimionation, but a war takes a lot of people. To organize and go to war takes a better reason then religion. Wars are fought out of competition for public resources. Religion just idenitifes the sides, and motivates the troops.

Answer 4

No; I'll repost here what I responded to a very similar previous question:
"Well, being a Marxist materialist in theoretical stance, I'd actually say no, religion is not usually the cause; rather, it's economic and political disparity, as well as a heck of a lot of greed.
But, religion is, and has been, used as an excuse an awful lot. (Extremists in any religion who operate on a more or less individual, or at least subgroup, basis, excluded, because they do seem to have ideological motivation).
So even if religion didn't exist, people would find some other cause to parade behind. Unfortunately."

Answer 5

I think the underlying cause of war is usually the struggle over resources. Religion and nationalism, etc are very frequently dragged in, but only to justify the cause. The average soldier wouldn't be willing to sacrifice his life for, oh, I don't know, let's say oil. He needs some symbolism for motivation. So it's all about the idea of "spreading freedom and democracy," or "obliterating the heathen."

Answer 6

Religion has factored into almost every war ever waged. It's not necessarily the CAUSE of all wars, because mankind would find a reason to go to war regardless of whether or not there was religion on this earth. But historically, yes, it has been a factor. It just gives man another excuse to hate each other.

Answer 7

Of "all" wars? Not hardly.

Yes, there have been wars about religion, but even then, if you look closely enough, there's usually an underlying cause. Someone has something that the other other side wants, be it land, money, oil, etc.

The fundamental cause of all war is human greed and desire for power.

Answer 8

No. Economics and conquest are the underlying causes of all wars. All wars. Religion, is the fuel.

Answer 9

Religion is used before and during wars for propaganda and motivation to get people to agree with it. But I think you will find that the cause of war is power, greed, lust, and pride. You know (politics). GOD is used as a sort of carrot before the horse of the masses. Sad but true.

Shalom!

Answer 10

No, it isn't.
Religion is neither the direct nor underlying cause of war. Wars are always caused by beurocrats, and are always supported through propaganda. People fight when they feel directly threatened. Wars are fought over resources, political ideologies, miscarriages of justice, economics, etc. Never religion.
Case in point. Islamic terrorists are not killing people over religious values, and never have. Their demands are always political, never religious.