People corrupt religion when they seek power or wealth. Taking excerpts from Holy texts and concentrating on specific ideals to form a radical belief system is extremely common. This occurs blatantly in outright cults, to more subtle corruptions within mainstream religions. The idea of bigamy among the Mormons, snake handlers in certain sects of Christianity, most of the Catholic religion, extremist Christian groups and certainly extremist Muslims have all held a place in perversions of their base religions. Devout followers form a whole view of their religious doctrine and don't necessarily focus on particular segments within the doctrine of their religion. The basis of Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, etc are very similar in their foundations of peaceful and harmonious existence with the world and with other members of society. The simple fact is that a vast majority live their day to day lives with no negative impact on the world around them. They toil away in anonymity and hold no cause for celebration or ignominy. This is the vast majority of humanity. The few that cause great harm are celebrated in the media because it generates headlines and therefore monetary income. You may choose to believe that an entire religion is evil or unrighteous, but this is a disservice to both yourself and all the anonymous practitioners that have not ever considered causing harm to anyone else. A religious war is every bit as unjust and inhumane as a political one, the collateral damage is the death toll of all the innocent bystanders that neither wanted to participate nor condoned it.
Unfortunately, the expansion of religion has been used as justification of forced conversion and even genocide. Perhaps the memory of conquering the New World and subsequent genocide of native inhabitants, in the name of conversion and "saving" heathens has slipped through notable history, but the same was done in southeast Asia, Africa and pacific islands. The problem isn't the religions, the problem is the use of religion as an excuse for conquest, subjugation and ultimately the accumulation of wealth and power.
People corrupt religion when they seek power or wealth. Taking excerpts from Holy texts and concentrating on specific ideals to form a radical belief system is extremely common. This occurs blatantly in outright cults, to more subtle corruptions within mainstream religions. The idea of bigamy among the Mormons, snake handlers in certain sects of Christianity, most of the Catholic religion, extremist Christian groups and certainly extremist Muslims have all held a place in perversions of their base religions. Devout followers form a whole view of their religious doctrine and don't necessarily focus on particular segments within the doctrine of their religion. The basis of Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, etc are very similar in their foundations of peaceful and harmonious existence with the world and with other members of society. The simple fact is that a vast majority live their day to day lives with no negative impact on the world around them. They toil away in anonymity and hold no cause for celebration or ignominy. This is the vast majority of humanity. The few that cause great harm are celebrated in the media because it generates headlines and therefore monetary income. You may choose to believe that an entire religion is evil or unrighteous, but this is a disservice to both yourself and all the anonymous practitioners that have not ever considered causing harm to anyone else. A religious war is every bit as unjust and inhumane as a political one, the collateral damage is the death toll of all the innocent bystanders that neither wanted to participate nor condoned it.
Muslims are the reason the marines were created. When the British stopped protecting USA shipping the muslims went all out pirating USA trade.
To the shores of Tripoli became the battle hymn as the leathernecks fought to defeat the sword wielding slave trading and transporting Muslims.
Unfortunately, the expansion of religion has been used as justification of forced conversion and even genocide. Perhaps the memory of conquering the New World and subsequent genocide of native inhabitants, in the name of conversion and "saving" heathens has slipped through notable history, but the same was done in southeast Asia, Africa and pacific islands. The problem isn't the religions, the problem is the use of religion as an excuse for conquest, subjugation and ultimately the accumulation of wealth and power.