@"Of course, aorathaic, some of us interpret statements as an attack because they are in fact attacks and we are under constant threat."
Yes, that is fair, there is interesting evidence from genocide watch about the steps where groups become no-persons in the eyes of those planning to commit genocide.
I wonder where Atheists would fall in the US.
@'being derided as inhuman or ammoral' - definitely a warning sign in genocide watch's view.
@KC
'What do you mean by "right?" I am Christian and I don't believe this. Furthermore, most of the Christians I know do not believe this (though some definitely do).'
That you must accept Jesus Christ as your lord and saviour in order to get into heaven.
@'@Orathaic: Do you think all atheists are "arrogant"?'
No, i didn't make that claim, i was being specific to atheists who join atheist organisations...
But given the above, it makes sense that some would seek protection from an organisation where they feel under constant threat.
The atheist i know of are not all atheists.
@'I mean, communist regimes' persecution is the first thing to come to mind, but I really don't want to get into "body counts" as HR said.'
Just as we're talking about groups of atheists coming together to meet. Communists do have something they share, a common belief in Communism. It is entirely possible to be a theistic communist in principle.
But i think we need a better way of categorizing people. Those who strongly belief in something (nationalism, communism, or a religion, etc.) are a separate from the group of people without a creed to follow and sacrifice themselves for.
People might die trying to promote their beliefs, but people without such strong convictions will never do so.
Whether that is high-jacking a plane and flying it into a building, or throwing a grenade at the open topped car of a visiting archduke... There is a clear difference in behaviour between those who have a strong enough belief that they go out and act on it, and those who do not.
I would argue that Communists are not a sub-set of atheists in this sense. They have a specific political ideology which supersedes any lack of belief. The group of atheists are mostly people who just happen to lack a belief in god/gods. As i mentioned, having little to no reason for getting together and meeting up - unless persistent persecution gives them a shared experience and they can meet up to support one-an-other...
I think your characterizing Communists, and Soviet Communists specifically, in this way as 'atheists' is only useful to further demonise atheists in your own country who have specifically NOT suppressed Christians.
It is also a mis-categorization, like me deciding to categorise all pagan, muslims, hindus, satanists and christians under one umbrella 'theists' group (which they quiet clearly are) - this is correct but not useful. Unless i wanted to tell you how bad theists are, because Nazi's Germany murdered a bunch of people, and Hitler was definitely either a Christian, or interested in revived German Paganism...
Just because something is true, doesn't mean it is a useful perspective to hold.
Now if your goal is to demonise atheists, to question their humanity, to eventually be able to justify a purging of all atheists... then sure. You're doing a fine job there. Otherwise...