Why does religion incite war while professing to instill tolerance??
485646
Religion is not about tolerance (despite much lip service to the contrary), it is about power and control and whenever that is challenged it brings about war. Sad but true!
1094767
Most religions want you to spread that religion.  Some religious interpretations of certain religions even allows the spread of religion to be violent (i.e. kill all the infidels).\n\nSo why do you think my religion is crap?  What a hyprocritical question you got!
321019
Ibn Warraq put it, "Historically speaking, Monotheism has often shown itself to be ferociously intolerant, in contrast to polytheism on behalf of which religious wars have never been waged."\n\n“Christians see it as their duty to save the soul of the non-believer, who is seen as inferior. Such religions are inherently predatory and destructive of the cultural systems that they encounter in their role as the aggressor.”\n\n\nChristian churches have formed terrorist organisation in non christian countries. In north east India they have been using all methods for conversion including conversions at gun point. In some states they have literally banned practising hinduism in last four years. 20 hindus were killed only in 2001 for not converting.\n\nOnce they get considerable number of converts they turn more aggressive and resort to more violent tactics, They have been trying to break india and make a separate christian nation now. Thats the fruit we got for being tolerant and giving them freedom to practice their religion. I gave you just a glimpse.\n\nI was surprised by people who answered your question by refering to history. \n\nIt is intersting to see that many christians are blissfully unaware of these facts!Or is it wishfull blindness?
689283
I agree with you, and Rain, Psychology, A. Mann, tls.bhaskar, milo, azmurath, Sue Namie, babyarnie, and d_waddell2001. Religion is a system of understanding, so the religion itself, being a belief or pattern of thoughts, is not the act of violence or war (effect), but does prompt it and promote it indirectly (cause), while preaching exactly the opposite (defence). Many (others who have answered) have come to trust religion because of the good things it promotes, like purpose, goodwill, communication with spirit, respect for other belivers (sometimes), and feelings of belonging, among others.\nWhen a person trusts another person over their own feelings and intuition, they become a slave to be controlled. There are millions of people around the world who exist as robots to be ordered by the people in their lives. The boss, priest, trainer, teacher, commanding officer, whoever. These slaves are the ones who fight wars, even the ones at salvation army.\nWhat is advised is a detachment from organised religion, and to establish a relationship with self, life, love and nature. By feeling your personal interpretation of what matters, and, the most important thing, to keep the most important things the most important things, one can carve their groove in history exactly the way they choose. Total responsibility, total spiritual freedom. By standing up and saying "I made that mistake, and I'm damn proud of it because I've learnt from the experience," a person's character gains courage, humility and wisdom, just to name a few. By choosing to allow blame, guilt, fear, and hate to fill one's thoughtful life, one commits to living with stress, health problems, depression, detachment from self, immature and irresposible behaviour like terrorism, and extreme anxiety. Ever noticed how dedicated religious followers are, even though they may have only joined weeks ago? Thats an observable symptom. All external success begins with internal success, so peace must be made within first, followed by those around you (your world). When critical mass is reached, your world will become our world. If you do not go within you go without!!!
400628
War starts because of power. Someone has it and someone else wants it. Also religion is a major cause of war. I think that if there was no religion we would all be much better off.
447913
I've often asked the same question. I suppose religion feeds our sense of spirituality and gives us "answers" to what happens to us after we die. But I think religion has caused, and will continue to cause, wars and other trouble. People should try setting aside their differences in religion and just work together. Besides, I think that religion is personal. It's what you personally believe. And atheists don't cause hatred, the term simply means they do not believe in any god whatsoever, that when you die, that's it. And I dislike those who always try to convert others. Just let people make up their own idea.
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.
161963
This is a question where you need to have deep understanding of the religion knowledge. Let me eloborate every religion teaches the same basic thing respect humanity. Only the religion of Satan teaches cruelty an abuse of humans. The books that were sent down (as is said) what do they teach "HUMANITY IS IN RESPECTING HUMANS" you are supposed to say it why is that this world is coming towards violence is that some people and some organizations need more control than they could handle. The war in Iraq what has it brought to the world hundreds are killed they may be Muslims Christans Jews Hindus or many other religious belief holders. It is immportant that we should respect each others belifs and religions.
829276
Primarily it's because there are many people across the entire religious and non-religious spectrum that cannot accept that people are different and for whatever reason feel the need to attack those who are different then they are.\n\nAlso, those who have been attacked seem to enjoy attacking others in turn.\n\nAll we can really do though is to support and defend those who are reasonible, respectful and kind and report any and all who want to disrespect, attack and redicule them.\n\nSuch a pity, such a pity.
352507
War is a political action to acquire land. Don't ever let the Religion part fool you.\nWhat does a true christian have  to do with killing?\nNone.
1025085
all the holy texts of ancient times have been changed over the years to fit political and social climates of different eras. but, that was man's fault. whether religion existed or not, there was still going to be violence over something. all religion is good until some nutcase takes things too far. its a shame that most ppl cant take the lessons that can be learned from any religion and apply them to their daily lives without going off the deep end and rejecting others that dont agree.
623605
why are you so ingorant in what other people believe.  i seriously think you do not understand any religion.  religion promotes peace.\nwhat you are promoting my friend is ingorance and hate.
970580
Religion has been violent since the beginning of man's belief in many gods or one or just few gods. Religion has murder more people than armies have murdered.
1064233
That's hard to answer, both Christian and Islamic denominations have been responsible for large wars that killed hundreds of thousands of people.  Let's just say the world would be a more peaceful place if people didn't start wars that are motivated by religious ideology.
823752
It seems it all stems back to religion.  There will always be war and bloodshed until all organized religion is extinct.
680730
Most wars have been over land or political ideology.  Religion gets tacked on as an afterthought or an excuse to give the war an air of legitimacy when no other reason exists.  Very few wars have been soley over religion, although I do believe the current war is...whether western nations, ie christian, believe it or not....the islamists do.
1139223
In the real world there are things called strategic resources which countries desperately need, they are willing to fight for them.  Also, religion makes people hate each other. ect.  It's not realistic that war will go away any time soon.