Does Christianity Cause War and Violence?

A common argument is that religion, and specifically, Christianity leads to more war and violence. Getting rid of Christianity would make the world a safer place. Does the data support this? A special thanks to sociologist Kenneth Vaughan for helping with this video.
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[@namelessbeethoven3264]

"Religion is the main cause for wars!" Politics, money, land: "You wanna tell this guy? Or should we?"

[@grayman7208]

he won't listen.

[@EpicMomentGuru]

I won't deny misguided belief systems, including Christianity. If guided by selfish intentions often lead to conflict and disention. But we also know humans in general have tribalistic tendencies. We fight and argue and even kill for the most petty reasons we can imagine. Now to me personally my belief in Jesus has led me to become a better person and his teachings have guided me to do better and serve others. And I'm sure the accomplishments of Christianity during these past centuries have aided humanity in the long run. Contrary to certain atheistic movements like communism. But as long as humans continue to harbor different opinions and strong feelings for their beliefs, either religious or secular their will always be conflict. What do you think?

[@kennethhicks2113]

Just told him also.

[@kennethhicks2113]

@@EpicMomentGuru Our species will find/use anything for an excuse. Wherein others do it for food or protection. We are a strange lot...

[@Autobotmatt428]

Also things like oil and economics, Nationalism

[@dugonman8360]

The worst part, you can explain this to an atheist, as logically and throught as humanly possible, completely obliterating this myth, and it'll go in one ear and out the other and they'll continue to talk about the evils of christianity. Theres a point where you have to say that, no, these people aren't being honest, they aren't intellectually curious and they just want to keep peddling their own foundational myths.

[@InspiringPhilosophy]

For many, yes.

[@christislord4608]

Dont throw your pearls to the swine. They will just trample over them.

[@Captain_Titus3867]

Earlier I had a bit of skirmish with an atheist. They tried to mention medieval atrocities and pin that as Christians being evil. Fortunately I’m into medieval history and most of what the average person knows of it is wrong and overblown. I recommend you watch another KZbinr called RealCrusaderHistory. He’s like IP but more focused on medieval history and debunking myths like witch trials and so on. Plus his content just about the stories of the medieval times are just fun to listen to while doing anything.

[@mothwizard4307]

It's to bad that these atheist don't realize the " moral superiority " they claim to have comes directly from Christian roots. It's not really worth wasting your time arguing with them.

[@brandondunn9007]

@@Captain_Titus3867 do you have any particular video recommendation refuting the claim that Christianity is dangerous because of the crusades? I need that one because that’s the objection I always get

[@matheuspinho4987]

People tend to forget that also Christianity saved lots of lives, most hospitals and schools were made by the Church. Charity in itself saves lives on a daily bases

[@nelliefayekohl8356]

??? Just ask the people's who's children were taken from them (native Americans) and "raised" by these churches how much good was done. How things are done actually matters more than that something is done! I find the "charitable" people of this world are full of their own accomplishments! Why do you think big pharma has the power they have?

[@jenex5608]

Christianity was responsible for the ending of slave trade as well

[@Tzimiskes3506]

@@nelliefayekohl8356 Yes a lot of good was done because the native American tribes were primitive with no scientific or philosophical knowledge about anything... Ask how much influence Christianity had on educating the poor who were refused education on the basis of their caste or feudal heirarchies...

[@rickojay7536]

@@jenex5608 it was a factor yes but it wasnt the only factor

[@rickojay7536]

There is no debate religion has done some really good stuff Help with mental health issues through prayer as a form of meditation Providing aid to orphans Unifying ethnicities And so on those are not predominantly religious but i cant take away from the fact that religion does do it and deserves all the credit The problem is the foundation at which religion operates is really unstable You can shift the blame all you want one thing is clear it is a really powerfull tool to make someone do practically anything without the need to be logical The jim jones case and the 911 are 2 really good examples

[@5BBassist4Christ]

I was reading comments on a Christian KZbinr's video about a flaw in Islam just last night. The things a couple of the Muslims were saying in the comment thread were nothing shy of graphic and derogatory on a level which Christians could never get away with. It was my first time experiencing what people like David Wood and Ridvan talk about in the comments they receive. You've got to pull some fancy strings to say Christianity is more violent than Islam.

[@philanunwa4006]

What Christian KZbinr was it?

[@ikengaspirit3063]

I mean, it's literally due to getting death threats from Muslims that David Wood's as confrontational against Muslims as he is so it doesn't surprise me.

[@deadvikingtrolls]

Yep. An authentic Muslim will be very honest about their violent intentions. The apologists are beginning to show their true colors even, and they were instructed to lie in order to spread their ideology because no nation who could fight them off would have it.

[@elguan737]

Because lieing or taqiyya is encouraged in the Quran; it is halal. Basically they are allowed to lie if they fear persecution. Which is why they kept parroting "religion of peace" when they are not in control and then "imposing the jizyah" when they come to power. Essensially, Islam is a wolf is sheep's clothing.

[@Rotisiv]

@@elguan737 bring me a single verse from the Quran that encourages Muslims to do “Taqiyya”.

[@stephendianda1543]

I've waited for such a long time for Michael to do a video on this topic.

[@generaljg4373]

The bible is full of stories about wars and the Christian history is proof that christianity is not a religion of love

[@stephendianda1543]

@@generaljg4373 The history books are full of accounts of wars and cruelty of humans towards each other. And also atheist history(e.g Pol Pot, Mao, Stalin) is proof that atheism is not a worldview of love. By your logic we should then conclude that history promotes war and atheism is full of hate and violence right?

[@chosenone8408]

AronRa is the embodiment of the definition of Matthew 7:6. There’s no rationalizing with this guy. Just look at the way he speaks about Christianity, not just what he says, but how he says it. This isn’t about a guy who “doesn’t understand.” This has everything to do with a guy who absolutely hates Christianity. He acts like a bratty teenager who’s just been grounded for staying out to late, but he’ll forever hold a grudge against his parents for catching him breaking curfew.

[@thelimatheou]

Aaron Ra and his ilk summed up: "God is not real and I hate Him!"

[@chosenone8408]

@Comment Warrior the Jesus Christ follower. ☦️ ✝️ I've heard Paulogia, I started typing up a response to one of his videos, and I realized it was turning into an essay because barely 10 seconds would go by without him saying something patently false. I just gave up and deleted my response. lol

[@chosenone8408]

@@thelimatheou This my man, is atheism in a nutshell. I've always said, imagine if I created a KZbin channel, strictly dedicated to how much I hate Gandolf the Grey. Imagine if I made video, after video, proselytizing my discontentment with Gandolf. I write books, I make documentaries, I host events, all dedicated to the hatred of Gandolf. How long until someone walks up and says, "Dude, Gandolf isn't real, why are you blowing a fuse?"

[@mothwizard4307]

Hes still mad he didn't get to sleep in Sunday mornings as a child, but had to get up and attend some heretical protestant church with his family. These guys are a dime a dozen.

[@MountainFisher]

Pray for him.

[@SpoopySquid]

Any philosophy, secular or no, can be used for evil. Christianity just happens to be the dominant religion of the Western nations, and therefore can't help but be associated with their actions. However, to say it is the sole cause (or even the dominant one) of evil actions is reductive to the point of absurdity.

[@AhmedMohamadi]

There were many disasters caused by Christianity and remember when Bush said about the Iraq war that it was a religious war Or a crusade

[@user-jo7px2yl6t]

Some philosophies are more prone to violence than others, this is a fact. For example Christian and Islamic texts are full of verses promoting violence to unbelievers, stop trying to hide the ugliness of your religion

[@blahblahblacksheep6347]

And even if there’s legitimacy to the claim, one would have to extrapolate all the constituents of violent behavior and prove a causality of the Christian doctrine-violence connection. That’s impossible to do. But even if there was a possible world where Christians were not violent at all, it in no way proves or can prove that Christianity would not have become a dominant religion of the world. But even if it didn’t, it wouldn’t change the capacity for people to have subjective experiences, visions of Jesus, etc that lead them to the conclusion Christianity may be worth investigating (which is one factor of many).

[@user-jo7px2yl6t]

@@blahblahblacksheep6347 That's easily provable in many verses in the bible that call for the death of sinners and unbelievers, the connection of Christian doctrine to violence is pretty self evident

[@thebelmont1995]

​@@blahblahblacksheep6347 As someone else already pointed to you its pretty self evident that the bibke supports violense on mutiple occasions and its very easily provable. There is absolutely a connection.

[@lamename2010]

When you include Nazis as purely christian, as that piechart does, you are ignoring the several muslim SS-Divisions that the Nazis had. There are even several videos out there of SS soldiers praying to Allah with muslims. Hitler did not care about religion, the only reason he grafted onto Christianity is because the Germans were Christian. If they were Muslims, then he would have argued for a "positive Islam".

[@snopespeerreview]

Hitler spoke very negatively about christianity in private

[@lamename2010]

@@snopespeerreview Eh, I once looked into the book "hitler's table talk" and where it came from, to discover that it was a fraud. Wouldn't be surprised if other "primary sources" had similar issues.

[@earlnovero8208]

Hitler hate christian but he have a allied roman Catholic I forgot his name.

[@lezoomer7324]

@@lamename2010It’s not a fraud. The Table Talk translations into other languages from German were questioned, but the authenticity of the original German version has not been successfully shown to have been forged in any way.

[@LukeLovesRose]

Watch Europa The Last Battle. Theres a lot more WW2 than you know

[@_sarah.]

I have not watched this yet, but I am sure it is gonna be OH SO helpful and inspiring!! Thank you Kenneth Vaughan and Inspiring Philosophy!!

[@Thomasfboyle]

“From Whence Came War” by Bishop Fulton Sheen is an incredible work. He notes that war is first formed within our hearts before they are manifested in fighting, we must accept God’s victory in our souls or we will cling to our ego and kill anybody who stands in the way.

[@WagesOfDestruction]

As a Jew, I think that medieval Christians would have had little trouble differentiating Jews and Muslims as religions. Having said that I have often thought that if one accepts that a person has a divine spark, a product of G-d, etc then it is hard to justify killing or mistreating them no matter how hard the doctrine is twisted.

[@Tairai_Daos]

We see this when Kong David did not kill Saul when he had the chance. How he would not slay the Lord's annotated.

[@music79075]

The Judeo-Christian framework of "Man" is first and foremost the image bearers of God. God doesn't approve of Icons because we are his icons. We bear his image. Us creating icons is effectively saying we, his creation, can create a better version of his image than he. When we attack one another, regardless of justifiability, it is a tragedy.

[@Chimmy244]

I am an atheist that agrees here. I don't think Christianity or any religion is inherently dangerous, yet it can be in certain contexts. This can pretty much be said of anything though as water can also be dangerous in certain contexts.

[@dassolosyndikat5113]

Islam is inherently dangerous.

[@bradleyhiles889]

I agree completely. Resources are major contributors to conflict, or the covetousness of resources (land, wealth, food, water, etc) I should say. Human nature is the root of all human conflict throughout history

[@user-bp6zy3zx2n]

I have to disagree with you on this one, Islam is very obviously an inherently dangerous religion. Just do more reading.

[@bingjayjemi2819]

People who don't know. Christianity was probably d first religion to fight for its freedom from state power... The British monarchs used Christianity, even killed religious leaders who didn't play along with their game... We fought for our freedom.. We were colonized by d govt... It wasn't until some christian states separated from religion that christianity got its freedom.. Its sad seeing how people want to believe that christianity is evil and violent. I tell people. Politics is d worlds most dangerous religion, so powerful that it can use something as good as christianity to cause chaos... During d colonial era, christian missionaries still cared enough to educate people and help fight for d freedom of slaves.. But nobody sees that.

[@wyrmwoodouroborosheartofth4751]

1:40 If Stalin and Hitler were "Christians", then words have no meaning. 🤦

[@Tzimiskes3506]

@Taufik Mukti but history shows another side which says he wasn't Christian lol. Nice try desperate child.

[@rickojay7536]

Hittla wast christian but he wasnt exactly atheist either

[@wyrmwoodouroborosheartofth4751]

@@rickojay7536 It's hard to say what his religious views were. Seems like a sort of occult neo-paganism, but he and his cronies (especially Himmler iirc) basically invented their own National Socialist religion, poaching concepts from other ideologies (like the Hindu swastika) and twisting them for their own purposes. But that's not really the point of this video anyway. The question is, "How much violence does Christianity cause?" Although it's especially hilarious that people would claim Christianity is somehow more violent than Islam, and then give the example of Hitler - who hated Christianity and admired Islam. 😒

[@rickojay7536]

@@wyrmwoodouroborosheartofth4751 religions as a whole are moving away from violence We are seeing more and more progressive theists than ever seen same way people dont hold religious doctrines to be absolute anymore The influence of religion is at an all time low with the rise of science My point here all religions have had a bloody past if what he ist talking about is modern christianity then i agree it is more peaceful than violent but that is working side by side with the fact that christianity doesn't have as much influence anymore I dont agree with the point they made about christianity being bloodier than islam The problem is he goes an extra step trying to flip the story and putting the blame on atheism I do agree wars in the distant past werent a direct result of religion but traditional factors the problem is they imforced traditional ideologies through religion and those ideologies persisted for as long as they did because of it

[@wyrmwoodouroborosheartofth4751]

@@rickojay7536 It's true, religious views have often been used to "rubber stamp" political/military/social goals. But as the video pointed out, that's not a "cause", it's an excuse for what they already wanted to do. Besides, in most ancient societies, the rulers were considered gods; the state WAS the church, so to speak. So anything the rulers wanted to do had "divine approval" automatically, because they were the ones granting it (e.g., I, the king, want to conquer our neighbors, and what do you know the gods want the same thing!) Atheistic and anti-theistic regimes have done exactly the same thing, using slightly different terms (e.g., I, the dictator, want to conquer our neighbors, and what do you know so does "the Revolution", "the people", "progress", "science", etc.!). And it's important to remember that all officially atheistic societies have been violent and oppressive (the Soviet Union, Communist China, North Korea, Cambodia, basically every communist country). In other words, theistic societies are sometimes violent and brutal; atheistic societies always are. It's also worth noting that both science and the separation of church and state arose exclusively within Christian civilization. No other culture developed these ideas, until they were introduced by the Christian West. I'm not sure how you would measure the "influence" of a religion; I don't think that's something you can quantify. But you can still see the influence of Christianity practically everywhere, if you look closely. Individualism, human rights, modern science, modern education, widespread literacy, modern ethics, modern democracy - every great innovation of the Western world has been led by Christians and people raised in a distinctly Christian culture. Modern Westerners really should think twice before demolishing the foundation of their entire civilization. 😬

[@bradleymarshall5489]

I'm hoping to write a book on atheism and authoritarianism. This research helps fill in a lot of the gaps I previously had and confirms some of the suspicions I was already having from my research. Thank you and keep up the amazing work!

[@bradleymarshall5489]

@Jordan Steele additionally what your describing is individuals acting. Socialism and communism demand that the STATE give things and primarily by taking them. Robert Nisbet wrote an excellent book on the phenomenon call the "Quest for community." As the community advocated for by Christianity where people rely on each other through voluntary action and cooperation, the state increases in power and brings in socialism. So ya you're very very wrong.

[@bradleymarshall5489]

@Jordan Steele Well that would ignore this little quote from Walter Williams “Prior to capitalism, the way people amassed great wealth was by looting, plundering and enslaving their fellow man. Capitalism made it possible to become wealthy by serving your fellow man.” ― Walter E. Williams Did Jesus not teach people to serve? Did Paul not work for his keep when going to cities to preach the gospel? Additionally the school of Salamanca in Spain already began laying the groundwork for capitalism prior to Adam Smith and they did so out of theology not economics. They also were building off of other Christian thinkers such as Aquinas. "The Christian contribution to this classic tradition-embodied in St. Thomas Aquinas and the late Spanish Scholastics as well as Protestants Hugo Grotius and John Locke-is twofold. Both Greece and Rome were slave-holding civilizations. Aristotle, characteristically, considered slavery a natural institution. In contrast, Western-Christian-civilization, not withstanding some exceptions, has been essentially a society of free men. Correspondingly, for Aquinas as for Locke, every person had a proprietary right over himself (self-ownership). Moreover, Aristotle, and classic civilization generally, were disdainful of labor, trade, and money-making. In contrast, in accordance with the Old Testament, the Church extolled the virtues of labor and work. Correspondingly, for Aquinas as for Locke, it was by work, use, and cultivation of previously unused land that property first came into existence." There's also the fact that economic planning has deeply atheistic/Darwinist origins. It's not hard coming to this conclusion reading Lester Frank Ward who was one of the grandfathers of American progressivism who advocated for more power to the state to alleviate the woes of natural selection. Keynes theories also seem to portray the world as a dog eat dog world and completely rules out innovation as a possibility for creating prosperity and allowing for resources to not have to be finite. www.discovery.org/a/3631/ The Austrian school of economics which is by far the most sophisticated is also highly compatible with Christianity. mises.org/wire/reformation-austrian-economics www.independent.org/publications/article.asp?id=1596

[@bradleymarshall5489]

@Jordan Steele that's an argument against the state not charities. You're telling me missionaries going to Africa to get people educated is preventing productivity? You're going to tell me that missionaries treating diseases in third world countries is preventing production? I am aware of what's wrong with price controls but considering the Levitical laws are no longer relevant and all the other sources I included links to I don't feel the need to address this further.

[@bradleymarshall5489]

@Jordan Steele this doesn't feel like it's about economics anymore.

[@bradleymarshall5489]

@Jordan Steele little hard to do all that without proper education and initial treatment of diseases to get them started. There's a higher correlation between infectious diseases and totalitarianism than IQ and getting good grades. You want people to embrace free markets? Start by curing diseases. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4CZh5l8ptuFoa8 All myself and Christians advocate for is helping people get started. The state wants people dependent to increase their powers. Christians have no interest in power and creating a parasitic relationship but instead to genuinely help people so they can become sufficient. Not sure how you can get from Paul talking about earning your keep that sloth is considered one of the deadly sins that somehow the dependence your saying Christianity advocates for is reflective of reality.

[@nunyabidness5375]

If you follow the teaching and example of Christ (what "Christianity" actually is, not a religion with Christ's name on it), someone could nail you to a piece of wood and you'd forgive them. Let alone not initiating violence against them.

[@nunyabidness5375]

@Jordan Steele Selling your own property and being charitable to the needy is not socialism or communism. The state had nothing to do with the ethic at work, best described as "communitarian". Think of the Shire in Tolkien; before Saruman ruins it, it's communitarian; very little government, private property, a profit motive but lots of neighborly generosity and communal spirit. After Saruman turns it into a "socialist utopia" with his Gatherers and Sharers (who do more gathering than sharing, much like the apparatchicks-cum-oligarchs of Russia) and thug enforcers, it's a nightmare of scarcity and oppression. The Christian ethos is: "Work with your hands the thing which is good, so that you may have something to give to him who is in need. If a man won't work neither shall he eat." - Paul At most it was like having a "family bank account", where if dad needs new tires or mom needs a vacuum cleaner, or Suzy needs braces or Timmy needs a new bike, it all comes out of the same checkbook. Of course it's more about theology than economics; if material existence is made moot by the gift of eternal life, then material luxuries are superfluous, especially in the face of the material necessities of others. As for Levitcus, that's more about preventing excessive price gouging. The modern version of which is, say, Apple charging $600 for an iPhone that cost $40 to make, because third world slaves in communist China 😁 work 12 hours a day for $1 an hour making them. Or hospitals charging $100 for a $2 IV bag or $25 for 25¢ worth of Tylenol because of their illicit relationship with insurance companies.

[@nunyabidness5375]

@Jordan Steele Because it is only for those UNABLE to work or else in dire need through unforseen disaster, not able bodied crap sacks who want a handout.

[@nunyabidness5375]

@Jordan Steele "Charging what the market will bear" is code for "fucking someone in the ass because you caught them over a barrel". There's such a thing as moral justice, and legal justice which should conform to it. That's what Adams meant when he warned that our system can only serve a "moral and religious people . "Unequal weights are detestable to YHVH, and dishonest scales are no good." Obviously scarcity drives up price; and steak costs more than hamburger. But that's not what's being discussed there.

[@emryswilliams9190]

I love how people are trying to give one line as an argument against your thorough study. They really didn't watch far into the video.

[@InspiringPhilosophy]

Yep

[@Thedisciplemike]

as an atheist, what can his claim possibly even be for the justification that fighting and murder and killing is wrong???

[@deadvikingtrolls]

That is where an atheist will usually say they don't need a skydaddy or fairytales, pick your favorite, to understand that killing is wrong. Then they'll leave out "because I am my own pitiful god and I would never do that unless it benefits me in some way" as they pretend to have the moral high ground. Hubris and pride say they don't need instruction and become fools.

[@elguan737]

It hurts his feelings.

[@LoavesofBread]

They put forward human flourishing. But that technically is just a vague idea of doing the better option. It is subjective at bottom to decide what is better. I'm always reminded of escaping the moon from Baron Munchausen: They are climbing down a long strand of hair and he gets more length by removing the top half and tying it to the bottom causing them to fall to Earth.

[@generaljg4373]

Christianity history is full of wars so it doesn't make sense when Christians say christianity is religion of love

[@elguan737]

@@generaljg4373 Christianity is a religion of peace. Christian are humans whom does their best to follow that teaching. Sometimes they fail, some times spectacularly, go back to the Christian doctrine to see what was taught in their scripture.

[@Derek_Baumgartner]

Thank you for this: keep up the great work!

[@jonathanfarrell2378]

Excellent presentation and detailed explanation. Your work is so helpful to me. I say this because so much of what is out there on the internet is very sensational and sweeping. You take the time to truly analyze and discern where the information is actually coming from. Thanks for posting!!!

[@commendatore2516]

An interesting source of truth on the matter is Philip and Axelrod’s three-volume Encyclopedia of Wars, which chronicles some 1,763 wars that have been waged over the course of human history. Of those wars, the authors categorize 123 as being religious in nature, which is an astonishingly low 6.98% of all wars. However, when one subtracts out those waged in the name of Islam (66), the percentage is cut by more than half to 3.23%.

[@Tzimiskes3506]

Yes well whatever facts you bring up, the average atheist will always pull out his internet card because he lacks critical thinking skills...

[@whatsinaname691]

In the video

[@generaljg4373]

Christianity is still the most religion that caused destruction according to statistics and christianity history is proof for that

[@commendatore2516]

@@whatsinaname691 what in the video?

[@user-dd1ud1tu2r]

@@generaljg4373 Did you even watch the video? 😂😂

[@openscholar9908]

Those who fight in the name of religion aren't necessarily religious.

[@pikapi6993]

if they are muslim, they are religious. Their scriputres justify it. Only dying in the jihad is a guarantee to enter heaven. All other muslims have to go to hell first and wait for judgment

[@Xaviallin1]

It’s very rarely someone actually act on violence in the name of religion because violence initiated is multi-faceted in reasonings, so it’s fallacious to say religion causes violence and harm without considering a numerous amount of factors

[@Xaviallin1]

@Nurse116 Which is part of the many reasons why I don’t stand for Islam.

[@christophermueller7466]

earned a sub with this my good man

[@InspiringPhilosophy]

Thank you

[@abanoubisaac7810]

Such a great thorough investigation. I was in a discussion with some so-called Christians (should say lefties Christians) who were trying to put the case that The Russian- Ukranian war was motivated by religious (Christian) motives. I tried to say the same as you have said about it's too hard to separate religious, political and cultural factors and put it simply under the label "religion". Your video was such a great resource proving the same point that the whole punch of "Anti-Christianity" movements are just trying to deceive others for thier hatred of Christianity building on complete lies.

[@pariahpariah7048]

I'll see if I can find the link but like a week after Russia invaded ukraine RT sent out a Kremlin statement disavowing religious motives for this conflict also Russian soldiers of different faiths & none have been documented regularly taking photos and loafing about in their free time.

[@Delgen1951]

But they will not have success until the Holy Spirit is take away from the world for, He restrains the Anit-Christ.

[@jeyakumarm1912]

Hundred percent yes 😢 this is the war between Orthodox☦️ and Catholics 😢blood and fire power💪⚡ in the name of religion

[@I9s7lam5is-S3tu1pid]

Exactly

[@richardokeefe7410]

Weird claim. Russians and Ukrainians are both Orthodox. There are members of the Russian Orthodox Church fighting for Ukraine against Russia.

[@ericlarochelle650]

Thank you. Been looking for this kind of content because I got into, of all things, a historical debate on Reddit. It was a history page, and the topic was that religion has done 100% everything to hold humanity back and that everything bad that has happened, did so because of religion. I rebutted this with hospitals, poor, orphanages, education, etc. had a guy try picking it apart and I ended up on the defense. Looking back, he totally steered the argument. I give myself a B or a C… so thanks for giving some info on the topic. Your other videos have been helpful as well.

[@TruePT]

I can’t stop watching your vids!!

[@jeromemausling6324]

Yet another top class video IP... Keep it up

[@smariscal24]

Christians: thousands orphanages Atheist: one. ...Yeah we belivers are the problem.

[@Tzimiskes3506]

Definitely. Also Christians: largest non-governmental provider of health care and research in the world Also atheists: not

[@rickojay7536]

Where did you pull those stats my good man im curious? 😂😂😂

[@Tzimiskes3506]

@@rickojay7536 If you leave your mom's basement for once, then you would see. So start there kid.

[@lozferris1719]

Jesus commanded us to love our enemies; how is that promoting violence? Only people who disobey Jesus' commands start wars and cause violence.

[@DLAbaoaqu]

This is par for the course with Aron Ra’s strain of atheism: expand or die.

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Excellent research and presentation, thank you!

[@MrNikkiNoo]

This is great. Puts substance to some ideas that were milling around my head. I always thought a good response was "You reel off the religious wars and I'll give you two bigger, secular wars for each."

[@inukithesavage828]

During the first crusade, we had Muslim allies and they had Christian ones. The reason it got divided along religious lines was because some lord decided to sack Muslim Damascus - one of our allies. So it's funny how everyone ignores all the millions of secular wars and laser in on this one from 1000 years ago.

[@pagedprawn3760]

Very informative and well made video. Learned similar lessons from Tim O'Neil's' articles on this topic. They essentially state that there are other motives that are more often the cause like land and power for example.

[@305thief8]

I love this type of video format its really great you should stick with it on certain videos lol I really like how this video started and there wasnt necessarily an intro not that I don't mind an intro but this is definitely the way to go I like how it started lol

[@logandepino8417]

Hey cab you post your sources in the description, I really love to see them, and bring them up in debates if this topic comes up.

[@InspiringPhilosophy]

I don’t have time, you can go through the video, see the sources I listed and then type them in google quite easily and read them yourself.

[@molotov7000]

People started judging before watching the video 😂. (And, Video has not yet published 😂)

[@TheOnlyStonemason]

Aron Ra is a troll, nothing more, nothing less.

[@Tzimiskes3506]

@Comment Warrior the Jesus Christ follower. ☦️ ✝️ Dillahunty is absolute Hog-wash

[@musemintsvloghaulreactions1460]

Thank you!

[@LANDRYPHYNO]

Great video IP

[@yequalsemexplusbee4322]

As an Atheist, religion does not cause wars. The only way for religion to cause wars is that the leaders who teach believers to commit atrocities in the name of whoever God they serve. If it is taught by the wrong person and the people of that religion follows them like some sort of a prophet or messenger. Then yes, according to what they have being taught will justify the act of war.

[@dougwatson5717]

Well done well said

[@NomenNescio99]

And it really doesn't matter how much science shows the same findings, how many books are written or how many excellent videos are produced. This really boring argument will still be used over and over again.

[@generaljg4373]

Theres bad groups in christianity crusaders kk-k followed the bible

[@NomenNescio99]

@@generaljg4373 You just proved my point. And you lied.

[@generaljg4373]

@Comment Warrior the Jesus Christ follower. ☦️ ✝️ actually Islamic army was reaction of crusaders occupying middleastern land and north Africa, crusaders came from Europe and muslims did a good job taking their land back that's the truth

[@dudarmedharet]

Great video! You should publish a book based on this series.

[@samuelblackmon493]

Great video but it would have been nice to hear a bit more about the crusades specifically since that is what is most often brought up.

[@mr.iankp.5734]

Aaron Ra being shamelessly dishonest? Imagine my shock!

[@NomenNescio99]

Could you please provide links or other references to the articles you quoted? I don't doubt that you have done a proper job, but I would like to use these articles myself.

[@DoctaOsiris]

I, however, do doubt it, he's never been the most honest person when it comes to studies, his christianity gets in the way, I honestly thought he'd have become a bit more intellectually honest but after this video I'm no longer holding my breath, all the atrocities caused by christianity over the last 2 millenia is completely ignored, I can't support this idiot any longer, I'm done with him... 🤦💥

[@grayman7208]

he showed the articles ... simply read the titles and google it.

[@Pseudo-Jonathan]

@@DoctaOsiris It’s okay. Atheism has been WAY worse. Atheists have killed more people in the last century alone than all the others killed in wars in that last 19 centuries.

[@ikengaspirit3063]

He shows the articles in the videos spelt out. just write it out and google it.

[@juancena8329]

@@DoctaOsiris I believe there’s a whole section of the video where he explains that violence attributed to Christianity is often wrongly attributed and is also motivated by other factors such as politics, and also there being no component about religion that intrinsically makes people act more violent that isn’t present in other ideologies or just apart of human nature, it seems those parts flew over your head. Hence why he mentioned atheistic regimes that killed more lives than any Christian one. Where is this history of him being intellectually dishonest with studies that you speak of?

[@momfaustel1292]

these books are extremely expensive...but problably worth it...thank you for that video!

[@Rakeshgupta-iy7lm]

IP just a video suggestions can you make individually biographical vids on Early Church Father and Christian Philosophers, could be an whole series in itself I don't see any other youtubers doing it.

[@ikengaspirit3063]

1:40 Even with that explanation, that article reads like someone that has only a good detailed understanding of European history and the associated atrocities but only a cursory knowledge of Islamic killings and wars. So they're able to get a basically all of the former but only the few most famous ones of the later and from that conclude the later is worse. Its like all those videos and comments that'll say "Wow, Europe has more wars/battles/states than anywhere else" that just screams "I only have a good knowledge of European history". Also, even tho the article doesn't show correlation between religion and violence, if what it says is true and Christians have like 20% greater violence than muslims, unless Europeans are like a different more violent species or something, that would imply that their social structure and morals are highly violent and Christianity highly influenced both directly through most of European history. So an indirect correlation between Christianity and greater violence can still me made from the article if its correct. 17:00 Yes, the 30 year war wasn't entirely religious and more so towards the end but nah, it was started and for the most of its first half fueled by the religious controversy. 18:10 From a Marxist view, this isn't secularism creating more violence but the process of one group forcefully taking power upon resistance by another causing violence. The violence was in the change of power, not in secularism. 19:59 Yeah, arguments like this don't make any sense. Because anyone doing any like violent or any other publically divergent from the norm action in a society would try and justify that adhoc by the dominant narrative and belief structure of that society. For example, just about every war lord or civil war post UN formation has justified itself by democracy, UN law and similar stuff so by the logic of "He knew Christian thing, therefore he did violence cuz of Christianity", basically every post UN war has been because of UN laws like human rights and democracy.

[@petery6432]

The claim that Christianity is more violent than Islam made me laugh. Robert Spencer runs a website called Jihad Watch. Literally everytime I've looked at that website there is an article from the same day mentioning something that involves an attack or talks of violence as permissible.

[@bradleyjoseph6678]

Exactly 😩🤦🏿‍♂️

[@puertoricanprince7690]

They are both violent

[@thelimatheou]

@@puertoricanprince7690 All you demonstrate with a comment like this is your ignorance. When evaluating a belief system, look at what it teaches. Have there been violent people in history saying they are acting in the name of Christianity? Yes. Does Christianity teach violence as a means to an end? No. Now ask the same questions of Islam...

[@kongming7684]

The conversion of the majority of the non Western world to Christianity was far from a peaceful process. Just ask any victim of the Canadian Residential Schools.

[@puertoricanprince7690]

@Comment Warrior the Jesus Christ follower. ☦️ ✝️ Truth of the day

[@laganmandi1868]

@InspiringPhilosophy Hey Mike, could you please do or refer a video regarding Free Will vs Predestination?

[@christiang4497]

Excellent!

[@Thomasfboyle]

Faith and reason are strong with this one

[@Dcm193]

Those words contradict each other

[@Thomasfboyle]

@@Dcm193 Ever wrestled with a paradox? Any other logic besides solipsism requires faith

[@Dcm193]

@@Thomasfboyle look at the context .

[@justinmaidment4345]

@IP you are doing good work here. I enjoy all your videos and recommend them to every thinking person I know, religous or not.

[@sammygoodnight]

People fight for things they consider to be important. Religion is just one of those things. Christianity, however, is the only religion that overtly condemns this impulse and instead enjoins believers to be peacemakers.

[@jamama3]

Jesus taught: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39) “Continue to love your enemies.”-Matthew 5:44-47. If a religion claims to obey Jesus’ commands but then encourages its members to kill others in war is it obeying Jesus's teachings?

[@tina4621]

religion was invented to bring people together, the only problem is that we are talking about people. People go to war when they are not right according to other people

[@jihunshin4864]

Alright, let's look at and go through top 10 deadliest wars in history: 1. World War II (which, contrary to what many people believe, was started NOT by the Nazis but by the Japanese - it all began with the Sino-Japanese War in 1931, 4 years before the Italian Fascists invasion of Ethiopia and 8 fucking years before the Nazi invasion of Poland) - Nothing to do with religion; just Imperial Japan's ambitious attempt to dominate the world 2. The Mongol conquests and invasions (Global) - Nothing whatsoever to do with religion; Genghis Khan and his sons and grandsons were conquering khans, not religious leaders 3. The fall of the Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms War (China) - Ever read or heard of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the epic Chinese novel that was based on the actual historical period? Anyways, nothing to do with religion 4. The Manchu conquet of the Ming Dynasty (China) - Nothing whatsoever to do with religion 5. Taiping Rebellion - To be fair, one could say this was partially started by religion since the insane mofo who started it all claimed to be the literal brother of Jesus Himself, but it is a lot more accurate to say Hong Xiuquan merely used a portion of Christianity in the most grotesque way possible to justify what he believed to be the Han resistance against the Qing/Manchu rule, so religion itself was not the cause 6. World War 1 (Europe and Middle East) - Nothing to do with religion; just a feud between the European monarchies. Man, the "War to end all wars" is not even in the top 5. 7. An Lushan Rebellion (China) - Nothing to do with religion 8. The Dungan Revolt (China) - Nothing to do with religion; it all began with the revolt over a pricing dispute involving... BAMBOO POLES 9. The Russian Civil War (Russia) - Nothing to do with religion; or to be more precise, it was started by those attempting to REMOVE religion, which still doesn't mean it's the fault of religion or atheism. 10. The Chinese Civil War (China) - Nothing to do with religion 8 of all the 10 Deadliest Wars in history all happened in China and all the 7 of the 8 had nothing whatsoever to do with religion, and even the Taiping Rebellion, which many would say was caused by religion, was more like a Han resistance to the centuries of the Jurchen/Manchu rule over the Han, which would obviously mean the oppression by the ruling ethnic group was undoubtedly the cause. Hell, even the atheists favorite punching bag, the Crusades, were literally a JOKE compared to the Imjin War (Hideyoshi's invasion of Joseon-Korea) or the Sui Dynasty's invasion of the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo. That Christianity causes wars and violence is a completely and blatantly ignorant statement by a bunch of typical Western white atheist edge lords who think they know everything even though they know a jackshit about all the deadliest wars in human history I just mentioned above.

[@maadtee6281]

Nope many things occurred to start ww2 all those things you listed didn't start ww2 until hitler a known Christian decided to invade Europe also ww1 was started by Christians same with the holy wars in Europe and colonization. Nobody said other religion causes war

[@eduardorosales5042]

@@maadtee6281 No he was wasnt

[@maadtee6281]

@@eduardorosales5042 he was Christian

[@eduardorosales5042]

@@maadtee6281 National Socialism was a religion and it had an occult of Personality

[@Theolife]

Another masterpiece!

[@John_the_Paul]

I remember all those days in church where the pastor would dismiss us saying: “Go, and commit violent acts of violence in the name of the LORD.” Or all those songs we would sing about dismembering people who have done absolutely nothing just for the heck of it. It was things like that that lead me to abandon my faith and become a 4th-trimester abortion doctor.

[@ricardopenamcknight6407]

was Christianity like... the first to actively seek converts rather than getting new worshippers by having kids or conquering enemy regions and supplanting their gods?

[@crossbearer6453]

Yes

[@I9s7lam5is-S3tu1pid]

Obviously not.

[@ricardopenamcknight6407]

@@I9s7lam5is-S3tu1pid What's obvious about that not being the case? I don't think I would have asked nor would anyone have agreed if it were obvious.

[@crossbearer6453]

@@ricardopenamcknight6407 yes there are accounts of conquering to force people to convert but those that did that were usually governments and aristocrats that wanted to conquer land and gain more riches. There are also countless examples of missionaries peacefully converting people to the faith. Historically Christianity was not first spread by conquest, that’s another religion. The heart of Christianity is to propose not impose. God himself has given us a choice Free will to choose HIM or another Hope this helped

[@ricardopenamcknight6407]

@@crossbearer6453 I think you misread my comment there, guy. Much love to you brother but you seem to be under the impression I was suggesting Christianity was the first to convert by violence when actually I said the opposite, basically. I asked if Christianity was the first religion to make a concerted effort to convert through evangelization. I was saying that it seemed every other religion before it seemed either content not to spread except through descendents or by conquest. You seem to have it a bit backward my brother in Christ.

[@History_MadeMe_Catholic]

Aron Ra is modern day Sophist...

[@kernlove1986]

As usual, Aron Ra continues to show himself to be a joke.

[@thelimatheou]

Like most internet atheists, 90% of their argument consists of trash talk and assertions. The more eloquent they are, the more their gullible supporters lap it up. Christopher Hitchens was the master of this - a great orator with little substance. Discount Christopher Hitchins (Aaron Ra) still manages to excite the fanboys with his poorly researched presentations and rebel hairstyle. If only those who claim to be thinkers and merely interested in the facts had the ability to look beyond the superficial statements of these charlatans...

[@onlyechadtherebellious2467]

Yeah you wouldn't say that if you were advocating for a Christian but yeah Aaron Ra really needs prayers

[@bakkudeku]

The good of Christianity came from following Jesus' message of love, mercy, humility, compassion etc.; whereas the harm was caused by fanaticism in spite of the New Testament, rather than because of it. It just so happens that humans need some moral justification to convince themselves what they're doing is "moral and just", instead of plain evil and horrendous atrocities to mostly innocent people they never met and who hadn't personally (or at all ever) caused harm to them (or anyone else). It's human flaw at its worst, rather than divine flaw. We as humans distort and deturpate, that's what we excel at doing since time immemorial. We only still exist because God loves us far too much and way more than we actually deserve, and so few of us are even grateful for it.

[@markkozlowski3674]

This video reminded me of the most stirring passage of John Stuart Mill's "On Liberty". Mill writes: "But, indeed, the dictum that truth always triumphs over persecution, is one of those pleasant falsehoods which men repeat after one another till they pass into commonplaces, but which all experience refutes. History teems with instances of truth put down by persecution. . . . To speak only of religious opinions: the Reformation broke out at least twenty times before Luther, and was put down. Arnold of Brescia was put down. Fra Dolcino was put down. Savonarola was put down. The Albigeois were put down. The Vaudois were put down. The Lollards were put down. The Hussites were put down. . . . Persecution has always succeeded, save where the heretics were too strong a party to be effectually persecuted. . . . It is a piece of idle sentimentality that truth, merely as truth, has any inherent power denied to error, of prevailing against the dungeon and the stake."

[@baberoot1998]

I would argue...most atheists actually do believe in a Creator/Designer...they are simply filled with hate for Him. A deep rooted hate, that unfortunately is usually traced back to someone who claimed to be Christian, or claimed to believe in God, and did them wrong in some way. The sad truth is...many who claim to be Christian, are evil, and many atheists see their hypocrisy. I argue...never blame God, for some cult leader, or Christian claiming evil doer. I was brought up in a cult...and many who found their way out of the cult...blame God, and now claim atheism. I could never blame God for some cult leader who mislead human beings.

[@rickojay7536]

Exactly what the problem is You claim to know what you dont know youve never been an atheist how about you ask an actual athiest what their stance is before proclaiming yourself knowledgeable? People are athiests for many deferent reasons Me personally its because of the inconsistences in the bible that sparked the questions not a negative interaction with christianity Others its because of how the bible doesnt square up with science The ones you're refering to even i can convince them to become theistic Do yourself a favor and ask first

[@zoranocokoljic8927]

As an atheist I would say that religion is often used as an excuse for commiting violence by people who want to commit violence. But same is the case with other non religiously based tottalitarian ideologies. However, religions are a great instrument for dividing the world into 'us' and 'them', which though it is useful for controling people, is prerequisite for conflict. (Again, the same is true for abovementioned ideologies)

[@nurzahidah2277]

as a theist , from a neutral point of view i think it’s fair to say religions can and do be violent, and there were wars that were motivated by religious motives (though may lie in other factors more than religious views) , whether religious or irreligious or not i think it’s just human nature, it’s just humans love to fight , and “ violence “ is very broad because by its definitions it can also include things like self-harm and against non-human objects ,

[@imperatorxz]

Religion can cause divide, but no religion just causes more divides.

[@pikapi6993]

In Islam it isn't in excuse. Their scriptures make the claim that people who fight and die in the jihad have a higher rank in the eyes of Allah and will go to heaven for sure, while other muslims have to wait in hell until they are judged.

[@tomyao7884]

In christianity it isn't much of an excuse either. The bible depicts several holy wars approved by god, and the pope said that even sinners who fought and died in the crusades would be given another chance at heaven. Let's not try to paint islam as being the problem, a lot of religion can be used to motivate war. People have even fought wars over being in different sects of christianity or islam or whatever@@pikapi6993

[@craigcrawford6595]

Will Durant in his 11 volume work, The Story of Civilization, stated that the bloodiest war to date (the time he wrote the volume and can't recall which volume at the moment and after WWII if I recall) was one that Islam waged, I think near Pakistan or India, that area. .

[@CaptainCrunchOwns]

Another fantastic video, IP. Your scholarship is greatly appreciated.

[@pagedprawn3760]

The results of this video make perfect sense based on the message of the new testament and the life and teachings of Jesus.

[@rickojay7536]

Sure sure... And the old testament?🤔🤔

[@pagedprawn3760]

@@rickojay7536 I guess it's n/a due to the new covenant established by Jesus?

[@rickojay7536]

@@pagedprawn3760 is God all knowing All powerful And all good? If yes was the bible writen by God?

[@pagedprawn3760]

@@rickojay7536 the bible was written by men, I don't believe in God

[@KolyaUrtz]

@@rickojay7536 0 christians believe that bible was written by god, You are arguing a strawman as always.

[@dansmith9724]

Those religious wars of the last century, ww1, ww2, Korea and Vietnam, terrible religious wars🤔

[@mihaicraiu9779]

The world wars weren't religious

[@dansmith9724]

@@mihaicraiu9779 you picked up on my sarcasm. None of those wars were religious but probably caused more deaths than any other wars.

[@UncannyRicardo]

@@dansmith9724 Indeed. Ironically, The Reign of Terror was if anything partly against Catholicism, and we saw how tolerant secularism could be with their nonstop executions. The wars after the overrated Enlightenment were arguably some of the most brutal in European history up until that time...up to the Napoleonic Wars.

[@mihaicraiu9779]

@@dansmith9724 You needed to put more emojis 🙄🙄😜

[@dansmith9724]

@@mihaicraiu9779 🤪🤮🤣😉👍

[@cooldude-goku]

this is yet again an amazing video from you IP but a muslim youtuber said that Christianity is a violent expansionist religion and is commanded to be one because of Deuteronomy 20:10-18

[@mathewsteven]

IP can you make a video on the epicurean paradox?

[@wtk6069]

Politics is the exclusive cause of war, but religion is among the short list of things that wrongly get the blame.

[@grubblewubbles]

Is that a quote?

[@pikapi6993]

except Islam, but islam is the only religion that is political to the core. Their prophet was a warlord, political leader and religious leader at the same time.

[@bk2630]

Read the bible If you want to know If Christianity is violent or not and read it very carefully. Don't look at other human beings. it takes wisdom to understand it. I can tell you true Peace and love comes from Jesus. He always went a step further than everyone. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 5:43‭-‬44

[@keypoint1293]

there have been many violent and brutal priests and nuns, you don't need to look far from home or far in the past.

[@inregionecaecorum]

Not to mention Buddhism, many a war fought over that. Heck it is not religion that causes wars, it is people.

[@killianmiller6107]

I think something could be said about religion being a cause of war: it may make sense that in the process of making gods out of money, territory, power, politics, their ego, etc, and serving them apart from God, people will seek to dominate others who’s own idolatries contradict theirs, since their idols don’t have moral qualms about doing so. It may be more precise that idolatry starts wars.

[@coolbeans6148]

I wonder the psychology of the militant atheist types sometimes. Why make it their lives mission to discredit christianity? There are so many others things they could put their time and effort into that could benefit the world. People like this have probably have had some sort of traumatic experience happen early in life that related to the church, maybe...

[@snopespeerreview]

They are not militant atheists. Militant atheists are people who would support imprisoning christians with a small minority that would support killing christians

[@coolbeans6148]

@@snopespeerreview I disagree.

[@Sxvwn]

Hey IP, do you have anything coming up related to Evolution in the future

[@canivorousvalgaris3453]

Not in defense of Ra, what he stated in 0.01 is "Religion", the more broad term is ideology. Ideology can include politic, religion, cult. Which ideology has lesser tally of murders, doesn't make is more righteous.

[@VerrouSuo]

I think that an argument around these terms would be likely to devolve extremely rapidly: if the interlocutors do not first accept the Data: Does Christianity cause wars? No. Does it inspire terrorism? (mostly) No. Can it nonetheless cause harm? Yes. Now, we could a conversation and figure out how to _fix_ that instead of beating each other down.

[@pentelegomenon1175]

Does it cause harm? In a conspicuous way I mean, not in the vague sense where almost anything could qualify (ie. leaving your house causes harm, because many bad things have happened to people while they were outside).

[@johnsanity]

Say AMEN if any of the following apply to you: 1. Christianity is the foundation your social identity. 2. Christianity is the foundation of your chosen political party and other coalitional affiliations. 3. Christianity provides you with principles that are incontrovertibly true. 4. Christianity makes you feel morally certain. 5. Christianity makes you feel bound together with others of the faith by God's loyalty, authority, and purity. 6. Christianity guides you to live a life of obedience to God's authority. Now listen to what he says again: @8:44

[@whatsinaname691]

@@johnsanity Thankfully, he shows how if 1-8, then you’re likely still not violent

[@johnsanity]

@@whatsinaname691 Negative. He emphasizes that 1-6 can exist outside of christianity to make the argument that the most significant factors leading to group violence are not exclusive to Christianity. Yet, we would be hard pressed to find christians willing to deny that 1-6 are all a direct result of their religion. Why is that? And what can we do to make sure that these traits arent abused (again) to trick christians into justifying violence in the name of God?

[@generaljg4373]

Christianity does encourage declaring holly wars 2 chronicles 15-13 "all who do not seek the lord the God of Israel should be put to de4th" its not religion of love

[@Emper0rH0rde]

"Christians are not people who kill, Christians are people who *get* killed." - Father Thomas Hopko

[@salamyaya162]

Russians and Americans are Christians and killers at the same time.

[@CCP-Lies]

Tell that to native Americans under Spanish rule

[@CCP-Lies]

@Bones18 does that make them less Christian?

[@user-kz3kk4pm1v]

​@Bones18abrahamic religions are the same fairytale

[@KrwawyKocur]

1:49 At the same time there were many pious Christians among Nazis, some priests were collaborating like Josef Tiso who was executed for war crimes and crimes against humanity after the war, and the Reich had great diplomatic contacts with the Vatican City State. Christianity is not always a direct cause of war and violence but it is never an obstacle, while it often claims to be!

[@gregoryrice9998]

Please consider the writings of JA Wylie, Will and Ariel Durant, Avro Manhattan, Edmund Paris, JD Farag, David Runi, and more...

[@TheIconodule]

The New Atheist critique of religion from this perspective is foolish. But I feel as if the Christian reaction to it, as to imply a war cannot be fought under genuinely Christian/religious motives to also be foolish. There are things in the political realm which cannot be settled by debate. Sometimes disagreement is so profound the only solution between two competing groups, if they cannot tolerate each other's existence, is war. Christians have gone to such efforts in the past and we would be doing ourselves a disservice if we didn't take those motivations seriously. We would be neglecting an element of our own nature and history to ignore this and reconcile ourselves to it. Be it the Whites in Russia fighting the Reds or the Nationalists during the Spanish Civil war. Religion can be used as a means of influencing a person's desire to fight. This might not necessarily be a bad thing if a better result comes out of it, as what happened with the Spanish right winning the civil war vs the Anti-Christian Spanish left. Christianity is not bloodthirsty, but neither does it shun the shedding of blood if it views it as absolutely necessary.

[@donovan7177]

I understand and resppect your point of view. I do not however, believe that a war can be fought under genuinely Christian motives. By strict definition, a Christian is a follower of Christ. Christ never approved of physical war or killing in any way, for any reason - never. I think the following passage addresses what a follower of Christs position should be on any type of conflict (religious, ideaological, political etc.). Matthew 5:43-48: 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

[@TheIconodule]

@@donovan7177 I think the words of Christ in the verse you have given can only ever apply in a personal context, one where you as yourself are representing only yourself, must treat your enemy with love. The situation becomes quickly complicated when we start talking about governments or any sort of entity with the ability to enforce power. Christ doesn't disown the military man when he asks him what he ought to do. Christ didn't tell the soldier "you shall resign from your post, for what you are doing is evil" rather he said "be content with your wages and do not abuse others." The Apostles didn't oppose Roman rule, in fact Paul explicitly affirms the right of the governments to rule and even hand out the death penalty as punishment for wickedness. That was Pagan Rome and Jesus and Paul certainly didn't support said regimes. Now when a Christian comes into a position of power, like a Kingdom or a post as President and if he fails to act in the interests of those who have put him in power by defending his constituents, those God has put under him, he is neglectful of his duty. He would fail as a King if he loved his enemies and did not resist them to the point of refusing to kill them. We can think of some examples historically, say the Spanish Kingdoms. Spain, had the words of Christ been applied to the Kings, would be a Muslim state today. In fact, if all Christian Kings had employed said advice, the moment the Muslims appeared and demanded tribute, land and women, the King would have to surrender them to the Emir. The words of Christ, in that context, lead to the destruction of communities. Because a community that will not defend itself, will cease to exist if a strong man seeks to enforce his will on it. This is a roundabout way but if we as Christians are going to disown war completely as a means, then we have to be consistent to that principle. It means Christians can never fight in their own interests. It means Christians, if their lives are demanded of them they must sacrifice not only themselves but other Christians. This is not an argument for Christian Imperialism, only an argument against the idea that Christians must never ever under any circumstance fight on behalf of Christ. It seems to me, historically there have been many times that it was necessary the Church fight wars on behalf of Christ. That's part of the reason why we today are Christians.

[@donovan7177]

@@TheIconodule Thanks for that information and there are some points to ponder on. I still do not see any how a follower of Christ can justify any war for any reason with the example Jesus gave us. When Christians go to war - whether they do it individually or as a group - they are not following the example of Christ. He never ever authorised war for any reason - neither did any of the disciples or the Apostle Paul. You use the wars against the Muslims as an example but that is no justification either. Your argument of Jesus and the Apostles not speaking out against Rome etc. can definitely not be used as a justification for war. The disciples overcame Pagan kingdoms by doing what Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:18-20. Christianity grew rapidly and overcame the pagan Roman and Greek kingdoms without any war - only spiritual war was involved. It was when Christians started getting involved in wars that things went wrong for Christianity. The point is again (and sorry to be overdoing it a bit here) - there is no where in the New Testament where phsyical combat of any kind is justified.

[@TheIconodule]

@@reality1958 I agree Christianity can cause violence. I also agree Christians have done many bad things violently. I also think Christians have done many good things violently. I disagree with the notion that the bible has no problem with killing and bloodshed. Why would there be laws against murder? We are not allowed per the bible to kill anyone we feel like simply because we don't like them. The bible and Christianity are not inherently violent, that in principle you seem to think they offer or suggest the best way to win is to subjugate one's enemies through violent force. The first three centuries of Christianity should be enough evidence of that impulse within Christianity. Even the impulse of Monks and many Christians today to do away with violence completely in their lives is a Christian virtue. Christianity is not ignorant about how the world operates. The world operates on force and principles of coercion. Law if it is going to be enforced, must be enforced through the use of violence if said law is not going to be respected. The bible respects this element of human governance. It gives sanction to authorities to execute or punish people whom are guilty of certain crimes. The bible doesn't advocate an individualist anarchism. So I think your wrong on your assumptions. Reminds me of the New Atheist style of argumentation.

[@TheIconodule]

@@donovan7177 Being an Orthodox Christian I disagree that the Church went wrong and I'll admit my current opinions on the subject were not easily come to. Being raised in a secular age where we are taught to revile the notion of religious warfare It makes it incredibly hard to overcome this barrier that is set up. The interesting thing about Christianity winning over Rome is that in challenging the religious component of the Empire and yet not delegitimizing the concept of the Imperium itself, or Kingdoms or Republics or governance broadly, the Church quite naturally when it was able through Constantine to assume a power it had not known, was able to fit itself quite easily into that Roman system. If the idea of a Christian being able to use violent force on others was completely anathema to the early Christians then they could not have ever fit themselves into said system. Yet Paul and Jesus did not delegitimize government as an instrument, despite knowing the violence governments could and would use to secure order and their authority. Ultimately, if I were to follow your train of thought I would have to be an individualist anarchist and reject all forms of governance as beyond toleration. I also believe we have more examples in history than just the New Testament. The Church could survive in the Roman age largely because it was tolerated. A regime which is determined to root out and destroy or undermine Christianity could easily do as much. Islam was one such force. At one time Egypt was a Christian land, now it's native Christians are an insignificant minority. At one time Christianity was growing in Japan but when the Shogun decided to outlaw Christianity, it ceased to grow because to be an open Christian was to be a criminal. It would have been better for the Egyptian Christians had they repelled the Muslims or had the Crusaders won in their invasion of Egypt or Tunis. Certainly I believe it better for Europe that the Turks were beaten at Lepanto, than they surrender to the Turks whenever they decide to just take a Christian province. I don't believe war is necessary in all scenarios. Better to lose in the short term and potentially gain in the long term, but I cannot deny the long term results that certain wars have had for Christianity and I don't think it a bad thing said wars were fought in the name of Christ. If we were going to fight for anyone, should it not be for Christ, rather than the USA or Great Britain?

[@johnsanity]

Say AMEN if any of the following apply to you: 1. Christianity is the foundation your social identity. 2. Christianity is the foundation of your chosen political party and other coalitional affiliations. 3. Christianity provides you with principles that are incontrovertibly true. 4. Christianity makes you feel morally certain. 5. Christianity makes you feel bound together with others of the faith by God's loyalty, authority, and purity. 6. Christianity guides you to live a life of obedience to God's authority. Now listen to what he says again: @8:44

[@johnsanity]

@mysotiras 011 So how do you convince other christians to be on guard against this type of thinking? What can we all do to keep those who would proudly say AMEN to every point above from justifying violence in the name of God?

[@CCP-Lies]

Christianity is immoral

[@dodleymortune8422]

I'm sure that if I invented a religion or movement that said : " be slaves to everyone and always do what they want" and it grew large enough, some people would have somehow said that I teached make everyone do what you want and make them your slaves. Don't ask me how those geniuses would have done it, I just know they would have find a way.

[@overhaul1531]

0:05 they usually confuse christainity with catholicism many people who make this claim think that catholicism is christainity and that it's all christainity to blame for what the popes and catholics have done.

[@tubaszuba]

GREAT video, sir!

[@InspiringPhilosophy]

Thank you

[@kevingutierrez9273]

At 20:09, "Between the end of the Roman Empire and the late twelfth century", you mean "Fall of the WESTERN Roman Empire and the late twelfth century". I don't mean to start a debate, but the Byzantine Empire or should I say the EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE is the continuation of the Roman Empire in the medieval period, not the SUCCESSOR. My point is that many historians hate that these ROMANS were Greek-speaking & especially CHRISTIANS! There's christophobic reason why the Byzantine is continually used for the Medieval Romans. Also, Greek has always been the other language of the Romans (specifically the aristocracy) since the Republican Era. Also, if the Byzantines were not Romans, then why the heck did the inhabitants constantly call themselves, the empire & their Emperors as ROMAN?! In fact, it took till the 20th Century to stop calling themselves Romans, which is still a term for Greek Christians in Modern Turkey, Rum Millet. Don't get me started over the fact that being Roman meant speaking Latin or Greek & following customs, not racial! Also comparing to the Ottomans & Not-So-Holy-Nor-Roman Empire, their inhabitants & most of their emperors NEVER CALLED THEMSELVES ROMANS. I need a cup of tea...

[@jellyfish0311]

Well, getting the details right is important, I appreciate your input

[@michaelbrickley2443]

Absolutely none. How much violence does man cause because of the inherent evil he is capable of? That’s the problem of evil and blaming it on man. Take away God and you’re still left with man. That was the problem CS Lewis faced and it made him realize at least with God you’ve got some hope

[@christophersnedeker2065]

At the end of the day we cannot say what the world would be like without Christianity because we don't have an alternative Earth to look at.

[@luisaymerich9675]

You have the ancient Roman empire.

[@YUWEEWUW3944]

I think it can be very damaging if you look at it culturally and politically.

[@InspiringPhilosophy]

You are assuming it is Christianity that does that

[@YUWEEWUW3944]

@@InspiringPhilosophy Yeah, but it was used , like justifying and doing colonization for Spain. In the Philippines, they used it as a way of uniting multiple ethno-linguistic groups (which are like or kind of considered as individual states) into 1 state. Unite and conquer. Pretty damaging since it replaced existing cultures into one that is very different. There were other factors in it too so its not the only one and it could also have been replaced with other beliefs. What makes beliefs like Christianity special is the act of spreading their beliefs. Its invasive and its good at it. I just don't think we should disregard its role in those aspects which can be very damaging, I have yet to watch the video though so I'm sorry. I hope that makes sense. Thank you very much Edit: it was divide and conquer too and was never unite and conquer, I misujderstood the article I was reading I'm sorry

[@TravisKeyTO10]

@@YUWEEWUW3944 Which teaching, found in the NT scriptures, would justify any of the issues you mentioned? It's not about what people do in the name of Christianity but Christianity itself.

[@puertoricanprince7690]

@@TravisKeyTO10 So why don't y'all apply this logic to Islam? Whenever muslim extremists do something violent you guys call the whole religion violent. But don't keep the same energy for Xhristianity

[@Tzimiskes3506]

@@puertoricanprince7690 yeah that's because islam at its core teaches that you ignoramus! Learn about islam and their ideology, then speak...

[@stefanforde1315]

but i mean if we go by what the bible says, the new testament, what Jesus said to the disciples, if you go to a place and they don't accept the message, literally dust your feet off, as a sign of judgement against them. Jesus says to love your enemies. So to come to the claim Christianity, which literally means followers of Christ, a derogative word, gives us the right to take lives, then, its a out right lie, and fishing for something that wasn't there. The pope had no right over the words of Jesus.

[@caos1925]

15:00/15:35 sounds like we have gone full circle back to the ancient understanding of religion then. This is why we now have separation of Church and State. Hence why I'd be more of a Substantivist, and sorry not sorry, its ok if that excludes some of the Eastern philosophies or other ideologies and then does not classify them as religion. That said, I still agree with the main points of this video.

[@Tzimiskes3506]

This is also why the great John Locke denied freedom to atheists...

[@MatthewChenault]

17:19 Gustavus Adolphus do be dabbin’ on Europe, tho.

[@Jerry_M_Joseph]

Christianity is religion of Love. By practicing Christianity means practicing Love . It includes Love of God and Love of Human. Love of God consists of praise, worship, receiving sacraments, fasting etc. Love of Human include alms giving , charity , be with needy in their necessities etc. Nobody can love unseen God without loving the visible humans. A practicing christian cannot hate anyone or involve in violence. He can only love everyone and see Christ in everyone.

[@qwaurk985]

We're supposed to take someone who looks like a B movie villain seriously?

[@pariahpariah7048]

😂

[@tonybest9098]

Glory to God I pray for all your souls I pray the Lord comes to you in a way you cannot deny I pray these things in Jesus names amen

[@Gerhard2770]

Send this one to Yuval Noah Harrari, please.