Why Does Christianity Spawn Evil Dictators?
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Why Does Christianity Spawn Evil Dictators?
Post #1Hitler claimed to be Christian. Stalin was a Christian acolyte. Trump, the 'Grab 'em by the _ _ _ _ _ President who is revered by fundamentalists, and now Vladimir Putin engulfs the world in war, misery, and genocide while championing his Christian faith. How does the faith of Jesus of Nazareth spawn such actors? https://religiondispatches.org/is-putin ... questions/
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Re: Why Does Christianity Spawn Evil Dictators?
Post #21But if indeed Christianity is a Materialist invention, the the promised return has to be seen as a carrot enticing followers to support materialism on the promise that they will be 'saved' by the fictional return...Athetotheist wrote: ↑Thu Apr 07, 2022 8:47 pm Christianity in particular----and theism in general----certainly don't hold a monopoly on spawning evil dictators.
That being said......
Christianity isn't just a set of morals; it's an apocalyptic religion with prophecies revolving around the return of Jesus. Jesus' return has been expected at numerous times by numerous groups of Christians and has never happened. Every time something is prophesied and the prophecy fails, it can push those who trusted the prophecy further into culture shock and make their reactions to life more and more irrational.
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Re: Why Does Christianity Spawn Evil Dictators?
Post #22Athetotheist wrote: ↑Thu Apr 07, 2022 8:59 pm [Replying to William in post #15Wherever the blame can rightfully be hung, it can hardly be hung around the necks of the scientists who have been warning us of the very extinction event situation you mention.Also, we can see that materialist-based science is non-theistic and has become the number one reason why we are now entering an extinction event situation.......
.......So if one is looking for somewhere to hang the blame...
One must remember that it is a particular branch of Materialistic science to which the blame could be hung - and that the scientists doing the warning are most likely not of that particular branch...they may be biologists rather than cosmologists and so understand the importance of preserving the planet-ship we are sailing upon [@ about 1.6 million miles per day] rather than creating space-junk and reaching for the stars...I did say "Exact Science" after all.
You do know where the Nazi Scientists went after the defeat of Hitlers Germany, right? [Hint - it was not to the hangman's noose.]
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Re: Why Does Christianity Spawn Evil Dictators?
Post #23There is no mystery there. The mystery is what this Triva question has to do with the dictators mentioned in the O.P. Are you suggesting that Wernher von Braun became a dictator?
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Re: Why Does Christianity Spawn Evil Dictators?
Post #24[Replying to Tcg in post #23]
It is all about ripple effect. Otherwise such questions re the OP are simply dwelling on a past that is irrelevant to the news of today.
Which is why it need be noted. What is worse. These monsters of the past or an extinction event on the horizon which was caused by the ripple effect of former monstrosities?
If it is just a case of grumbling and pointing fingers at self proclaimed "Christians" whilst ignoring the details, and the non-theist contribution to the horrors inflicted on humanity, then - I have no horse in that race.
It is all about ripple effect. Otherwise such questions re the OP are simply dwelling on a past that is irrelevant to the news of today.
Which is why it need be noted. What is worse. These monsters of the past or an extinction event on the horizon which was caused by the ripple effect of former monstrosities?
If it is just a case of grumbling and pointing fingers at self proclaimed "Christians" whilst ignoring the details, and the non-theist contribution to the horrors inflicted on humanity, then - I have no horse in that race.
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Re: Why Does Christianity Spawn Evil Dictators?
Post #25Extinction event on the horizon? Caused by former monstrosities? I'll look forward to your presentation of verifiable evidence that either is a supportable claim. And take note of your failure to answer my question concerning your Trivia question and Wernher von Braun.William wrote: ↑Fri Apr 08, 2022 12:04 am [Replying to Tcg in post #23]
It is all about ripple effect. Otherwise such questions re the OP are simply dwelling on a past that is irrelevant to the news of today.
Which is why it need be noted. What is worse. These monsters of the past or an extinction event on the horizon which was caused by the ripple effect of former monstrosities?
Tcg
To be clear: Atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods; it is a lack of belief in gods.
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Not believing isn't the same as believing not.
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I must assume that knowing is better than not knowing, venturing than not venturing; and that magic and illusion, however rich, however alluring, ultimately weaken the human spirit.
- Irvin D. Yalom
- American Atheists
Not believing isn't the same as believing not.
- wiploc
I must assume that knowing is better than not knowing, venturing than not venturing; and that magic and illusion, however rich, however alluring, ultimately weaken the human spirit.
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Re: Why Does Christianity Spawn Evil Dictators?
Post #27William wrote: ↑Thu Apr 07, 2022 8:17 pmRe the case of the materialist agenda, at what point do you think 'right from the beginning' would have been re the optimum moment to have rejected said agenda?brunumb wrote: ↑Tue Apr 05, 2022 7:57 pm I feel that Christianity does not spawn these evil leaders as much as it enables them. Be meek and mild, turn the other cheek, accept your miserable lot for your rewards await in heaven, the evil will get their just deserts, etc, all allow the believing populace to be manipulated and remain compliant to the will of the leader. Would those tyrants have achieved their status if the people, right from the beginning, forcefully rejected them before they got a foothold? I wonder.

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Re: Why Does Christianity Spawn Evil Dictators?
Post #28It's the one that doesn't exist but is rather made up absent evidence.brunumb wrote: ↑Fri Apr 08, 2022 1:05 amWilliam wrote: ↑Thu Apr 07, 2022 8:17 pmRe the case of the materialist agenda, at what point do you think 'right from the beginning' would have been re the optimum moment to have rejected said agenda?brunumb wrote: ↑Tue Apr 05, 2022 7:57 pm I feel that Christianity does not spawn these evil leaders as much as it enables them. Be meek and mild, turn the other cheek, accept your miserable lot for your rewards await in heaven, the evil will get their just deserts, etc, all allow the believing populace to be manipulated and remain compliant to the will of the leader. Would those tyrants have achieved their status if the people, right from the beginning, forcefully rejected them before they got a foothold? I wonder.I have no idea what materialist agenda you are talking about.
Tcg
To be clear: Atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods; it is a lack of belief in gods.
- American Atheists
Not believing isn't the same as believing not.
- wiploc
I must assume that knowing is better than not knowing, venturing than not venturing; and that magic and illusion, however rich, however alluring, ultimately weaken the human spirit.
- Irvin D. Yalom
- American Atheists
Not believing isn't the same as believing not.
- wiploc
I must assume that knowing is better than not knowing, venturing than not venturing; and that magic and illusion, however rich, however alluring, ultimately weaken the human spirit.
- Irvin D. Yalom
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Re: Why Does Christianity Spawn Evil Dictators?
Post #29I find it very strange that the Christian religion saw itself as deserving credit for leading the West in its' battle against Two successive dictators and not worrying much about irradiating the earth and offering jobs to Ex - Nazis to do it, and now they are the ones who are fighting the (scientific) efforts to clean up the planet. Ok there is space junk. But the answer is to find a way to deal with it, not bash science because it is atheist when it is rather Christian - funding corporations that have found the pushing of technology (and never mind space junk, plastic bags and atmospheric pollution) very profitable.William wrote: ↑Thu Apr 07, 2022 9:11 pmAthetotheist wrote: ↑Thu Apr 07, 2022 8:59 pm [Replying to William in post #15Wherever the blame can rightfully be hung, it can hardly be hung around the necks of the scientists who have been warning us of the very extinction event situation you mention.Also, we can see that materialist-based science is non-theistic and has become the number one reason why we are now entering an extinction event situation.......
.......So if one is looking for somewhere to hang the blame...
One must remember that it is a particular branch of Materialistic science to which the blame could be hung - and that the scientists doing the warning are most likely not of that particular branch...they may be biologists rather than cosmologists and so understand the importance of preserving the planet-ship we are sailing upon [@ about 1.6 million miles per day] rather than creating space-junk and reaching for the stars...I did say "Exact Science" after all.
You do know where the Nazi Scientists went after the defeat of Hitlers Germany, right? [Hint - it was not to the hangman's noose.]
So we can do without trying to blame ruination of the planet on atheistic materialism. And bear in mind that we pretty much have the means to deal with an asteroid threat (and had decades ago when they were all panicking about it) while religipon's only answer is to call for mass prayer - like that ever accomplished diverting a single earthquake, war or Tsunami, never mind what the Bible promised just as few of them praying in Faith.
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Re: Why Does Christianity Spawn Evil Dictators?
Post #30[Replying to TRANSPONDER in post #29]
Essentially what we have here is that materialists calling themselves "Christians" or "Atheists" [theists or non-theists] are doing the profiteering and subsequent damage.
[The observation of which appears not to be related to the actual reason for the thread topic]
I think [but am not sure] that this is what the OP is focused upon. It is folk calling themselves "Christians" who are "doing this".I find it very strange that the Christian religion saw itself as deserving credit for leading the West in its' battle against Two successive dictators and not worrying much about irradiating the earth and offering jobs to Ex - Nazis to do it, and now they are the ones who are fighting the (scientific) efforts to clean up the planet.
To be clear, pointing out historical factors is not bashing...either theist or non theists. It is just pointing out the historical factors.Ok there is space junk. But the answer is to find a way to deal with it, not bash science because it is atheist when it is rather Christian - funding corporations that have found the pushing of technology (and never mind space junk, plastic bags and atmospheric pollution) very profitable.
Essentially what we have here is that materialists calling themselves "Christians" or "Atheists" [theists or non-theists] are doing the profiteering and subsequent damage.
[The observation of which appears not to be related to the actual reason for the thread topic]