Today we have many different cultures, societies and religions spread across the world. Most of these cultures and religions originate from the past, from the ancient world for us. Religions and cultures have spread in different ways depending on each country or religion, some using teachings and education, while others have used violence and the enforcement of religion. Religion in cultures and society is made important because of its effects of teaching morals, values, spirituality and a guided life path. Sometimes these different beliefs can come into conflict with each other, thus creating and provoking secularism, intolerance and discrimination against other religions and cultures. Since humans formed different societies and countries, conflicts for power and control have centered our politics, but then as influence Religion grew on individuals, many countries gave religious sectors power and influence over government. This was due to religion's capture of a person's emotional character and the quest to find and follow God's way of life. As population and country sizes increased, more information was exchanged between different societies and countries. People exchanged values, morals, norms and other life factors. Throughout history, religions have collided and caused conflict over disputes over beliefs, norms, and taboos. These conflicts have caused intolerance towards other religions and cultures, thus leading people to persecute each other because they believe they are the right religion. Every religion is considered the righteous and only true religion of God. These beliefs still have a lasting effect in our modern lives. All over the world there have been many wars, many of which were created because of intolerance and secular relations...... middle of paper ... religion conflicts may never take hold END. Every religion is different from others in many ways, rules and beliefs conflict in many different areas. Even if politics and religion remained separate, fewer collisions between different religions could occur. Religion, if used in a healthy way, can help individuals and the closed sect itself, but these values, morals, and beliefs are widely misunderstood and vaguely interpreted, causing religion to defeat itself every time. Works Cited Ellens, J. Harold. The destructive power of religion. Violence in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Volume 2. Connecticut, 2004Juergensmeyer, Mark. Terror in the mind of God. The global rise of religious violence. University of California Press. 2000Stern, Jessica. Terror in the name of God. Why religious activists kill. Harper Collins Publishers Inc.. 2003