Does Religion Cause War?

Question 1

Crusades

Answer 1

Although all religions generally promote peace and harmony, there are examples of conflicts where religion has been the main reason for war – these are Holy Wars. Those fighting in a holy war believe that they are fighting for God. For example the Crusades happened because the Holy Land had been invaded by Muslims believers and the Pope saw it as necessary to reclaim the holy sites for Christianity.

Question 2

Palestinians

Answer 2

In other cases, religion has contributed to the hostilities, but may not be the actual cause of war. In Palestine Israelis are fighting Palestinians over land. Hatred is fuelled on both sides by the fact that most Palestinians are Muslim, and most Israelis are Jewish, but the conflict was really caused because of historical events.

Question 3

Northern Ireland

Answer 3

During the ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland there was conflict between Catholics and Protestants. The Catholics felt that they were victims of human rights abuses, and the Protestants were ‘defending’ themselves from attack by the Catholic IRA. This seemed like a war caused by religion, but it was really caused by political events in history.

Question 4

Most Christian would argue…

Answer 4

Most Christians would argue that killing is wrong – some argue for Just War, and others for Pacifism.