1 word: Jerusalem
yes, all his explains the centuries of mistrust for the west, and to a large extent explains the rise of anti-christian feelings, epitomised nowadays by Al-Qaida. I think once you explain something, and understand it, it gets less scary, because fear of he unknown is surely the most common type of fear out there.Sadly it is a whole hell of a lot more complicated than that.
Things like the Muslim world being unhappy about going from the dominant economic and intelectual power in the 12th Centuary to also rans thanks to the rise of the West by the 19th. Add the fact that the Crusades were nothing more than a blatant land grab and excuse for atrocity by the Christians. Then there is the fact the west has propped up oppressive regimes for many a year to further it's own polictical ends. And last but by no means least, the creation of Israel and subsiquent forcing of the Palestinians from their homes.... You can see why the Muslim world may be a little pissed.
what about the 20 odd million people murdered by lenin and stalin in the 20's and 30's (mainly because they believed in a god)and all the wars before Christ? it's very easy to bash just religion, it's ideological differences that are the reason for wars etc. granted religions are ideologies infact I think it's highly debatable that "More people have been killed in the name of a god than by any other means" god is but a mere scape goat as someone pointed out before, the crusades where more a means to aquire land, sure you can say god is the reason they declared them, but it is not always as it seemsReligion is a method to control and manipulate the masses and a way to gather power and wealth for the few.
More people have been killed in the name of a god than by any other means.
I have no problem if someone needs to talk to God / Allah / Budda or whatever - but why is it necessary for someone to do it with other people whilst someone else takes attendance and requires you to pay for the privilege?
20 million is a lot of people, and definitely obhorent, but I would suggest this number pales in comparison with the number killed by the influence of religion.what about the 20 odd million people murdered by lenin and stalin in the 20's and 30's
I said a god - not a God. Zeus was a god. People killed in his name 2000 years ago. Ra was a god 4000 years ago.and all the wars before Christ?
The religion was the method by which the individuals who sought to gain more power and wealth motivated the masses to do their bidding. Ergo - "in his name"the crusades where more a means to aquire land, sure you can say god is the reason they declared them, but it is not always as it seems