Organized religion deaths

[Orion]

Hey, this is my first post here, so be kind.

I'm presenting a persuasive speech on why organized religion is detramental to the human race. I've got the logic down but I need to know the aproximate numbers of the dead that are products of these institutions.

Statistics and sources would be great.

Thanks

[Wicked Pilot]

Millions would be a good lower limit.

[The Apologist]

Why and how is the number of deaths proportionate to the detriment of organized religion upon the human race?

[weemadando]

Actually if one is to follow the following formula:

Deaths "In the name of God" eg Crusades and South America etc

+

Deaths "because they worshipped (insert name here)" eg Holocaust

+

Deaths "because they didn't worship (insert name here)" eg Cathar Heresy and [subsequent Anti-Cathar] Crusades

+

Deaths "because the Lord told me to" eg Random Psycho's and cults

=

Well into the billions I'd guestimate. Every religiously motivated killing in the history of the world really adds up.

[Vympel]

Why and how is the number of deaths proportionate to the detriment of organized religion upon the human race?

Well ... if you view death as a BAD THING, as people do, you'd take the useless annihilation of so many lives to be a BAD THING- especially when it's done in the name of an unknown, unknowable being.

Unless of course, you think the Inquisition wasn't detrimental to the human race

[Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi]

Why and how is the number of deaths proportionate to the detriment of organized religion upon the human race?

Because many of these deaths were in the name of religion, obviously.

An article on this subject could include reasons behind such massacres, mainly egocentrism and bigotry from literal interpertations of their holy books.

[InnerBrat]

Actually if one is to follow the following formula:
Deaths "In the name of God" eg Crusades and South America etc
+
Deaths "because they worshipped (insert name here)" eg Holocaust
+
Deaths "because they didn't worship (insert name here)" eg Cathar Heresy and [subsequent Anti-Cathar] Crusades
+
Deaths "because the Lord told me to" eg Random Psycho's and cults
=
Well into the billions I'd guestimate. Every religiously motivated killing in the history of the world really adds up.

Those examples are all murders, but there's also "Death by doctrine" (although it might fall under no. 2) - e.g. the refusal of J.W.s to accept blood transfusions, or even death during childbirth because termination is evil.

[Darth Wong]

In a related vein, there are deaths through anti-scientific dogma. Every person who dies as a result of religious ignorance counts, as well as the massive deaths and shortened lifespans throughout Europe during the crusade against personal hygiene. Every time a sick person died in the Middle Ages died because they stuck his head underwater to scare away the demons, that was an obvious case of religion-induced death. Diseases spread through improper hygiene during the aforementioned crusade were all religion-induced deaths.

[Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi]

Actually if one is to follow the following formula:
Deaths "In the name of God" eg Crusades and South America etc
+
Deaths "because they worshipped (insert name here)" eg Holocaust
+
Deaths "because they didn't worship (insert name here)" eg Cathar Heresy and [subsequent Anti-Cathar] Crusades
+
Deaths "because the Lord told me to" eg Random Psycho's and cults
=
Well into the billions I'd guestimate. Every religiously motivated killing in the history of the world really adds up.

Those examples are all murders, but there's also "Death by doctrine" (although it might fall under no. 2) - e.g. the refusal of J.W.s to accept blood transfusions, or even death during childbirth because termination is evil.

The AIDS epedemic in Sub-Saharan Africa is another example. The Catholic Church has opposed the teaching of safe sex, while Africans continue to contract AIDS. Althogh I wouldn't say they're directly responsible, but they're putting millions at risk.

[Orion]

thanks you guys