The Myth of Religious Wars

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[SoleaGalilei]

Years ago I saw a poster showing the Twin Towers still standing, with the caption "Imagine a world without religion." I still think about that because of the jaw-droppingly naive perspective it conveys, dismissing all the cultural, political, economic, and historical factors that contribute to world conflicts. We can never hope to stop the violence with such a simplistic outlook.

[postmodernguava]

When I took a class on the Crusades in college, the first thing the professor taught us was "These were not wars between Christians and Muslims. They were wars between different _alliances_ of Christians and Muslims."

[tavmminqat]

As a Shinto practitioner and a Social Studies teacher I'm glad that you are really breaking down these myths. Religion doesn't cause war, it tends to be human greed.

[Teuts]

Just wanted to congratulate you on the success of this channel, I remember finding you on YouTube back when you were still Br. Casey and your subscriber count has really ballooned since then!

[dennisdolan]

Also the myth that Buddhist do not did not have or participate in war/violence etc!
And they say that celebrating warrior monks who were standing armies!😎

[mufugai]

I'm an atheist, but i really dislike when people make this claim because it's just not true

[cster]

As someone who was just recently saved I didn’t realize how many misconceptions I held about Christ and the Gospel until I really dove into it myself.

The issue particularly with younger generations isn’t so much not knowing Christ- but knowing so much that isn’t so.

[myguitardidyermom]

Religion is usually a post-hoc justification for wars rather than the instigating motivation. Especially in the days when religion was fully entangled in temporal affairs in Europe, something nominally "In the Name of God" could never completely be divorced from matters of state and general politicking.

Even the religious wars of the Reformation are difficult to attribute solely or even primarily to religion, given the socio-political goings-on

[libertykim]

I agree. Most people who follow God want peace. It’s people that want to destroy that peace is what causes the wars.

[imperialhistory]

As a historian and a Christian i love it when myths like these get debunked.

[helensussman]

Thank you Father, I love learning and at 75 I am still learning. God bless you

[bernmahan]

I hear this one so often. The "Troubles" in Northern ireland are always blamed on Catholic vs Protestant conflict. The truth is far more complex. It was more about the traditionally second class Irish residents not having the same rights as the (mostly Scottish and coincidentally protestant) Loyalists who wnted NI to stay part of the UK. These protestants were deliberately settled there by the British government during the 17th century "Plantation of Ulster" to bolster support for the crown. The 20th century Popes all condemned the violent members of the IRA. People will always find a tribalist or nationalistic excuse to find an enemy in "the Other".

[markusvanhusen]

I really like the point you made that Kings told their army it was about religion when in fact it was ultimately about expanding and power. Great video!

[Itakepicturesofthesun]

As someone who loves history, the statement that "most wars are religious ones" is completely ridiculous. Even just the wars that the US was involved in.

Revolution - no
War of 1812 - no
Mexican American war - no
Civil war - no
Spanish American war - no
World war 1 - not even remotely
World war 2 - not really, though some could argue that the axis were.
Korean War - no
Vietnam war - no
Cold War - no
Gulf war - no
War on terrorism:
Operation enduring freedom - nope
Operation freedom's sentinel - no


Most wars are fought for land, money, or political differences. Religion has caused wars, but not that many.

[ethanmiller]

it's crazy to think about so called "intellectuals" claim that religion is the primary reason for war but it's literally our own differences

[heidinewell]

Fr. Casey, this is one of your best. Thank you.
You have a lot of very good videos but, I feel you did a wonderful job on this one specifically. TY.

[laurawheeler]

Thank you Fr Casey for another excellent video. God bless ✝️

[tanyawinters]

It’s also so many don’t understand the difference in “caused by religion” & “invoking religion.” Just because someone says it’s for religion doesn’t mean it is or even close to being about religion.

[eamonreidy]

Fanaticism about ideology or nation leads to war. Sometimes it religion, sometimes facism, sometimes irredentistism

[Youdontknowwhatliterallymeans]

a. People with different ideas about religion have lived side-by-side without issue the vast majority of the time throughout history.
b. Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin, Kim Jong Il, Mao, Fidel Castro, Ceaucescu, etc., were atheists.