Actually, all three religions based on the old testament have caused humanity a lot of grief, but specially Islam and Christianity. Contrast that to Buddhism - not a single war since Ashoka in 500 BC (and Buddhism is about 600 years older than Christianity).
The problem is that any religion that says "my way is the only way" will lead to conflict. Somewhat ironic that Islam and Christianity are now headed to a terminal showdown.
That is like saying humans have caused a lot of grief because there are some other species that are extinct as a result. We are who we are. I believe we commonly value civilization. Civilizations are always based on something spiritual that binds the folks together. Civilizations achieve things. When civilizations clash, there is war; this is in the nature of humans.
The problem is that any religion that says "my way is the only way" will lead to conflict.
You are going to get conflict. It is unavoidable. The modern innovation is to create a secular state based in a culture. Religious officials are not afforded state power by dint of their offices.
You make a good point, and I agree with you that both Christianity and Islam are similar in their "my way or the highway" approach - but I'd be interested in seeing even an approximate estimation of how many people died at the "Will of Allah" as compared to the "Will of God".
Obviously, both have had tremendous uprisings (their own Crusades, etc.), but what's going on today is different in my eyes.
Christian thinkers are taking quite the Reactionary approach to how we should with Muslim fanatics, as I believe 9/11 and our subsequent actions show us.
I could be wrong - surely, I wouldn't presume to dictate something that others may find offensive, but it's just my opinion.
C.O'D.
Likewise paganism. No war of religion has ever been fought between pagan societies.
Then why did Buddhist Burma sack the capital of Buddhist Siam in 1767?
Don't forget Buddhism is a major influence in Japan which is not know for its pacifism and today the Buddihist majority is fighting the Hindu minority in Sri Lanka.
Even Tibet fought wars.
For Islam, I believe you will find it happening today if you look in tomorrows newspaper.
A little distorted. The conflict with religion arises from forced suppression. It is not so much the strong community belief favoring one religion as it is the tendency to suppress others. This is not exclusive to belief. Today in America and elsewhere, the suppression is stronger than ever. It's just coming from secular atheists. They are the "my way or the highway" group of the 21st century. Atheism has been just as guilty throughout history as either Islam or Christianity. It's the suppression, not the religion. Faith is actually an important element in freedom as it provides citizens with a basis for self-control.
I should add forced conversion to that. But you can be forced to be an atheist just as easily as anything else. When the American government forbids free expression by labeling it coercive to spectators, then we do not have freedom of religion at all. In the name of free religion we have gay marriage. We have homosexual approval in our public schools. But prayer? The Ten Commandments? Nope. That might offend someone. Don't kid yourself. The same disease you speak of is alive and thriving in our US government. It's just suppressing faith and favoring non-faith.