Religion or Peace?

Today is a day of reflection.
As I observe the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on our land, my feelings are mixed and at time saddened. Days like today we honor the deaths of many people. We pause and reflect on the horrible events that thrust us into another war.
I am a retired paramedic. There are many ways I have seen  people die, and the harm we can do to one another. Maybe that's why much of my sadness is blocked out.
I think about a lot of things surrounding this time that might anger other people. I think about the fact that the United States has troops in over a 150 countries today. I wonder if the names of the dead from other times were read, how long could it take? How long does memory last? What of those in places like Nagasaki and Hiroshima and Hanoi and Carthage? Will violence ever stop?
I think about peace, the subject of this blog today. I saw a shirt recently with the message on it,
"Religion or Peace?"  ...Been thinking about it ever since.
Somewhere I heard that wars are fought over real estate and religion.  How many conflicts have been waged by man because of a belief in one god or another?
We become greedy or desperate for resources. Those traits can be justified as an evolutionary drive.
But why must we invoke one god or the other to justify our violence towards each other?
Religion seems inextricably intertwined with war. It is used to justify hostility on a regular basis. Perhaps it is relevant that the religions of the world control a large share of the riches and the people...
I must go over there and kill them, because their belief is different! How many have suffered and died following this banner?
My god is stronger than yours...
You must change  your beliefs and behavior, or suffer the consequences. Oh, by the way, if you do adapt my doctrine and dogma then be prepared to share your goods  Or die for the cause..
If we are to survive as a species, we must learn to live together as humans, not adversaries. I believe we can no longer afford  to waste our lives and resources. What can bring this about? How can the people of the world learn to get along?
As John Lennon said, we must Give Peace a Chance.