Mark, I appreciate if you were able to ask questions in a non-biased manner instead of hastily making accusations without sufficient information. 🏵️🏵️
It is important to maintain a respectful attitude, particularly on a platform like Medium, which attracts a large number of intellectuals and professionals.

However, I also wanted to address the fact that your questions were fragmented and not necessarily linked in a cohesive narrative.
It may require lengthy answers to properly address each point and provide a comprehensive understanding. It is crucial to approach complex topics with an open mind and a willingness to engage in respectful and thoughtful discourse.
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(1) Holy Wars
Throughout history, several wars have been fought under the banner of Christianity, with religion being used as a justification or rallying cry. 🛑

1. The Crusades: Lasting from the 11th to the 13th century, the Crusades were a series of religious military campaigns primarily launched by European Christians against Muslim territories.
It is estimated that (1.7 million) people were killed during these wars. 🩸

2. The Spanish Inquisition: Taking place from 1478 to 1834, the Spanish Inquisition aimed to enforce religious orthodoxy and eliminate perceived heresy.
Numerous individuals, predominantly Jews and Muslims, lost their lives during this period, with thousands executed or dying in custody due to torture.
The numbers are around 1 million people were killed. 🩸

3. The Thirty Years' War: Fought primarily within the Holy Roman Empire (Christians against Christians) from 1618 to 1648, this war involved various European powers and had religious, political, and territorial motivations.
The conflict led to an estimated death toll ranging from 4.5 to 8 million people due to direct violence, as well as associated famines and diseases. 🩸

4. The European Wars of Religion: Occurring in the 16th and 17th centuries across Europe, these wars were primarily driven by Catholic-Protestant tensions.
While specific casualty figures vary, these conflicts resulted in substantial loss of life.
For instance, the French Wars of Religion (1562-1598) claimed an estimated 2-4 million lives.🩸

It is crucial to acknowledge that these wars occurred under the guise of religious motivation, I cannot be solely attributed to Christianity itself.

Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him), revered as a prophet in Islam, taught the values of peace, love, and forgiveness.
The actions witnessed during conflicts do not reflect the essence of these teachings, as true followers of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) strive to embody these principles and promote compassion and understanding.🌹

However, these wars serve as reminders of how religion has been misused and manipulated to justify violence throughout history.
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(2) Religions are two types; devine and man-made 🏵️🏵️
(Islam, Christianity, and Judaism) (Buddhism, Hinduism,...etc)

Divine religions are those belief systems that have been divinely revealed or inspired by a higher power or deity through prophets and messengers to people. Examples of Prophets and messengers are Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad,...etc (peace be upon them all)
These religions often have sacred texts and teachings that are considered to be of divine origin.
Examples of divine religions are Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

Man-made religions, on the other hand, are belief systems and ideologies that are created and developed by humans.
These religions are based on philosophical or ethical principles, or they may revolve around (the worship of certain individuals or symbols).🛑
Examples of man-made religions include Buddhism, Hinduism, Scientology, Wicca, Rastafarianism, and some forms of New Age spirituality.

👇👇
The concept of jurisprudence, or the philosophy of law, varies among religions and can differ between different religious traditions.
Here is a brief overview of how jurisprudence is approached in Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism:

1. Islam: In Islamic jurisprudence, the legal system is based on Sharia law, which is derived from the Quran (Islamic scripture), the Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), and legal consensus among Islamic scholars.
Islamic law covers a wide range of areas, including personal conduct, criminal justice, family law, and economics.
Different schools of thought within Islam may interpret and apply Islamic law differently, resulting in diverse legal practices.

2. Christianity: Christianity does not have a unified legal system like Sharia law in Islam.
Instead, Christian jurisprudence is influenced by legal traditions within different societies and can vary across denominations.
Some Christian traditions place emphasis on moral and ethical principles derived from sources such as the Bible, church teachings, and tradition.
However, the legal systems in predominantly Christian countries are typically based on secular laws and may not have a direct connection with specific Christian teachings.👇👇
(In Egypt, there are cases where Christians convert to Islam in order to obtain a divorce because the Christian church in Egypt does not permit divorce.
This practice is a response to the restrictions imposed by the church's teachings regarding marriage and divorce 🛑)

3. Judaism: Jewish jurisprudence is governed by Halakha (Jewish law), which encompasses religious, ethical, and ritual laws.
Halakha is derived from the Torah (Jewish scripture), Talmud (commentary and legal discussions), and writings of Jewish scholars.
It covers areas of religious practice, personal conduct, family law, business ethics, and more.
Different Jewish denominations may have varying interpretations and applications of Halakha, leading to multiple legal perspectives within Judaism.

4. Buddhism: Buddhism does not have a centralized legal system or a specific set of laws. 🛑
The focus of Buddhist teachings is primarily on personal spiritual development and ethical conduct.
However, some predominantly Buddhist countries employ legal systems based on civil laws, customary practices, and local traditions.
These systems are not specifically derived from Buddhist teaching but may incorporate certain ethical principles associated with Buddhism.

5. Hinduism: Similar to Buddhism, Hinduism does not have a unified legal system. Legal customs and practices in predominantly Hindu regions are typically guided by secular laws and local customs.
Hindu philosophy emphasizes principles like dharma (duty/righteousness) and ahimsa (non-violence), which can influence ethical and moral decision-making.

It is important to note that the relationship between religion and jurisprudence can be complex and can vary within and across different societies and cultures.
These descriptions provide a general understanding but do not encompass the full complexity or diversity of legal systems influenced by religious traditions.
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(3) Holy war, Jehad, and religious men 🏵️🏵️

From an Islamic perspective, the concept of holy war is not existed as it appears in other religions.
The term "holy war" is a translation of the Latin phrase "bellum sacrum," which arose during the Crusades, and does not have a direct equivalent in Islamic teachings.🛑

Islam teaches the importance of striving for righteousness and justice, but this does not necessarily involve warfare.
The primary objective in Islam is to establish peace and maintain harmony within oneself and society.
The Quran emphasizes the sanctity of life and prohibits aggression, promoting peaceful coexistence with people of all faiths (Quran 2:190-193).

"Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors. And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al- Haram until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers. And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] worship is [acknowledged to be] for Allah. But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors."

This verse highlights that while Muslims may engage in self-defense and fighting against those who fight them, it strictly prohibits transgression or aggression beyond self-defense.
It emphasizes that the ultimate aim should be to eradicate fitnah (oppression, chaos) and establish worship solely for Allah. 🤲
If the enemy ceases hostilities, Muslims are encouraged to cease aggression as well, except against those who continue to oppress others.
The overarching message is to promote peace, avoid unnecessary violence, and seek reconciliation whenever possible.🌹
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Jihad in Islam has two major aspects:

1. Greater Jihad: This refers to the internal struggle of an individual against their own desires, temptations, and negative inclinations.
It involves self-discipline, self-improvement, and striving to become a better person in the eyes of God. It encompasses acts such as seeking knowledge, showing kindness, and resisting sinful behavior.

2. Lesser Jihad: This refers to exerting effort in the defense of oneself, the oppressed, or to protect the principles of justice.
It can involve self-defense or fighting against aggression, tyranny, or injustice. However, it is regulated by strict conditions, such as acting as a last resort, under legitimate authority, with proportionality and avoiding harm to non-combatants.

It is crucial to understand that jihad, in its lesser form, does not imply aggression or offensive warfare.
The concept of jihad should be understood within the comprehensive framework of Islamic teachings, which prioritize peace, tolerance, and the preservation of human rights.

Religious men 🏵️🏵️
In Christianity and Judaism, religious men (such as priests, reverends, pastors, and rabbis) are seen as intermediaries or guides between people and God.

In Christianity, religious men are ordained and entrusted with the responsibility to lead worship services, administer sacraments, and provide spiritual guidance to the congregation.
Important note: (🛑 They are seen as representatives of God on earth and are often considered essential for the forgiveness of sins, as they can offer guidance, perform rites such as confession, and administer sacraments like the Eucharist. 🛑)

Similarly, in Judaism, rabbis are regarded as spiritual leaders who guide the community in matters of faith, religious interpretation, and ethical guidance.
They provide teaching and counseling, lead worship, and officiate lifecycle events such as weddings and funerals.
Rabbis often serve as scholars and interpreters of Jewish law, guiding individuals in understanding and following religious practices.
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In Islam, however, the concept of intermediate religious men, or authority does not exist.

While there are religious leaders, such as imams, sheikhs, and scholars who provide guidance and lead congregational prayers, they are not considered mediators between individuals and God.

Islam emphasizes a direct relationship between each individual and God, without the need for intermediaries in acts of worship and seeking forgiveness. 🤲

Muslims are encouraged to have a personal connection with God (Allah) through prayer, recitation of the Quran, and adherence to religious teachings without the need for an intermediary.

One verse from the Quran that highlights the direct relationship between individuals and God in Islam is from Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 186: 🏵️👇

"And when My servants ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided."

This verse emphasizes that Allah is close to His servants and responds to their prayers and supplications.
It encourages believers to turn to God directly in their moments of need, seeking His guidance and placing their trust in Him.
This highlights the direct and personal relationship that Muslims are encouraged to cultivate with Allah, without the need for intermediaries.
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