Isn't it true that religion has been the cause of most wars in the history of time? Our beliefs and constant need to shove our beliefs down the throats of those who believe in things otherwise, has caused so many problems.
We have been so quick to discredit ancient Gods such as the Greek gods, but who can discredit a belief? If God exists in Christianity, then why can't they accept to possibility of other gods?
Sorry if this question offends anyone. Then again you have the choice to answer it or ignore it :)
2007-10-22 02:24:30 · 14 answers · asked by Jaimee 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I think few will agree with me. First, tho, I don't know if "most of the wars" etc were the result of religion.
But "joining faith to reason"* was the downfall of reason. It didn't do faith any good, either, because now we all argue the most minute things that don't matter--like how many angels fit on the head of a pin? That question was not the result of faith. It was formulated by the "Scholastics," against whom Martin Luther railed, in part. (He railed against much more too.) The Scholastics were an exclusive brotherhood lasting more than 1000 years who took "joining faith to reason" literally, and got wound up in their own stupidity.
I am willing to accept that faith has a place--for those who want it and when they don't force it on the rest of us. But my motto for many years has been "UNjoin faith from reason." Reason joined to faith is like capitalism joined to government regulations--it is no longer capitalism, it is called a "mixed economy." Reason is better when it is just reason.
2007-10-22 02:35:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it is not true that religion has been the cause of wars in history. Man is the cause of wars in history. All men and women believe in something even if they believe that God does not exist.
Hitler was the cause of WWII.
An evil Pope was the cause of the crusades.
My belief is if the Greek gods are anything, they are Satan's fallen angels.
Christianity does not accept other gods, because our Lord says "Put no other gods before Me." Our Lord says, "I am God and there is no other." Our Lord says that He is a jealous God and to worship these other gods and goddesses as if they were real instead of wood and stone is wrong. Our Lord says that He is the only way to eternal life in heaven. Christianity doesn't tolerate other religions as real, only false.
The Lord tells us that He is the THE way, THE truth and THE life.
Your question doesn't offend me. Thank you for the opportunity to answer it.
2007-10-22 02:59:46 · answer #2 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not so much religion that is damaging, it's the people who practice it and misuse it to benefit, or make excuses for their actions. Religion it's self is great for most people and in some respects, has kept this world content, giving them something to believe in rather than ourselves, something bigger and more powerful, there is nothing wrong with that. If we could all respect each others beliefs and leave it at that, things would be some much easier. Now for terrorists who have twisted religion to fit their crimes and some how justify their actions, that I will never understand, of course that is what they were raised to believe, but personally I don't think anything will ever change, the real meaning of religion is lost to most. I would love to believe, but as I have grown I have come to realize religion is for those who have the utmost faith in God and all his goodness, which is nice, but reality tells me I can only truly have faith in myself in this life. Have a good day!
2007-10-22 03:03:01 · answer #3 · answered by robink71668 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually religion is only a portion of the basis for conflicts. Fundamentally, our beliefs (be it religious or secular) are the basis for conflicts.
This is due to the different interpretation of the world by different individuals. Religion is one such indulgent that we created, and naturally there would be different religions all around. But the main problem is that we use religion to lay claim for land, race superiority or nobility. This is where the conflict goes into full swing with wars justified by religion, be it crusade, jihad and what-not.
People generally blame religion. But we do not ask ourselves who created religion in the first place. It is us humans who creates religion and exploits it for our own selfish means. It is our cognitive dissonance that lead us to rationalise that the fault is not ours.
2007-10-22 02:46:21 · answer #4 · answered by itsamistake 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion in and of itself is a good thing.
It's people's perversion of the teachings.
Islam in and of itself is not a religion of hatred and violence. There are radical extremists that take the ignorance and brainwashing of some followers and use them to gain power for themselves.
Christians did the same during the Crusades, during the Spanish Inquisition, and in the colonies during the witch hunts in New England.
The Jews in the bible(their leadership and not the entire Jewish believers) used their power to have Jesus crucified because they feared losing their power.
People cause wars, and some will use any excuse whatsover to do so.
2007-10-22 06:22:22 · answer #5 · answered by gryphon1911 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Tony.
Adding to that, wars are usually fought for land ownership and for supreme control of the inhabitants.
I would go so far as to say religion is rarely the cause.
Regarding the God question. The Christian God claims exclusivity...meaning He says He's the only God. If you believe in Him, then you believe He's telling the truth, and you believe there are no other gods. If you don't believe in Him, then you are free to believe whatever you want to believe.
2007-10-22 02:32:15 · answer #6 · answered by Richard F 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think all of your questions are simply answered with- they (we) just do.. we just don't.. simple answers like that... it's not that confusing. =)
it's not true that religion has been the cause of most wars.. can you name some wars, so we know what youre talking about...
the basis of many religions is to either "save" the lost souls (like my Christianity) or somehow convert others... that's just how it is.. simple answer right.
why us Christians don't believe in multiple gods?... well, we wouldn't be Christians if we believe in multiple gods.. the same way a bachelor wouldn't be a bachelor if he were married... we just don't believe in multiple gods... we don't believe in Greek gods...
anyway, peace unto you. have a nice day and sorry if this answer was offensive.. your question isn't offensive.
2007-10-22 02:30:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion: Religion divides people. More people have died in the name of god or gods than all wars combined. To me religion is a system built upon an idea to keep people in line. To accept the possibility of another god only damages the the credibility of that religion and in turn weakens "the faith" in the people of that religion .
2007-10-22 08:06:22 · answer #8 · answered by dtheory9 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ANSWER:
Certainly all wars have religious overtones. The way government moves the masses to war is thru the pulpit. To paint the "enemy" as evil and to exploit perceived religious / social / cultural differences to incite spiritual justification for war has always been used by government.
Greed of course, at the highest level is also part of the equation, but the mechanism thru which it moves to motivate the masses is fear, religion and a concept of evil.
Today radical Islam has it basis in the Jews and the west as being painted evil from their religious leaders.
Hitler based his hatred of the Jews on the same type of doctrine that came from the pulpit of his youth.
The following is from this link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitler#Religious_beliefs
In later life, Hitler often praised the Christian heritage, German culture, and a belief in Christ. In his speeches and publications Hitler even spoke of Christianity as a central motivation for his antisemitism, stating that "As a Christian I have no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice". His private statements, as reported by his intimates, are more mixed, showing Hitler as a religious man but critical of Christianity. However, in contrast to other Nazi leaders, Hitler did not adhere to esoteric ideas, occultism, or neo-paganism, and ridiculed such beliefs in Mein Kampf. Rather, Hitler advocated a "Positive Christianity", a belief system purged from what he objected to in traditional Christianity, and which reinvented Jesus as a fighter against the Jews.
The fact is every time we judge evil, we eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. For some reason, that fruit still taste sweet for many. The result is we continue to fall.
Here! Take another bite!
Blessings and peace to all,
All in all,
B
2007-10-22 03:26:42 · answer #9 · answered by An Nony Mous 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Religion has not been a big cause of war, except many years ago. Let's look at some recent wars:
Iraq
Vietnam
Korea
Germany
Japan
Germany (first time)
Turkey
No religion involved there at all....just geopolitics.
2007-10-22 02:29:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋