RELIGION CAUSES WAR:

PROS AND CONS
There are many arguments and counter-arguments when discussing the topic of religion causing war. Many critics argue that throughout history, religion has been the single greatest source of human-caused wars, suffering, and misery. In the name of God (by whatever name), more suffering has been inflicted than by any other man-made cause. (Pro Side) Critics on the other side counter that modern secular ideological movements are actually responsible for much greater and more indiscriminate violence than any religion ever has been. (Con Side)

They further contend that the claim that religion causes war is not supported by the historical or contemporary evidence. They maintain that only 7 (10%) of all
Because slaves were to remain in their present state unless they could win their freedom (1 Cor 7:20–24), he sent the fugitive slave Onesimus back to his owner Philemon (Phlm 10–20).

The Bible, interpreted under these assumptions, seemed to clearly suggest that slavery was Biblically justified.

Modern historians differ somewhat on the relationship between religion and southern sectionalism, however. Christine Leigh Heyrman, in Southern Cross: The Beginnings of the Bible Belt (1997), utilizing journals of late 18th and early 19th century Baptist and Methodist ministers, concludes that religious leaders accommodated slavery in order to gain ground in the South. Even if looked at through the lens of sectionalism, it is beyond debate that religion heavily influenced the American Civil War. That places it squarely within the parameters of Wikipedia's definition of religious war.

SURVEY RESULTS
In addition to the examination of the religious wars above, this writer personally conducted a survey of ordinary Americans over the age of 30 to ascertain their position on the claim that religion causes war. The questions were a follows:

1. Without disclosing particulars, would you describe yourself as a "religious" person (as that term is understood to simply mean the practicing of particular rituals and traditions associated with a higher-power)?

2. If you are, or suppose you were, a religious person; would you feel justified in physically defending