Religion Causes War. That one word, "religion," covers all the horizon of memory with visions of war, of outrage, of persecution, of tyranny, and death. argues that: The two principal causes of war are culture and greed for territory, resources or power. This is a matter of historical fact. A religion can also be greatly affected by the context that it exists within, so that we sometimes see religions respond to and reflect the anguish and fears of the culture and people it exists within. No wonder, then, that a violent and reactive kind of religion has appealed to some. A World Council of Churches team that visited Rwanda in August 1994 reported: ‘In every conversation we had with the government and church people alike, the point was brought home to us that the church itself stands tainted, not by passive indifference, but by errors of commission as well.’. Religion Causes War. You can read 'War Cry' at your nearest Salvation Army church or centre, or subscribe through Salvationist Resources. The question as to whether religion causes war is as controversial as the comparison of religions themselves. Although in recent years there has been a lot of finger pointing at Islamic extremists, Christians can’t dodge the blame either. The question we have probably all faced on occasions is whether religion is the main cause of war, with the suggestion being made that the world would be a much more peaceful place if only there was no religion. Children gunned down, innocent civilians killed by bombs or bullets, and hostages executed publically when demands aren’t met. Religion causes war. We are called to follow Jesus, who has broken down every wall. So, too, has the fact that secular states have often been incredibly violent. Religion has often acted as a corrective to state violence, with variations of the ‘do unto others what you would like others to do unto you’ golden rule, which is not only found in Christianity. However, to say religion is the cause of war is perhaps mistaken. The war in 1991 in Yugoslavia pitted Catholic, Orthodox Christians, and Muslims against each other in a very bloody war. Religion puts a check on political power, and tyrannical regimes suppress it. Since time immemorial, men have fought each other in wars caused by religion. Cause Effect Essay - Religion Causes War Religion makes enemies instead of friends. It was carried out in response to the recent killings in France. The accusation that religion causes war is especially simplistic when applied to the pre-modern era. Religion can get caught up in war. The alarming conclusion I’ve come to is that religion is the primary cause of war. RELIGION CAUSES WAR: PROS AND CONS There are many arguments and counter-arguments when discussing the topic of religion causing war. While different religions fighting against each other can be a cause of war, different sects within a religion (for example, Protestant and Catholic, or Sunni and Shiite) battling against one another can also instigate war. Islamic religious leaders that appear to articulate the reasons for their plight, a way of striking back, a cause to die for, a reason to live, and a people to belong to can be persuasive to young people, who have a palpable sense of being discriminated against. The historical evidence is quite clear: Religion is not the #1 cause of war. This is a matter of historical fact. by Ian Hutson(c) 'War Cry' magazine, 12-13 March 2015, pp9. website do not necessarily represent the official position Religion causes war. Likewise, the war had a devastating impact on church membership and activities, so the state of home front religion became a constant concern for both sides throughout the war. A common claim made by many atheists is that religion causes evil, suffering, division and war. We hear reports from various commentators attributing this increase in violence around the world to religion. This could seem a good way of lifting the Christian banner higher. The first is when people try to compel other people to adopt their religion or religious perspectives. Some have found what they were looking for, but others have found isolation and marginalisation in their adopted countries. Longman’s research confirms these conclusions. Most of us arrive on this earth with a fierce cry of protest. religion is just the fuel they use to get people to fight for them, as it is easier to get some to fight for something they belief in than getting them to fight on your side. In his research on Christian churches and genocide in that country, Timothy Longman notes the extensive criticism faced by that country’s Christian churches, not only for failing to oppose the genocide, but for complicity in the violence. However, to say religion is the cause of war is perhaps mistaken. Religion being a matter of dogma and in most cases a blind following of doctrines puts the various religions in a collision path due to the differences in … Religion causes war. If it’s said often enough it must be true—right? A common misperception of Christianity and religion is the claim that most violence and war is caused by religious belief/intolerance. In fact, communism is by definition an atheistic ideology. Or will we seek to exclude the stranger because of a common generalised view our cultural group uncritically dresses up as fact? He spoke to and about Samaritans in a positive way, despite the prevailing view of disdain and even hatred for Samaritans at that time. Historical Examples of Wars Fought for Religion And John Lennon encouraged us to: It turns out that in recent times atheistic political regimes have started more wars than has religion. To demonstrate this point, let’s look at the 20th century. One of hate theism’s key cheerleaders, Sam Harris, says in his book The End of Faith that faith and religion are “the most prolific source of violence in our history.” 1http://books.google. Does Religion Cause War Argumentative Essay. The historical evidence is quite clear: Religion is not the #1 cause of war. Religion is not the main cause of war, according to a new report. 15.19). It is said so often that people believe it without question. Religion being a matter of dogma and in most cases a blind following of doctrines puts the various religions in a collision path due to the differences … A religion of violence. Religion uses rites and ceremonies, such as circumcision and baptism, and "[p]olitics also depends on rites and ceremonies," even in avowedly secular nations. Religion and ideology are both secondary causes for war. Lots of wars certainly look as if they are motivated by religion. Examples include the crusades, sectarian Catholic and Protestant violence in Europe, and support for the Apartheid system in South Africa. However, the answer is “no” in the sense that religion is never the primary cause of war. There are at least three instances by which religion causes war. Bible scriptures say, “war is the cause of sin in the world not god” (King James Version, Matt. A religious war or holy war (Latin: bellum sacrum) is a war primarily caused or justified by differences in religion. This kind of religiously-motivated outbreak of peace has often been overlooked. Jews have committed genocide over nations for the sole reason to fulfill their cause. However, with the land wars, the loss of land, devastating epidemics and the loss of mana, Maori experienced huge disillusionment and despair. Religion can get caught up in war. Meic Pearse, in The Gods of War: Is Religion the Primary Cause of Violent Conflict? our world. Therefore, the aim is to prove that religion is more of an excuse for war. In that context it can be hard to determine whether the religion was intrinsically evil and violent, or was ‘turned’ that way by the extreme context it existed within. Atheists often claim that religion fuels aggressive wars, both because it exacerbates antagonisms between opponents and also because it gives aggressors confidence by making them feel as if they have God on their side. Fought after the Protestant Reformation began in 1517, the wars disrupted the religious and political order in the Catholic countries of Europe. The first is when people try to compel other people to adopt their religion or religious perspectives. That one word brings to the mind every instrument with which man has tortured man. Religion, Hitchens claimed, causes sectarianism, division, strife, disagreement, war, poverty and a host of societal evils. Lots of wars certainly look as if they are motivated by religion. Our view of Christianity and its relation to war and violence is a subject worthy of thought, as we seek to shape our faith in a way that reflects the love we have for God and as we seek to honour him. Richard Dawkins has put it this way: “Religion causes war by generating certainty”. Religion causes war. The alarming conclusion I’ve come to is that religion is the primary cause of war. False assumption 2: Religion causes people to hate each other. If you are an atheist, I ask … The European wars of religion were a series of Christian religious wars which were waged in Europe during the 16th, 17th and early 18th centuries. What can we, as Christians, bring to the conflict that seems to be affecting many around the world? This left them open to religious leaders who espoused a more aggressive theology that sometimes emphasised violent Old Testament themes. Religion, then, was not thought of as somehow separate from the rest of life and therefore could not be specifically identified as the cause of war. Causes of the Wars of Religion. The same thing that triggers all crime,cruelty, loss of life, and other such things… www.confidentchristians.org 15. of The Salvation Army. However a through examination of history reveals that that most of causes of wars and suffering are in fact secular, even the so-called "religious wars" that were The Crusades. Is indeed the cause of violence, but not ours; we are for peace, they are for war. War and religion: I don't think religion can be looked at as a "cause" for war. Fax: +64 4 802 6259 All repudiated this kind of violence and referred to the teachings of love and acceptance inherent in their respective faiths. Religion causes war indeed, religion is a pengetaguan in living organisms are created from the creator / Takdirun Hadzidzil 'Alim / destined. . Fought after the Protestant Reformation began in 1517, the wars disrupted the religious and political order in the Catholic countries of Europe. When the roots of our faith do not reach down fully into the depths of God’s love, fear and terror can follow. Religion is a unique force in society. The article also claims that, “Blaming only religion is as incorrect as blaming only ethnic groups, ideologues, persons identifying with a certain country or class struggle.” I personally do not believe that religion is what causes war. Although no excuse can be made for the barbaric violence carried out by individuals in the name of Islam, it does arise out of a context with a long tail. Observing all this, it is easy to come to the conclusion that religion often causes wars. There are at least three instances by which religion causes war. In the modern period, debates are common over the extent to which religious, economic, or ethnic aspects of a conflict predominate in a given war. Many critics argue that throughout history, religion has been the single greatest source of human-caused wars, suffering, and misery. HuffPost is part of Verizon Media. Is indeed the cause of violence, but not ours; we are for peace, they are for war. Wars fought for culture often wrongly appear to be fought for religion. The question as to whether religion causes war is as controversial as the comparison of religions themselves. Let's first address the claim that religion causes most wars and look at the actual statistics throughout history to refute this nonsense. That one word, "religion," covers all the horizon of memory with visions of war, of outrage, of persecution, of tyranny, and death. Religion causes war. There are at least three instances by which religion causes war. Religion puts a check on political power, and tyrannical regimes suppress it. Although religion is often cited anecdotally as a root of conflict, little empirical research has been done on the link. The conduct of war. Religion is caught up with terrorism and has played a part in many conflicts throughout history such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland or the conflict between Jews and Muslims in Palestine/Israel. The religion of Islam was brutally repressed—in Iran by the Shah, Iraq by Saddam Hussein, Turkey by Ataturk, and Eqypt by Nasser. Atheists and secular humanists consistently make the claim that religion is the number-one cause of violence and war throughout the history of mankind. We must admit that our own history is a mixed bag, and that violence has been perpetrated in the name of Christianity. Anonymous June 14, 2013. Heck, religion has caused conflict even in my diverse and tolerant family. These wars were for territorial conquest, to control borders, secure trade routes, or respond to an internal challenge to political authority. Religion uses rites and ceremonies, such as circumcision and baptism, and "[p]olitics also depends on rites and ceremonies," even in avowedly secular nations. False assumption 2: Religion causes people to hate each other. And John Lennon encouraged us to: Not only do they misrepresent the powerful benefit for good that flows out of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but also much of the positive influence of the family of God throughout history. Religion causes war. Religion, Hitchens claimed, causes sectarianism, division, strife, disagreement, war, poverty and a host of societal evils. My favourite children’s Christmas story is Jesus’ Christmas Party, by Nicholas Allan, written from the perspective of the innkeeper. The answer is “yes” and “no.” “Yes” in the sense that as a secondary cause, religion, on the surface at least, has been the impetus behind much conflict. A better understanding of other people’s faiths, along with the context underlying their belief and behaviour, is part of ‘loving our neighbour’—or doing unto others what we sometimes wish our secular friends would do unto us, when they dismissively judge our Christianity. The European wars of religion were a series of Christian religious wars which were waged in Europe during the 16th, 17th and early 18th centuries. The causes of a war are usually numerous, and several reasons for a conflict can be intertwined in a complicated way. The basic assumption of modern Christians is that war is rarely justified and should be avoided unless the Just War conditions are met. A striking example of this is the genocide in Rwanda. For example, at the Munk Debate in Toronto last November, Christopher Hitchens argued this very point against Tony Blair. Since time immemorial, men have fought each other in wars caused by religion. Religion divides people into separate groups and tells them that they are incompatible with each other. My prayer is that, far from contributing to the rather erroneous view that religion causes all wars, Christians would witness to the world that Christ our saviour has broken every wall. Violence in religion even exceeds conflicts between different ethnic groups; it also happens within the same ethnic groups. Take away a humans natural capacity for aggression, greed and self-preservation and what you have left are his positive traits and his values which generally serve as the basis of our religions. Religion is irrational, archaic and dangerous—or so they say. British, Russian and American imperialism, oil and forced secularisation have all exacted a terrible price on the people of the Middle East. Does religion cause most wars? But, like so much else about the issue of religion’s relationship with war and violence, such generalisations are incredibly simplistic and misleading. But the War Audit set out to identify conflicts that were more closely linked to religious belief than to political causes - that could most properly be called religious wars. For example, at the Munk Debate in Toronto last November, Christopher Hitchens argued this very point against Tony Blair. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. Through much of my life I was forced to sit through a history class. In New Zealand, the peace that first came to Maori through Christianity initially resulted in increasingly peaceful relations between various Iwi. Wars of Religion, (1562–98) conflicts in France between Protestants and Roman Catholics. History simply does not support the hypothesis that religion is the major cause of conflict. The question we have probably all faced on occasions is whether religion is the main cause of war, with the suggestion being made that the world would be a much more peaceful place if only there was no religion. If religion can‟t be blamed for most wars and violence, then whatis the primary cause? The prayers were held in a Mosque, and leaders of the three great monotheistic faiths were present: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. 125 likes. I am sure, however, that the winsome love of Jesus is always more powerful than violence in affecting peace, by reaching people with God’s love. The spread of French Calvinism persuaded the French ruler Catherine de Médicis to show more tolerance for the Huguenots, which angered the powerful Roman Catholic Guise family. This argument has the advantage of having some validity. These two ideologies alone account for the death of millions, and religion had nothing to do with it. However, the primary cause for all war is sin. This is a matter of historical fact. In the end, the evidence shows that the atheists are quite wrong about what causes most wars. Our view of Christianity and its relation to war and violence is a subject worthy of thought, as we seek to shape our faith in a way that reflects the love we have for God and as we seek to honour him. What causes war are the traits of human beings in general. Religion was a component in many wars, but the main causes are differences in culture and greed for territory, resources or power. Think of the French revolution (the birthplace of the secular state), Communist Russia, the regimes of the Shah of Iran and Ataturk in Turkey, not to mention Hitler’s Germany. Lieut-Colonel Ian Hutson is the Divisional Commander of the Central Division in New Zealand. Richard Dawkins has put it this way: “Religion causes war by generating certainty”. The first is when people try to compel other people to adopt their religion or religious perspectives. For example, Sam Harris says in his book The End of Faith that faith and religion are … I participated recently in a time of prayer for peace. But the War Audit set out to identify conflicts that were more closely linked to religious belief than to political causes - that could most properly be called religious wars. False assumption 2: Religion causes people to hate each other. Then refute that selfishness, greed, and sin caused by human-violence are the primary causes of war. It would seem that too often the love of God does not work sufficiently in our lives that it reaches to our neighbour and that we do not always meet the call of Jesus to ‘love our enemies’. Since time immemorial, men have fought each other in wars caused by religion. There are at least three instances by which religion causes war. Religion Causes War. From a Christian point of view, I found this challenging. Both religion and atheism can be … But, in fact, religion does not cause war. Jesus broke down so many walls. Islam bans the killing of non-combatants (Qur'an 2:190, above), or of a combatant who has been captured. "Religion causes wars" The British zoologist Richard Dawkins says that "religion causes wars by generating certainty". I love watching the people I care about open the gifts I’ve chosen/made for them. In reality, people groups, states and empires resorted to war for multiple reasons, including economic and social concerns. The racism and ghettoization of Islamic people in France has been identified by many as a likely contextual factor that could lead disaffected young people toward the kind of violence that is now emerging there. Religion is powerfully motivating and belligerent humans fight over it. What causes war are the traits of human beings in general. They were highly critical of the Islamic State group, and they asked about whether religion causes war. Most religions specify that violence is not allowed and yet extremists will cause major destruction in the name of their God. He had as a disciple Simon the Zealot, who belonged to a group that worked to incite violence and rebellion against the Roman Empire (a terrorist). At the same time, it could be equally easy to deny the culpability of ‘our’ religion, while accepting uncritically everything that is said about another religion. ‘Irreligion’ is a greater cause of war than religion. It was a peaceful religion. In these classes I learned about many cultures, religious, and Wars. Maybe the first step in removing a wall is to meet and get to know a person from a cultural group we might be apprehensive about, perhaps because of the prevailing views of our people group. Religion has sometimes helped reduce or even stop war—such as here in New Zealand when one common inspirational response made by Maori to the gospel was to cease applying the rule of utu and to apply the rule of forgiveness instead, setting the captive slaves free in the process! However, some people are too quick to blame religion on terrorism (Winchester, 2). And so we stand in a place in time where must we consider our response to the fears of In these classes I learned about many cultures, religious, and Wars. In addition, the media’s focus on the most sensational and negative aspects of any issue can raise emotions and lead to the demonising of a whole people. Religion causes war. Consider the following Scriptures: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? There are at least three instances by which religion causes war. The first is when people try to compel other people to adopt their religion or religious perspectives. Certainly, there are real issues around the potential risk to innocent people when terrorists carry out their immoral plans. The views, comments statements and opinions expressed on this Take away a humans natural capacity for aggression, greed and self-preservation and what you have left are his positive traits and his values which generally serve as the basis of our religions. Instead, war is caused by clashes between different groups, bad government, high levels of corruption and poor relations with neighbouring countries. ' magazine, 12-13 March 2015, pp9 blame religion on terrorism ( Winchester, 2.. All exacted a terrible price on the link, Browsing and search activity while using media! 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