If people of religious belief are supposed to be peace loving?

Question

Why have there been so many religious wars?
Even disregarding what some religions have done to others not of their belief,what about the wars within.
At this moment Shia are fighting Sunni in Iraq.
It was only a few years ago that Catholics were fighting Protestants in Northern Ireland.
So much for peace and tolerance

Answer 1

How to determine if a war is a "just" one? It's not like anyone can give their god a phone call and ask them. Especially when the given reasons for a war are different from the real reasons for a war (ie: America in Vietnam).

War is an act of evil that spawns evil in people. Even good people will commit unbelievably evil acts in war...any war. No matter how well justified the war might be.

What the first poster seems to ignore is that his "just" god ordered not merely war but outright genocide for an offense that may or may not have taken place centuries earlier. This would be the equivallent of Native Americans waging genocidal war, today, on all non-natives for the sins the non-native's ancestors made while taking over the Native American's territory.

Further, the wars that God supposedly commands his followers to go into are all in the Old Testament which Christians are supposed to regard as invalidated by the New Testament.

Back to the main question: Only a handful of religious groups can be called truely peaceful...the Amish, for example. The majority have demonstrated a remarkable degre of hypocrisy in the matter, and will in all likelyhood continue to do so.

Answer 2

Beacuase the religiouns are made up of people and 96% of americans belive in god (according to servay) and people are not perfect, if anyone wants to say anything about any thing they don't like, they spread what the worst of the group are doing, or have been caught up in.
true that religioun has started many things, but it takes two leaders to start a war, and then all the rest don't have much choice in most cases. Are you balmeing all americans for the government stuff? True we should do more against it, but we aren't, same in nearly all. The crusades, you say 'I don't want to kill, it's not right' and your head was lopped off, I don't think the crusades were RIGHT, but not all the men were evil or whatnot...they were lead. We (america) fled the british because most WOULD NOT let us NOT believe in their religion at that time, those in power said it was this or that, blasphemy...they got a good payroll from their people, they didn't want change, maybe some belived they were doing what god wanted, maybe not. Leaders can guide a nation to rubble if none stand up, and that takes a huge amount of courage...and in years before, it was death quite often, I can think of three times in europe just now off the top of my head, when a rebelion was attempted, failed, and the/a leader was beheaded or tourtured.
All are only men, many try to do what's right, regaurdless of leaders, religion, or government. But it is not an easy task...do you think any of those in the above mentioned armies would NOT be charged with dessertion if they fled to go back home...what about when the army came TO their homes...a was is hard to stop, if even one leader wnats it started.
Religion 'based' or not, people are people, and religion is an easy excuse to start one with out bringing down the eyes of the world to them as a bloodthirsty bunch...one leader that is in it for power can take many good men into a bad battle.
I blame the leaders in some cases, and also those who didn't stand up, but that is hard, and often suicide...I hope I stand when I need to, regaurdless of the religion I fight or place I am.
Humananity has not perfected itself, it is those few that make the many do bad.
In most cases this is true.
My opinion, not meant to offend
Reft Tackarii

Answer 3

Reasons of wars, is Power, Greed, Aggression, Oppression, Suppression, Provocation or Self Defense.

Wars have taken place under the leadership of Holy Prophets too, but under purely self defense. otherwise waging war shall be with the other reasons as mentioned.

Brother under profile “lion of Judah” has very well placed the quotation of holy books of his belief. But your question on the other part can still be elaborated.

I do not know in detail about the reason of fighting between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland, a Christian brother might answer about it well.

Regarding the fight between Shia and Sunni in Iraq as quoted by you, one of the reason for it is that Shia are in Majority in Iraq and they were suppressed by Saddam earlier for decades. I do not even believe Saddam was a Sunni as the Bath party to which he belonged was away from Sunni belief. Any way now the Shia got an opportunity as a majority to come in power and that is the reason for all that bloodshed going on in Iraq.

Well, the oppression, bloodshed and killing, is totally prohibited in Islam and war is only permitted in self defense, as advocated by Allah in Quran, verse # 5:32

Whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind.

Again as per the saying of Holy Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam in Bukhari hadeeth #6948 it is said:

The first thing to be judged between people is the matter of bloodshed.

War between two parties with different religious beliefs is understandable like War of Crusades, but war and killing between so called Muslims i.e Sunni and Shia are ridiculous, as there is a clear Hadeeth saying of Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam in this regard and its interpretation is as follows:

If a Muslim kills another Muslim, both will go to hell. One of the companions of Holy prophet asked; why the person killed /defending should go to hell? Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam replied; because he too had the intension to kill him.

Today we the Muslims are lacking in placing the true Islamic principles through our practical examples and actions before the world, thereby the world is viewing Islam in that perspective, apart from the Media which is controlled by the non Muslims and used against Muslims.

May Allah keep all of us towards the right path Aameen.

Answer 4

Not sure why people feel that they need to force their views on others. Its like they don't listen to the commandments, which are part of most of the major religions. Thou shalt not kill. Period.

As a Christian, I struggle with this. Jesus preached and live a peaceful life. People have twisted his example to try and force others to believe. Governments and different religious groups have used the name of God as a reasoning for war for so long, it seems almost accepted by many people.

As for me, I think the Mennonites, Shaker,Amish and Jehovahs Witnesses are good examples to follow about war. They don't fight, they do not go to war, and they live more peaceful lives, and shun outside influences. They don't fight over territory or land. But in our world, it seems the people who fight get more support.

Just don't understand people who think killing in the name of God is right.

Answer 5

Often it's not the religion which is flawed but the believers who are. People choose to kill one another because of differences in religious beliefs. It's a personal choice.

I understand how frustrating it is. All we can do as bystanders is pray.

Answer 6

You make a good point. If the people within these religions can't live in peace, then why fight others?

Answer 7

So, what are you supposed to do when someone wants to impose their religious way of life upon you, using the sword? Just sit there, and let your head be cut off?

Answer 8

What do you mean WERE fighting in
Ireland...this fight has been going on for hundreds of years...and still continues
until this day.

Answer 9

Humans are flawed.... there is nothing you can do about a bunch of hot heads that think they're right.

Answer 10

Ask bush.. these is all his idea.. war & controversy created cash!