I agree with you on this one Graham, but you probably won't agree with my take on the cause. In each of the cases involving countries two systems cause the conflict. Religion (my god is better than your god). The second is the refusal of all humans everywhere to admit we are all the same animal.
Thank you, Graham. I am not opposed to other people's religion, but I am opposed to trying to force their personal religion on persons who profess a different religion. If your religion is good for you, why must everyone else in the world share your feeling.
I think that, as an atheist, you see religion as very two-dimensional. But religion is frequently far removed from belief. Organised religion is steeped in tradition, ritual, symbolism and, most importantly, differences. Henry V of England waged war with Charles VI of France at a time when they both adhered to the same religion. The war arose from lineal rights to claim the French crown, stemming from the invasion of England by William of Normandy.
Henry VIII's later scission with Rome was grounded, not in belief but in politics. Henry VIII, Philip II of Spain, and Pope Clement VII all in fact worshipped the same God, so the split among Protestants and Catholics came out of politics and Lutheran idealism. The Anabaptists were persecuted for politics, not religion. And some men and women are unable to discern that the monotheistic religions all in fact worship the same God. The story of Jesus is told in the Bible and in the Koran. "I am a Muslim, I am a Hindu, I am a Christian, and I am a Jew," said Gandhi. He was an individual of love, who loved others as he would be loved and, I suspect, so are you, not because you follow one or another religious teaching but simply because you do.
A violinist who has perfect pitch is no more a genius than one who doesn't and needs a tuning fork: what's important is how they play the violin.
I agree with most of your response, Graham, the so-called religious wars are also very much political wars, but from my view; especially from the medieval period until the "age of enlightenment" they were more wars of greed. Men of power whether kings, popes, or just aristocrats anted MORE. Like today's American Oligarchy they have no understanding of enough.
I agree with you on this one Graham, but you probably won't agree with my take on the cause. In each of the cases involving countries two systems cause the conflict. Religion (my god is better than your god). The second is the refusal of all humans everywhere to admit we are all the same animal.
I agree one hundred percent on your take in the cause, Fay.
Thank you, Graham. I am not opposed to other people's religion, but I am opposed to trying to force their personal religion on persons who profess a different religion. If your religion is good for you, why must everyone else in the world share your feeling.
I think that, as an atheist, you see religion as very two-dimensional. But religion is frequently far removed from belief. Organised religion is steeped in tradition, ritual, symbolism and, most importantly, differences. Henry V of England waged war with Charles VI of France at a time when they both adhered to the same religion. The war arose from lineal rights to claim the French crown, stemming from the invasion of England by William of Normandy.
Henry VIII's later scission with Rome was grounded, not in belief but in politics. Henry VIII, Philip II of Spain, and Pope Clement VII all in fact worshipped the same God, so the split among Protestants and Catholics came out of politics and Lutheran idealism. The Anabaptists were persecuted for politics, not religion. And some men and women are unable to discern that the monotheistic religions all in fact worship the same God. The story of Jesus is told in the Bible and in the Koran. "I am a Muslim, I am a Hindu, I am a Christian, and I am a Jew," said Gandhi. He was an individual of love, who loved others as he would be loved and, I suspect, so are you, not because you follow one or another religious teaching but simply because you do.
A violinist who has perfect pitch is no more a genius than one who doesn't and needs a tuning fork: what's important is how they play the violin.
I agree with most of your response, Graham, the so-called religious wars are also very much political wars, but from my view; especially from the medieval period until the "age of enlightenment" they were more wars of greed. Men of power whether kings, popes, or just aristocrats anted MORE. Like today's American Oligarchy they have no understanding of enough.