Religion

Cirque du So-What

(29,687 posts)

48. Follow the money

Fri Apr 13, 2012, 08:45 AM

Apr 2012

That's my best guess for how to determine why wars were started. For example, the era of conquistadors in the so-called 'new world.' Priests blessed the men, ships & weaponry before sending them off to convert the 'heathens,' but once there, was it their souls they sought? No, it was their gold. Sure, the conquistadors brought along missionaries, but that was not the ultimate goal; taking all their shit was topmost on their list. The religion was a nice touch, though, as it kept the native peoples distracted with thoughts of a reward in heaven - all while their earthly possessions were being confiscated to enrich the king of Spain's coffers.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

61 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Is religion responsible for our wars? [View all] Thats my opinion Apr 2012 OP

I say no Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #1

Are we talking about religious beliefs or institutional religion? edhopper Apr 2012 #10

I can do without the 'absurd' shit Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #11

You read it as a stronger word than I intended. edhopper Apr 2012 #13

I'm not disagreeing that religion is used as a reason Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #18

Bush: God Told Me to Invade Iraq trotsky Apr 2012 #2

This. (nt) eqfan592 Apr 2012 #3

Many Americans have said God is on our side always when we go to war.. libinnyandia Apr 2012 #4

It's still not a 'root cause' Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #12

Economics doesn't always explain everything. libinnyandia Apr 2012 #27

It explains why nations go to war Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #39

There are sometimes other reasons. Economics isn't always enough by itself. libinnyandia Apr 2012 #56

Examples? Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #59

And to many Republicans economics is religion. Capitalism was given to us by God. libinnyandia Apr 2012 #57

In high school TlalocW Apr 2012 #5

i agree that religion is rarely the CAUSE for the war, but it doesn't get off the hook so easily unblock Apr 2012 #6

maybe ... Capitalism??? zbdent Apr 2012 #7

WW II was not instigated because of elleng Apr 2012 #8

Hitler hated Jews - no question Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #14

And centuries of the Churches telling their congregations that the Jews killed Jesus edhopper Apr 2012 #16

Again, religion is used as an excuse Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #21

You haven't read his interviews Goblinmonger Apr 2012 #17

No, must have missed those Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #19

I wouldn't put him in the Judeo-Christian tradition Goblinmonger Apr 2012 #20

Yep Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #22

I get what you are saying about economics, I really do. Goblinmonger Apr 2012 #23

Oh, I agree that religion is often used as a tool for war Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #24

That agreement was easy Goblinmonger Apr 2012 #25

Consider this, though hyphenate Apr 2012 #36

I don't believe that using religion as an excuse for war Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #40

So then you expect everyone to be a mindreader. hyphenate Apr 2012 #44

Follow the money Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #48

defines his own sense of Christianity, AlbertCat Apr 2012 #53

One important cause of WW II was the Treaty of Versailles ... Jim__ Apr 2012 #29

The European Theatre at least hyphenate Apr 2012 #35

Take a closer look, however, Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #41

I think you may be wrong intaglio Apr 2012 #9

Not disagreeing with the examples you cite Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #15

But then again, as an atheist edhopper Apr 2012 #26

Did you not see my 3rd paragraph? intaglio Apr 2012 #31

Ah, the partition... Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #42

No need for other examples intaglio Apr 2012 #47

I don't see a whole lot to disagree about, really Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #49

Balfour's declaration is fascinating intaglio Apr 2012 #52

That's my take on it as well Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #55

According to Mel Gibson, the answer is yes. n/t laconicsax Apr 2012 #28

Let me see if I can properly sum up what was so well stated in my history book Senior year... darkstar3 Apr 2012 #30

+1 I was gping to post but there's no point now. nt rrneck Apr 2012 #33

I say yes. hyphenate Apr 2012 #32

In this group? Yeah, pretty much. n/t Adsos Letter Apr 2012 #34

Thread winner! cbayer Apr 2012 #37

. Adsos Letter Apr 2012 #38

I'd red that for a DUzy that if I hadn't used my nomination for the week. ellisonz Apr 2012 #45

"None of these wars were instigated for any religious reason." onager Apr 2012 #43

As someone who has studied that exact topic intensely... ellisonz Apr 2012 #46

Worse. rug Apr 2012 #50

"Godless Commies?" "Everything I need to know about Islam... KansDem Apr 2012 #51

Religions may not be the root cause of wars... AlbertCat Apr 2012 #54

Well, Iraq/Afghanistan were sold to us to protect us from terrorism The Straight Story Apr 2012 #58

No - any more than nationality or ethnicity is always directly responsible for wars LeftishBrit Apr 2012 #60

The Dalai Lama disagrees with you skepticscott Apr 2012 #61