Why We are Mad At You by an Atheist

[eqfan592]

152. These communist leaders were leaders that happened to be atheists..

...but not leaders OF atheists, as if atheism has some sort of hierarchical structure. Christian leaders are both christians AND leaders of christians. There is something of a distinction to be had there. One that I think you and humblebum are missing.

And when it comes down to it, christians have a choice of weather they want to associate themselves with this leadership or not (and many choose not to by joining more agreeable denominations, or leaving the organized portion behind entirely). The same simply doesn't apply when talking about atheists, because those individuals you are speaking of were never OUR leaders to begin with. We in no way enabled their crimes. The same cannot be said for organized religion and its followers. Those who actively support a religion are enabling that religions leaders, and thus hold a certain amount of responsibility for that leaders actions.