World History
I read an article in the September 11th, 2006 issue of Newsweek. It is called "The New Naysayers" and it discusses the arguments of several scholars who are currently advocating atheism. In the article, it describes the arguments of Richard Dawkins who has a book coming out next month called the God Delusion. Although I have not yet read this unreleased book, one of the cornerstones of the book appears to be that religious belief causes war and violence.
The problem with Dawkin's view though is that in the 20th century the most violent and warlike nations on Earth were atheistic. The Soviet and Chinese Communist atheists killed just as many (if not more) people than any single religious movement. These and other communist regimes were not peaceful, did not respect human rights, and were just as guilty of spreading terrorism as any religion.
The issue then is not that atheism or religion causes violence. As both atheistic and religious views can inspire murder and war, it is reasonable to argue that neither religious belief or lack of it causes the problems. It must be either then a part of human nature that God created or an aspect of human behavior that has evolved with the human species.
I look forward to reading the Dawkins book. I am sure it will be thought provoking. However, I hope Dawkins does not base too much of his argument reasoning that religion is a root cause of war and violence. There are too many examples of atheism gone bad in the last century to seriously argue that any God delusion is the cause of it.
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World History
Violent Atheists of the 20th Century
I read an article in the September 11th, 2006 issue of Newsweek. It is called "The New Naysayers" and it discusses the arguments of several scholars who are currently advocating atheism. In the article, it describes the arguments of Richard Dawkins who has a book coming out next month called the God Delusion. Although I have not yet read this unreleased book, one of the cornerstones of the book appears to be that religious belief causes war and violence.
The problem with Dawkin's view though is that in the 20th century the most violent and warlike nations on Earth were atheistic. The Soviet and Chinese Communist atheists killed just as many (if not more) people than any single religious movement. These and other communist regimes were not peaceful, did not respect human rights, and were just as guilty of spreading terrorism as any religion.
The issue then is not that atheism or religion causes violence. As both atheistic and religious views can inspire murder and war, it is reasonable to argue that neither religious belief or lack of it causes the problems. It must be either then a part of human nature that God created or an aspect of human behavior that has evolved with the human species.
I look forward to reading the Dawkins book. I am sure it will be thought provoking. However, I hope Dawkins does not base too much of his argument reasoning that religion is a root cause of war and violence. There are too many examples of atheism gone bad in the last century to seriously argue that any God delusion is the cause of it.
- Review - Under A Green Sky
I just finished reading Under a Green Sky: Global Warming, the Mass Extinctions of the Past, and What They Can Tell Us About Our Future. It was written by Peter D. Ward. I found it interesting but somewhat hard to read due to some choices the author...
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Zeus Worshippers Demand Access to Temple. Pagans have revived the worship of the Greek God Zeus. Several hundred followers have begun holding religious ceremonies honoring the head of the Greek pantheon in Greece. I believe in religious freedom and I...
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- Bolshevik Persecution Of The Catholic Church
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