The Ongoing Massacre in the Name of Religion!

First off I will quote from a skeptical review article from 1990, the article focuses mainly on the death toll of religious circumstance and war.

[Webmaster's note: This article was first published in 1990. For that reason, neither the ongoing carnage in Iraq nor terrorist attacks in the past 15+ years are mentioned.]

Ronald Reagan often called religion the world's mightiest force for good, "the bedrock of moral order." George Bush said it gives people "the character they need to get through life." This view is held by millions. But the truism isn't true. The record of human experience shows that where religion is strong, it causes cruelty. Intense beliefs produce intense hostility. Only when faith loses its force can a society hope to become humane.

The history of religion is a horror story. If anyone doubts it, just review this chronicle of religion's gore during the last 1,000 years or so:

-- The First Crusade was launched in 1095 with the battle cry "Deus Vult" (God wills it), a mandate to destroy infidels in the Holy Land. Gathering crusaders in Germany first fell upon "the infidel among us," Jews in the Rhine valley, thousands of whom were dragged from their homes or hiding places and hacked to death or burned alive. Then the religious legions plundered their way 2,000 miles to Jerusalem, where they killed virtually every inhabitant, "purifying" the symbolic city. Cleric Raymond of Aguilers wrote: "In the temple of Solomon, one rode in blood up to the knees and even to the horses' bridles, by the just and marvelous judgment of God."

-- Throughout Europe, beginning in the 1100s, tales spread that Jews were abducting Christian children, sacrificing them, and using their blood in rituals. Hundreds of massacres stemmed from this "blood libel." Some of the supposed sacrifice victims -- Little Saint Hugh of Lincoln, the holy child of LaGuardia, Simon of Trent -- were beatified or commemorated with shrines that became sites of pilgrimages and miracles.

-- In 1209, Pope Innocent III launched an armed crusade against Albigenses Christians in southern France. When the besieged city of Beziers fell, soldiers reportedly asked their papal adviser how to distinguish the faithful from the infidel among the captives. He commanded: "Kill them all. God will know his own." Nearly 20,000 were slaughtered -- many first blinded, mutilated, dragged behind horses, or used for target practice.

These are only three examples from the article of the horrific deads done by religious men of power and/or faithful believers. Whatever your opinion, whatever your religion; the World must come to terms with being different, not having the same views, and having governments that massacre in the name of God!

There is absolutely no real problem with any religion, at the heart they're all mostly good ideas of peace and prosperity molded into beliefs of sectionalism by currupt men who crave power. The only way this can be stopped an our race can be saved is by promoting good will among all men, women, and children who have all been given the gift of life; the most precious in the universe and who are we to take it away.

Link to Original Article: Religion's Death Toll - By: James A. Haught





[edit on 15-11-2008 by Lokey13]

The following video seems appropriate for this topic...

Berean Beacon - Catholic Inquisition Torture Video

Ok,

Where's the ongoing? Radical Catholicism today?

Where's the story... we all know the crusades and inquisition were about power and control not religion.

What's the topic here?

Yes, the bible is full of stories of people killing whole cities just to get the land. And they were told that was what God wanted them to do. Sometimes, I wonder if Satan plays more of a role in these murders in the name of God then we think. Remember, he is the light bearer, the morning star....the father of all lies. Wouldn't he lie and tell us it is in the name of God and really it is for his glory, not God's............just a thought..........don't know. Makes you think though.

Peace,
Grandma

This is kinda like beating a dead horse, but ya religion may be the ultimate hypocrisy...

"Believe or die and go to hell..."

What a recruiting tag for the non-believers and rightfully so...organized religion is its own worst enemy ironically...

[edit on 11/15/2008 by psychedeliack]

God bless the Pope, for he has it in his authority to demand it.
God bless God, because he simply went off and defined it.

God bless the violent, they will have a Papal Banner,
The Pope drinks his wine over the idiot. Spanner!

This is a reply to InfoLurker:

The topic is current events as well my friend, you must not have read the 2nd sentence of the post which stated; [Webmaster's note: This article was first published in 1990. For that reason, neither the ongoing carnage in Iraq nor terrorist attacks in the past 15+ years are mentioned.]. I think the President George W. saying that he is an instrument of god, which I can get you video footage of him spitting out this bs; and I believe that would be considered religious abuse since he started the Iraq war. Lets also not forget the torture done by American troops to Iraqi citizens throughout this whole thing. Also another current event of Russia and Georgia; there were alot of talks about the Russians trying to commit genocide in certain areas of Georgia I'm sure this would be considered a religious crime do to religious and governemtnal differences between the two countries. Also lets not forget the nearly endles battle between chinese buddists and their government or the battle between priests that happened last week; those good enough examples?

[edit on 15-11-2008 by Lokey13]

Oh, I thought it was the usual Christian bashing... my bad

reply to post by psychedeliack


Well that may be the case at the heart of the problem; which lies, deceit, and power all seem to follow. The problem is that these men of power use religious beliefs as a vail to cover their true purpose, and therefor create a larger following through fear and worship.

reply to post by infolurker


No problem at all Lurk, I'm stating the problem with religion in a whole not necessarily targeting one specifically. All religious beliefs need to be looked over and the key terms from each that should stand out is prosperity for all and the ability to have faith without criticizing someone elses religion.

My other topic which hasn't been fully over looked also offers another view into this. I'll take a shameless plug: www.abovetopsecret.com...'

This talks about the reasons why this path is not the rightcous one.

Originally posted by Grandma
Yes, the bible is full of stories of people killing whole cities just to get the land. And they were told that was what God wanted them to do. Sometimes, I wonder if Satan plays more of a role in these murders in the name of God then we think. Remember, he is the light bearer, the morning star....the father of all lies. Wouldn't he lie and tell us it is in the name of God and really it is for his glory, not God's............just a thought..........don't know. Makes you think though.

Peace,
Grandma

They did not kill to get the land ..they killed to get through other lands to get to theirs ..the one they were promised by God (Who OWNS all of the land) .......what they had to go through was GIANTS who ate people .. ..fallen angels ...wicked evil beastly humans ....who refused to let them go through without a war ......Go back and read it ....if they came upon a people who were friendly ..they were invited to eat with them and were told sure go on by ..no problem ......
In fact they did not even want to fight the Giants ..they were scared .and refused to go ........and God told them do it anyway ..and that he would be with them and they would win the battle .......... ..and so it was .....
See why people need to actually read that bible ...so they know exactly what did happen and why it happened the way it did .....so many only know part of the story ..when you leave out parts of it then yes it looks like a cold blooded murder story ...like so many of you are thinking it was ...

Amalekites

Some interpret Gen. 14:7 (which refers to the "land of the Amalekites"), to mean that the Amalekites existed as early as the time of Abraham, in the region that would later become the Roman province of Arabia Petraea [3]. This view corroborates Nachmanides' claim of an origin for the Amalekites earlier than Esau's grandson. However the passage in question does not require this interpretation as it may be referring to the region by a name from a later era. However, the Arab historian Abu al-Hasan 'Alī al-Mas'ūdī, citing 'traditional' Arab history relates that the Amalekites did indeed exist at this early period having originated in the region of Mecca before the time of Abraham.

In the Pentateuch, the Amalekites are nomads who attacked the Hebrews at Rephidim in the desert of Sinai during their exodus from Egypt: "smiting the hindmost, all that were feeble behind," (1 Samuel 15:2). The Tanakh recognizes the Amalekites as indigenous tribesmen, "the first of the nations" (Numbers 24:20). In the southern lowlands too, perhaps the dry grazing lands that are now the Negev (Num. 12, 14), there were aboriginal Amalekites who were daunting adversaries of the Hebrews in the earliest times. "They dwelt in the land of the south...from Havilah until thou comest to Shur" (Num. 13:29; 1 Sam. 15:7). At times said to be allied with the Moabites (Judg. 3:13) and the Midianites (Judges 6:3). Each of their kings bore the hereditary name of Agag (Num. 24:7; 1 Sam. 15:8). They also attacked the Israelites at Hormah (Num. 14:45). Saul and his army destroyed most of the people, and earned Samuel's wrath for leaving some of the people and livestock alive (1 Sam. 15:8-9) against the Lord's command. Saul and the tribal leaders also hesitated to kill Agag, so Samuel himself executed the Amalekite king (1 Sam. 15:33).
MORE
en.wikipedia.org...

I certainly acknowledge that the OP is talking about religion being hijacked by men who cloaked their desire for secular power in the robes of the clergy. I appreciate the fact that the OP recognizes that religion itself isn't at fault.

I would, however, like to point out that there have been far more killings in the name of atheism than there has been in the name of religion.

For those that are curious, I would highly recommend 'The Black Book of Communism'.


Eric

Simplynoone, the Bible is not the question here, since the Bible is a compilation of stories that contain little or no facts; it is more of a book to learn from and promote better living in one's life. The point here is that men of power obscure the words of the Bible to get the people to do their bidding. Not saying the Bible doesn't have suspect entries but that simply is not the discussion here, the discussion is how men taint religious beliefs for their own profitable gain.

reply to post by EricD


Thank you Eric that was the point I was trying to convey, that religion is not the problem the problem is the men that turn the words to start words in God's name. I will read you "Black Book of Communism" and give you a better atheist aspect according to what I read, thanks again.

reply to post by Lokey13

Straight up with what you said above... this Bushista "War on Terror" is a new "Crusade" against Islam. The Muslims know this and have said so from the beginning. The reason I posted a link to Ye' Olde' Holy Roman Empire's hand in all the religious terrorism that has taken place in the name of "god" is because the real "force" behind this war is the Vatican. The last pope(Pope John Paul II) prophesied that Muslims were going to nuke Rome. Do you think these good ol' boys are going to sit by and let that happen?

Most conspiracy theorists always point their finger to the NEOCON/Zionist/Mossad/Israelis as the hand behind 911 and the war in the Mideast. Probably true... but they could not have done so without the approval and complicacy of Rome. Add in the US Evangelicals and you have a "holy war" against Islam.

The following verse is significant...

Luke 23:12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

In other words..... when necessary the Zionists and Ye' Olde' Holy Roman Empire will act as one.

Rome, Israeli, and US interests would clearly be threatened by a heavily armed as in WMD's Islamic front. They moved to stop that from happening. Can you blame them?

The bottom line with all of these "holy wars" is power and territorialism/nationalism/patriotism. As a "born again citizen of the Kingdom of God" I kinda' take offense when included in these "holy/religious wars". To any Muslim lurkers on the board... don't include this "Christian" as being a player in this new "crusade". My "Kingdom" is not of the earth...

Originally posted by KOGDOG
The last pope(Pope John Paul II) prophesied that Muslims were going to nuke Rome.

Can you provide any sources for that assertion?


Thanks,

Eric

Originally posted by KOGDOG
reply to post by Lokey13

 

Straight up with what you said above... this Bushista "War on Terror" is a new "Crusade" against Islam. The Muslims know this and have said so from the beginning. The reason I posted a link to Ye' Olde' Holy Roman Empire's hand in all the religious terrorism that has taken place in the name of "god" is because the real "force" behind this war is the Vatican. The last pope(Pope John Paul II) prophesied that Muslims were going to nuke Rome. Do you think these good ol' boys are going to sit by and let that happen?

Most conspiracy theorists always point their finger to the NEOCON/Zionist/Mossad/Israelis as the hand behind 911 and the war in the Mideast. Probably true... but they could not have done so without the approval and complicacy of Rome. Add in the US Evangelicals and you have a "holy war" against Islam.

The following verse is significant...

Luke 23:12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

In other words..... when necessary the Zionists and Ye' Olde' Holy Roman Empire will act as one.

Rome, Israeli, and US interests would clearly be threatened by a heavily armed as in WMD's Islamic front. They moved to stop that from happening. Can you blame them?

The bottom line with all of these "holy wars" is power and territorialism/nationalism/patriotism. As a "born again citizen of the Kingdom of God" I kinda' take offense when included in these "holy/religious wars". To any Muslim lurkers on the board... don't include this "Christian" as being a player in this new "crusade". My "Kingdom" is not of the earth...

This is correct. Bush called the war in Iraq a Crusade. That's all it is, another crusade for the vatican. They have had many. The inquisition has never stopped either. Just look into the many genocides that take place around the world. All of the dictators from hitler to Mussolini can be traced back to the vatican as well. They have 2 billion followers all over the world who carry out their deeds. We are taught that the roman empire fell and they are no longer a force in power. They control history as evidenced by their many "secret" libraries and they push that view on us. They do this in the name of God and because of it many people don't want anything to do with God. What's worse is they have convinced the world that they are Christian and gave us the bible etc. and this causes people to blame real Christians while they sit back and laugh. Someone sent me this site the other day with lots of good information about all of this. www.spirituallysmart.com... All roads lead to rome.