I'd say Christianity has been the most successful large scale war restraining ideology. Not that it is perfect, but name a better large scale ideology.
I'm not sure the historical record bears that out. The problem that popular moral philosophies have is that over time they accrete rationalizations for allowing their adherents to do what they wanted to do anyways. Thats one reason why converts, who might not have been exposed to the culture surrounding these ideas, are often the most fanatical.
If you are referring to America, all the founding fathers thought a Christian religious foundation was essential to such a system working. As it is, the system is falling apart rapidly today as we abandon our religious foundation.
all the founding fathers thought a Christian religious foundation was essential to such a system working
What? You're misinformed. Adams didn't believe that for one. A quote from the Treaty of Tripoli, ratified by the Senate in 1797 and signed by John Adams: "The government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion." The vote was unanimous, there was no public dissent, and Adams had the following to say about the treaty (emphasis mine): "I John Adams, President of the United States of America, having seen and considered the said Treaty do, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, accept, ratify, and confirm the same, and every clause and article thereof."
I'm not trying to argue that Christian principles aren't present in our history (they are). But you're regurgitating a common talking point in an attempt to rewrite history.
Germany had women's suffrage in 1919 and proceeded to go to war against almost everyone. Poland, Norway, Russia, UK, USA, Netherlands, Sweden, and other allies all had women's suffrage by WWII.
Wikipedia: women could vote in the USA since 1920, and in the USSR since 1917. Though the Cold War was more of a series of proxy wars and an arms race.
But the argument in the grandparent post is not supported by history either. The military monk orders of the Crusades are just one example.
I think they're all pretty much equally bad. I mean... inter-European wars from fall of the Roman Empire to the 17/18th centuries was pretty much all amongst proclaimed Christian nations and kingdoms.
Not only does Chritianity as a whole create yet another tribe for people to get divided by and fight over, it doesn't even enforce it's tribal rules (failing not killing, at least try to kill only the infidels) that well. Spanish history will attest to that. And even then it can manage to fracture itself and attempt to rip each other part into pieces.
I don't think the idea of 'but they're my brother in faith' ever really stopped someone from going to war when they realize 'hey, they just took my land'.
