Hence, asserting the role of religion in conflict merely illustrates two obvious things: first, that religion has suffused humankind throughout history, and second that human beings have done terrible things to each other throughout history. These realities reflect the Christian doctrine of original sin, something Christian theologians and as well as others have been aware of for several millennia.
The key issues are not whether religion has justified evil things, which it certainly has, but whether religions, or at least some religions, have been particularly disposed to violence and repression. And, in particular, how historic religions compare with those comparative newcomers in world history, secular ideologies and regimes.
Read Full Article »