does religion cause war
By janiewhite35
@janiewhite35 (163)
August 5, 2012 3:36pm CST
This is another topic that my friends and I can debate for absoulty HOURS on end, and a topic that i value all differnte opinos on.
NOw we all know that many wars are so-called religious wars. But we also all know that war is against many religions, that we are taught to love thy neighbour etc.
now the follwoing verse COULD be used by some religions as a reason or excuse for war:
' Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword'
Mathew 10:34
AS you can see that could used in a context of an arguemnt FOR war, but we are also told to love our enemies do not seek revenge do not take lives etc etc.
We see many wars all over the world these days, and lots started in the name of religion.
DOES religion CAUSE war, or do religious sects take scritpures and teachings out of context to TRY and validate thier violence and need for war using the bible?
I could quote many verses from the bible against war and violence, and some like the on above that could be misinterpreted by some?
Should we really fight in the name of religion?
WHY do so many religious people feel they have a right to preach to non religious people or people from other relisiong? WHy do they feel we have to agree with THIER religious beliefs or we are wrong? (And yes I am sorry to say i have come accross this many many many times, people saying oh you dont know the bible, you dont belive this youre wrong, youre a sinner etc etc etc)
I would be very interested to debate this topic with you all here
6 responses
@deazil (4728)
• United States
5 Aug 12
Religion does not cause war. Men and intolerance cause war. The overwhelming desire for power and the devaluation of life itself promote war. Those who start wars are seldom physically involved. They give the orders. I think if everyone were tolerant there would be far less war. Human beings will argue and fight over anything. There still are many good people but I believe they are outnumbered. Gandhi was one of the greatest men to ever live. He accomplished much -- through peace. How many are there like him today? It is easier to kill someone because they don't agree with you than it is to talk and discuss your differences. This is the opinion of many people in power. And the rest of us seem to be at their mercy. People have twisted the words of the Bible to suit themselves for generations. It will always be that way. Many world leaders today are evil people. Just my opinion.
1 person likes this
@janiewhite35 (163)
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5 Aug 12
hi, thanks for commenting, i find your answer of intrest.
Obvuously there are many causes for war, it is jsut with so many so called religious wars i wondered, as did my friends, and we have discussed this on a few occasions, does religion itself start or cause a war.
I ask myself how religious can these people be to kill others and casue such cromes nad violence, and that backs up my views on leaders sing religion as an excuse to try and justify themselves.
I agree humans should be more tolerant to each other, in all walks of life! Gandhi was truly an inspirational person and one that manym any people today could learn from! You are so right in that war isnt the way to solve our issues! Eace cna win too!!
I agree too that people twist the words of the bible to suit themselves, many people do this!
thanks agian, interesting discussing this with you
@janiewhite35 (163)
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6 Aug 12
THere are, as you say, many religions that all have thier own views on things like this.
I Dont have an insight into some of these religions having never studied them in depth, but it does appear some twist the words in their religion to suit themselves.
I do wonder what these religions teach about eny, hate, war, murder etc. I am sure there cant be a religion that says all these things are ok.
@bhibbard13 (30)
• United States
5 Aug 12
To say religion does not cause war is false. There have been many wars waged due to religion. Wars such as the Crusades. Many terrorist groups that are in operation now wage their holy wars for their religion. Yes they may be fundamentalist and extreme, but they do it in the name of God. I do agree that men and intolerance is what starts these wars however they are in some instances fought in the name of religion or God. I also agree that Biblical words are twisted to suit the individual. That is the reason we have so many religions. Everyone has their own interpretation of holy books. Unfortunately for the world it's something that will unlikely change.
1 person likes this
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
5 Aug 12
If you study history, the basis for all wars, whatever the excuse, is economics. Russia and japan during World War 2, and Nazi Germany, were all trying to acquire new resources-- the Nazis felt that decreasing the population would make more resources available for "true Aryans". They wanted Poland because it has both strategic and economic value. The Russians, even now playing in the Persian Gulf area, have always wanted a warm water sea port, for strategic and economic reasons. Japan wanted natural resources and land, hence they invaded China. The Palestinians, after watching the Israelis build an amazing infrastructure, want the benefit of that work without having participated in it. The American Revolution was about state's right and commerce. The extermination of the American Indians was based on claiming natural resources as well. Throughout history, wars have been fought in the name of religion. But beneath every stated cause, the real end result desired is economic.
From the Scriptural standpoint: The love of money is the root of all evil.
1 person likes this
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
5 Aug 12
Everything I learned, I learned OUT of school :). It would be nice if there were no war-- but the planet would be very crowded, if nothing else! Besides, people are very like our chimp cousins-- put too many in one place, and they will fight. It all comes back to resources. when we had a low tech, low density population, wars weren't as frequent. They only occurred when strangers showed up. The desire for resources is a natural human trait, therefore it is neither good nor bad. It is how we acquire resources that creates a "good" or "bad" moral viewpoint.
1 person likes this
@janiewhite35 (163)
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5 Aug 12
thanks for your reply also.
I did very little history study at school, i didnt really enjoy it. We were not taught in aw ay that i found intesreting,so i dont have the insight on history and wars like you. I admire your knowledge.
Man can be so evil and greedy sometimes, wouldnt it be lovely to live in a world with no wars!
@janiewhite35 (163)
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5 Aug 12
i didnt mean is religion the ONLY cause for war. A lot of the time i belive wars are started through greed and the need to control others.
@simonelee (2715)
• China
6 Aug 12
The lack of LOVE causes war. Difference in belief and religion is nothing to do with war. If we have love we tend to understand and respect each others differences. We only need enough love to make things right cause too much love will lead to trouble.
1 person likes this
@sjlskl (3382)
• Singapore
6 Aug 12
Religion does not start a war but many wars were fought because of religion. I do not blame the religion itself but blame the extreme practioners. Without a doubt, some religion's background is full of violence, blood and gory but I can't remember them teaching the followers to kill in order to spread the message. It is the extremists with their warped ideology that is causing it all.
1 person likes this
@janiewhite35 (163)
•
6 Aug 12
This is exactly what i was trying to say in an answer above!
There are small groups of religious people who say theyre fighting in the name of thier religion, but i can not see that religion saying spread the mword by killing and injuring others. So i agree with you comepltely
@mantis36 (4219)
• Philippines
6 Aug 12
Actually, religion (all sorts) bring peace to mankind, forcing an individual not to do wrong or expecting a curse if someone did a big mistake, or an eternal damnation on the fires of hell if committed a mortal sin.
Yet religions bringing peace to thy neighbors, but the result does cause war.
What kind of war?
The war that until now, especially Christians NEVER UNITE.
Most common phrase is:
"You're God and Religion is wrong and false, but my God and Religion is the true and the truth"
It is like the story of Tower of Babel, with an instant different languages as a curse, people stop continue lengthening that tower.
That with different sort of languages, the tower stops.
The same situation on our current different religions (Christians and None-Christians)
as long as current religions as of now never re-united each other, religions does always cause war.
