why religious  chiefs do not preach hatred of war and love for mankind?
114547
I believe that most religious leaders attempt to convey the message of their particular faith, or at least their interpretation of it.  One of the problems with faith is that, in order to embrace it, one generally believes that it is truth.  As we are humans, and endlessly fallible, it is difficult to see how any of us could ever grasp the "truth", as demonstrated by billions of believers in disparate faiths.  As fallible beings, we also would make mistakes in interpretation, even if we knew the truth.\n\nAs religious leaders often use their faith as a rubrik to understand current events (using ideas and pracitices as old as millenia to interpret cloning for example) they often have to make some difficult decisions regarding moral courses of action.  Within the framwork of belief, these "moral" leaders have to decide if contemporary events are moral and how to guide their congregations to look at these issues.  Even if one takes this view (which assumes that all religious leaders are intellectually honest and aren't swayed by emotions, greed, racism, etc) it is easy to see how even civil wars are fought between two sides that are Christian, for example.  \n\nIf the religious leaders of a particular faith feel threatened by an outside faith they might have feel the need to resist the threat rather than be forced from the path of truth.  In Russia, during the reformation of the Orthodox church in the time of Ivan the Terrible, the old believers, who would not accept the changes in the church, burned themselves to death rather than face torture or punishment from the church.  We have seen holy wars between Islamic  countries, sanctioned by leaders of the faiths as necessary within their framework of what is right and moral.\n\nEveryone has a belief system that acts as a compass in the world.  What is necessary in order for everyone to do as you ask, is for everyone to embrace tolerance and forsake greed and competition. Also, everyone would have to either stop needing to believe that there is an "absolute truth" or at least accept the fact that what is true for one man is not for another.  Unfortuantely, I'm afraid that faith and the abovementioned are almost defining characteristics of our species and we have a long way yet to evolve.
779535
Because it is assumed by most that violence is not the will of God. Religious people are always making assumptions on what is the will of their God, with out actually trying to ask him them selves.
770806
Dear Reluctant Religioun,\nIts just that "religion" is man made. A thought inspired by Satan. But being a Christian means to be Christ-like. Its not like that the so-called "religious leaders" tell thier followers to "hate" people. Just hate the man-made religion. Kind of like hate the game not the player. After all its not that we fight agianst another but agianst wicked spiritual forces. (thats paraphrased) Do you get it now? I sure hope so. God bless you. PZB
426516
Who ever they were, and whatever their religion, you can't bring it down to pointing your finger and saying " Why did they do what they did when they are supposed to be religious" Every war has the backing of the church, both sides get blessings to vanquish the enemy, I don't ever recall a war when the church ever said "don't do this it is against Gods will" The communists in Vietnam were supposed to be anti religion, but that is not why there was a war with them, they had their own beliefs.\nBut that is a very good question, which begs to know why did the religious leaders  in Germany England and America and the rest of the world never say " Don't do this it's wrong". Yes the answer is pretty obvious! Does the goverment and country over ride religion.
343640
Good question.  One could make the argument that the followers are more committed to their religion than the leaders.  The followers are the ones willing to sacrifice their lives for their cause.  \n\nThe fallacy is that if there were no leaders, then the followers would not have anyone to subjugate&#92;manipulate which would defeat the purpose of recruiting for a global jihad.  (no warriors=no war) That brings up another question though--Why don't the followers question the motives of the Extremist leaders?
1175130
Yes, far less war and conflict. If we want peace, we need to set our differences aside, and religion is included. Just look at the major cause of conflict over human history (crusades, etc). Religion is the true evil.
429372
No, I do not.\n\nSex is far older as a motivation for human conflict.  Individuals against each other for a single partner or tribe against tribe for sex slaves and wives.\n\nPower predates Religion as a force as well.  Sargon of Persia was the first human (at least in recorded history) to rule more than a single “City.”  He was also the first to have a paid standing army.\n\nHumans will always find an excuse for armed conflict.  Even if the reason is resources (oil) it is easier to sell as “democracy” vs. “religious terrorism.”\n\nDon’t get me wrong, religious reasons are real and do cause a lot of conflict.  But it is not the root of humanity’s problems.  Lack of tolerance, greed, power and even lust are far more responsible for current world events.
99318
Holy wars are generally fueled by people who don't understand religion.  While they may genuinely believe that they are doing God's will or whatever, that believe does not come from the religion itself, but rather from political leaders who are either extremely confused or (more likely) are co-opting religion for their own agenda.\n\n______\nI disagree with kunwarrarra's statement that "killing in war is never murder."  Taking a life is never justified, no matter who tells you to do it.  Incidently, I have heard scholars of Islam argue that the religion does not allow killing, and that Jihad refers to an internal struggle rather than an external war.
721314
One of the reasons for all the religious conflict is that man has incorporated his own laws into what the law of God is. Everything is about pleasing man in this day and time and not focused on pleasing God and doing what is Biblical. \n\nMany churches preach and teach what is acceptable in their own eyes. No one is coming from the Bible any more. But those are the ones who will face stiffer judgement in the end.
945205
How can people who participate in wars of any kind, whether in the name of religion or otherwise, call themselves religious? They take the chance of not only killing innocent men, women, and children, but even those of their own faith.\nChristians are to be peaceable with all men, are to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. The only warfare we wage is against Satan and his demons. Also we take the same stand as the apostles did--"we must obey God as ruler, rather than men" (ACTS 5:29) If any government demand that we go to war, we must refuse. \nAll governments are under Satan's control and they are represented by the "wild beast" in Revelation. If we submit to their demands and commit murder by any means, by war or otherwise, then we will be guilty of worshipping that "beast" and we must avoid that at all costs.
104811
Because it is easier to blame our human weaknesses on God than on ourselves.  God does not want us to kill and any common sense reading of virturally any religious text makes that obivious.  However, by appealing to our fears and prejudices, leaders can twist the words of God to convince some people that they are doing God's will when they are doing violence.  \n\nAny time you hear someone call for violence in God's name, be suspicious of the speaker.  They speak for themselves, not God.
702813
It doesn't advocate any sort of love or hate which are unjustified.\nThere is nothing called absolute love than to keep God's commandments.
180980
I see what you are getting at but, "The Seeds Of Human Abuse" has been around soo long that, we as Humans have evolved to learn new safeguards of "Hatred,Religious in-differences,& Political Pawns that help create War. I truly believe that, if we are to continue as a species of Educated & Decisive creatures, then we as Humans have to conform to other resources to (Clean-Up) our activities with Cleaner & Safer alternatives to fuel & Protect our Planets waste. Hatred is such a useless word that it prevents people from attaining their reall goals in life.We do have a big problem w/our Politicians & Diplomats World Wide. It seems fair to say that, A Politicians Life & a Diplomats Lives are somewhat exatly the same. They have learned from (Old School) ways to decieve the public in getting exatly what they want, but not for the very people that put them there to report if our goals for Global Unity have been met. t's really sad to say but, The Churches all seem to want to say that their Religion is better than the next, & really not passing the words of Faith. They should (Walk Their Talk). It would be nice if the World as we know it were one Goverment w/no Boarders.We are stuct w/all the lies that were ever told by our World Leaders.The only way that we can come clean is to have (One World United Goverment w/no Boarders) One for all,all for one.
989167
They justify believing in war because they do not see their religion has its foundations in the early Church Fathers, who were ultimately interested in creating a religion compatible with the needs and demands of the Roman Empire. It is commonly assumed the Christian faith is based on the Scriptures, but taken seriously, there never has been and never could be a "Christian nation" - meaning one which obeyed Christ - since He commanded His disciples to lay down the sword, give up all their possessions (which necessitated them living in communities like you see in Acts, chapters 2 and 4), and radically turn away from all the world has to offer them, and even the demands of their selfish nature. \nH.G. Wells got this one right when he wrote of the amazing life the Son of God called men to, which so many, even his own followers within a few generations, shrank back from. (See the quote from Wells "A History of the World" at http://www.bartleby.com/86/37.html)\nThe so-called just war theory, if you bother to read Augustine who first formulated it in the early 400's, doesn't forbid Christian participation in any war, however unjust, because every Christian soldier is commanded to obey even his pagan ruler or commander. (For some of Augustine's teaching on this, see Against Faustaus, the Manichaean, Book XXII, Paragraphs 75-76. See the article at http://www.theblackboxspeaks.org/augustine-wars.html about Augustine's legacy in this regard, which affects the historically harsh treatment given conscientious objectors, too.) \nThe just war theory only soothes and appeases the conscience of Christians blatantly contradicting the example and commands of the King they claim, but do not obey. Christian participation in the affairs of this world may well be history's greatest tragedy, and certainly its greatest blasphemy.
739640
Not during our lifetime. Not while we still have religious"leaders" who think they know 100% what Buddha, Jesus, whomever said. Not while leaders of countries declare war and follow it immediately by saying "May God Bless......". Not while religions teach that THEIR religion is the ONLY path to God. Not while politicians try to be Religious leaders and religious leaders act like politicians. Not while the answer to children who were abused by Priests is to cover it up instead of helping the victims. \n\nI wish I had a better answer for you.
212628
Political motivations start wars, not religion.\nReligion provides (im)moral support.\nThis is not to say religion is bad, quite the contrary, but that it has been historically misused to mobilize people towards war.\nAnd history keeps repeating itself.
76644
No one loves the devil. Muslims do not. Christians do not. Hindus do not.....You are muslim. That means you are supposed to understand what Jesus said as well.  Obviously, you do not study your homework....Jesus never said love the devil, only people....No one is stupid enough to love the devil except witches....