Quote:
Originally Posted by Froix
Would 'most wars in the past' make the statement more accurate? 
To be honest it's a phrase I simply took for a fact from a past history lesson and how religion's been associated with wars more than just an attack on religion. As for my limited knowledge in history, I feel religion is used more as a tool than an excuse but I admit that still does not constitute cause. |
It probably wouldn't be more accurate. I mean think of Alexander the Great, he didn't fight for religion, just conquest. Same for Philip of Macedonia, Genghis Khan and William the Conqueror. Attila the Hun fought a war of conquest, but religion actually helped stop that war (Pope Leo I persuaded him to stop as he was heading for Rome using moral and religious arguments). Sure there have been many wars based on religion, but I suspect it isn't anywhere close to "most" wars.
I've heard the same phrase in school. If I'm feeling charitable, I suspect that the teachers don't know any better (and obviously, therefore, they aren't qualified to teach). If I'm not feeling charitable, I suspect they are using the phrase as a way to advance an anti-religious agenda.
It is just those phrases that people toss around as truth that can cause a lot of problems down the road.
-- Jeff