for a moment, let's disregard everything we know about history showing us the way some people have used religion to benefit themselves. let's forget about all the wars that have been started in the name of god. and while we're at it, let's forget about any claims that any war has been started in the name of atheism. assume you were an alien from another planet and you just arrived on this planet. who do you observe is at war the most? who do you observe is at war the least? what would you reason is the cause of the wars? and to what would attribute peace if all you had to go by was what you saw?
2007-11-16 08:52:46 · 10 answers · asked by just curious (A.A.A.A.) 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
the point is to ask, "why are people at war?" you're allowed to at least do that. and i'm not saying now as in this exact second. i'm referring to now as in this stage in time. it could be the past few weeks and the weeks that follow. it's not simply limited to right this instant. now is more a term referring to current events.
2007-11-16 09:02:31 · update #1
As aliens, peering in on this world, we would observe the individuals who are at war the most are those with deeply held religious convictions, while conversely, those who are at war the least are those that are devoid of these spiritual certainties. We would credit, as the greatest motivators for peace, beliefs that cause people to empathize with their fellow men; beliefs that disavow the lines of demarcation that separate one person from another. Our conclusion, as outsiders would be that a truly egalitarian spirit, not stymied by irrationalism, is the greatest impetus for peace.
If we were to, as extraterrestrials, look at the wars that are currently transpiring on this planet, and assign a cause to them, without any knowledge of earth’s history, and the history of religion being the primary instigator of war, our conclusions will be quite similar to that of many objective social commentators here on earth.
Most causes for global conflict are the result of uneven distribution of resources, the hoarding of wealth by the few, and barricades set by the powerful to impede the upward mobility of the downtrodden. With that said, most of the conflicts that stem from these inequities would not lead to military action, because most of these conflicts are negotiable, but religion works to obfuscate the real issues of certain people having abundance as opposed to some having little. These reconcilable issues, that can be resolved through diplomacy and arbitration, are made by religion to have otherworldly dimensions. Instead of looking at the person on the other side of the fence as someone just like you, who has the same basic needs and wants, religion causes those involved in conflict to segregate themselves into artificial groups, such as Christians, Jews, Muslims, Shiite, Sunni, Catholic, Protestant, etc. Hence, the conflicts go from solvable ones, when appeals to reason and logic are made, to ones that are irreconcilable, since now we are dealing with competing dogmas that don’t stake a claim to truth based on evidence and reasoning.
As aliens, we would see religion as the true inflamer of conflicts, that otherwise could be settled peaceably. It is in religion’s role as the ultimate red herring that it becomes the greatest catalyst for calamity.
2007-11-16 12:36:27 · answer #1 · answered by Lawrence Louis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if I didn't take into consideration the past, how would I know went to war the most or the least?
If I answer those questions soley based on the present, I would say the countries in the Middle East.
The cause of wars...
simply acceptance.
If people just at least tried to understand and accept each other, then wars would occur less frequently.
And I dont understand the last question.
2007-11-16 08:57:43 · answer #2 · answered by whatever21 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm a Christian Catholic and by no potential attempt to transform everyone. I even have acquaintances an family contributors with all different non secular ideals and practices. I settle for them and love them merely the comparable.
2016-11-11 20:34:32 · answer #3 · answered by homrich 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In order: the United States; Canada; Oil; and Ignorance.
2007-11-16 08:57:24 · answer #4 · answered by Nic A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wars start when people mess with other people's freedom.
Wars start because of the corruption of the hearts.
2007-11-16 14:14:47 · answer #5 · answered by Nina, BaC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I was an alien first arriving here I'd take one look and gtfo as fast as i could..."these people are nutz!", I'd think.
2007-11-16 08:56:31 · answer #6 · answered by Dashes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, but if you don't know the REASONS for things, then your observations are useless.
2007-11-16 08:55:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
OK... Oops! that now just passed. Now another, and another and...
2007-11-16 08:56:30 · answer #8 · answered by Gypsy Priest 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you quote that from the bible?
2007-11-16 08:54:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't pray for peace.....BE PEACE!
2007-11-16 08:56:32 · answer #10 · answered by Gyspy Soul 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋