"It appears to me (whether rightly or wrongly) that direct arguments against christianity and theism produce hardly any effect on the public; and freedom of thought is best promoted by the gradual illumination of men's minds which follows from the advance of science." [Darwin]
Top atrocities committed in the name of religion
The Mohammedan conquest of India was described by W.Durant history as the bloodiest episode in history. In some parts of Europe and of Asia, conquered nations opted for conversion to Islam rather than death who expect reliable. In India things were not as they would have wanted Muslim conquerors because of Hindu religion that takes its place in human life and in culture more than 4,000 years ago. Faced with an unusual strength, Muslim conquerors did not hesitate to burn down entire cities and massacring their entire population. Each such campaign increased the number of victims with thousands of souls and all the many were thrown into the clutches of slavery. Each invader they literally build a hill of skulls Hindu followers. Conquest of Afghanistan in the year 1000 resulted anihiliarea entire Hindu population of this territory. Bahmani sultans in central India had made a rule to kill 100,000 Hindus per year. In 1399, Teimur killed 100 000 people in a single day and many more on other occasions. Koenraad Elst teacher calculates the number of Hindu population decreased from year 1000 to 80 million in 1525.
2. Inquisition
First Inquisition movements were caused by the attitude of the masses to Christianity, particularly of the Cathars and valdensienilor. The torture began to be used after the year 1252. Who authorized the use of torture was Pope Innocent IV, in a papal edict known as Ad exstirpanda. But the decree forbade bloodshed, mutilation or death. One of the methods commonly used was "strappado", which involved linking the accused hands back and its suspension in the air to arm fracture. Method known "improvements" in some cases add weight to the feet, leading thus to their deployment. But things did not stop there. In 1568, the Spanish Inquisition Tribunal ordered extermination of 3 million people in the present territory of the Netherlands, the Spanish area, on charges of rebellion. Another example of religious fervor is famous Spanish Inquisition Torquemada, who have the consciousness at least 10,220 souls.
3. Aztec sacrifices
The Aztecs began developing theocracy in the 1300s, marking the golden era of human sacrifice. Approximately 20,000 people were sacrificed gods, especially the sun god, who must ensure daily ration of blood. In the ritual, the heart was removed victims and their bodies were eaten. Other victims were drowned, beheaded, burned or thrown from above. In a ritual dedicated to god of rain, children used to cry often were killed because their tears slowly bring rain. To please her corn goddess, a virgin had to dance for 24 hours, after which he was killed, and her skin was skinned. A note states that the coronation of King Ahuitzotl, 80,000 prisoners were slaughtered in order to satisfy the gods.
4. Islamic Jihad
Meaning "holy war" were born during the time a lot of controversy. Some Muslims understand jihad by using all resources to follow Islamic doctrine and to please Allah. It is an ongoing process through which they learn to control their desires and fight evil thoughts. For them, jihad is inside and is being materialized by bringing justice and remove evil from society. These precepts were known shortly extension, which materialized against unbelievers.
But a passage from the Koran, Sura 25, verse 52 bore many debates in the Islamic world. Many have used in the past and currently use it as an excuse to commit crimes hidden behind a religious doctrine: "Do not succumb to unbelievers, but fight vigorously against them."
Holy war, mentioned in the Qur'an, made many victims for 12 centuries. It seems that throughout history, the number of victims killed in the name of Islam has approximately 200 million. In the early years, Muslim armies spread rapidly: from eastern India to western Morocco. Shortly various religious factions and brought mutual accusations, saying jihad against each other: Kharijis fought with Sunni, said death Azariqis all sinners and their families. In 1850 a Sudanese mystic, al-Hajj Umar, initiated a jihad in order to convert pagan African tribes.
5. Crusades
Defined as military conflicts of a religious character, medieval Crusades were fought against both external enemies and those interns. Not only Muslim or pagan Slavs were targeted, and Greek Orthodox Christians, Cathars, Hussites or anyone interest "status" enemy of the Popes. Initial purpose of the Crusades was to recover the Holy Land from Muslims and prevent Turkish expansion. The Crusades were fought against pagans, heretics or those who were excommunicated for religious, economic or political. But soon they began to serve other purposes, especially political. Organize a crusade mean huge mobilization of military forces and struggles implies a extraordinary violence, resulting in a large number of victims. The idea of a religious war that serves a noble cause horny minds of the laity, so it is that in the late eleventh century, some of the people engaged in these battles, becoming after swearing 'church soldiers. " It seems that by 1291, the number of victims reached 20 million, but this is only an approximate figure, in the absence of accurate records. It is likely that figure to be much higher, augmented by numerous crusades happened over a long period of time.
6. Roman persecutions
One of the first persecution against Christians occurred in 64 AD., By order of the Emperor Nero. This is the same year that Rome was seized by one of the largest fires in history. Because many rumors it on himself indicted Nero disaster, he ordered all Christians to be arrested and killed under the accusation of being caused devastating fire. Many have been torn by beasts during the bloody Roman spectacles or were burned alive. In the following years, actions against Christians continued, reaching its peak during what was called the "great persecution". It began with a series of four edicts banning Christian religious practices and went to mass execution of practitioners. Persecution ceased with the enthronement of Emperor Constantine I in 306, who was to legalize Christianity seven years later, in 313.
7. Thugee sect killings
In order to appease the goddess Kali nemiloasei blood, sect Thugee practitioners in India have developed since 1500 a religious practice that people were jertifi on its altar. Most victims were killed by strangulation during rituals. It approximates that 2 million people have fallen victim over time. Only in 1800 were claimed nearly 20,000 lives, until the intervention of the British authorities put an end to these practices. The number of victims has decreased, although in 1840 a member Thugee was tried for the murder of 931 people. Today, some Hindu priests still practice this ritual, but people place on the altar of sacrifice was taken from goats.
8. Witch Hunt
With their arrival in Massachusetts, around 1600, the Puritans created a religious police who prosecuted and punished any deviation doctrine. "Sinners" were whipped, put in the pillory, hanged, they were cutting ears or holes are languages with a hot iron. On the other side were Quaker religious faction followers, some of the greatest enemies of the Puritans, whose religion was considered a blasphemy. Quaker practitioners caught were hanged. In 1690, fear of magic and its effects has led Puritans to condemn to death 20 witches and imprisoned another 150 people suspected of witchcraft. Throughout the period of persecution, which lasted from 1484 until 1750, thousands of people were burned at the stake or hanged. According to official statistics, 80% of victims were women.
9. Mountain Meadows Massacre
With the onset of war in Utah, Mormons from all over gathered in a short time to fight U.S. military, who suspect that aims to eradicate Mormon population. Amid these tensions, rumors appeared in Fancher-Baker train, carrying emigrants from Arkansas to California were enemies who participated in the persecution of many Mormons. Episode, remained in history as "the Mountain Meadows Massacre" ended with the execution of a large number of immigrants, on September 11, 1857. Mormons train attacked by Indians Paiute tribe. Two of those who had important roles in local military organization, Isaac C. Haight and John D. Lee had orchestrated the attack, masquerading as humans that look like a Native American attack. After the siege, the Mormons were able to convince immigrants to surrender. Unwilling to let witnessed their involvement in the attack, 120 people, men, women and children were executed. Of the latter, only 17 were spared. Only 20 years later, on March 23, 1877, one of the two leaders, John D.Lee, would be convicted and even executed at the massacre.
10. Buddhists in Burma
In 1850, Buddhists monks in Burma still practiced ritual human sacrifices in which performing it. Along with moving the capital to Mandalay, 56 people considered to be "blameless" were killed and buried under the city walls to become patrons of the new settlement. Soon, two of the graves were found empty, which has led royal astrologers give a verdict radical: 500 people have killed and buried under the walls, otherwise capital will be discharged. By the intervention of British Governors sacrifices ended, 100 people had been killed already.
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