Religion's a VERY handy (and generally acceptable) reason to murder other people. After all, "Onward Christian SOLDIERS" hasn't been a ''hit'' for many, many decades for no reason. Looking back in history...while religion might not have been the genuine reason for wars (land, money and women usually rank in there, too) it makes them look so PIOUS to wave their crosses, etc.

I think the given reasons for war is often religiously oriented. However, I think the real reason(s) for war(s) is more about economics and resources. Basically it is more often that one group has what another group wants. If you can convince the minions that god is on their side, they are just a lot more likely to fight.

It's the cause of Most wars. Not all.

My dad used to say that religion was the cause of all war. For a long time I accepted this without question, but then I decided that ideological fundamentalism could be just as bad as religious, and that power underlines both rather than faith or conviction underlines both.