I was recently confronted, once again, with the proposition that wars are caused by religion. While I certainly acknowledge that religious wars are a dominant part of humanity's long history of bloodshed, our history reveals a much deeper reason for war.
Before we created the concept of "religion," before we were able to read or write, before we even knew how to speak, we lived and died according to our physical prowess. Like any other animal, we were always in danger of extermination by our natural enemies, chiefly predators like lions (the females) and other large cats. It was in our best interest as a species to develop a sense of aggression, in order to best defend ourselves. Indeed, every aspect of our body is a reaction to the attacks from external forces. Our skin protects us from wind, sun, rain, etc. Our eyelids protect our precious eyes; our sweat protects us from dehydration; our thick skulls protect our most prized possession. Our ability to produce adrenaline was paramount to our survival as a species. Throughout our history, we have continually developed biological and technological armaments to defend and attack according to what we believed
benefited us the most.
Now, with the advent of religion, and a universal acceptance of some form of belief system, what benefits us most has been laid out quite clearly. For religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, the most important thing in the world, the thing that ensures survival beyond death (which had been impossible before religion), is defending and promoting one's own religion. But how best to do that? Some have answered that question by forcing others to believe. This has been the source of much bloodshed. Others have answered that question through example. Act in the way you must act in accordance with your beliefs, and others, if your actions are appealing, will follow you. Still others have simply promoted their religion in a worldy way, offering tangible incentives like food, drink, social events, etc.
For many, religion has become a tool by which to justify violence against others. The adherers of Christianity and Islam, in particular, have been known to justify violent actions by using the Bible or the Koran. As we speak, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan are costing the lives of thousands of people. George Bush's justification? "I'm driven with a
mission from God. God would tell me, 'George, go and fight those
terrorists in Afghanistan.' And I did, and then God would tell me,
'George go and end the tyranny in Iraq,' and I did." Some would argue that Christianity does not condone war. But most Christians in America supported the war. Those that did not support the war included a vast number of non-Christians. Again, Christians in America have used the Bible to justify intolerance, bigotry, sexism, and outright hatred. Recently in Texas, a law was passed banning same-sex couples from adopting foster children. Many Christians oppose the legalization of same-sex marriages.
Every faithful Muslim must take part in jihad, literally "a struggle" in the cause of God. Islamic terrorists have taken that to mean a political struggle against evil forces in the world, chiefly those that try to take over or occupy Muslim states. America is high on that list. The embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, the Madrid bombings, the USS Cole attack, the London subway attacks, and the September 11 attacks were all part of a large struggle by a sect of Muslims to rid the world of what it considers to be an evil force against Islam.
Of course, the battle between Christians and Muslims has much deeper roots in history. In the early 900's, Alexander was locked in an epic struggle against the Caliph of Abbasid, the great Islamic state to the east of Byzantium. At stake: the dominance of Christianity or Islam in the Western world. The Battle of Talas in 751 AD spread Islam even further in the Western world, as the Byzantine Empire was replaced by the Ottoman Empire, especially in the area around Istanbul. There is little need to go into the details surrounding the ongoing fight over Jerusalem. Judaism and both of its derivatives - Islam and Christianity - have laid claim to the Holy Land, engaging in thousands of years of ongoing war. Though some religious people throughout history have contested the morality of such a war, most have engaged in the war or supported a group in the war. The light of morality is thin and weak amidst the thick fog that clouds the judgement of people who believe blindly and fervently, in their religion.
Finally, though, religion is not the ultimate cause of these wars. The cause is the remnants of a biological predisposition to fight when one feels threatened. In the world of our past, it was reasonable and necessary to fight in order to maintain survival. Now that we have emerged as a species as the clear victors, it is no longer necessary to resort to violence to survive. Indeed, our survival now depends on us acting peacefully and compassionately towards one another. But our minds have still not made the connection. In time, our minds will make the transition from aggressiveness to passivity, as we continue to evolve. If we do not evolve rapidly enough, though, there is a chance that we will annihilate ourselves because of our outdated minds. The future survival of our species depends not on the subjugation or elimination of those around us, but on the acceptance of those around us and all of their differences.