Stalin was an Atheist, therefor Atheism is responsible for the millions of deaths he caused?

Question

Is this true?

Answer 1

no stalin is responsible for those deaths. not his religious beliefs

Answer 2

OK, and Hitler was a catholic who killed millions of Jews. The difference being of course, that throughout history Catholics HAVE actually killed thousands if not millions. Atheists are not known to band together, form huge army's and wipe out entire nations. Individuals do that. The difference is why they do it. Stalin did it for Communism. Catholics did it for god. Atheists have never had either the numbers necessary nor the inclination for world domination. Yet.

Answer 3

look at the warrior popes, the three crusades, and all the times jihad had been declared (including now) the burning of 'heritics' ect. I'm sure someone of religion wouldn't see thier religion as causing all those death even though in some cases thier religions demand or support this or demonize others relgions or people. Atheism does not do this, it gives no standard or guidlines, hence cannot be blamed for what Athiests do, unlike religion which is responsable for millions of deaths over the last couple of thousand years.

Answer 4

Come on people, lighten up this is sarcasm.

Meant to show the people who constantly blame Religion for all the wars how silly that argument is.

Wars and Genocide are caused by evil men, some use Religion to justify killing, some do not. Religion (or the lack of it) is not the problem. Evil men wanting to keep power IS the problem.

Peace!

Answer 5

No. Stalin was evil. As was Mao Tse Tung, Pol Pot and the rest. They just happened to be atheist. Evil is responsible for millions of deaths. Their atheism was a symptom, not a cause.

Answer 6

If that were the case, Christians would be responsible for the death of 6 million Jews.

Answer 7

He was also brought up in a very strict Orthodox household. He was sent to study and become a priest. His overzealous father broke his arm when he was young and he used it very lightly in later life making some think it never healed correctly.

What screwed him up, religion or his atheism?

Answer 8

If athiesm is the cause, then think what did god did. You better need to study history.What do you think about the holocaust? Take a look at the world today.

Answer 9

This is a logical fallacy, of course, and not only because it wasn't atheism that was responsible.

Fallacy: Guilt By Association

Also Known as: Bad Company Fallacy, Company that You Keep Fallacy
Description of Guilt By Association

Guilt by Association is a fallacy in which a person rejects a claim simply because it is pointed out that people she dislikes accept the claim. This sort of "reasoning" has the following form:

1. It is pointed out that people person A does not like accept claim P.
2. Therefore P is false

It is clear that sort of "reasoning" is fallacious. For example the following is obviously a case of poor "reasoning": "You think that 1+1=2. But, Adolf Hitler, Charles Manson, Joseph Stalin, and Ted Bundy all believed that 1+1=2. So, you shouldn't believe it."

The fallacy draws its power from the fact that people do not like to be associated with people they dislike. Hence, if it is shown that a person shares a belief with people he dislikes he might be influenced into rejecting that belief. In such cases the person will be rejecting the claim based on how he thinks or feels about the people who hold it and because he does not want to be associated with such people.

Of course, the fact that someone does not want to be associated with people she dislikes does not justify the rejection of any claim. For example, most wicked and terrible people accept that the earth revolves around the sun and that lead is heavier than helium. No sane person would reject these claims simply because this would put them in the company of people they dislike (or even hate).
Examples of Guilt By Association

1. Will and Kiteena are arguing over socialism. Kiteena is a pacifist and hates violence and violent people.

Kiteena: "I think that the United States should continue to adopt socialist programs. For example, I think that the government should take control of vital industries."
Will: "So, you are for state ownership of industry."
Kiteena: "Certainly. It is a great idea and will help make the world a less violent place."
Will: "Well, you know Stalin also endorsed state ownership on industry. At last count he wiped out millions of his own people. Pol Pot of Cambodia was also for state ownership of industry. He also killed millions of his own people. The leadership of China is for state owned industry. They killed their own people in that square. So, are you still for state ownership of industry?"
Kiteena: "Oh, no! I don't want to be associated with those butchers!"

2. Jen and Sandy are discussing the topic of welfare. Jen is fairly conservative politically but she has been an active opponent of racism. Sandy is extremely liberal politically.

Jen: "I was reading over some private studies of welfare and I think it would be better to have people work for their welfare. For example, people could pick up trash, put up signs, and maybe even do skilled labor that they are qualified for. This would probably make people feel better about themselves and it would get more out of our tax money."
Sandy: "I see. So, you want to have the poor people out on the streets picking up trash for their checks? Well, you know that is exactly the position David Count endorses."
Jen: "Who is he?"
Sandy: "I'm surprised you don't know him, seeing how alike you two are. He was a Grand Mooky Wizard for the Aryan Pure White League and is well known for his hatred of blacks and other minorities. With your views, you'd fit right in to his little racist club."
Jen: "So, I should reject my view just because I share it with some racist?"
Sandy: "Of course."

3. Libard and Ferris are discussing who they are going to vote for as the next department chair in the philosophy department. Libard is a radical feminist and she despises Wayne and Bill, who are two sexist professors in the department.

Ferris: "So, who are you going to vote for?"
Libard: "Well, I was thinking about voting for Jane, since she is a woman and there has never been a woman chair here. But, I think that Steve will do an excellent job. He has a lot of clout in the university and he is a decent person."
Ferris: "You know, Wayne and Bill are supporting him. They really like the idea of having Steve as the new chair. I never thought I'd see you and those two pigs on the same side."
Libard: "Well, maybe it is time that we have a woman as chair."

Answer 10

No; he didn't kill people based on their beliefs. He outcast them for a fear of losing control over his new empire. A typical flaw that most of humanity has.

How many leaders throughout history haven't been atheists? And how many people have they killed?