Are Pol Pot, Stalin and Hitler examples of atheist atrocoties?

Often while debating someone over the atrocities that have been committed throughout history in the name of religion, a charge is made by the religious that atheism is just as deadly and they bring up examples such as Pol Pot and Stalin[1] as examples of atheist atrocities. At first glance this accusation seems to have some teeth. After all they did commit some of the greatest crimes against humanity ever seen, and they were atheists, and so this is probably enough to convince some of the simplest of thinkers among us that yes, of course, atheism can precipitate as much death and destruction as religious zealotry and they go right on believing it without thinking any more on the subject. Unfortunately the reality is not quite so simple, and in fact, upon careful consideration, we will see that this conclusion really couldn't be more wrong.

The reality is that atheism was nothing but a by product to these men. Their real passion was nationalism. They envisioned themselves as the gods of their countries, and just like the jealous god of the Muslims and the Christians, they too wanted no god above them, and just like the Christian and Muslim gods they were atheists by their very nature. Religion is nothing more than the blind obedience to dogma. Is Nationalism anything more, or communism or Capitalism. They were simply taking advantage of the groundwork that had been laid by religion in the previous couple millenia. The human psyche was primed to follow without question, to submit to authority, to follow dogma without question. In short these regimes were nothing less than religions in their own right.

If you asked a bunch of atheists what the most important human quality is, I have little doubt the majority answer would be something along the lines of thinking for oneself, the desire to learn, the ability to reason etc. Does anyone really believe that it was these qualities that were in over abundance during these crimes against humanity, or was it just more of the same? The demand of blind adherance to doctrine and the subsequent submission without question, like sheep to slaughter.

The Christians during the crusades yelled glory to god as they hacked women and children to death, innocent people were burned alive and tortured if they dared question the authority of the church in any way, Muslims blow themselves up along with dozens of innocent people every day because they believe god will reward them for doing so. Never in history has any act like these been done in the name of atheism, nor will they ever be. The reason is simple because unlike religion or nationalism or communism, atheism is not even an ideology but instead is simply the rejection of one, but even deeper it is a rejection of all ideologies based on blind faith or dogma and it simply implores humanity to instead use our most precious and unique resources reason, rationality and compassion.


[1] Hitler is sometimes included as well, but the history that is available clearly shows that even though he despised Christianity, he also seems to have despised atheists as well and at times he indicated a belief in some kind of god, so he will be left out of the discussion, even though it would have no effect on the arguments to come if he were an atheist.

End sequence of the movie religulous

This is the end sequence of the movie religulous. Although the rest of movie is funny, this is not, and it sums up my feelings about religion almost perfectly. Whatever Bill Mahr may have done in the past, or what he might do in the future, The fact that he was willing to make this movie, puts him among heroes in my book.

Random thought

When we don't attempt to understand and connect deeply with the true nature of our universe, or we trade in the simplistic answers to such questions, we are wasting the best part of what it means to be human, and moving further away from whatever our greatest potential might some day be.

Viruses

If god created all life on earth, why did he create the viruses that can destroy it, and why did he give humans and other animals immune systems which are not always successful in fighting off these threats? Of course it all makes perfect sense in the context of evolution.

Just one more thing among thousands, that in itself should be enough for a rational mind to reject religion, but instead is just one more thing for the religious mind to ignore.

Religion cheapens everything!

I was walking tonight, looking up at the moon orbiting 250,000 miles away in the silent blackness of space just like it's been doing for billions of years, and as usual, one thing led to another, and before long I was in familar territory, wandering the incredible universe of ours lost in it's beauty and mystery. But as also usually happens, this got me thinking about the billions of people on this planet that explain it all away with three simple words. "God did it", and I couldn't help but think how much this would cheapen the whole experience if I believed such nonsense. Why bother understanding anything if it's all simply a magic trick performed by god.

But that's not all that religion cheapens. How about our own lives? They are nothing more than a staging area to paradise, just time spent waiting for the rapture. This life is nothing at all compared to what is to come. As for the earth and it's animal life and resources, all put here for man to have dominion over and to do with as he chooses. expendable. Our intellect and reason? To be tossed aside with the days garbage, in favor of brand new dose of blind faith. The curiousity of children crushed under the weight of simplistic lies forced on them by those they should trust the most in this world.

What will this world be like once this primitive, divisive, ridiculous perversion has been eradicated from our consciousness. A world full of reasonable, rational, compassionate, people all living life courageously with no mind numbingly simplistic myths to drain them of their passion to make this life the best it can be, not just for themselves, but for everyone on the planet, because you see, when everyone realizes they are all in the same boat, and no one thinks they have a magic ticket to paradise, or that others could too if only they would fall into line and believe like they do, the eaiser it becomes to understand and sympathize with each other, and when that happens our potential is just around the next corner.

Rush Limbaugh and minions ready for cival war?

Excellent article by a former republican and religious right member, which talks about the hypocrisy and the danger of the histerical reaction of these groups to the the election of Obama. Here is just an excerpt with a link to article following.

"Every Sunday thousands of far right white preachers rail against America's "sins" from tens of thousands of pulpits. They tell us that America is complicit in the "murder of the unborn," has become "Sodom" by "coddling gays," is now -- under Obama -- about to become communist, and that our public schools are sinful places full of evolutionists and sex educators hell-bent on corrupting children. They preach hate against Muslims and laud the Apocalypse and root for Armageddon."

Full Article

Time to end Tax Free religon.

The time has come to end the free ride churches have when it comes to their finances.  They rake in millions upon millions of dollars of tax free income to build ever more massive churches and indoctrination centers for children that they call sunday school while also purchasing land and other investments that add ever more funds to already enormous coffers. In the mean time they hold canned food drives so the local homeless can get a .35c can of green beans for dinner. Taxing churches would go a long way towards impoving the financial situation we find ourselves in. If it's in god we trust, then he should at least not be cheating on his taxes. Lets get the low life to pay his fair share.