quote:
Originally posted by Fljotsdale:
Ronn_Bman has hit the nail on the head with his points regarding religion.
Religion is the most divisive factor on earth, has caused more deaths and more hatreds and immovable stances than anything else EVER. They are all so damn sure they are right and that god is on their side and that people on the other side deserve to die because they don't worship god the way they do - which justifies anything they may do, no matter how horrific. Hardliners on both sides of the Palestine/Israeli divide have that attitude.
I appreciate that the above comment is highly controversial, but history bears me out, imo.
Oh what rot! It's a univerally unifying factor. Because of this it gets misused. Wars are fought by people, not by ideology or faith. None of the major world religions condone invasions or murder. Your view has been posted before, and as ever takes a superficial look at religions and the wars in their names.
Look at todays events. Islam, the "way of peace" jumped on by Wahabist extremists to pursue political agendas. Northern Irelands "religions" are simplistic racial indentifications. Easier than saying, "Original Irish" and "Descendants of Scots/English Colonists". The root of the Palestinian situation is between
Jews and Arabs. Racial. Not Jews and Muslims. Plenty of Israelis are non-practicing, secular Jews, and Egypt, long an enemey of Israel is largely secular. Terrorist backing Syria has only 74% Islamic population.
If any of the worlds religions, or simply the ten commandments, were followed to the letter by their followers, there would be no war or hatred.
If you're looking for causes look no further than human nature. Greed and fear are the causes, things that religions try to curtail in Humankind.
I've already mentioned, that in New York, where racial and economic divisions run deep, the church I've been in is a melting pot. A place of unity and genuine love.
History most certainly does not bear you out Fljotsdale. It may seem so at a cursory glance, but with any understanding of the said religious teachings, one quickly recognises the hypocrisy of any who war in the name of Christ, Buddha or Allah.
Name any army who has invaded in the name of Buddha.
Name any army who marched in Confucius name, or that of the Rainbow Serpent, or the Apostle Paul. (Those who misused Catholicism to rally peasants in the Crusades were never into Paul, more Peter and Mary.)
How about torturers using the Tao as motivation for hate? or Martin Luther?
I'd hate to think the Salvation army are really an army.
Lets look at the majority of Muslims. The largest Islamic nation in the world is Indonesia. The last war Indonesia fought was against Holland for independance. Politics.
The repression of East Timor, Northern Sumatra and West Papua (Irian Jaya) has nothing to do with Religion. (Hindu Bali is not repressed.) But preventing the dismantling of an empire, and managing an exploding Javan population.
Most Muslims live in Peace. Most Christians live in Peace. Most Buddhists live in peace. Most Jews live in Peace. (There are more in America alone than the seven million in Israel)
It is such a broad simplistic generalisation to say "Religion is the most divisive factor on earth", and ignores the tsunami of evidence to the contrary - both present day and historicaly.
I do believe your apostasy has coloured your vision on this matter Fljotsdale.
Oh and please tell me where you got your figures in determining how "Religion....has caused more deaths.....than anything else EVER."
I would have thought old age or disease would have been number one. Didn't the black plague wipe out half of Europe? I know disease reduced South America's pre-colonial population of 27 million or so to around 4 million. (The number killed over 100 years is 23 million, I do know that.)
What are the figures of the aids epidemic, or cancer, next to a war using religion? The only "genuine" one possibly being India vs Pakistan.
Facts Fljotsdale. Facts. When making a controversial post such as yours which wipes mud in the face of any people of any faith or creed, make sure you have facts to back up your statements.