Quote Originally Posted by LegionnaireX View Post
Why use Hitler when we have a proven example in Stalin. We know for a fact he was an atheist.
There is something that i dont understand with this kind of statement, so i started a new thread.
Is that kind of non-argument used to despise atheism ?

I'd like to state a few facts :
Atheism is not a religion nor an ideology, not even a belief.
Therefore, the actions, beliefs, ideology that are preached, written or enforced by an atheist only concern that particular individual and those that choosed to follow him or his ideology.

Christianism defines the comon beliefs and rituals shared by catholics, protestants and orthodox, aswell as hundreds (or thousands ?) of sects, but is in no way a religion in itself.

A religion is an ensemble of beliefs and rituals shared by a group of people.
Some religions consider themselves as "one and undividable", meaning you must take all or none.
When a religious leader preaches to comit crimes, even if he does not comit any, is a criminal. Those that follows his direction and comit the crime are of course criminal too. Those that listen his preach and do nothing are also criminals if they dont do anything like warning autorities etc ...

I suppose everyone will agree with those definitions (i hope so at least).

So keeping to those definitions, an atheist calling for murder genocide etc ... even in the name of atheists will be a criminal, but not all atheists are acomplice : only those that share HIS ideology.

What's the difference ?
I hope some will see it.
If for exemple the Pope call for a crusade in Irak, the catholics that just stay quiet and keep calling themselves catholics will be his accomplice as they give passive moral credit to the actions of others.
What i mean is that when a religious leader preaches to comit crimes in the name of their religion, those that dont stand up should be ashamed and try to look back at their belief and answer these simple questions and this for people following any ideology, religious or not)

"Is the preacher more knowledgeble of the religion than i am ? if not why is he a preacher or why am i not one ?"
"If he can find a way to justify his actions with my beliefs is he right ? or are my beliefs flawed in some way ?"
"If my beliefs are flawed is some way, how can you tell what is flawed and what is not ?"
"If i dont find any flaw, is it then the people that use the religion that are twisted ? If they are twisted and have the same beliefs than me, do those beliefs really help me bettering myself ?"
"How can i keep going to some religious offices and not feel acomplice with crimes comited in the name of my religion ?"