A Thought
In reply to those who argue that religion has caused more wars than any other thing, and hence that religion is a bad thing:
More people were killed by the “scientific atheism� of communism on an average day than the Spanish Inquisition killed in an average decade.
— Phil Baker
Comment by Angus • Thu 19 Aug 04, 6:45 pm #
Yup. Crazy homicidal zealots are bad news, regardless of whether they fly a theological flag or not.
Comment by S.A.M • Fri 20 Aug 04, 3:12 am #
I think that if you go beyond the surface of many of the so called ‘Religious Wars’ then you find that the motives arent about religion, but are about Greed and power.
Eg. Crusades - Were about ensuring that the Arabs didnt spread through Europe. therefore, on the surface it was Christianity versus Islam. but underneath it was about preserving and consolodating the power of the west.
Spanish Inquisition - More about Power again, finding out the Heretics. Mainly Muslims who were living in Spain as a remnant of the Crusades.
The Wars of Europe in the 16th and 17th Centuries. ostensibly about Protestantism and Catholocism clashing, but not really. Its about the individual Kingdoms and provinces or nations trying to consolidate or grab more power and land.
Most of the religious wars only use religion as an excuse to hide deeper motives! :P
Comment by Andrew W • Fri 20 Aug 04, 3:17 pm #
I was pleasantly surprised when we studied the Spanish inquesition in my medieval histroy course. They were not half as bad as (un)popular opinion makes them out to be.
Comment by Nato • Sat 21 Aug 04, 1:21 am #
Yeah! Good point!
(One reason I ardently agree is that I wrote a post on this a couple of months ago :D)
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