Religious Wars (Jesus, beliefs, church, experience, pray)

[Solly]

War is not necessary, if one uses that term in the sense of inevitable. However, war is a tool of the state for the defense of its people. Paul reminds us that those in authority bear the sword. We can't escape that fact, and as long as there are groups in the world who think they have the right to steal life and land from others - be they rebellious groups or other nations - armies will continue to exist and be deployed, as also the police, and hopefully we will continue to wrangle over whether it was a just war or not.
As a Christian, however, I do not believe in bearing arms. That might seem inconsistant, but I trust in my heavenly Father, and I can't expect nonChristians to do that. Some Christians have sen it as their duty to join up in the defense of their nation. It's a pity more don't speak out the other way, and the jingoism of militarism too often finds a place in the church along with the flag.

As for the current climate, the Islamic side has long seen America as the Great Satan and invoked the term jihad, whether legitimately or not, Bush used the term Crusade, and a military commander said Satan is living in Fallujah. The Christian right backed Bush implcitly on the war. How can it not be a religious war? But not in my name, and for God's sake not in His name.

[painted wolf]

War is a tool to gain what a culture feels it needs. Land, riches, slaves, oil, prestige whatever. Religion is often complacent if not encourageing in this endevor. No culture content with what it currently has engages in warfare. Religion seeking to keep its followers happy (as happy followers are loyal followers) goes allong with or eaven encourages the state in its warmongering. Religion promices the might of thier god/s are on thier side and that the war is holy and justified. That murder in the name of a rightous cause is not a sin but a glory to god.

wa:do

[Solly]

Originally Posted by painted wolf

War is a tool to gain what a culture feels it needs. Land, riches, slaves, oil, prestige whatever. Religion is often complacent if not encourageing in this endevor. No culture content with what it currently has engages in warfare. Religion seeking to keep its followers happy (as happy followers are loyal followers) goes allong with or eaven encourages the state in its warmongering. Religion promices the might of thier god/s are on thier side and that the war is holy and justified. That murder in the name of a rightous cause is not a sin but a glory to god.

wa:do

This is of course the problem. Aggressive conduct by one requires defensive conduct by others. but religion has never brought complete peace and contentment, be it the arguments in our homes between spouses, or in the workplace, or in government, or between nations. It's a spectrum that requires us to tackle our part in the overall scheme. Peace Christians and Buddhists, for instance, seek to do that, and hope it will catch on. It is the tragedy of humanity that so often we are not satisifed. Such disatisfaction lies behind the unwillingness to give up rampant economic growth for sustainability, so that others might have more while we have less; thus some find themselves seemingly with no option but war. But when the most powerful nation in the world goes to war on a pretext, what can you do??

[Lintu]

Have there ever been any true religious wars? From what I've studied, it seems that most of the mainstream "religious" wars were actually economic or political conflict with religion as a backdrop.

[The Voice of Reason]

Originally Posted by RearingArabian

They were just required to be peaceful members of the country, civilization, empire, etc. and pay a small tax.

This certainly seems to be fair. "If you don't believe in the same God we do, you must pay an extra tax.
Rearing - I realize that you live in Lebanon, and your laws are vastly different from American laws. Is Lebanon an Islamic nation? By that, I mean to ask, does Lebanon recognize Islam as the official state religion?

Originally Posted by mahayana

...I took it for a koan.

Okay, I give. You're gonna have to educate this hillbilly from Kentucky. What the heck is a Koan?

Looking for an education,
TVOR

[Engyo]

A koan is a zen (Buddhist) statement which may be confusing on it's face, but when meditated upon, leads one to insight. One very familiar one is "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"

[Feathers in Hair]

Originally Posted by Engyo

A koan is a zen (Buddhist) statement which may be confusing on it's face, but when meditated upon, leads one to insight. One very familiar one is "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"

And that, as answered by Terry Pratchett, is "CLA-". It's the other hand that makes the "P" sound.

[The Voice of Reason]

Engyo - thanks for the reply. This is one of my favorite things about this site. You learn something new every day (well, some on here refuse to, but...).

Thanks a bunch,
TVOR

[jewscout]

Originally Posted by Engyo

A koan is a zen (Buddhist) statement which may be confusing on it's face, but when meditated upon, leads one to insight. One very familiar one is "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"

Obviously you missed that episode of the Simpsons Bart answers that one for you.

[DontFearMe]

I personally think that religion is used as a smoke screen , to gather support for a war, yet the real reason behind that war is with those who wage it. For example the Crusades. Do you truly think that the europeans travelled miles just to take jersualem from the infidels.....or was there more to it? In fact, I dont know of any war that has been fought purely over religion without any other dynamics.