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I'm not sure either Northern Ireland or the Middle East are really anything to do with religion, more that entrenched and divisive histories mean reconciliation of any sort is massively unlikely to happen as it doesn't suit the people making the decisions/taking an active role. In both cases it's the people who aren't involved in perpetuating the conflict (eg. civilians, children) who lose out.

I agree. Religion is used to justify agressive behaviour. The english would have gone on the crusades with or without christianity, it was in their nature. There are many peaceful religious people. Disputes over land, power, food and ethnicity cause wars. Religion is a banner to march under. any doctrine can be twisted as justification for atrocities in the wrong hands. Hamas hate the Israelis for reasons infinitely deeper than their particular religious beliefs. I would say patriotism and ethnicity are far more divisive and inflammatory than religion.