Is religion the cause of all wars?

“Religion is the cause of all wars.”

I cringe when I hear that. You can believe this if you wish. I can’t stop you from believing whatever you want. I don’t think it is true at all. Yet some who profess to have no religion chant it like a mantra over and over.

In 1980, Russia invaded Afghanistan. At the time, Russia was a communist country. My understanding of the Soviet Union at that time is that religion was not part of the state. It was discouraged and many were persecuted.

My investigations in Wikipedia and the National Security Archive have not uncovered very much beyond the recognition that Afghanistan is an Islamic estate. My interpretation of what I have read does not indicate that religion caused this struggle. My feeling is that it was the lust for power and political domination.

My understanding of the two world wars is that religion was not the cause of the either war. In WWII, Hitler hated the Jews and wanted to eliminate them, but he invaded countries and most entered into the war when he marched into Poland. The United States joined in when Pearl Harbour was bombed. I don’t see the connection to religion in these two cases.

As I said, I can’t stop you from believing that religion causes all wars if you want. I just hope you will study history more or show me where I have erred.

Religion is not such a bad thing, though. It has inspired great music and art throughout the ages. Newton, considered by some as the most brilliant person who ever lived, found inspiration for his discoveries in the Bible. Other philosophies have produced wonderful things, too. Christianity can’t make all the claims to greatness. Islam has had a profound effect on mathematics.

I want you to focus on two events that might change your attitude about religion. Religion can actually do a lot of good. One is happening right now.

In Burma, Bhuddist monks are sacrificing their lives in a peaceful protest against the tyranny of a corrupt government that has nothing to do with religion. There isn’t much the western world needs in Burma, so our response has not been very supportive while many have been gunned down while praying. Maybe if we relied on them for oil our attitude would be different. It looks as if their protest is going to fail. Why would the religious people in a society be the ones to start a movement against injustice? Could it be their value system has something to say about freedom that is a bit stronger than what is found on the street?

The other story I want to mention is found in Charles Colson’s The Body. You may have doubts about the source because Colson professes to be a “born-again” Christian. And you may cite some of the beliefs of Colson that you don’t believe in. I will leave that argument for you and Colson to settle.

Ceauşescu ruled Romania with an iron fist. The rights of ordinary citizens were being abused constantly. He was the “god” of the country and all bowed down to him – except one person.

In 1987, Laszlo Tokes became the pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Timisoara, a central town in Transylvania. When his congregation grew in leaps and bounds, the secret police tried to impose restrictions on him. He refused. The end result was that one man created the spark that led to the end of the tyranny.

Does religion really cause ALL wars? You are welcome to your opinion. Just allow me to have mine, thank you.