Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 5/25/2006

Question
Hi,    It has been said to me that religion has caused more wars than anything else.  Ofcourse many people in North America think of Christian Religions when they say this.  Bosnia is a great example, the Jhaid that is being called for against  Christian  America is a current one.  How do I as a born again Christian answer this?

Answer
Ernie,
Thank you for your question. It is a very timely and relevant one.

I do not know if, throughout the history of all mankind, "religion has caused more wars than anything else." Though it would seem to me to be the case. The first recorded murder was over religious worship (Cain slew Able because he was jealous that God accepted Able's sacrifice and not his). By saying this, let me give you what I would define "religion" in this contexts to be. When people speak of religion as causing wars, they are speaking of "man-made religions" not what the Bible speaks of, which is...

James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

Ernie, the Bible says that "pure religion" does two things.
1. Seeks to help those who are weaker, and in need. To build up others, not tear them down.
2. Keeps one "unspotted from the world" Or if you will sanctified, and separated from the worldly system's (selfishness, greed, anger, hatred, idolatry...)

Man-made religion is that which seeks to obtain a higher level of spirituality through their own means, rather than follow what the Bible teaches. For example the Bibles say’s Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father...
John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way , the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Man-made religion would say that any way that you feel is right to reach God (or your own godhood) is a valid and acceptable practice. And in some cases, those that would disagree in their man-made religions, will end up in conflict, and that conflict sometimes leads to physical violence or if you will war.

Let me also make it clear that there are times when we are forced to defend ourselves, our family, and our nation through violence. The leaders of our nation are commissioned by God to protect us. And that means at times they must use force.

Romans 13:1 "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:  
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid ; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."  
 
So Ernie, the way I would answer this questions as a born again Christian is that the pure religion spoken of in Scripture would never cause war itself. Pure Christian religion seeks the way of peace. But there are times when evil in the world requires those who are responsible for the protection of the weak to take forceful action.

I hope that this helped. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Elder Greg