SvennoJ said:
Tober said:
I would argue that Religion is not the cause, it's a vehicle. The cause is the quest for power, influence, independence in good and bad ways. Religion is just used to rile up the masses. At least that's what it was during the European wars in the 16/17th century and we see the same today still in the middle east. |
True, religion is abused to control the masses. Just like the media nowadays. However religious zealots often have a symbiotic relationship with those in power, even support/appoint those in power. Khamenei being one of them.
I respect the community aspect that religion offers, but at some point you got to ask, is it all worth the destruction and oppression religion has caused and continues to cause. Would people be better off without the crutch of a supreme leader.
Religion is indeed a vehicle, however it's a vehicle that's continuously on a course of oppression. But sure, countries where religion has lost it's grip on society still continue to find ways to oppress people. The Netherlands being one of them. (just mentioning that country since I grew up there and know a bit more of what's going on there)
Btw, the European wars are still ongoing, Ukraine and Eastern Russia are part of Europe after all. And not too long ago Yugoslavia had a war involving religious factions: The Yugoslav wars of the 1990s were fought along ethno-religious lines, with the main religions being Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism, and Islam.
I might have to revise my statement, Europe is the root of all evil. Crusades, Colonialism, Slavery, Apartheid, WW1, WW2, all came from Europe... |
I'm Dutch myself. Grew up near and live in the city mentioned in the 11th verse of the Wilhelmus. Plenty of wars have formed this city over the centuries, it even started out as a small fortress.
About Europe, I agree to a certain point. When it comes to Colonialism, Slavery and Apartheid, sadly other parts in the world knew a thing or two about that too. And still do to some extend.
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