What's the first thing you think of when I say "religious warfare?" It's probably along the lines of Islam, Jihad, etc. The term religious warfare is breathed with a negative connotation. What we neglect is that most of the wars of the past century had nothing to do with religion. They were based on atheistic principles. Religious warfare is not what we've made it out to be.
Religious warfare does not stand for intolerance, zealousness, or fanaticism. It's not restricted to one or a few religions, it is part of all. In my opinion atheism is a relgion. Therefore, in my opinion, most, if not all, wars have been fought for relgious reasons. Religions war within themselves. Religions war with each other. War cannot be avoided. To all of you out there who believe in world peace, it's not happening for a long time.
Religious warfare is protecting one's religious beliefs. It's standing up for what you believe in. Sometimes force is needed to stop the spread of evil.
In this post-9/11, post-7/7 world, religious warfare is often quickly labeled as terrorism. Remember, terrorism is always defined by a point of view. Just because you think it's terrorism, doesn't mean that others do. People who commit acts labeled as "terrorist attacks" feel completely justified in what they're doing. It's not the act, it's the point of view that makes it terrorism.
Religious warfare is a part of every culture. It's a part of life that we're not going to get rid of for a long time. Just don't let yourself believe that religious warfare is restricted to one religion. And don't let yourself believe that religious warfare is terrorism. It's really about standing up for what you believe in and protecting what you feel you have the right to believe.
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very true terrorism is in the eye of the beholder
Um ... how were past wars fought for atheistic ideas? Atheism is denying the existance of the supernatural ... which war in the past was fought because some group of people refused to deny that there was a God?
Further more, how is terrorism in the "eye of the beholder"? Being a terrorist and believing that you are justified in your actions are not the same thing. One can believe just fine that they are a terrorist and that they are justified in their actions. What defines terrorism is how the person goes about their cause, not what their cause is.
who defines what terrorism is? you do. not everyone agrees on whether or not something is a terrorist attack. just because you think it's wrong doesn't mean that the person who committed the act does. they may feel that there's nothing wrong with it. as to your first question, everyone is quick to point out what's wrong with "religious wars" but no condemns atheistic leaders who lead their countries into war based on their beliefs. i can't really think of an example but it really is true. every war has beliefs behind it and most of the time these beliefs are atheistic in nature.