I heard that again last night.

Wrong again, in my opinion.

Religion is often used as an excuse for war. The instigators are invariably after money and power.

Religion is just one of many factors that sets “us” against the “other”.

It helps “demonize”.

Look at recent history. The Germans under Hitler were evil. Now Germany is our friend. Then the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour. They too were the great enemy (along with sad sack Italy). Now we drive Japanese cars and dream of vacations in Tuscany.

Then came the cold war with Russia. (We’re still a little suspicious of them.)

Now the enemy of the West is radical Islam. We fear Arabs in particular. (How soon would that go away if there were no oil in those countries?)

Next North Korea. Then, almost inevitably, China.

Who after that?

All of these conflicts were not caused by religion. Anyone who thinks Hitler, Saddam Hussein, or Kim Jong-il motivated by religion are wrong.

George Bush now?

Well there are a few world leaders that may actually be guided by religion. But they are the exception to the rule.

Can religion be blamed for war? – Mike Wooldridge, BBC