As the religions evolve, so does the relationship between war and religion. Campaigns such as the Crusades, fought by the Christian Europeans, were solely for the purpose of religion. “The Crusades were a series of military campaigns-usually sanctioned by the Pope-That took place during the 11th through 13th centuries. Originally, the goal was to recapture Jerusalem and the Holy Land from the Muslims, and support the Byzantine Empire against the Muslim Seljuk expansion into Asia Minor. Later, crusades were launched against other targets, either for religious reasons, such as the Albigensian crusade, the Northern Crusades, or because of political conflict, such as the Aragonese Crusade.”(Riley-Smith) These religious battles were fought and the Pope stated that all that fought against the Turks would have remission for the sins by God.
War was not only fought between two opposing religions, but also from splits within a single religion. The French Wars of Religion were fought between Catholics and Protestants throughout France in the sixteenth century. This struggle of power was due to a religious movement throughout France known as the ReformationEight total wars were fought between the two until 1598 when a civil tolerance was finally put into order.(Wikipedia)
The splits within a religion lead to war not just in France, but also in England. A historic example that will never be forgotten is King Henry VIII, his eldest daughter Mary Tutor, and his youngest daughter Elizabeth Tutor. Henry VIII first brought the Protestant church to England when the Catholic Church would not allow him to divorce his wife, Catherine of York. After his death, “Bloody Mary” attempted to return the Catholic religion to England. She persecuted anyone who thought differently, even her own family. Mass hangings, executions, and the use of the guillotine resulted in the murder of thousands of Protestant Englishmen and even Catholics who simply didn’t attend mass enough. After ten years of hell, Mary died and her younger sister Elizabeth took the crown. Elizabeth was a known protestant but allowed her English subjects to finally worship in any way of their choosing.
One of the most interesting people of this time was Joan of Arc. She was a French woman, who helped lead the French in a rebellion against the English during the Hundred Year’s War. She helped to defeat the English at Orleans, as well as led King Charles VII to his coronation. She did all this as a very young woman, she said that she had visions from God that told her that France was to be a free country.
By having these visions, she believed her cause against the English was not one of nationalism, but God’s will. At the siege of Orleans she wrote: “She comes sent by the King of Heaven, body for body, to take you out of France, and the Maid promises and certifies to you that if you do not leave France she and her troops will raise a mighty outcry as has not been heard in France in a thousand years. And believe that the King of Heaven has sent her so much power that you will not be able to harm her or her brave army.” (Medieval Sourcebook)
The English ended up capturing her at a skirmish at Compiegne which ultimately led to her death. The English church was outraged by her claims of talking to god and had her tried. She was accused of heresy and was burned at the stake at Rouen at the age of 19. Though her lifespan was short, she accomplished so much that she eventually was given the status of a Saint. (Wikipedia)
Another example of a war fought over religious purposes was the thirty year wars. This battle began in 1618 in Germany between the Catholics and Protestants of the Holy Roman Church. The battle started with several Rebellions in Bohemia when the Emperor of the time wanted a peaceful transition of power to his son at the end of his lifetime. This worried many Protestants because his son was a very strong catholic and they feared they would lose control and land that they had. This brought on skirmishes between the two religious factions and ultimately the war. This can show that political views within just different factions of a religion can become a motive for a war.
The most talked about and controversial religion in our society today is Islam. This religion is a prime example of war throughout their history. Started by Muhammad in the 7th century, it was a constant struggle with the dominant religion in the area until well after his death.
The main “religious struggle” within this religion is known as Jihad. Some have quite literally translated it to “holy War.” I believe a more proper translation of the word would be “struggle.” It is a conflict, whether it be internal or external, that a Muslim goes through for Allah. Some of the more extreme Muslim’s have warped this word into justifying their terrorist attacks, while others still consider it to be sacred. (religioustolerance.org)
This Interesting thing about Islam and Jihad, is that what sets it apart from every other religion. In Islam, it actually states that you are allowed to defend your religion. Most other religions, such as Christianity and Buddhism, are very pacifist. Unlike other religions as well, in an Islamic community the political leader and religious leader are the same. This, I believe, is what has lead to so many wars within this religion. They have been in a constant split within their own religion, between the Shiite’s and the Sunni’s. This “war” has been going on ever since Muhammad died in 632 A.D., and the successor never fully agreed upon. (Hooker)
Many war’s have had religious reasoning’s, but not for the religion. Think of any of the major wars that have been fought in today’s time. World War II there was religious persecution of the Jews. The War in Israel many fight over Jerusalem, the holy city in three different religions. This just goes to show that many people are willing to fight, and die, for their religious beliefs.
Warfare throughout time has gone hand in hand with religion. Many have used it as a sense of purpose, while others, to give them hope. Religion will always be a factor in any war. As long as people keep looking at the differences between their religions, and not the similarities, there will be conflicts. Religion and War have a clear relationship throughout history, and will until the end of time. All one must do is study the past, to find the answers to the future.
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