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dawg

(10,777 posts)

3. I would never try to imply that atheists were more likely to kill or commit acts of brutality.

Sat Jan 17, 2015, 10:52 AM

Jan 2015

But I do think it is necessary to push back against the false notion that it is religion itself that causes these things. Religion is a tool that some people use to express their brutality. In the absence of that tool, another is conveniently chosen.

Religion is also a tool that some people use to fight *against* the brutal and unkind parts of their human nature. In the absence of that tool, *these* people will find another tool to help them be better people.

Ultimately, it is not the religion or lack thereof. It is the individual men and women making their own choices about which path they want to follow: the path of kindness, or the path of ruthlessness.

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The Atheist Atrocities Fallacy � Hitler, Stalin & Pol Pot [View all] ChosenUnWisely Jan 2015 OP

So what is it, exactly, that you are trying to deny? dawg Jan 2015 #1

I think the link provided explained it in detail. SamKnause Jan 2015 #5

The link sounded like a lot of self-serving ... dawg Jan 2015 #7

I think there is an argument that atheism isn't a motivation in and of itself. RadiationTherapy Jan 2015 #9

I don't disagree with that. But the same goes for religion. dawg Jan 2015 #11

I have to disagree with the second paragraph to an extent. RadiationTherapy Jan 2015 #12

Atheists and mentally unstable people ... dawg Jan 2015 #13

Without examples, I don't know how to respond other than: Nothing is above mockery. RadiationTherapy Jan 2015 #17

Of course anything can be mocked. dawg Jan 2015 #18

I did not mean to imply mockery is a good idea, helpful or kind. RadiationTherapy Jan 2015 #28

Often claimed but absolutely false whatthehey Jan 2015 #35

There is no nuance in a yes or no poll question. dawg Jan 2015 #36

It appears you didn't click on the link. There were three choices. Luminous Animal Jan 2015 #47

Is the resurrection of Jesus to be taken symbolically? Arugula Latte Jan 2015 #43

Not to me, but maybe to some. dawg Jan 2015 #61

You are scornful of people who accuse religious people of taking the bible literally. Arugula Latte Jan 2015 #68

There are distinct differences, though TexasMommaWithAHat Jan 2015 #25

And that is the problem, people who believe that because murder, slavery, etc., are in the Bible -- DesertDiamond Jan 2015 #71

That is the voice of reason you are channeling there. zeemike Jan 2015 #23

religion and atheism have a body count no roguevalley Jan 2015 #67

We have forums for these kinds of arguments. TM99 Jan 2015 #2

+1 el_bryanto Jan 2015 #10

You have the power of the Holy Trinity at your fingertips. cleanhippie Jan 2015 #19

I would never try to imply that atheists were more likely to kill or commit acts of brutality. dawg Jan 2015 #3

I agree with you jberryhill Jan 2015 #16

I hesitate to intrude but, Neon Gods Jan 2015 #38

No, I don't admit that. dawg Jan 2015 #40

"Unbelievers have killed believers because of their faith." yortsed snacilbuper Jan 2015 #41

Beda Chang. dawg Jan 2015 #60

LOL yortsed snacilbuper Jan 2015 #66

You must not have read the article. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #49

Thank you for posting. SamKnause Jan 2015 #4

The facts say otherwise. Archae Jan 2015 #6

Yeah. I don't think it's right to hang Hitler on the atheists. dawg Jan 2015 #8

It's not right to hang any murderous, despotic leader's actions on people of faith either Major Nikon Jan 2015 #22

No it isn't. dawg Jan 2015 #27

Except in some instances, religion is used as a means to that end Major Nikon Jan 2015 #30

If you give it the blame for that ... dawg Jan 2015 #33

I'm not sure how to do that Major Nikon Jan 2015 #39

Religion doesn't cause people to kill. It's their faith that does that. immoderate Jan 2015 #62

"Hitchens and other great thinkers" gratuitous Jan 2015 #14

What was that about mocking? F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #50

Sorry gratuitous Jan 2015 #51

"Church of Hitchens" F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #53

Oh, boo hoo hoo gratuitous Jan 2015 #57

Don't dis Hitch! Dr. Strange Jan 2015 #64

How Funny..... Cryptoad Jan 2015 #15

Hitler was a self declared Christian. alphafemale Jan 2015 #20

Hitler and those closest to him were quite contemptuous of Christianity. thucythucy Jan 2015 #76

Maybe they did not kill in the name of atheism (though Communists do persecute people of faith) Nuclear Unicorn Jan 2015 #21

And another strawman whatthehey Jan 2015 #31

Well Put.n/t fasttense Jan 2015 #34

I think you fundamentally misunderstand the nature of religious folk ... dawg Jan 2015 #37

Sorry Neon Gods Jan 2015 #42

Somehow we are to believe they killed those deemed responsible for mocking their religion Major Nikon Jan 2015 #54

Well, duh. Religion never has anything to do with the bad stuff. beam me up scottie Jan 2015 #65

Stalin of course did not want people having a god treestar Jan 2015 #46

Not historically accurate Major Nikon Jan 2015 #55

A tired-tired fail Android3.14 Jan 2015 #24

I'm in sympathy with atheists, as my dad was an atheist, and I'm a Buddhist=no supreme being... DesertDiamond Jan 2015 #26

In recent years I have taken great inspiration from the teachings of the Buddha. dawg Jan 2015 #29

dawg, I'm so glad you get something out of Shakyamuni's teachings! :-) DesertDiamond Jan 2015 #69

As for buddhist belief in a supreme being, depends on which sect. As for harming others, buddhists ND-Dem Jan 2015 #52

Sorry you disagree, ND-Dem. Respect for life = Core principle of Buddhism. The subject of the OP DesertDiamond Jan 2015 #70

not a question of disagreeing; a question of history and fact. ND-Dem Jan 2015 #74

Leading Atheists is like, yortsed snacilbuper Jan 2015 #32

K & R AzDar Jan 2015 #44

It likely has nothing to do one with the other treestar Jan 2015 #45

1937 A Nazi Christmas yortsed snacilbuper Jan 2015 #48

Technically, Hitler was a Roman Catholic... backscatter712 Jan 2015 #56

"I am now as before a Catholic and will always remain so." - Adolph Hitler, 1941 beam me up scottie Jan 2015 #58

What character flaw caused Hitchens to be such a blood-soaked war monger? cpwm17 Jan 2015 #59

so you are saying Stalin and Pol Pot were not Atheist? Or are you saying that they did not kill Douglas Carpenter Jan 2015 #63

What makes Stalin an atheist? Bradical79 Jan 2015 #72

And as for Pol Pot, also not an atheist Bradical79 Jan 2015 #73

Athiests are barred from plitical office in all countries, yortsed snacilbuper Jan 2015 #75