People were always going to war, always fighting, and still do, to this day. People like you blame "religion", but a book doesn't go to war. Hitler had religious beliefs, but he cared more about his bullshit eugenics. All it takes is a stupid idea; one stupid idea from someone with power to go to war.

What do you think ISIS has to do if they don't fight? Live in their shit country? Build schools? Is that going to bring them more power? Is that going to give them more money? No, it's not. They claim they fight for "religion," and they convince themselves, but the reality is that they are fighting because they believe it will better their lives. Their lives are shitty, and they want more money and they want more power because, in reality, they're kids that never grew up.

A lot of our military is that way. They have an enemy and the power to destroy them, and so they do. Someone had the idea that there were weapons of mass destruction somewhere, seems legit, so we go blow shit up, overthrow their government, someone somewhere profits, others die. Why? Not over religion. Over power, money, worldly things.

Here's a simple rule of thumb: No true religion advocates harming others. The grey area is self defense, but the "preemptive strike" mentality is just a justification for aggression. I'm so tired of hearing people preach bullshit. Religion is dying and its followers are killing it. God is just as true and real as ever, but with every person that says something terrible in His name, they dig their graves a little deeper.

I try to pop in occasionally to defend religion. Like anything else in life, you have to read between the lines. It is NOT BLACK AND WHITE. Anyone who says it is is wrong. God gave you a brain. Use it.

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven [...] and when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.