Syrian conflict sparked a thought, would we the human race still fight and kill each other if no religion existed?
Sure, there is plenty to fight about besides religion.
In fact would submit that religion just amplifies the inherent tribalism and otherizing that's already there.
^^This!
War is always about politics and economics. Religion may be used to stir up hatred when politicians want to incite wars, but they don't do that unless there are political or economic advantages to doing so.
@Donotbelieve I am familiar with the bond of soldiers in combat, and the unity of purpose on the home front, but I don't know that it factors into policy decisions or is exploited after the fact.
@Donotbelieve AGREED!
Of course. We'd find other stupid things to fight about.
Specifically, not in the broader historic placement, this conflict is more about real estate and natural resource acquisition. For all of the misrepresentation inundating our news media coverage, broad parts of Syria are viewed by the fanatics who've taken over political power in Israel, as part of 'Greater Israel'. Altogether it includes also Lebanon, Jordan, part of Iraq and all of Sinai.
We announced that we were leaving just a week ago. 'Rebels' were in the process of negotiating surrender and suddenly another 'attack' happened not against the rebels, but against civilians.. Ask, who would benefit from our remaining, continuing a war to depose Syrian leadership and thereby create a power vacuum?
My best guess is the Turks and the Israelis; with ancillary benefit to Saudis by minimizing Iran's influence. We certainly have no stake, other than involvement with petroleum enterprises.
This is about religion alright; worship of the almighty dollar with 'religion' as a cover.
Yes we would, not all conflicts stem for religions.
Indeed. Religion is just another tool to oppress and manipulate. Most wars are about aquisition-power, oil, land- and religion and patriotism are used to play the poor and working classes to get them to fight said bullshit wars for the benefit of the weathy and corporations.
Religion is only one reason for war. There's greed, power, nationalism, racism, ideological struggles, economics, resources...
I wonder all the time if there would be less strife without religion. It surely makes people crazy, scared, and stupid.
If not religion then patriotism, racism...the root of war are still greed.
Religions like armies are tools. Power, dominance, control, and wealth serve greed. To serve greed you must conquer and destroy the opposition then claim the spoils. Thousands of years ago this was true just as today it is true. For all our advancements there will always be a percentage of humans who will destroy others in the service of greed.
Of all the creatures on this planet man is the cruelist and most destructive. What he doesn't shit on he will destroys. Even pacifists will destroy when put in the right circumstance.
Religion was important to developing cultures. It gave people a hope, a reason to carry on, a reason to live. It was a social tool; you met your future spouse in church; you socialized and made friends at church/synagogue/mosque gatherings.
But then Religion got carried away. Territorial. Elitist. The crusades was the beginning of forced spread of religion; missions to America to convert the "natives" was another well-meaning but mis-guided attempt to spread "the word" while killing those who didn't want to follow it.
Now, in the age of science and reason - that seems to have faded away. Religion - or let me call those who follow religion - the Religulous - have lost the value of their religion. They use it to proclaim the need for unplanned families - and thus fight planned families and the consequences of unplanned pregnancies.
The remnants of primitive religions; the Muslims and Buddhists mean well; but the Muslims, in particular, have adopted that angry "my way or the highway" approach that Christianity used to have....so ISIS and AlQaida evolved.
I miss the socializing that went on; but I don't miss the false hopes and "prayers" that are a lame excuse for sort of caring. If you care about a person or group's well being you act; you donate, you go help them; you don't "pray" for them. "thoughts and Prayers" is now a veiled insult, to me.
But I've found social groups; Irish American clubs, garden clubs, etc. can, and do, allow socializing without the pretext of worshipping imagined gods.