Religion Mandating Life

dear Anne,If such believe system are founded on "survival of the fittest" we shouldn't allow it. It brings war.If such believe systems are based on "equality, mutual respect and love" we should allow it. It brings peace.best wishes,
peter

Dear Nos,You say:
Peace? You don't know your history. There have been more wars "inspired" by religion than any other cause.Wars are always inspired "to get control over power". Relegion is a good excuse. The european wars in the middle ages were fought by the established powers "bishops and kings" to control. Usually they were family relatives (brothers, nephews). It had nothing to do with religion. The relious wars in Northern Europe were fought to get rid of the catholic doctrines, that kept the people from the word (as Luther had discovered).The current so-called "war" on terrorism is really about religion as well. It was mainly the blashpemy of having infidels in the holy land that inspired them to try to drive you out.No, it is on economics (power). Relegion gets te blame.Think free.Peter

Dear Mark,The crusades were instigated by Venetian merchants who lost control over the Mediteranian Sea. They complained to the pope about it and wished a war against the seracenes (muslims). Before, the muslims always allowed christians to visit the holy land so actually there was not a problem. If I recall properly, the first crusade actually resulted in a the plundering of the (notably) christian Bysantium, in the Eastern Roman Empire. Thus, not really a crusade. It was all again on economic power. Maybe a historian could comment on it further, I am not a historian so don't pin me down on details.Best wishes,
peter[This message has been edited by peter borger, 09-27-2002][This message has been edited by peter borger, 09-28-2002]

Dear Nos,You say:
Excuse or not, it still got the people to fight. "For God and country!!" "God Bless America!" "One Nation Under God!", etc.I say:
What god? The god of money?Religion was mostly madeup to gain control and power and to exploit other's needs for an answer to this end. It has always been about power. Preaching love and forgiveness is just the bait on the hook. It helps so much when the suckers actually believe it. You can convinces some to even crash planes into buildings.I say:
Religion has been and still is abused by the men in power.
Maybe it got the illiterate to fight, the ones who are kept dumb. Not the people who read the word.Peter