Benjamin O'Donnell explains the problem is dogma not churches.

I hate both maniac and madness. I do not discriminate.

It is a good article. I'm learning.

I think that I get what O'Donnell is getting at, we must separate dogma from the name given to it. No, that is not it. He must mean that we must separate and isolate fantasy. No, I don't know what he is on about.

I have re-read the article. And I think that what he is saying, though he doesn't say it directly, is: we are in no danger from the truly pious, the mystical. And I could not agree more if I am right in my analysis.

Mysticism suggests quietism. I do not personally go in for it, which makes me a busybody. I suppose that was what St. Peter was on about too.

It is of course idealism.

O'Donnell could be right. Unreason is the real enemy of mankind. Faith in supernatural things is just one of several forms of unreason.
Faith in dictators is another form of unreason. That was the real problem with Hitler, Stalin and other dictators.
Whether it is religion or great dictators, their promises are false. Atheists are the ones that are most aware of this.

Yes, there could be a better way to deal with the old accusation some religious representatives make that somehow Atheists are responsible for the behaviour of the dictators, Stalin, Hitler and Mao.
I usually find myself filled with rage when I hear that sort of thing.
You can see what their tactic is. Create a diversion from the question whether there is any sense in believing in a fantasy.
Really the dictators were peddling dogma just as much as the churches. They are really in the same line of business and competing for power.
That's why they hated each other.

Yes, there could be a better way to deal with the old accusation some religious representatives make that somehow Atheists are responsible for the behaviour of the dictators, Stalin, Hitler and Mao.
I usually find myself filled with rage when I hear that sort of thing.
You can see what their tactic is. Create a diversion from the question whether there is any sense in believing in a fantasy.
Really the dictators were peddling dogma just as much as the churches. They are really in the same line of business and competing for power.
That's why they hated each other.

siliboi9, my father always said that there was good and bad in all.

Hitler's dog liked him.
Stalin's paranoia ran everywhere.
Mao's calligraphy is noted.

siliboi9, maybe they weren't Atheists before they became dictators, but became Atheists after becoming dictators, to avoid any thought of punishment in the religious sense. So this may raise the question of - 'does being religious contribute to a person having a conscience's i.e. feeling guilt?

O, Carlos. As I have said it, and say it again, what makes you think that we are of the Devil?

I have put this in on behalf of prayforrain, but I would prefer that he/she would just register and could then put in their own comments without my assistance.

Don't forget that Hitler was
Submitted by prayforrain (not verified) on Sat, 13/03/2010 - 17:28.

Don't forget that Hitler was voted into power by a predominantly Christian country on the back of hatred of Jews, which at the time was a common emotion among the population because "the Jews killed Jesus Christ".
I think the thrust of the article is that people have too often followed somebody or some cause without any reasonable analysis of what was being said and what were the consequences. As we have seen from Hitler et al this does not only happen in a religious context.

"maybe they weren't Atheists before they became dictators, but became Atheists after becoming dictators, to avoid any thought of punishment in the religious sense. So this may raise the question of - 'does being religious contribute to a person having a conscience's i.e. feeling guilt?"

Carlos, this may work like that for some people but I doubt it.
There are two contradictions to it.
1. have found religious people who can explain away their evil deeds with ease and continue their religious beliefs unhindered.
2. As for a conscience, I have been an Atheist most of my life.
Now and then in my life I have done something that upset other people and afterward I was ashamed of it. That wasn't because of any fear of punishment after I die. It was simply that I felt that I should have behaved better. I think that is what a conscience really is. I think my reaction would be fairly typical for most Atheists of my acquaintance.

Shame lists high as a factor in any make-up, though psychopaths are stimulated by it to commit crimes.

The cult of Dawkins is disgraceful. I am sure that most people are idiots.