Religion and Violence
Dmitri June 3rd, 2007
Is religion synonymous with violence? You might think this is a silly question considering the present common ‘wisdom’ that all religions are inherently peaceful. Religionists among Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and the like have never failed to assert that their religions are based on non-violence and truth. When some uncomfortable facts relating to the present state of Islamic extremism or the past incidences of Christian Crusades and Inquisitions are raised, the issues are quickly brushed under the carpet or overturned by emotionally charged statements. Let us do a reality check of the violence caused by religious groups around the world since the advent of humanity.
“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” - [Luke 19.27, The Holy Bible]
Massacre and torture during the Spanish Inquisitions (1299 AD)
Christianity, as claimed by the clergy and pope ‘is a religion of love, tolerance and peace’. But reality and history says otherwise. The three Crusades and two Inquisitions took a toll on at least 10 million human lives all of which are conducted by the clergy and presided over by the the then Popes (leader of Catholic Christians). Coming down in history some of the worst massacres in history were in the name of Christian God, like the massacre of Native Americans before the American Revolution which killed at least 2000000 natives . The history of Christianity is painted in red, full of bloodbath which the Christian apologists of today keep under the carpets from which there is no escape.
“Fight and slay the Pagans whenever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war)” - [Sura Tauba. (IX:5), The Holy Quran]
Coming to Islam, it is not all about peace and brotherhood as it looks. Violence was rife during the period of Muhammad both against Jews, idol worshipers of Arabia and inside the fold of Islam itself. At least 100000 Jews, Christians and nature worshipers have perished under the numerous genocidal wars led by Muhammad and/or his followers before and after his death - in Turkey and most of Central Asia. Those who spoke out against these cruelties were charged with apostasy and beheaded. Today Islam, under the funding of petro-dollars have once come back to its true colours in Europe, America, Chechnya, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran, Afghanistan, Sudan and Nigeria to name only a few. In its 1400 years of history, except briefs periods of inaction, Islamists carried violence and bloodshed wherever they could, from Turkey to China.
There is growing violence in Hinduism too such as the pogroms against Christians and Muslims by Hindutva and other extremists in India which is just the start. If these religious zealots come to power the results would be as devastating as that of Islam or Christianity. Jews who never had the opportunity, are showing their violent streak in their genocidal aggression in Palestine and Lebanon. It is only the Buddhism, Jainism and other non-theist religions which are still free from violence. Indeed, the worst crimes committed ever in history are in the name of God.
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