RE: Imagine religion didn't exist. What would we fight about ?
Your article mentions excuses for wars of which I would say resources and control are additional ones. However, I think the fundamental reasons for any conflict whether it is a personal dispute (e.g. bar fight) or a world war are ego, fear and beliefs.
Of course religions are based entirely on beliefs, but so are many things. For example, there are people who so adamantly believe in man-mad climate change that they openly state that anyone with a conflicting view should be thrown in prison. Whether the science is true or not, isn't it crazy to imprison people for having a differing view? So even in science there is dogma.
If all of humanity works on growing their consciousness, mitigating their ego, fear and beliefs I would bet that this world would be a much more peaceful, prosperous and friendly place. I think we are slowly getting there, but we clearly have a lot more work ahead of us.
It is indeed strange that people don't see the added value of an opposite opinion. I learned the most from people disagreing with