Who are these secularists and atheists that ignore Stalin's purges and Islamic Spain and France?

Question

Why do they always yell "THE INQUISTION! THE CRUSADES! CHRISTIANS ARE EVIL"? Why don't they yell "AMERICAN AND FRENCH AND RUSSIAN REVOLUTIONS AND NAPOLEON AND NAPOLEON III AND WWI AND WWII AND STALIN AND KOREA AND VIETNAM AND IRAQ? SECULARISTS ARE EVIL!"?

Answer 1

You're ranting. Did you know that?

What makes you think that any of those things have to do with atheism? And how can you lump the American revolution together with Stalin?

The fact of the matter is that there are major, powerful religious organizations - Islamic, Christian, Jewish, and others - that are committing atrocities today _in the name of those religions_. Right here in the United States you can easily find "Jesus Camp"-style organizations just about everywhere.

Where is the atheist equivalent? It doesn't exist, and it never has. Stalin didn't rally his troops by encouraging them _as atheists_ to fight against believers. It wouldn't have worked if he had, since the vast majority of them most assuredly believed in gods. There is no organization of atheists dedicated to making war on non-atheists. Atheists value life.
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Oh, and since you just asked this question (below), I hardly think you're in a position to complain about others' morals.
(You asked: )
"Who are these people that think Jews and Muslims were entitled to legal equality in Catholic Spain or France?"

Answer 2

Actually, there has been plenty said about all of those things.
Usually Christians are the ones that talk about "Christian" crimes, because we are ashamed of them, as we should be. While Stalin's purges were horrible, I am much more concerned about horrible crimes that were done in the name of Christ, because that name is precious to me.
I will be much more upset of a close family member turns out to be a paedophile than if a person across the country does.
EDIT:
Now I will respond to some of the answers:
True, Stalin didn't do his crimes "in the name of atheism". However, the Inquisition was all about greed, not religion. People received a large part of the properties of those they denounced, while the Inquisition received the rest. The Crusades was really a campaign to protect trade routes. Religion was an excuse, just as politicians sometimes use religion to stir up the troops today, unfortunately.
The Spanish Conquistadors? there again, they tried to spiritualize their conquests by claiming to spread religion, but that had absolutely nothing to do with it. It was plain conquest, and stealing gold. In the same way, when Drake sunk the spanish ships or took their gold, I don't think that either he nor Elizabeth the 1st thought much about the religious aspect. They thought about the gold, and about weakening the power of Spain. And, of course, the faithful church of England probably had its adherents mutter prayers of thanksgiving. That's all part of patriotism.
My point is, Stalins's purges can be attributed as much to his unbelief as these other crimes can be attributed to their faith: a big Zero.
Remember, as long as religion was a power, I'm sure many powerful people adhered to religion out of lip service. That is the problem with mixing religion with power. It's all right for politicians to express their religious or non religious views, and of course, when in power, their religious values will influence them, so it's all right to be interested in what religious values they have. But religion as such should never have a say in what government does. And neither should non-religion.

Answer 3

I have no problem with denouncing Islamic oppressions and atrocities. It should be noted, however, that I haven't had a lot of Muslims coming to my door proclaiming that their faith is the only "true" one and threatening my soul if I don't convert. Nor have I had many muslims try to force students in school to pray towards Mecca, insert their superstitions into science classes, or otherwise breach the wall between chruch and state.

As for Stalin, Korea, and Vietnam, nothing that happened over there have anything to do with human secularists. Stalin and his copycats were after pure political power and killed anyone organized or indepentent enough to threaten that power...theists and freethinkers alike. You are confusing Communism with athiesm, when in fact the two have little if anything in common.

Answer 4

Stalin acted out of misguided political zeal- the fact that he was an atheist is a non issue. The church throughout history acted out of a desire to force Christianity on people which is why the conquistadors killed hundreds of thousands and caused the deaths of millions more through neglect and greed.

Answer 5

Atheism is a lack of belief. Rarely do people gather and rally behind a cry for something not existing. You are referring to horrible things that humans did separate from a religious affiliation and comparing it to things humans did that derived directly from a specific religious affiliation. Make sense?

Answer 6

Hitler was a loon, and a Christian. Did he kill in the name of God? Nope.

Stalin was a loon, and an atheist. Did he kill in the name of No God? Nope.

Sorry, but this debate is truly silly. Every 'group' has bad apples. Your group, my group. Even our mutual group, human kind, has bad apples.

Stalin and Hitler both were men by the way. Should I start accusing all men now? They also both had a moustache. All men with moustaches are evil?

Answer 7

Okay, we talk about Christian (and Muslim) atrocities here because this is Religion and Spirituality, and they are religions. Are those words short enough for you to follow?

Whatever is up your butt about France and Spain I really suggest some sort of colonic irrigation, because heads up, YOU'RE A BORING LITTLE MAN AND NO-ONE'S LISTENING TO YOU.

Answer 8

I don't ignore it at all. But I don't have the pompous arrogance to suggest that Stalin did it for their own good - because he knew the truth and they were ignorant savages.

Answer 9

Stalin killed people BECAUSE he was power hungry and paranoid.
The Inquisition was BECAUSE they were Catholic

Stalin's motivation was never because he was an atheist. There is nothing in atheism that would cause you to go after another religious group.

Answer 10

We're not yelling about any of that. We understand that throughout history there has been all types of people of all types of religion (and lack thereof) with poor agendas.

Calm down.