I am not religious, in that I do not subscribe to any particular group, church or doctrine. I was brought up in a strongly Methodist family whose dogma I found stifling, repressive and at times even dangerous.
Throughout my adult life I have been interested in matters spiritual and know something about the doctrines
of different religious groups. Most o what I have encountered on my journey has been a genuine endeavour on the part of those who are affiliated to a certain religion to overcome their demons, lead a

"better life" and to serve their God through their work, families and communities. I am scared rigid by the thought of a "religion free" society, despite the fact that my own upbringing has definitely damaged me in some ways and left me with a degree of guilt which is hard to shake off.

It is nor religion that causes wars. True, horrific things have been done in the name of many religions. Does that mean that if there was no religion, human nature would suddenly end all conflict in the world? All cows eat grass. Does that mean all creatures who eat grass are cows? It certainly does not. Human beings throughout history have started wars over many issues, territory,resources, political ideology and ethnicity to name but a few and they were not all begun by "believers" of any faith.

What is apparent is that most civilisations, large and small. have a moral code and that moral code is often laid down by its' spiritual leaders, who may or may not be active in the political structure of the society concerned. Shamans, witch doctors, priests, ministers, prophets and gurus have all, through the ages contributed to the moral landscape and played their parts in the law making, adding a dimension of inspirational wisdom often lacking in "politicians"

Unfortunately, religion, when practised by the masses, gives power to its priests and prophets and it is this desire for power which is the culprit in the war game. That desire is by no means the sole province of the God worshipers. I would hazard a guess that because of the basic "do not kill" rule of many religions, that as many wars may have been averted by religion as have been fought in its name.

Often, religion is used to rationalise the need for a war which is being fought for very different reasons. Kings and Presidents in power have used religion to justify otherwise unacceptable conflicts which serve their own purposes. It has been a useful tool with which to fool the masses

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