Why has so many wars been fought over religion?

"When we look at recorded history, it appears that more wars have been fought over religion, then any other thing." This statement is repeated and repeated but never documented. It is usually used as a justification for an anti-religion diatribe by Atheist or others who would demand proof of any pro-religious stand but, strangely, seem to think that this statement stands by itself and requires no proof. Lets have no double standard here, if this is true, prove it. Don't ask me to believe on faith alone or accept my statements of faith without requiring proof.

People with strong beliefs just can't stand to think that others disagree with them. Hence there is conflict.

Becoz. people want to show they are superior and their religion is at top.. But they don't believe that there is only ONE GOD..

IMO, it's because it isn't human nature to live and let live without minding everyone else's business. Sad but true. I really don't think "convert or I'll kill you" is what the Lord had in mind.

I believe that religion is just used to justify war, and it's not really the cause of the war. I think that those at the top of the religious higherarchy usually want political or monetary gains so preach to the followers accordingly to get what they want. For example Bush has made many references to God and the Christian faith over the last years, particularly when he wanted to start the war in Iraq. So it's questionable whether he actually beleives he is following God's will, or he's just using it to gain support for a war that he wanted for other reasons.

Anyone can say they are any religion walking the path is a bit harder. It doesnt matter if they said it was for their god(s) or not, politicians would come up with another reason to fight wars if it wasnt for religion. This subject has been brought up multiple times and I always have to point out look at communist societies and the atrocities that have come out of these religionless societies.

yOU KNOW WHAT I agree with you . I personaly think that we should respect everyones religon and leave it alone. I t is a freedom right that we should leave it alone we are allowed to believe in whatever we want and dpeak upon it. I htink that many wars are over nothing that we need to fight over it. I do not think we should be allowed to come into to other countries and hurt them though you should keep it to a certain level and keep your religon where you are from or if you are in united states here then believe in it but do not harm others and all. I believe that we could have avoided alot of things tht have happened in history bad if we would let peoople live their religon and all.

Well in my view, it's because a very large majority of religious people (not all of course, but very many), aren't happy to live and let live, but seem to have some kind of "zeal" to convert people. Therefore, if people are already happy with their religion (or lack of it), and have no wish to "convert", then problems will arise. You only have to look back in history, to see that almost all Wars and atrocities have been caused in the name of religion.......... from the Christians against the Muslims in The Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, and the anti-Jewish pogroms in Russia, right through to the Protestants against the Catholics (IRA) in Ireland, and all the Islamic fundamentalists now. In my view, the world would be a far happier and more peaceful place without any of it!

I dont agree that most wars were fought for religion... if u actually count the number of wars in recorded history, you would find that the wars that are *supposedly* fought over religion are fewer than those fought for power and wealth. Even most of those wars that are regarded as *religious* war were fought for other reasons, with religion used only as an excuse... Most ppl say that the crusades (which is the most popular among religious war) were fought only for wealth, though it was fought under the pretext of religion.

Its is normal to fought specially about ideas of men. Men were great with knowledge and wisdom. We differ in beliefs and ideas too. That is why most of the fights are often over religions because we have beliefs. And our beliefs are related to ideas we often think and reason about. God bless!