It is too often said that every major religion has a bloody history?

Question

How so? What is Buddhism's blood crime? How about Hinduism (The war over Kashmir is political)? I've never heard of the Shintoists, the Taoists, the Confuscious-followers, the Norse, the Celts, the Anglos-Saxons, the Vikings, the Visigoths, the Native Americans, or in fact any of those not of an Abrahamic faith rising up to fight a holy war. Wars over land and resources yes, never over religion. Even the Jews have a history that isn't as "bloody" as the above statement would indicate. "All major religions..." how?

Answer 1

It is too often said since it is a false statement. Any action performed by a person is automatically assumed to be because of that persons religion. The vast majority of thsoe wars, as you stated, are over land, resources and power. Not over religion. Religion has often been used as a motivator - just like patriotism, or freedom. All are good things, but can be twisted for evil. Hopefully we will never abandon freedom because some evils have been done in its name.

To blame all war on religion is ridiculous. The fact is that the Christian religion is been the most stablizing and benefitual force in human history. It has brought more peace, charity, freedom and prosperity then any other force or movement in history.

Answer 2

first, buddhism isnt a religion (http://www.buddhanet.net/nutshell03.htm). Anyways, I think the point people are trying to make is that religion ends up being a driving force in most bloody wars even if not the cause. i.e. our President accidentally calling the war in Iraq a Crusade. By the way, you can't neglect religions like Cathalasism, Christianity, and Islam because those are the major faiths today.

Answer 3

Well religious wars are also tied into politics. The muslim extremists today are not doing this for islam they are doing it for power. The muslim and hindu conflicts were existing even before the split of the country into India and Pakistan. The conflict was not entirely political. You cant use religion to judge a people because religion does not make you evil. people however, can make religion evil.

Answer 4

You just displayed huge ignorance to much of human history; an ignorance that suggests a large bias in the scope of information you have seen so far (perhaps you are still in high school?); an ignorance that suggests that you really have not studied any history beyond your own country.

Do you expect us to give you a complete history lesson in Yahoo! Answers?

Answer 5

The world has a bloody history and many people like to blame it all on religion.

...clears their conscience anyways.

Answer 6

The Asatru (Odinist) religion was all about war. Everyone has fought wars you are only hearing what you wish to hear much like the fundamentalists do

Answer 7

Jews don't have a bloody history? Oh I guess you're choosing to ignore Palestinian blood then?

Answer 8

People often forget that the Abrahamic religions are not all that there is.

Answer 9

if you are the ones being killed, you too have a bloody history.

Answer 10

islam fought who fought it