War and Religion

 I think it is fair to say to we are living through some " troubling " times. 

It is also fair to say that one of the issues that make this troubling is the

issue of war.  Some might argue that this particular war has no religious

connections.  However, it seems to me war generally has a some 

kinds of religious connections.  I think it might also be fair to say

that this whole notion of a connection between war and religion

is troubling. 


Certainly it is easiest to see this in the connections between

war in context of Roman history.  I think it would be even fair to say 

that for a good chunk of that history - war - was mostly a

religious practice.  


It is fairly easy to see this by considering the career of one Julius Caesar 

who began his career as a priest and then moved up to a position as

a general.  Finally, at the end of his career and his life he was " promoted ",

legally to the the position of -- god --.  If you examine this history you

might reach some what different conclusions, but certainly there is

a good deal to suggest that this narrative is pretty accurate. 


But clearly, when it comes to war the issue of " motivation " is 

particularly important and it should also be clear that motivation

is in fact an important element when we consider religion. Another

rather easy connection that can be made is that generally speaking,

war and religion are collective behaviors. 


Clearly, there might be a lot more to say or clarify on this

connection, but in trying to be brief I am going to let

this idea rest here and allow the reader to draw their

own conclusions.  Hopefully, in the future some 

greater understandings can be reached on this issue.


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