If Iraq converted to Christianity would the violence stop?

Question

Do you think Shias and Sunnis would learn to "love their neighbor" and "love their enemy" if they rejected the religion that has taught them to walk into market places to blow themselves up killing their neighbor. Islam sure isn't leading them in a positive direction maybe Christianity or Buddhism would calm them down.
Don't be stupid and blame the violence on the US, Britain and Australia. THe Iraqis had a chance to make whatever they wanted out of their country with free elections but they decided to slaughter each other instead. They were fighting before we got there (Saddam killed over a million Shias and Kurds) and they will be fighting after we leave. Are they hopeless? Can another more peaceful faith save them?

Its interesting all of you bring up Northern Ireland to show Christianity is violent when that is a fight over British (protestants) taking Irish (Catholic) land. It isn't really about religion and regardless more people died on 9/11 than in all 33 years of that conflict.

Interesting also people cite the Inquisition and the Crusades when both were responses to Islamic Imperialism trying to take over Europe. Maybe we're only violent when Muslims are trying to kill us.

Answer 1

If Iraq converted to Christianity the violence would undoubtedly stop. Judging by the majority of those who've answered this question, they no doubt think I'm out of my mind to say this. But let me qualify...
The instances pointed to as examples of Christianity are caricatures of Christianity more than true Christianity. Northern Ireland, pedophile priests, the Crusaders, etc.-these people are not the real deal. If Iraq were to convert to TRUE Christianity and not to some caricature of Christianity in which people were Christians only by name and not really by lifestyle, then you would see a utopia in Iraq such as the world has never seen. But you are not going to see this happen, for the simple reason that Jesus offers in Matthew 7:13-14: "13Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." You see, Jesus does not intend to save the majority of the human race, only a relatively small minority of it . And only a small minority of the human race has found that narrow gate and the joy, peace and happiness that comes with being counted as one of God's own children. Only a small minority of the human race has truly committed itself to Jesus' teachings and understands what it means to love as God loves. But Jesus invites you to enter through that narrow gate. The question is: Will you?

Answer 2

Unfortunately, I do not think if the Islamic people converted to Christianity, their violence would cease for two reasons. 1. The violence experienced within and without the Islamic world is the product of a few extremist Muslims, not the entirety of the the Islamic people. And those violent few would be so within any religion to which they belong. The violence they practice is not a matter of faith at all, but rather a matter of psychological unrest and a lack of true spiritual, social and personal integration. 2. All religions develop along a similar path and within a parallel time-frame. Christianity, during its younger years, was REMARKABLY violent. Islam is a younger faith, this may just simply be the "terrible teen" years for the violent few within the Islamic faith, not at all unlike the "terrible teen years" of the crusades or the many other supposedly religious acts of violence present within ALL world religions throughout time. In short: Islamic Violence is not very Islamic at all... and Christianity has been terribly violent at many times too...

Answer 3

Christians haven't learn this as well. It is the blindness of Christians that can't see their own issues as a religious group.

You will not convert Islamic nations to Christianity so you better get that childish idea of your head. The problem is straight forward. It is the illegal invasion of Iraq that has made things worse for that region and the U.S. We had no right to invade the sovereign nation of Iraq.

Never have any other country in history but the U.S. used nuclear weapons. The invasion of Iraq has fueled that world view of America as "The Great White Satan".

Under the nation security act enacted in 1947 the American government has committed many atrocities in the world while hiding the same from its people.

The American people with would not have allowed such atrocities if they had complete knowledge of these actions. The American public is no longer free or have control over its government.

The National Security Act does not protect information from foreign governments that have their own intelligence. It only serves to keep the operational secrets of the U.S. government from its people.

From full knowledge of the operations of the U.S. government will the American people understand why the world hates America.

Answer 4

Converting to another faith in an Islamic country would be a death sentence. Ironically the right to practice Christianity was protected by Sadaam Hussein. I had a neighbor who's Baptist church was raising money to send bibles, American flags, and kites with the stars and stripes for the kids out there. My comment was, why would you send something to a child that would get them in trouble. Walking around with a bible, American flag, and that kite would get the child their *** kicked or worse.

Ironically they were likely better off under a ruthless dictator like Hussein. As appalling as he was, only a strongman can keep order in a place like that. After we leave it is likely democracy will fold under a dictatorship and hopefully will not create a World War 3. Iran will want a Shiite republic, The Sunni Saudis won't stand for that. The Iranians might lob a missile into Israel to diffuse the Arabian threat to try to bring them in. The Israeli's could respond with force to defend their borders and all hell could break loose. Bush created a cluster**** and totally destabilized the entire region. Iraq would just as likely convert to christianity as Jesse Jackson would join the Ku Klux Klan

Answer 5

65,00,000 By US vs just million (wrong figure) by saddam !! Yes Saddam was more creul !!

I think you should read that report which disclosd that White house is actualy backing this all and giving money to Al-Ansar like evil organization to carry this violence......Btw even if they are killing each other why US is taking pain for that?? Why don't it just get out of it and leave the place on their own........Atleasr your troops would be safe .........NO?? whether they are hopeless or not, it should not be US business to decide about their fate......this is what we called a sovereignty of a country which should not be abolished by some other country by invading it wrongly for the sake of power and money ! !

Btw i hate those terrorists myself and have no sympathy for them but bashing the whole religion for that is unfair ! Generaliazation is very bad thing you know??

Love their enemies?? LOL, yes your troops have a great love and respect for their enemies Iraqis !!.....would you like to see some proof??

Umm i have a better solution to that problem.....leave that place and let them decide their fate whether they kill each other and or live in peace !

have a good day!

Answer 6

No, I don't believe so at all. Look at, for example, the USA. It's predominantly a 'Christian' country and there are still murders, rapes, robberies, etc etc etc. It would have to mean that every person would have to make a personal decision not to do the violent things, etc.

Also.. IRAQ cannot convert to Christianity. It's just a country. Iraqi people could convert, but it would have to be a personal decision too. An entire country can't just force a religion on people. They can try, but it just doesn't work.

Answer 7

I don't know many Christians who actually practise the teaching "love thy neighbour" because that includes being tolerant to people of other religions and it is evident by the multiple posts from Christians that they are not, including this one if you are a Christian. It would not stop anyway because Islam doesn't teach them to do that. They do it themselves because of personal and political grudges. I'd like to see the day that Christianity could be called a "calming" religion. It is blatently hate-filled and totally intolerant to all other beliefs. Give me one verse in the Qur'an which teaches Muslims to go out and take innocent lives. Just one verse and I will believe you and convince others of the truth, that's how sure I am you will never find one.

Answer 8

Christianity or Buddhism will partially work if they can be converted. The problems are that outside terrorists can always be inserted by other nations around Iraq ( Iran, Syria). You can limit people who got provoke by Muslim belief inside Iraq by converting them but not the outsiders. The salvation for Iraq may be a stronger government with stronger security forces.

Answer 9

If they followed the teachings of Jesus then YES. Christianity is about a total inner change that shows on the outside. It has to be obvious. Otherwise, they would claim the label of "Christian" and then continue to kill eachother, because there was no REAL change. I can't really explain it. I just know it. You become a new person. The old life perishes and all things are made new. It is for real. Claiming a label is useless. It means nothing without action...nothing without love. There is always hope.

Answer 10

No.

Christians were responsible for the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the Burning Times, not to mention many wars between Catholics and Protestants over the centuries.

You think they're "peaceful" now? Google "Northern Ireland."