2007-07-13 15:52:46 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The past three thousand years should paint a rather vivid and bloody picture for you!
2007-07-13 16:13:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is not the religious beliefs that start wars, it is the interpretation of the dogma by followers of a religion that incites the followers to start wars. Religious beliefs just give people something tangible to hold onto while their faith remains blind. War is an outgrowth of searching for confirmation of their tangible beliefs, and trying to force others to believe as they do. Fighting in the name of God is against all religious beliefs -- all of them.
2007-07-13 16:10:36 · answer #2 · answered by Shihan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The wrong religious beliefs start wars. For example, the wrong belief that flying planes into skyscrapers will earn you 70 virgins in heaven.
Also fanatical religion causes violence and wars. People can be too religious. Too much of anything is bad.
Fortunately, the majority of religious people have their heads on straight.
Atheism is a fanatical religion that causes violence and wars. Look at China and the old Soviet Union!
2007-07-13 16:02:48 · answer #3 · answered by Hawk 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know any religion that encourages the killing of another however the interpretation of many religions can and have led people to start wars. But it is always the people following the religions that start the wars not the beliefs themselves that lead to wars.
2007-07-13 16:11:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes the religious beliefs start wars (Early wars between Protestants and Catholics, for instance.) More often, economic reasons are the main cause but religious differences are among the many causes. Religious differences are used to inflame public support for the wars. Differences in religion decrease trust, making peace harder. Once wars start, it's easier to dehumanize the enemy when the enemy doesn't believe in your god. This makes wars more vicious than they'd otherwise be.
2007-07-13 15:57:47 · answer #5 · answered by thatguyjoe 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Actually they do. When people have strong religious beliefs they become a danger to those who want to maintain the status quo, and who want to keep their power over the people, so those in control wage war against the faithful. Jesus said that he didn't come to bring peace but a sword, and his words have been proven true in the millenia since he ascended, because his followers have been hunted down and tortured and killed. Because of their religion.
2007-07-13 16:05:58 · answer #6 · answered by hisgloryisgreat 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not in the least. Saying that religion is the cause of war is like saying compass points cause wars, since in the U.S. civil war, the Korean war, and the Vietnam conflict, among others, were fought between people divided by north and south. Religion is merely a division that is easily exploited, but it is just as easy to divide people by language, ethnicity, race, or politics. The truth is, war is fought not for the benefit of various supreme beings, but for power, resources, and land.
2007-07-13 16:00:50 · answer #7 · answered by Curtis B 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is not the religious beliefs at fault-
The fault lays upon those individuals who can actually turn something holy into sin.
2007-07-13 16:08:43 · answer #8 · answered by Jenblossom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. But some religious beliefs are misunderstandings... not the truth the way God meant it to be understood.
2007-07-13 15:58:34 · answer #9 · answered by MumOf5 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes they do. Especially those who have not followed the counsel in the bible of "beating their swords into plowhares and learning war no more." Isaiah 2:4
2007-07-13 15:58:11 · answer #10 · answered by sugarbee 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋