Is religion responsible for our wars?

[Cirque du So-What]

49. I don't see a whole lot to disagree about, really

Yes, I know Kashmir was partitioned along religious lines, but I consider that secondary to the respective leaders' desire to make territorial gains.

As for the Balfour Declaration, I find the timeframe in which it was drafted to be especially pertinent. Zionism had been discussed prior to this, but in previous centuries, European kings and czars weren't too concerned. After all, they knew Jews in their respective realms could never gain any measure of real power. It was relatively easy to manipulate the people to start a pogrom, kill or run off everyone in the Jewish ghettoes, and take their property. I find it hard to believe that Lord Balfour's primary concern was the well-being of Jews in Europe; it was to get the US and Russia on-board with fighting the Triple Alliance. Up to the time of entry of the US and Russia, the war was a virtual stalemate which could have dragged on indefinitely. I attribute drafting the Balfour Declaration to realpolitik and not altruism.

Nothing with which to disagree on Hutu & Tutsi warfare. I freely admit that religion was used as a tool to create hatred among the respective peoples, but I hardly agree that it was the primary reason for years of warfare culminating in genocide. Remember, the Tutsi had held power for centuries - power that had more to do with full bellies than satisfied souls. I attribute the conflict to a struggle for power over all else.