Which religion killed the most people in it's history?

Question

I think maybe Christianity.

Answer 1

Christanity !

Actualy the religion does not kill ..its the false followers who kill the people!

Answer 2

None. People may kill in the name of religion, but religion itself doesn't kill anybody.

So, I guess the question would be, "Which religion have people used to kill the most people in history?"

And that's ALSO a tough question to answer. Some people would say Christianity, but is that accurate? Hitler may have been raised with Christian beliefs, but that doesn't mean he was a Christian. However, Germany was (and IS) a religious country, so he HAD to pander to the church in order to gain power. And how does one gain power via the church? Tell them what they want to hear. It was a political play, nothing more, nothing less. So Hitler wasn't a Christian. I don't believe he was an atheist either. Let's just exclude him. He was just nuts.

When one really looks at the numbers, though (calculating the amount of time a belief system/religion has existed, the amount of people they've killed, and the percentage of adherents to the religion that participated in the atrocities), just about every religion (and non-religion, to include atheism) is about tied. Yes, even atheism.

By the way, if Stalin was a Christian, then why were so many Christians persecuted during his tyrannical rule?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Stalin#Religion

Answer 3

The three Abrahamic monotheistic traditions, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are all rooted in violence. Genocide and mass murder was widely practice against those who were not members. This extended to entire societies including the infants and children.

In Christianity the New Testament is supposed to be based on peace and it doesn't promote violence. Many Christians today argue that the Old Testament was the past and the new covenant did away with the justification and need for the violence God advocates in the Old Testament. Christianity however, has the most documented deaths for not towing the line and accepting it. The Inquisition saw the Catholic church torture and murder many heretics and rival sects of other Christians even who didn't share the mainstream version in power. I don't believe this can be justified by New Testament and looks like reverting to Old Testament values to me. Islam today however, is the most violent religion. Many will say it is not and those who use violence are not following but the fact is many of its followers do believe the Old Testament style justice is called for. Stoning, honor killing, and death for wanting to leave the religion are practices carried out in many Muslim countries.

Almost all religions have blemishes of violence on them when their faith is challenged or in misguided attempts to gain power and converts through intimidation and violence. There has been recent problems between Hindus and relgious minorities and you can look at almost all religions and find some violence. As for atheism, its not a religion. The communists ideology I think is a more accurate framework to look at, it itself forming a political/philosophic outlook its believers were willing to use violence to enforce or spread.

For those who say people not religion kills, I say the danger is that religion gives them what they feel is a complete justification for their actions. When people believe God dictates they should kill its hard to argue reason and human rights. It stifles debate on more reasonable examination of the situation.

Answer 4

Christianity

Answer 5

what ever religion was in the old testament Moses slew 1000's of the non believers and Sampson killed to steal clothes to pay his debt and kill lots with the *** bone so if if was Jewish or the religion of Abraham it is a bit confusing because Christianity and Islam came out of this religion and really likes war and killing.

Answer 6

religion cannot kill. its people can kill in the name of the religion. someone mentioned this before me, so all credit to her.
i believe it might be Christianity, because of the crusades. but then again, that does not mean Christianity teaches people to kill. the people of the time interpreted it wrongly, or acted harshly. thats why you dont see the Pope ordering Crusades today.

Hitler was born a Catholic i think. but does that mean all Catholics are like him? no. he rejected God. he did not kill Jews in the name of Catholicism.

Answer 7

Not sure we will ever know. But we do know that most religions have killed a lot of people "in the name of god".

Answer 8

false Christianity

Answer 9

Zero = Baha'i Faith is an organized religion and has killed not one person. It loses the contest for warring or killing.

The major religions doing the killing are backed by governments. How do we separate out how much is religion and how much is government? Christianity and Islam are the two largest religious groups, both of which have been backed at various times by governments, and when such backing has happened, have killed more than other religions backed by governments.

However, an interesting contrast is that communist regimes, which stress atheism, have killed more people than any of the religion-governments.

Answer 10

All of you should research the truth, most of what you have said is false

Answer 11

2 Learn
Religion can not KILL people. People Kill People. We are all a product of our beliefs. If a person is right religiously & morally, they would never kill another human being. Have a wonderful week!
Thanks,
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