Does religion cause war?

[Utopia FTW]

No. It is used as an excuse or a tool of those who want to make war. Next question.

[Imsogone]

Please add a "people cause war, religion is just another excuse" option to your poll.

Thank you.

[Imperial Parhe]

This.

I always wonder about the people who think religion alone has caused so many problems and that it is the only thing that's ever motivated people to fight each other. I don't deny that religion has done what we would call evil, but I'm skeptical of the whole approach I see advocated all too often.

Even if humanity became entirely atheist, I would doubt we'd be any better off. We'd still be fighting over other things. As history has taught us, war never changes.

It's not not the only cause; however, the combination of permanence and resistance to reason of Methos/poedicks and it's sensational form religion makes it the magor cause (thoe not usually the first cause) of wars. And yes, war wold still exist without religion, but orders of magnitude reduction of frequency, duration, and brutality. Therefore, we wold be immeasurably better of without it.

I doubt that. You yourself said that religion is not usually the first cause of a war, so, even if there were no religion, the wars would have not really have been stopped.
I also doubt that a world without religion would have wars that were less frequent, shorter and less brutal. Could you please elaborate?

[Yichta]

Please add a "people cause war, religion is just another excuse" option to your poll.

Thank you.

Well thats obvious this is about HOW people cause war

[Meon]

Religion can most certainly cause war. just look at the Shiites and the Sunnis in Iraq and Iran. They're both Muslim, but, just because they believe in one tiny difference, they have been at war for thousands of years.

Thousands of years? Islam is less than 1,400 years old.

[Ertae]

Religion itself does not cause war, but has been used by hateful men, often with personal or political agendas, to justify war to the masses. I suppose 'sometimes' is best here.

[Sabrae (Ancient)]

No. It is used as an excuse or a tool of those who want to make war. Next question.

I agree i mean religion is what Someone Freely believes... If someone was to start a war because Someone believed Differently well then....They are the true Ignorant ones.... BUT there has been cases where the otehr region, nation, empire, or country has done the Same.... Bottom Line Unless someone within the 2 or more Regions, Nations, Empires Or kingdoms, Starts the war out of their ignorance for Not seeing That Religion Is a Free Choice Naturally.... then Answer Is No.... Religion Never has caused a war..... Never, Just ignorant people Who Cant stand Someone believing different than Them so they think they have to Force their religion on them... which Shows how ignorant they rlly are ( Just my opinion... but then again purty much a Fact...

[Jinjany]

No, but it does justify them.

[Genivaria]

Religion is one of the big causes of war yes, its certainly not the only cause however.

[Rynatia]

No. It can be used as a justification, but plenty of wars have been waged without religion being involved at all.

If there were no religion, humans would still go to war, but would justify it with different reasons.

The real reasons humans go to war are usually issues related to territory and thus, resources.

This.
When you talk about crusades causing pointless death it all would have happened anyway just with another name.

[The Batorys]

Please add a "people cause war, religion is just another excuse" option to your poll.

Thank you.

This is my opinion as well.

[Lackadaisical2]

Yes, most every injustice is because of religion's evil influence upon the unwary mind. If only we had the smart people rule countries to stop such things, instead the plebs want 'democracy and freedom' whereby they assault Reason (peace be upon It) Itself.

[Ganos Lao]

This.

I always wonder about the people who think religion alone has caused so many problems and that it is the only thing that's ever motivated people to fight each other. I don't deny that religion has done what we would call evil, but I'm skeptical of the whole approach I see advocated all too often.

Even if humanity became entirely atheist, I would doubt we'd be any better off. We'd still be fighting over other things. As history has taught us, war never changes.

It's not not the only cause; however, the combination of permanence and resistance to reason of Methos/poedicks and it's sensational form religion makes it the magor cause (thoe not usually the first cause) of wars. And yes, war wold still exist without religion, but orders of magnitude reduction of frequency, duration, and brutality. Therefore, we wold be immeasurably better of without it.

I would hazard to think that one need not be a religious fanatic to be pretty brutal. Look at Rwanda. No religious undertones, and pretty damn brutal. Also, I'm pretty sure that we'd still have tons of violence without religion. Racism, greed, land, resources, lust, anything can be manipulated into providing a casus belli for violence among one's fellow man.

[Rynatia]

Yes, most every injustice is because of religion's evil influence upon the unwary mind. If only we had the smart people rule countries to stop such things, instead the plebs want 'democracy and freedom' whereby they assault Reason (peace be upon It) Itself.

Today their are countless dictators ruling who are not inspired by religion.

[Vellosia]

Not in itself. But it's an easy excuse.

[Meon]

Most modern religions do not advocate war directly, however people commonly use religion as an excuse to goto war.

Quran (2:191) - "And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for rebellion is worse than slaughter.
Quran (2:244) - "Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things."
Quran (2:216) - "Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not."
Quran (4:74) - "Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward."
Quran (4:76) - "Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah…"
Quran (4:89) - "They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks."
Quran (4:95) - "Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward,-"
Quran (8:39) - "And fight with them until there is no more fitna (disorder, unbelief) and religion should be only for Allah"
Quran (8:59-60) - "And let not those who disbelieve suppose that they can outstrip (Allah's Purpose). Lo! they cannot escape. Make ready for them all thou canst of armed force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy."
Quran (8:65) - "O Prophet, exhort the believers to fight..."
Quran (9:5) - "So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them."
Quran (9:14) - "Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands and bring them to disgrace..."
Quran (9:29) - "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."
Quran (9:41) - "Go forth, light-armed and heavy-armed, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the way of Allah! That is best for you if ye but knew."

[Genivaria]

Religion is similar to Nationalism.
Do what your told and don't question.
This attitude leads to conflict.

[Lackadaisical2]

Yes, most every injustice is because of religion's evil influence upon the unwary mind. If only we had the smart people rule countries to stop such things, instead the plebs want 'democracy and freedom' whereby they assault Reason (peace be upon It) Itself.

Today their are countless dictators ruling who are not inspired by religion.

Like who? Assad is one of the few righteous enlightened despots left and NATO is trying to get rid of him.

Sorry, I forgot the smilie in the last post.

[Rynatia]

Most modern religions do not advocate war directly, however people commonly use religion as an excuse to goto war.

Quran (2:191) - "And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for rebellion is worse than slaughter.
Quran (2:244) - "Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things."
Quran (2:216) - "Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not."
Quran (4:74) - "Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward."
Quran (4:76) - "Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah…"
Quran (4:89) - "They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks."
Quran (4:95) - "Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward,-"
Quran (8:39) - "And fight with them until there is no more fitna (disorder, unbelief) and religion should be only for Allah"
Quran (8:59-60) - "And let not those who disbelieve suppose that they can outstrip (Allah's Purpose). Lo! they cannot escape. Make ready for them all thou canst of armed force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy."
Quran (8:65) - "O Prophet, exhort the believers to fight..."
Quran (9:5) - "So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them."
Quran (9:14) - "Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands and bring them to disgrace..."
Quran (9:29) - "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."
Quran (9:41) - "Go forth, light-armed and heavy-armed, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the way of Allah! That is best for you if ye but knew."

Thats 1 religion.

[Meon]

Religion is similar to Nationalism.
Do what your told and don't question.
This attitude leads to conflict.

Neither of these things are true, speaking as a religious nationalist.

[Genivaria]

Most modern religions do not advocate war directly, however people commonly use religion as an excuse to goto war.

Quran (2:191) - "And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for rebellion is worse than slaughter.
Quran (2:244) - "Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things."
Quran (2:216) - "Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not."
Quran (4:74) - "Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward."
Quran (4:76) - "Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah…"
Quran (4:89) - "They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks."
Quran (4:95) - "Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward,-"
Quran (8:39) - "And fight with them until there is no more fitna (disorder, unbelief) and religion should be only for Allah"
Quran (8:59-60) - "And let not those who disbelieve suppose that they can outstrip (Allah's Purpose). Lo! they cannot escape. Make ready for them all thou canst of armed force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy."
Quran (8:65) - "O Prophet, exhort the believers to fight..."
Quran (9:5) - "So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them."
Quran (9:14) - "Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands and bring them to disgrace..."
Quran (9:29) - "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."
Quran (9:41) - "Go forth, light-armed and heavy-armed, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the way of Allah! That is best for you if ye but knew."

A passage I find amusing is Judges 1:19
"The LORD was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains, because they had iron chariots."

Chariots 1 God 0.

[Genivaria]

Religion is similar to Nationalism.
Do what your told and don't question.
This attitude leads to conflict.

Neither of these things are true, speaking as a religious nationalist.

Oh yes they are.

[ALMF]

It's not not the only cause; however, the combination of permanence and resistance to reason of Methos/poedicks and it's sensational form religion makes it the magor cause (thoe not usually the first cause) of wars. And yes, war wold still exist without religion, but orders of magnitude reduction of frequency, duration, and brutality. Therefore, we wold be immeasurably better of without it.

I doubt that. You yourself said that religion is not usuallyalways the first cause of a war, so, even if there were no religion, the wars would have not really have been stopped.
I also doubt that a world without religion would have wars that were less frequent, shorter and less brutal. Could you please elaborate?

At each stage a conflict (from another first cause) is undermined by reason, hedges ageist spreading, self-interested resrante and diplomacy. Religion's (and other metos'/poedicks') role is to incapacitate thees. So without religion a tiny fraction of thees conflicts wold become wars. Likewise, a smaller fraction wold perduse atrositys and the geometric expatiation do to escalation is much smaller. And finally the same factors result in ends of wars, so the cases of peace treatys and reconciliation wold be in for force as opposed to the tinny fraction they have with religion and it's true evil faith intact.

And that's were religion is not the first cause.

[Sidhae]

Religion doesn't cause war. Religious idiots do.

[The South Georgia Islands]

Religion causes war as much as the song Helter Skelter caused the Manson family murders.