[user104658]

Originally Posted by Northern Monkey

I think humans as a species will go to war with or without religion.We are just tribal animals like chimps but more evolved.Chimps are nasty bastards.If they see another chimp from another tribe out alone they will stamp on it and rip it's bollocks off.Seriously.

I think this is a good point, from a psychological standpoint. There are a lot of people who don't believe that we are simply very intelligent primates. Or who do believe, but would like to forget, or would like to believe that we're so advanced that none of that matters now. But we are primates and HUGE parts of our "first impressions", first reactions, and emotional reactions are still infused with those same instincts. Identifying and accepting that is actually a huge part of being able to overcome those reactions ("Why do I feel this way? Is it rational? Is there a better way to look at it?")

Religion is just an excuse for war.
The thing is.Most religions have evolved into a peaceful state.Islam is still young and is still fairly primitive and it's not a giant leap from its 'moderate' form to the Jihad embracing extreme form.

You're right, I think religion is rarely the reason for war and can be used as an excuse - but it can also be used as a tool of war. Historically, a motivation to get normal men (farmers, traders, etc.) to march to war and conquer nations for little or no pay. The people asking them to march? They wanted the land, power and influence. People wouldn't go to war for those men - but they'd go to war for "God", and for access to Heaven.

I've said before that there is very little difference between Islam today and Christianity 800 years ago - and Islam is 800 years younger.

The problem, I guess, is that the global human population 800 years ago was less than 500 million and now it's 7 billion (terrifying on its own, truly) and they had wooden ships, horses, swords and arrows not high-powered assault weaponry and access to the globe on an overnight flight. So the actual situation unfolding is unprecedented... But the mindset certainly isn't.