Since both Christian and Muslim soldiers in Iraq think they have God on their side, doesn't religion kill more

Question

people than it prevents?

Answer 1

Yes.

Answer 2

Not all the soliders involved in Christian or Muslim. There are many other religions among them - including atheist. (Read the articles currently coming out about some of the problems between the theist and the atheist in Iraq) Does that make atheism responsible for the war?

At least on the US side, this has not been advanced as a "religious war". It has been advanced as a defense against terrorist attacks on American and within America itself. (You do remember the World Trade Center). And as a war to free people who were under the murderous reign of tyrannical dictator.

I can not find a single time when the US government has advanced this as a war to "spread Christianity" or advance religion. Rather it is presented as a war to advance democratic and freedom. Neither of which are "religious".

That the some of the people carrying the weapons have a religious faith is irrelevant. This is not a "religious" war. And "religion" is not responsible for the killing. It is a war being advanced by "the state", not "the church".

Answer 3

Half of the problems in the middle east stem from religion (mostly Islam but Judaism does share some blame) and the other half comes from western governments past support of dictators and thugs (usually to get at oil or oppose the communists) and those they supported tended to be the other half of the problem as well (e.g. the regime in Saudi Arabia or Israel's past funding of Hamas to counter the secular Fatah).

Then you can add some US soldiers who are fundamentalist Christians (and even a few racists) and things could really get out of hand (though most of the US soldiers are not a problem there a few nut cases).

To make things even worse bring some mercs in (Blackwater USA is owned by a Christian fundie).

Pretty much all the violence in the region is in some way religiously motivated.

Answer 4

No, because neither are complete representations of "religion". They are only at the forefront, which is perhaps what tells a little about each. There are non-violent religions that are Christian and some that are Islamic. Violence is not a good thing, but religion does not have to be good.

Answer 5

Law vs Law is as Loser vs Loser.

His Grace neither makes nor takes any sides,
for sides wars have side effects to both sides,
the most notable sides war effect being death.

I wouldn't generalize about 'religion' as you have.
Why not compare, rather than mix, the two religions:
- Impure religion: arrives defiled, and gets worse-end
- Pure religion: arrives undefiled, and remains unspotted

- Law: I will forget you and I will forsake you: Jer 23:39
- Grace: I will never leave you nor forsake you: Heb 13:5

So then, why do the PSTD soldiers feel forsaken? Law!
Why did Paul of Saul-->Paul feel wretched? Another Law!

Repeating Law is Law Law.
His Grace is NOT Law Law.

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 6

Believe it or not God is not on any of their sides. I used to ask the question concerning the religious war in Ireland which side God was on and both groups would choose their religion as to sides. god does not have a part in this war.

Answer 7

This war isn't about religion, it's about oil.

People will always find reasons to kill each other. Religion is just a smoke screen for some lunatics who care more about their personal greed or hatred than religion. I don't know about one religion that isn't essentially peaceful.

Answer 8

... if the soldiers are killing Innocent people... God is NOT on their side.
(what ever religion they may be from)

Answer 9

Yes.

Answer 10

i hate this...