How does religion and religious doctrine come to cause conflict?

Question

In many ways religion gives people a sense of belonging and also something to look forward to. But what about when religion gets taken too far and religious beliefs and religious doctrine (rules) start to cause conflict between two different cultures? Does this defeat the purpose religion?

Answer 1

While the ultimate goal is unity (and while we should always speak with gentleness and respect), unity is not necessarily the immediate goal of religion. Love and truth often find conflict, and throughout history we have seen men standing for truth against the tide of popular opinion. In the end, though, truth always comes out and those who struggled for it are a blessing to future generations.

As Gilbert K. Chesterton therefore said, "Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions."

Answer 2

The words religion and doctrine are the answer to your question. By that I mean, the two words are for things that are naturally inflexible. Nothing that is so inflexible as religious doctrine can co-exist with an ever changing society or with different cultures or beliefs peacefully. This is why religion has been the cause of more bloodshead throughout the centuries than any other kind of conflict. I don't think it necessarily defeats the purpose of religion, its just that there are so many and they all seem to think that they are correct in their beliefs. This is where the pushing to convert and the anger and strife comes in. Its a neverending vicious cicle.