Religion is greatest source of hate, death, violence, and destruction that has ever shown itself on mankind. Almost all wars throughout the history of our species have ties to a particular religion or religions. While it is obvious that the worlds religions are nothing more then old myths, and silly superstitious tradition. Its negativity is much greater then just providing ignorance to reality, it is a way to justify horrible actions. There have been so many horrible actions in our history that have been caused by religion (I'm sure no one has a problem thinking of some).
Violence from religion is an obvious trend, a trend that continues to this day, and will continue into the future. The only difference is now the fanatics are in a position of obtaining nuclear weapons. There has been a lot of discussion about this, and it is a very serious issue. Believing you have the creator of the universe on your side gives you a lot of confidence in thinking you are right. If enough nukes get launched, it could "launch" this planet into a nuclear winter. Regardless of what a person believes, all people need to realize that violence is never a solution, it only perpetuates more violence and self-destruction.
I have a blog that discusses things like this. (edited by Mel)
>> There have been so many horrible actions in our history that have been caused by religion (I'm sure no one has a problem thinking of some). <<Religion never caused anything, but people have.Correct. Religion is just one of the forces that tends to create factionalism. Culture, nationality, and language are others. For example, the attitude of American Muslims is most likely quite different from the attitude of Iraqi or Iranian Muslims to 9-11.
Many of the things that most Americans find abhorrent about many Mideast Muslim practices are actually cultural, not religious.
Cal, from West Michigan
All generalizations are false, including this one..
>>For example, the attitude of American Muslims is most likely quite different from the attitude of Iraqi or Iranian Muslims to 9-11.<<
Perhaps.
But don't count out the American Muslims who support the lefty views of someone like Ward Churchill, who is basically an 'hate America firster,' who sees 911 as a kind of social justice for all the terrible things our nation has done to third world people of color and indigenous peoples like native Americans. But the resentment, both of these folks, and others worldwide, seems to especially focus on our supporting Israel in the Palestinian conflict, and manifests itself in various forms, some of which is implicit but real nonetheless, as anti-Semitism.
The next attack against us will be by American Muslims. And when it occurs, Palestinian children will be dancing in the streets again, just like they did on 911.
--John
"Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)" ---Walt Whitman
>>Religion is just one of the forces that tends to create factionalism. Culture, nationality, and language are others.<<Language? How so?
For example, Iran and Iraq speak different languages. Remember the Iran-Iraq war? Language is just another factionalizing force. Canada has not gone to war with its provences, yet.
Looking at our history, I do not see religion as a factor. Consider F& I war, American Revolution, War of 1812, Mexican/Texas war, Spanish American War, WW1, WW2, Korea, Viet Nam.
Of course, now we are fighting a supposedly religious extremist Taliban wherever it is.
The next attack against us will be by American Muslims.
I doubt that. That is unreasoning paranoia IMHO. Most American Muslims are as peace-loving as American Christians are. The FBI just arrested 3 suspected terrorists a couple of days ago. But they were not Americans, but resident aliens IIRC.
Religion is greatest source of hate, death, violence, and destruction that has ever shown itself on mankind.
Have you forgotten about the 50 million people who were killed in their own countries by the communist regimes of the U.S.S.R. and China in the last century? If I remember correctly, these regimes were anti-religion. Getting rid of religion does not ensure against these things that you abhor.
»»Calvin: Religion is just one of the forces that tends to create factionalism. Culture, nationality, and language are others.
»»You: Language? How so?
>>Almost all wars throughout the history of our species have ties to a particular religion or religions.<<
Neither WWI or WWII, the greatest wars in history, were caused by religious dispute. Nor was the Civil War or the Revolutionary War. Of course claiming that wars have "ties" to a particular religion isn't saying anything. Money has ties to war, as does property, politics, personalities and even love. That hardly makes them evil. It is people, not religion, that cause wars. If wars were not fought in the name of religion, they'd surely be fought in the name of something else.
A neocon is a liberal who was mugged by reality. -Irving Kristol, (1920-2009)
>>> Ah, now that is a great example of language creating factionalism. <<<
>> There are people in the US who bitterly resent the proliferation of signs/instructions/etc in Spanish. <<
I see a lot of bumper stickers saying "Welcome to America. Now speak ENGLISH!"
I guess it's meant for those who can read English, but don't speak it. People are weird.
MEL>>> Ah, now that is a great example of language creating factionalism. <<<
>>There's another example even closer to home. There are people in the US who bitterly resent the proliferation of signs/instructions/etc in Spanish.<<
I don't resent it. I know that this will continue to create factionalism, or what I like to call the third world balkanization of some of our states (Mexifornia), whereby Hispanic communities will be drawn to and collect in groups where they understandably feel most comfortable, away from mainstream communities which are made up of mostly white people. Not to mention that it will inhibit their ability to become successful and more affluent within our country beyond being our yard service and dry-wall hanger guys, and hospitality and janitorial folks, and crop pickers (all respectable work, by the way).
Hopefully, the liberals will continue to emphasize policies, both politically and educationally within our school systems, these sorts of multi-cultural values (bi-lingual classes, etc), which in effect continue their lower socio-economic status.
I wouldn't have it any other way. But then, I'm a racist. <g>
Of course, there is the two-state solution. We could allow for demographics to define our society, based on culture, color and ethnicity, and then enact legislation which insures that there are opportunities for our folks of other lands to have their own land right here in our (America's) land. (Word to the census folks: count 'em all!)
Balkanization, again. It keeps coming to mind! Lincoln would turn over in his grave. But then again, it is Aztlan we're talking about, and that has nothing to do with disintegrating the Union of our states; it is all about reclaiming what is by right belongs to somebody else.
Almost all wars throughout the history of our species have ties to a particular religion or religions.
Nope.
There were a series of apparently religious wars in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. But in reality they had other causes.
Other than that period, no most wars have many other causes.
Balkanization, again. It keeps coming to mind! Lincoln would turn over in his grave. But then again, it is Aztlan we're talking about, and that has nothing to do with disintegrating the Union of our states; it is all about reclaiming what is by right belongs to somebody else.//
I love it when you pontificate as devil's advocate...
>>Religion is greatest source of hate, death, violence, and destruction that has ever shown itself on mankind.<<
Actually it isn't. The gretest evil is things done in the name of religion by fanitics not following the teachings of their own religion. There is not religion I know of that teaches hate, violence and destruction.
k
The gretest evil is things done in the name of religion by fanitics not following the teachings of their own religion.
Yes. Hitler was supposedly a Christian. And the Taliban teach a perversion of Islam.
