Historically which is the most cruel religion

[Sikodolaukazzz]

Many threads here talk about various religions each trying to justify which religion is fair and which is cruel.
Strictly speaking all religions are good and peaceful but its the leaders who misinterpret it for their own benefit.

I just cannot understand how a person who appears religious or portrays himself to be a religious man can go on to slaughter a man, woman or child for no apparent purpose in anger, revenge, fear or for no apparent reason.

The guy sitting next to you might be a murderer who although not pulling the trigger has commanded others to kill but is still held in high esteem, eg the many political leaders walking around today. And of course they sleep very well at night.

Therefore historically to the present day the adherents of which religion are most cruel -- whether its leaders or the followers?


AI Overview



Yes, historically, religion has frequently been used to justify killings, with examples like the
Crusades, forced conversions, genocides, blood libels, and terrorist acts, often interwoven with political, economic, and ethnic motivations that use scripture or divine mandates to sanction violence against perceived enemies, heretics, or infidels. Interpretations of holy texts, religious identity, and notions of holy war or divine purity have provided frameworks for justifying atrocities across many faiths, even while religious texts also contain teachings on peace.

Examples of Religion Justifying Killing:

• Old Testament/Hebrew Bible: Justified holy wars and the slaughter of entire communities, such as in the conquest of Canaan, as commanded by God.
• Christianity: The Crusades saw massacres of Jews and Muslims, framed as liberating the Holy Land. The Spanish Inquisition used religious purity to persecute and execute perceived heretics.
• Islam: Interpretations of the Quran have been used to justify violent conflicts, though many argue these are distortions of core teachings that promote peace.
• Modern Conflicts: Groups like the Taliban, Anders Behring Breivik (citing a mix of religious and secular extremism), and 9/11 perpetrators invoked religious ideology to commit mass murder.

Underlying Factors:

• Sacred Values & Identity: Religion becomes a powerful tool for mobilizing people, merging with ethnic or national identities, and creating an "us vs. them" mentality.
• Political & Economic Power: Religion is often entangled with power struggles, land, and wealth, with religious justifications masking secular aims.
• Interpretation: Specific, often violent, interpretations of scripture are chosen, while peaceful passages may be ignored.
• Context: Violence is complex; religious justifications are often one factor among many social and political drivers, making it hard to isolate religion as the sole cause.

 

[Truthspeak]

Any religions that preaches human sacrifice is an evil one

 

[Sikodolaukazzz]

Any religions that preaches human sacrifice is an evil one

Aiyah
Human sacrifice was generally practiced by ancient civilizations like the Aztecs and ancient Chinese religions.