Religion Causes War Essay

Words: 1489
Pages: 6
Open Document
RELIGION CAUSES WAR:

PROS AND CONS
There are many arguments and counter-arguments when discussing the topic of religion causing war. Many critics argue that throughout history, religion has been the single greatest source of human-caused wars, suffering, and misery. In the name of God (by whatever name), more suffering has been inflicted than by any other man-made cause. (Pro Side) Critics on the other side counter that modern secular ideological movements are actually responsible for much greater and more indiscriminate violence than any religion ever has been. (Con Side)

They further contend that the claim that religion causes war is not supported by the historical or contemporary evidence. They maintain that only 7 (10%) of all …show more content…
Because slaves were to remain in their present state unless they could win their freedom (1 Cor 7:20–24), he sent the fugitive slave Onesimus back to his owner Philemon (Phlm 10–20).

The Bible, interpreted under these assumptions, seemed to clearly suggest that slavery was Biblically justified.

Modern historians differ somewhat on the relationship between religion and southern sectionalism, however. Christine Leigh Heyrman, in Southern Cross: The Beginnings of the Bible Belt (1997), utilizing journals of late 18th and early 19th century Baptist and Methodist ministers, concludes that religious leaders accommodated slavery in order to gain ground in the South. Even if looked at through the lens of sectionalism, it is beyond debate that religion heavily influenced the American Civil War. That places it squarely within the parameters of Wikipedia's definition of religious war.

SURVEY RESULTS
In addition to the examination of the religious wars above, this writer personally conducted a survey of ordinary Americans over the age of 30 to ascertain their position on the claim that religion causes war. The questions were a follows:

1. Without disclosing particulars, would you describe yourself as a "religious" person (as that term is understood to simply mean the practicing of particular rituals and traditions associated with a higher-power)?

2. If you are, or suppose you were, a religious person; would you feel justified in physically defending
Show More

Related Documents: Religion Causes War Essay

How Religion Cause War

life? Religion is associated with culture as it contains practices and rituals. In today’s world, there have been many wars fought over many different things, they can range from freedom, oil, and religion. Religion being a matter of belief and in most cases a blind following of rules puts the various religions in a crash path due to the differences in opinions and also the availability of information. The question as to whether religion causes war is as debatable as the comparison of religions themselves…

Words 390 - Pages 2

Understanding the Meaning of War and Conflicts and their Causes Essay

but it lasts longer than wars virtually every time. Conflict can last for many decades. Conflict is often related to cultural and religious issues from hundreds of years ago. It tends to involve irregular fights and it has low intensity attacks in retaliation.they can also be seen as two kids fighting as they try and justify each attack with well they attacked first. Conflicts are more common than war and normally have less causality and don't use up as much resources. War definition: "A state of…

Words 625 - Pages 3

Strive For The Stars Essay

"Displacing The State: Religion And Conflict In Neoliberal Africa." Journal Of Church & State 55.1 (2013): 149-151. Academic Search Premier. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. New religious movements throughout African states develop constantly overtime in response to what they view as Government neglect. Though reasons vary from country to country, these groups often fight for there specific rights they want to obtain in their communities. Although this may sound like a just cause, not all rebel groups promote…

Words 716 - Pages 3

The History of Rock and Roll Essay

March 2014 Organized Religion Harms Humanity Since the beginning of time we, the human species, have looked all around ourselves to find reason and understanding for the aspects of life that are uncertain. Ultimately, people have come up with the idea that the fate of our species is in the hands an all-knowing, unseen force that controls everything around us. This idea spread around the world in many different cultures, resulting in the organization of “faith” or “religion”. This is where one’s…

Words 900 - Pages 4

evolution of civilization Essay

and cultural afflictions have each individually affected the different religions and their viewpoints on war. Spokes people and leaders of faiths often have a spirited opinion on the matter and typically stand firm on their beliefs. While some have learned to condone wars, others have chose to condemn them, furthermore there are a few religious groups who believe in the proper treatment of enemies during war time. War was condoned under certain situations by faiths such as, Confucianism, Sikhism…

Words 672 - Pages 3

Just War Theory Essay examples

of Religion (Just War) Christianity preaches peace and loving your neighbor but for the history of christianity, there has been violence and war in its name. For Many years people have been killing other human beings in the name of christ or justifying their killings by saying that the war is in the name of god. The belief that violence and war can be justified is called the “Just War Theory.” Just war is a war that is justified because it is necessary for peace to happen. Just war theory…

Words 2510 - Pages 11

Southern Culture: The Lost Cause

The Lost Cause is considered an intellectual attitude that reigned throughout the South after 1875. I would agree with this argument because of the amount of evidence Wilsons book provides. For instance, the book starts out showing how the southerners used The Lost Cause as a construct to help define a cultural identity in the aftermath of the defeat in the Civil War. Which in turn pushed the religious identity and how the Southerners were to keep a different culture which could only survive if religion…

Words 319 - Pages 2

On the Role of Religion in Regional Conflicts Essay

Since the end of the Second World War, the world economy has been greatly developed. However, under the background of global prosperity, regional conflicts and wars are still going on. This leads to the intense controversy among scholars. The most influential party is represented by Samuel P. Huntington, who states his standpoint in his book The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, published in 1996. These scholars believe after Cold War, politics, or economy is no longer the…

Words 486 - Pages 2

A Closer Look At Organized Religion Essay

A Closer Look at Organized Religion: Its Impact on Our Society A recent study revealed that in the last 50 years between 1.5% and 5% of the Catholic Clergy has been involved in sexual abuse cases with children (Vexen 8). A corruption this deep within an organization that claims to found their belief systems on love, kindness, and doing the right thing is a clear sign that something is not quite right with organized religion. This may, in fact, be only the tip of the iceberg. It is clear that throughout…

Words 1590 - Pages 7

Role Of Religion In Catch 22

Does religion have a place in times of war? Where bureaucracy values the results of war more than individuals, the thought of God is questioned even by the men of faith. Joseph Heller tries to answer this question in his classic novel Catch 22, where a man known to the reader as The Chaplain begins contemplating whether it is right to serve his God and the men stationed at Pianosa, the small and fictitious island off the coast of Italy. The Chaplain’s doubt of his own capability to serve in his faith…

Words 656 - Pages 3