why is it?

Question

That religion teaches love for humanity and acceptance of others yet it causes most wars? (i have no religious beliefs btw)

Answer 1

I feel that the crux of the issue is intolerance in general and a refusal to respect other belief systems in general. The Buddhists teach 'the middle way' whereby one should strive not to be 'too good' or 'too bad' and thereby avoid the consequences of both excessive sin and attempting a spiritual lifestyle that is not practically attainable.

If we could just accept our differences and not hold others to the standards by which we live our own lives there would be much less conflict, particularly where religious matters are concerned.

Swedenborg explained it well saying that the physical world is the arena in which we choose to accept or to reject.

Its ambiguity is essential to this purpose, enabling us to convince ourselves that we are self-sustaining in fact, to focus on our distinguishability to the exclusion of our oneness.

If we so choose, we voluntarily forfeit the unitive power of love and wisdom and thereby set ourselves against the fundamental nature of reality itself.

This rejection manifests itself in isolation and hostility, both internal and external. That is, we develop a delight in conflict with others, and our own loves and thoughts are in conflict with each other. Our satisfaction comes only at the expense of others, which is inherently unworkable.

Answer 2

Religion does not cause most wars. Look at the USA for example
French/Indian War - fought over land
Revolutionary War - fought over taxes and independence
War of 1812 - fought over land
Spanish/American War - border dispute
Civil War - State rights and slavery
WW1 - border dispute in Europe that killed American citizens
WW2 - land conquest that killed American soliders
Korea - fought over land
Vietnam - fought over land

If you actually go war by war through the ages, you will find that religion was NOT the cause of most wars. They were more often disputes over land, border, and resources.

Religion has been used as a tool to stir people up during a war. But so has patriotism, "freedom", the need to defend your country, protecting your family, etc. All good things that can be "twisted" at times to justify cruel and needless wars.

Have then been some wars fought over religion - yes. But they are not even close to "most wars". And if you study the religions of the world, you will find that there have been religions which do NOT teach love for humanity and acceptance of others. So for them, war would be fully justified.

Answer 3

You are speaking about The counterfeit part of Religion, The true Religion does not make war.
(Matthew 7:13-14) . . .Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.
(James 4:1-3) 4 From what source are there wars and from what source are there fights among YOU? Are they not from this source, namely, from YOUR cravings for sensual pleasure that carry on a conflict in YOUR members? 2 YOU desire, and yet YOU do not have. YOU go on murdering and coveting, and yet YOU are not able to obtain. YOU go on fighting and waging war. YOU do not have because of YOUR not asking. 3 YOU do ask, and yet YOU do not receive, because YOU are asking for a wrong purpose, that YOU may expend [it] upon YOUR cravings for sensual pleasure.

Answer 4

Religion also teaches people to believe "I'm right and you're wrong," and all too often those conversations come to blows. And when those conversations are between two countries...

I suppose in a world without religion we would still find more pragmatic reasons to go to war, but that's a hypothesis I doubt I will ever get to test.

Answer 5

Actually, religion hasn't been a serious cause of war since the 17th century. (See Hundred Years War; Cromwell.) But many religions don't teach acceptance of others, or have a distinctly mixed message on the subject (see Qur'an).

Answer 6

belief is the main cause the war
belier in not a religion
person belief is the accepted knowledge deeply rooted in him
religion is related to the teaching of goodness by God

Most wars stated with the conflict of belief in.
. . . . . economic crisis
. . . . . conquest of interest
. . . . . territorial boundary
. . . . . fame and honor
. . . . . hatred and revenge

all of the above are not included in the teaching of God

some people use God only to aggravate and recruit more people to war.

but the scripture says. . . thou shall not use the name of the Lord in vain.

so don't mix the teaching of God to the teaching of men.

Answer 7

Put it in perspective.
Religions can give a reason for war.
Government provides the strategy for war.
Science provides the bombs designed to maim and disfigure rather than kill, landmines that look like children's toys, atomic and hydrogen devices, etc.
Theists and atheists alike then fight on the battlefield killing their own kind.

Also, not all religions go to war. There are some Christians who have taken a neutral stance and are in prison right now for it.

Answer 8

The best way to answer this question is by whom the war is caused, Some Finatic that craves his own beleifs to be that of God. Man has a quest to be perfect therfor in his search he becomes involved with his devotion to conquer this, he loses the meaning of Christianianity, Love, Long Suffering, Forgiveness and Comapasion. Why must we force religon on to those who don't beleive or believe contrary to our beleif? It would be better served to invite those to Come Unto Christ, not force them. I beleive this is of the work of the adversary, Satan. Although, it is written in the good book that there woul be wars and rumor of wars. Man is too afraid of living on his won faith ne needs to secure it by gaining in warfare to wage his prophecy of his own Belief. Someone once said, "What would happen if there was a war and no one showed up? Religon is good if it inspires to do good unto others regardless of their stance on religon. You never get to the light by walking into the dark. If there must be a war then it be one of Love, who would lose...no one, who would win, all...GOD.

Answer 9

Because all religions have extremists; it's these people that cause all the problems. The majority of people can get along with others of different faiths and also enjoy learning from them and about them.

Answer 10

I have no idea, but I sure wish someone had the answer. I think maybe because people get so caught up in thinking that EVERYONE MUST accept their way, and accept it now. Instead of focusing on ourselves, individually, many people turn all that attention outward. I mean that's my best guess, but I truly do not know.