Religion plays a part, but in fairness has often just been used as an excuse to justify wars that were essentially about resources and wealth. Tamerlane is a classic example. The Mongol hordes which preceded him didn’t even bother with the religious smoke screen.
Yup. Without religion people will find plenty other things to fight over; land, trade routes, commodities, resources, political/secular belief systems/spilt pints. Religion can a handy way of getting them to do it, but it can also be a way of getting them to not do it.
There might be peace in the middle east when the oil runs out, not when the religion runs out.
I don’t believe that,Johnny. The reason for this post in the first place was that I just watched a programme on grocery buying habits and the influence on our subconcious which got me to thinking…why not apply that thinking to peace?
Yes @ewenmac, but all those things can, to some degree, be bought off.
On its face, if someone is fighting from a truly religious standpoint (and I really do have my doubts as to how many are doing that), it’s difficult to buy them off.
Johnny Concheroo says
Religion. There will never be peace as long as we have religion.
Johnny Concheroo says
And before anyone gets upset, not all religions are guilty of warlike behavior.
ernietothecentreoftheearth says
Religion plays a part, but in fairness has often just been used as an excuse to justify wars that were essentially about resources and wealth. Tamerlane is a classic example. The Mongol hordes which preceded him didn’t even bother with the religious smoke screen.
ewenmac says
Yup. Without religion people will find plenty other things to fight over; land, trade routes, commodities, resources, political/secular belief systems/spilt pints. Religion can a handy way of getting them to do it, but it can also be a way of getting them to not do it.
There might be peace in the middle east when the oil runs out, not when the religion runs out.
Twang says
There has been fighting over religion in the middle east since the 11th century. When was oil discovered?
ewenmac says
There’s been fighting over territory & power since forever. The religion that wins gets the territory/power etc.
bricameron says
I don’t believe that,Johnny. The reason for this post in the first place was that I just watched a programme on grocery buying habits and the influence on our subconcious which got me to thinking…why not apply that thinking to peace?
mikethep says
Because it would then become a commodity, with all that that implies. Brought to you by AXA Insurance.
bricameron says
War is good for business for so long but peace is the ultimate business model. Not my point at all.
Jed Clampett says
War is a human institution. As long as there are people in organised political units the risk will always be there. It’s who we are.
Bingo Little says
Up arrow (right in your eye).
Sitheref2409 says
Yes @ewenmac, but all those things can, to some degree, be bought off.
On its face, if someone is fighting from a truly religious standpoint (and I really do have my doubts as to how many are doing that), it’s difficult to buy them off.