Do you believe atheism is responsible for the greatest crimes in human history?

Question

People of faith often claim that the crimes of Hitler, Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot were the inevitable product of unbelief. The problem with fascism and communism, however, is not that they are too critical of religion; the problem is that they are too much like religions. Such regimes are dogmatic to the core and generally give rise to personality cults that are indistinguishable from cults of religious hero worship. Auschwitz, the gulag and the killing fields were not examples of what happens when human beings reject religious dogma; they are examples of political, racial and nationalistic dogma run amok. There is no society in human history that ever suffered because its people became too reasonable.

Answer 1

What?? No... Hitler wasn't an atheist, he was a CHRISTIAN. Stalin's nonbelief had nothing to do with his crimes... he didn't kill in the name of "no-god" or "non-belief".

And you're right when you say "There is no society in human history that ever suffered because its people became too reasonable." That's exactly how I feel... the less reasonable, the more dangerous... and religious faith is belief in the absence of reason and sometime DESPITE reason.

Oh, and "sleepinarowboat"... "Most people in the PRoC report no organized religious affiliation; however, belief in folk traditions and non-religious spiritual beliefs, such as ancestor worship and feng shui, along with informal ties to local temples and unofficial house churches is in the hundreds of millions."

Answer 2

>>>The problem with fascism and communism, however, is not that they are too critical of religion; the problem is that they are too much like religions>>>

That was a very nice rhetorical attempt to scapegoat religion for the atrocities of two very anti-religious political philosophies.

But it didn't work. Sorry.

The bottom line is, communism is by far the most murderous political system in world history.

At least 150 million people -- in less than a century -- have been killed by communist regimes in various countries.

And communism is officially atheist.

That's no coincidence.

The fundamental problem with communism is that it removes recognition of a true higher power -- God -- and effectively makes ITSELF the higher power to which everyone must give obedience.

As such, it grants itself the power to take away freedom, to take away possessions, even to take away life.

It makes itself a sort of god that everyone must worship under threat of imprisonment or death.

That's not "acting similar to religion." Instead, it's much more similar to an act of blasphemy.

Making oneself into a god is blasphemous, which is completely condemned by the world's major religions.

Oh, and did I mention that communism is officially atheist?

.

Answer 3

No, but by the same reasoning, I think people of faith can point to the horrible things done in the name of religion and say that those things are distortions of what religion/faith is meant to be. The Crusades, Inquisition, etc...were primarily done for money and power. I think the whole argument that Religion/Faith is responsible for all the wars, atrocities, etc... is too simplistic. Politics, money, power, and land are usually the primary reasons, whatever the justification of the time may be.

Answer 4

Considering Communism detests the idea of God then yes, Atheism is largely responsible for the greatest crmes in History.
Between Stalin and Mao you can figure at least 150 million people murdered. Of course there's Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Hitler etc.

Answer 5

Yes, I know that because of atheism the crime is rising. Here is some proof:
Here is what happened When Evolution Invades Textbooks. - Bible and Prayer taken out of Schools
1960's to 1990 Violent Crime Offenses Went Up 995%
1960's to 1992 Divorce Rates Went Up 111%
1960's to 1990 Sex Transmitted Diseases Went Up 226%
1960's to 1995 Unmarried Couples Went Up 536%
1960's to 1985 Unwed Birth Rates Went Up 325%

This should answer your question. Hopefully you'll make the right decission for your remaining life.

Answer 6

No and Yes. Not because the greatest crimes in history have been committed by religion leaders, think about the INQUISITION, Catholic church killed thousands of people in the name of god, according to them, men and women were burned alive with their bible in their chest. killed without given the chance to defend themselves. Many were torture because they chose to read , study or inquire about bible doctrines.
The first century, was marked by many killings, again for the sake of Christianity, Saul, who later became an apostle of Christ, was a zealous follower of the christian faith, and killed many disciples of Christ because he though that was the right thing to do, later he realized that he was in the wrong and repent, becoming Paul the apostle.
Many today, like the characters you have mentioned, though that it was a good cause to eliminate those who were in many ways different, because of racial pride or any other reason.
The love of power and prominence, whether religious or not, it has been the main reason of humankind genocides, and unjustified killings.
Gabby.

Answer 7

In answer to your question, no.

In response to your rant, I generally agree with you. Stalin, Mao,Hitler, Pol Pot were personality cults. And Hitler wasn't an atheist, he was most definitely a christian.

Answer 8

In a way the lack of respect for God allows people to do horrible things. I would not blame the greatest crimes on Atheists too. As there are many different kind of Christians, there is also many kind of Atheists.

Answer 9

If all those people you mentioned were true Christians they wouldn't have done the acts they committed. If they had followed Jesus' teachings they would have known the differences. What they did do is follow their on warped sense of belief that had nothing to do with true faith in our Lord and Savior.

Answer 10

You really answered your own question - the four men you mentioned were godless enemies of religion. I get the impression that you were disappointed with your own discovery.

In further comment to another answer, Hitler was by no stretch of the imagination an observant Christian, but was deeply involved with the Occult.