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1.) Mao Zedong is responsible for at least 40 million deaths in China and some place the number as high as 80 million. Even the lowest estimates probably make earn him the title, "Greatest mass-murderer in human history."
2.) Josef Stalin's regime was almost as bloody, killing at least 20 million people and as many as 60 million.
3.) Then we have Vladimir Lenin who oversaw the slaughter of at least 9 million in the Bolshevik Revolution.
4.) Kim Il Sung managed to tally a death toll of about 3 million North Koreans during his rule.
5.) Pol Pot killed between 1 and 4 million in his Khmer Rouge reign of terror, reducing the overall population of Cambodia by 1/3.
The baffling thing to me is that many Atheists, while happy to quote Karl Marx saying “religion is the opium of the masses,” refuse to acknowledge that every single Marxist leader was actually an atheist. Upon gaining control of each nation, Marxist-Communist governments ALL did the same thing: They launched broad sweeping anti-religious/pro-atheist crusades. Churches were destroyed, converted into factories, etc. Religious leaders were killed. The remnants of religious organizations were turned into puppets of the Communist rulers, though the intent to eradicate all religion remained as an unwavering goal. In many cases, it became impractical to pursue the crusade against religion and a truce was struck allowing religions to survive Communist rule, but it never started out that way.
“Remember that the struggle against religion is a struggle for socialism!” from RELIGION IN THE, U. S. S. R. MILITANT ATHEISM BECOMES A MASS MOVEMENT
Ultimately, I think human nature is the true source of all the terrible atrocities in human history. It does not require religion or nonreligion as an excuse. Any passionately felt cause will do just fine. But at the end of the day, Marxist flavors of Communism under the banner of Atheism have killed an absolutely astounding number of people.
I'm an individualist Atheist and I agree with you. The murderous Atheist are always Collectivists, which might be more important to their slaughtering tendencies than their Atheism.
1.) Mao Zedong is responsible for at least 40 million deaths in China and some place the number as high as 80 million. Even the lowest estimates probably make earn him the title, "Greatest mass-murderer in human history."
2.) Josef Stalin's regime was almost as bloody, killing at least 20 million people and as many as 60 million.
3.) Then we have Vladimir Lenin who oversaw the slaughter of at least 9 million in the Bolshevik Revolution.
4.) Kim Il Sung managed to tally a death toll of about 3 million North Koreans during his rule.
5.) Pol Pot killed between 1 and 4 million in his Khmer Rouge reign of terror, reducing the overall population of Cambodia by 1/3.
The baffling thing to me is that many Atheists, while happy to quote Karl Marx saying “religion is the opium of the masses,” refuse to acknowledge that every single Marxist leader was actually an atheist. Upon gaining control of each nation, Marxist-Communist governments ALL did the same thing: They launched broad sweeping anti-religious/pro-atheist crusades. Churches were destroyed, converted into factories, etc. Religious leaders were killed. The remnants of religious organizations were turned into puppets of the Communist rulers, though the intent to eradicate all religion remained as an unwavering goal. In many cases, it became impractical to pursue the crusade against religion and a truce was struck allowing religions to survive Communist rule, but it never started out that way.
“Remember that the struggle against religion is a struggle for socialism!” from RELIGION IN THE, U. S. S. R. MILITANT ATHEISM BECOMES A MASS MOVEMENT
Ultimately, I think human nature is the true source of all the terrible atrocities in human history. It does not require religion or nonreligion as an excuse. Any passionately felt cause will do just fine. But at the end of the day, Marxist flavors of Communism under the banner of Atheism have killed an absolutely astounding number of people.
As an conservative atheist, I completely agree with everything you said. There is no denying reality. Leftist atheists have indeed become the greatest mass murders in the last century. That is indisputable.
If they are quoting Karl Marx, odds are they are also leftist atheists. I think everyone has the right to believe, or not believe, whatever they want, and I am willing to fight to protect that right for anyone. All I ask in return is that I be given the same courtesy and allowed to believe, or not believe, whatever I want.
I'm an individualist Atheist and I agree with you. The murderous Atheist are always Collectivists, which might be more important to their slaughtering tendencies than their Atheism.
It certainly doesn't apply to ALL atheists. You have terrible people in ever religion and you have terrible people in every non-religion.
I'm not sure that collectivism was the entire problem, though it plays a huge role. The whole problem with Marxism is that it -- just like many religions -- claims to be the only possible truth. Just like many religions, it puts forward a Utopian ideal, but while most religions see that as an inevitable eventuality, Marxists viewed it as something that must be achieved immediately and by bloody "revolution". Forced world-wide atheism is a huge part of the Utopia theorized by Marxists. Marxism, though entirely atheistic in nature, looks and acts a lot like a religion.
Being an atheist doesn't necessarily make anyone a bad person. I've known a few atheists who were among the best, kindest and most giving people I've ever know. But when an atheist undertakes to force their point of view on others, that is when atheism becomes dangerous. Not so different from religion -- but in the case of Judeo-Christian religion, all of them were told by God in no uncertain terms not to ever force anyone to convert and a whole lot of "love and respect the rest of mankind" rules they're supposed to be following. There's no book of ethics holding a crusading militant atheist back. Might be why they massacred a mind boggling number of people (and still are.)
It certainly doesn't apply to ALL atheists. You have terrible people in ever religion and you have terrible people in every non-religion.
I'm not sure that collectivism was the entire problem, though it plays a huge role. The whole problem with Marxism is that it -- just like many religions -- claims to be the only possible truth. Just like many religions, it puts forward a Utopian ideal, but while most religions see that as an inevitable eventuality, Marxists viewed it as something that must be achieved immediately and by bloody "revolution". Forced world-wide atheism is a huge part of the Utopia theorized by Marxists. Marxism, though entirely atheistic in nature, looks and acts a lot like a religion.
Being an atheist doesn't necessarily make anyone a bad person. I've known a few atheists who were among the best, kindest and most giving people I've ever know. But when an atheist undertakes to force their point of view on others, that is when atheism becomes dangerous. Not so different from religion -- but in the case of Judeo-Christian religion, all of them were told by God in no uncertain terms not to ever force anyone to convert and a whole lot of "love and respect the rest of mankind" rules they're supposed to be following. There's no book of ethics holding a crusading militant atheist back. Might be why they massacred a mind boggling number of people (and still are.)
Good post. Marxism is based on "science", not belief (at last that's what they tell themselves). They are just speeding up the "natural" evolutionary process. Yes, Marxism is a religion but I've never met a Marxist who realized it. That's why I call myself an Individualist Atheist, to separate myself from Collectivist Atheist or the "by any means necessary" crowd. They, like the "religious" fanatics they abhor, have a lot of blood-spilling potential.
Last edited by laysayfair; 08-12-2011 at 07:21 AM..
Not so different from religion -- but in the case of Judeo-Christian religion, all of them were told by God in no uncertain terms not to ever force anyone to convert and a whole lot of "love and respect the rest of mankind" rules they're supposed to be following. There's no book of ethics holding a crusading militant atheist back. Might be why they massacred a mind boggling number of people (and still are.)
Except that many Christians have historically ignored that section, and instead relied on the Tanakh's command to slaughter the infidel, kill witches, slaughter men, women, and children, etc.
It's even so apparent today in the US with the rise of Christian fundamentalism, that Christians do not understand or follow their own commandments.
Except that many Christians have historically ignored that section, and instead relied on the Tanakh's command to slaughter the infidel, kill witches, slaughter men, women, and children, etc.
It's even so apparent today in the US with the rise of Christian fundamentalism, that Christians do not understand or follow their own commandments.
They can choose to ignore the rules or try to twist and turn some passages to justify their crimes, but the point is that the rules are there. "There is no compulsion in Islam" comes straight out of the Quran for example, yet Muslims in Muslim majority nations are probably the worst offenders against their own rules here.
You don't get it. First of all your claim is wrong, but whatever. I don't have the time to talk about your crazy conspiracy that I am against Christianity.
You don't get my point about Christianity. You either call people Christians who say they are Christians or you don't call anyone a Christian because most of them don't act like Jesus at all. I have never seen so much hate from "Christians" like on CD. They apparently never heard of loving their neighbor...
If it is truly hate and simply not calling having an opinion that differs from a leftist "hate", then you're agreeing with me and do not realize it. There is specific criteria for being a Christian, simply referring to oneself as one does not meet the criteria. But again, I'm a bit skeptical as to what you define as "hate" because that's one of the main strategies out of the Neo Prog playbook; call anything that they disagree with "hate."
As an conservative atheist, I completely agree with everything you said. There is no denying reality. Leftist atheists have indeed become the greatest mass murders in the last century. That is indisputable.
If they are quoting Karl Marx, odds are they are also leftist atheists. I think everyone has the right to believe, or not believe, whatever they want, and I am willing to fight to protect that right for anyone. All I ask in return is that I be given the same courtesy and allowed to believe, or not believe, whatever I want.
Unfortunately, I am in a distinct minority.
A tolerant atheist? Yes you are, and I respect and commend you for not being a sheeple.
Except that many Christians have historically ignored that section, and instead relied on the Tanakh's command to slaughter the infidel, kill witches, slaughter men, women, and children, etc.
It's even so apparent today in the US with the rise of Christian fundamentalism, that Christians do not understand or follow their own commandments.
Please explain this "rise in Christian fundamentalism" that you speak of. Me thinks it's another boogieman of the left along with birthers, truthers and warmers. Maybe we'll call you guys Christers.
Jesus: Love, pray for, feed, clothe and bless your enemies
Muhammad: Kill the infidel
Psst, Fiyero....................you're an infidel.
A tolerant atheist? Yes you are, and I respect and commend you for not being a sheeple.
I am not tolerant of those who threaten others because they believe differently. I do not care if they are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus or other atheists. If they are being unfairly targeted by others because of their beliefs, I will gladly come to their defense.
With that said, I want it to be understood that nobody has the right to inflict their beliefs on others, particularly through force. Which includes force of law.
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