False Religion's Spirit of Cain

Throughout history, false religion has shown the spirit of fratricidal Cain, who murdered his brother Abel.  "The children of God and the children of the Devil are evident by this fact:  Everyone who does not carry on righteousness does not originate with God, neither does he who does not love his brother.  For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should have love for one another; not like Cain, who originated with the wicked one and slaughtered his brother.  And for the sake of what did he slaughter him?  Because his own works were wicked, but those of his brother were righteous." Intolerant of his brother's  pure and acceptable worship of God, Cain resorted to violence - the last resort of those who lack a logical answer. -1 John 3:10-12.

Do the facts support this indictment of false religion?  In the book Preachers Present Arms, the author said:  "In the history of civilizations,  . . .two forces have ever been joined together in a dual alliance.  They are war and religion.  And, of all the great world religions, . . .none has been more devoted to [war] than has Christendom]." (in case you people didn't know Christendom is the world of false religion) Some years ago, The Sun newspaper of Vancouver, Canada stated:  "It is a weakness of perhaps all organized religion that the church follows the flag . . .What was was ever fought in which God wasn't claimed to be on each side?"  You may have seen the proof of this in some local church.  All too often, national flags adorn the altar.  Under which flag do you think Jesus would march?  (None) His words have echoed down through the centuries:  "My kingdom is no part of this world"!  -John 18:36.

Christendom's religions have not taught their flocks the truth of genuine brotherly  love.  Instead, national, tribal, and ethnic differences are allowed to divide their ranks.  Reports indicate that Catholic and Anglican clergy played a role in the divisions resulting in the tribal genocide in Rwanda.  The New York Times reported:  "The massacres in Rwanda have caused many Roman Catholics there to feel betrayed by the church hierarchy.  The church was often divided along ethnic lines, between Hutu and Tutsi." The same newspaper quoted a Maryknoll priest as saying:  "The church failed so miserably in Rwanda in 1994.  Many Rwandans have in a sense written off the church.  It no longer has any credibility." What a contrast to Jesus' words:  By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." -0John 13:35.

The other major religions of Babylon the Great have not set a better example.  The terrible massacres of 1947, when India was partitioned, show that the major religions there have not produced tolerance.  Continued communal violence in India bears out that most people have not changed.  Little wonder that the magazine India Today concluded:  "Religion has been the banner under which he most hideous crimes have been perpetrated. . ..It unleashes tremendous violence and is a very destructive force."

Next time: "Striking Paradox"

The Watchtower, 1996