[kahljorn]

People who kill "in the name of God" are killing for themselves. I mean, it's not exactly like these wars were fought trying to sacrafice their own first born son or something. Atheists also kill for themselves. As far as I can tell the entire atheist idealogy is doing things for yourself rather than "in the name of God", in the name of country or whatever. Yet most people who do things "In the name of God" are doing them "For themselves". So really what we're talking about is humanities inherent selfishness. I think people pretty much have the same motivations no matter what religous/cultural background they come from.

also it's probable that although the church may not have been able to directly condemn anyone to death I don't think it changes the fact that they riled people up enough to be capable of condemning others to death. I mean, religous followers feel guilty about killing sometimes, religion is a pretty good excuse to kill. so is the interests of national security, patriotism, democracy and the american dream!

I see no difference in fighting for a religous institution or a political institution as far as "justice" "goodness" or "Rightness" go, because what is good, right and just is often decided by the religous and political institution. (same with any social institution)