I'm not saying any of those things have nothing to do with religion. What I'm arguing is that the religious beliefs of a given regime aren't a good predictor of the tendency toward violence. Violence usually has to do with power and other motives and religious belief, Atheism, Christianity or otherwise, tends to serve as a convenient excuse or justification.
I use Stalin as a prominent example, but you could also use most of Communist eastern Europe. Hitler and Stalin weren't the only ones who killed off religious and ethnic minorities at their convenience. Actually, Around the time that Stalin fell ill, many soviet states began to purge Jews from the Communist party. I would recommned reading "Under a Cruel Star" by Heda Margolious Kovaly if you want to hear about a Czech Jew who survived the double threat of the secular Nazi and Communist Regimes.
Mister D (11-09-2012)
If I was trying to get someone to believe something, you'd have a point. If I was trying to replace one belief with another, you'd have a point. Atheism is not like a religion, it doesn't have any dogma attached to it, it has no agenda--it simply means the lack of belief in a god. Some atheists have agendas, but that's on an individual basis. Most people are atheists about just about all gods, atheists just take it one more god further.
Sorry--but I do not accept the idea that being intolerant of intolerance is THE SAME THING as being intolerant of anything else.
Sorry. All I see is that ideologies (religious or not, sincere or - as in Stalin's and Hitler's case - not) promote violence.
The fact seems to be that religion has a more thorough record of promoting violence. And, in Muslim countries, some of which (like Nigeria and Lebanon) are also Christian, is still doing so.
The blight is ideology, affected or real.
Come sit down beside me I said to myself
And although it doesn't make sense
I held my own hand as a small sign of trust
And together I sat on the fence
Anon. Very anon.
But Hitler was an atheist. You can send a child to church but it doesn't mean he will believe. Did use the Church to his advantage tho.
roadmaster (11-09-2012)
Whoever criticizes capitalism, while approving immigration, whose working class is its first victim, had better shut up. Whoever criticizes immigration, while remaining silent about capitalism, should do the same.
~Alain de Benoist