Is Religion the Cause of Most Wars?

[Tomay]

5. Usually religion is not the cause of wars, but

it frequently is the justification for them. That is, they are "sold" to the public as religious wars in some way to stir up support and cannon fodder, when the true motivation in the minds of those in power is usually something very different. Control of resources and the wealth they generate are the true causes of most wars. An example would be the Thirty Years War, which had complicated dynastic and economic causes, but which was presented to the public of the warring nations as a religious war in order to justify the endless sacrifice of blood and treasure on all sides.