Is religion an obstacle to peace?

[C1ay]

Although I am not religious myself, I have always felt that religion in general contributed to the overall health of my community. Those which congregate at the local churches generally have a high moral standard which prevents them from becoming a member of the group that would perform transgressions against their neighbors for fear of an accountability to their god.

 

It seems to end there though. When we stand back and look at many of the religious teachings as a whole we find many factions that are like oil and water, they just don't mix. People of various faiths are taught as part of their faith that the beliefs of others are themselves an accountable transgression. Christians are taught that the non-believers are heathens. Muslims are taught that the non-believers are infidels. Jews and Muslims alike are taught that those that eat pork violate their dietary laws, that they are unclean. Christians tell all of the unsaved that they are going to hell.

 

In short, it is part of the basic tenets of some faiths that teach their followers that people of other faiths are somewhat less than they are, unequal or unworthy to be viewed as equal. Muslims even teach that that some of their own faith are unequal with men having a higher community stature than women. Believers in one faith are taught to look down at the beliefs of others and this causes an unresolvable discontent between people of different faiths.

 

Is religion an obstacle to peace because of this? How can there ever be peace as long as the believers of one faith consider those of another to be less than they are?

[rockytriton]

I don't think that religion is an obstical, but fundamentalists from those religions are. Christianity teaches a lot of things, most of which are ignored, like: be kind to everyone whether or not you like them or they are kind to you. These good morals which promote peace are usually ignored in place of things like: you don't accept Christ???? you will burn in eternal hell fire! stay away from my children you heathen!

[damocles]

An interesting article that is related to this topic;

 

http://moses.creighton.edu/JRS/2005/2005-11.html

If religion has receded in some western nations, what is the impact of this unprecedented transformation upon their populations? Theists often assert that popular belief in a creator is instrumental towards providing the moral, ethical and other foundations necessary for a healthy, cohesive society. Many also contend that widespread acceptance of evolution, and/or denial of a creator, is contrary to these goals. But a cross-national study verifying these claims has yet to be published.

And its author;

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_S._Paul

Gregory S. Paul (born 1954) is a freelance paleontologist, author and illustrator. He is best known for his work and research on theropod dinosaurs, and his detailed illustrations, both live and skeletal

Best wishes to all:

[C1ay]

I don't think that religion is an obstical, but fundamentalists from those religions are. Christianity teaches a lot of things, most of which are ignored, like: be kind to everyone whether or not you like them or they are kind to you. These good morals which promote peace are usually ignored in place of things like: you don't accept Christ???? you will burn in eternal hell fire! stay away from my children you heathen!

But if religion teachs anyone to look down on others as if they are not equal how can there ever be peace? It is this unjust teaching that leads to the discontent that keeps communities from having peace with each other.

[rockytriton]

Yes, but do you absolutely need everyone to think everyone else is equal to them to have peace? If so, there will never be peace, humans just don't work that way. People will lie and say that they don't have the slightest part of them who thinks they are better or worse than anyone else, but everyone does, if they didn't we wouldn't have survived this long I think.

[C1ay]

Yes, but do you absolutely need everyone to think everyone else is equal to them to have peace?

I think you need people not to look down at others just because they don't share the same beliefs. As an example, it offends me for christians to claim that I should believe as they do or I'm damned. That's all though, it offends me but I blow it off as a prejudiced point of view without acting on it because it's silly to run around fighting about everything. For others though it is enough to go to war over. That's just one example of why we have religious wars. All I'm wondering is if the religious wars will ever stop or will they forever be an obstacle to peace. IMO, as long as religions continue to teach that their way is the only way, the wars will continue.

[Biochemist]

... if religion teachs anyone to look down on others as if they are not equal how can there ever be peace?

I can't think of a religion that believes others are not equal. Maybe Hindus, with the caste system. But even they assume that anyone can attain the same end, given time. What did you mean C1?

[emessay]

If we learn from chronology of war, invasion , and hegemony exchange factor since 10,000 yrs human civilization, religions or beliefs would be inevitable basic human organization needs, when human look their own physical future is real unknown but it would never be meaningless or nothing, it would be in dreams of happy endings.

 

Until we've understandings that all living things on Earth are in 'consciousness journey'.

 

Kind Regards

[C1ay]

What did you mean C1?

Are you saying the christians don't think I'm damned simply because I don't believe what they believe?

[damocles]

Referring to my post(#3) in this thread;

 

Apologies. The article was too disorganized in thought to summarize briefly.

 

I thought it was ironic that it was a political polemic rather than a valid scientific treatise.

 

I cited the author specifically to illustrate his background credentials not as a trained psychologist or sociologist.

 

It was something I found funny. That an illustrator of dinosaur books would write a sociological treatise presenting a bias and hiding it behind a flood of incomplete and rather disorganized data and yet pronouncing a definitive conclusion in such broad sweeping terms?

 

I promise I won't do that again.

 

Regards;

[rockytriton]

All I'm wondering is if the religious wars will ever stop or will they forever be an obstacle to peace.

 

Religious wars will stop when there is only one person left, because even if two people believe the same thing, they are likely to change their beliefs. Let's just hope the last man standing doesn't have multiple personality disorder :Waldo:

[emessay]

Religious wars will stop when there is only one person left, because even if two people believe the same thing, they are likely to change their beliefs. Let's just hope the last man standing doesn't have multiple personality disorder :Waldo:

 

Let's study victim comparison of great battle of war, invasion, civilization exchange :

1. Greek invasion by Alexander to Asia and Africa

2. Romans invasion to Europe and Africa

3. Constantine initiated Christianity as state religion then spread out to Europe

4. Islam invasion to Asia, Europe, Africa

5. Paus Urban campaigned :"Deus Le Volt" , then we know : "Abraham religions war was started"

6. Genghis Khan invasion to Asia, Europe

7. ........Rennaissance.

8. ........Industrial Revolution

9. West Invasion to Asia and Africa

10. World War I

11. World War II

12. Then coming a Little Boy ;) :hyper:

13. Cold War, now guess How big is our self-annihilation capacity ?

14. Osama coming

15. Energy Crises

16................next.....

 

What's really the root of war in civilizations ???

Religions ??

 

Victims comparison:

by Abraham religions war

by Genghis Khan invasion

by World War II

[C1ay]

What's really the root of war in civilizations ???

Religions ??

There are many causes of war. Some are tapering off though like one nation conquering another. My question though, will there ever be total peace as long as there is religion? Will religious wars ever stop if all the other causes of war are overcome in the effort to achieve world peace?

[Docalex007]

Although I am not religious myself, I have always felt that religion in general contributed to the overall health of my community. Those which congregate at the local churches generally have a high moral standard which prevents them from becoming a member of the group that would perform transgressions against their neighbors for fear of an accountability to their god.

 

It seems to end there though. When we stand back and look at many of the religious teachings as a whole we find many factions that are like oil and water, they just don't mix. People of various faiths are taught as part of their faith that the beliefs of others are themselves an accountable transgression. Christians are taught that the non-believers are heathens. Muslims are taught that the non-believers are infidels. Jews and Muslims alike are taught that those that eat pork violate their dietary laws, that they are unclean. Christians tell all of the unsaved that they are going to hell.

 

In short, it is part of the basic tenets of some faiths that teach their followers that people of other faiths are somewhat less than they are, unequal or unworthy to be viewed as equal. Muslims even teach that that some of their own faith are unequal with men having a higher community stature than women. Believers in one faith are taught to look down at the beliefs of others and this causes an unresolvable discontent between people of different faiths.

 

Is religion an obstacle to peace because of this? How can there ever be peace as long as the believers of one faith consider those of another to be less than they are?

 

 

Although religion has served the community in many ways in the past and has allowed "most" people to live good lives, I believe it has been more of a negative thing. Universal tolerance will NEVER happen as long as religion plays a role in our world.

 

To answer your question, yes, religion is indeed an obstacle to peace between humans.

 

By the way, I like where your coming from. A good post.