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Is it really the fault of religion?

Posted by Shirley Anne on May 1, 2012

Opposing views

Opposing views (Photo credit: Wolfram Burner)

I came across an article on the Internet asking why church attendance these days has dropped off dramatically. Among the comment contributers were several people who stated that ‘religion’ is the source and cause of war and unrest in the world  and being atheists themselves set arguments against it, without proof I might add. I made a few comments to the contrary myself as I was reminded of an article I once read on the web site listed below. I have to admit that my eyes were opened when I first saw the article for I knew from history many conflicts brought about through religious fervour but the facts speak for themselves and although some wars have been started in the name of one religion or another, they are indeed in the minority. Take a look …….

Below is an extract taken from a site compiled and produced by Rich Deam called Evidence for God. http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/atrocities.html All credit acknowledged and directed to the author.

TABLE 3.1 Selected Pre-20th Century Democide and Totals1
Cases Years2 Democide3 Religious?
China 221 B.C.-19 C. 33,519,0004 No
Mongols 14 C-15 C 29,927,000 No
Slavery of Africans 1451-1870 17,267,000 No
Amer-Indians 16 C-19 C 13,778,000 No
Thirty Years War 1618-1648 5,750,000 No
In India 13 C-1 9 C 4,511,0005 No
In Iran 5 C-19 C 2,000,0004,5 No
Ottoman Empire 12 C-19 C 2,000,0005 No
In Japan 1570-19 C 1,500,0005 No
In Russia 10 C-19 C 1,007,0005 No
Christian Crusades 1095-1272 1,000,000 Yes
Aztecs Centuries 1,000,0006 Yes
Spanish Inquisition 16 C-18 C 350,000 Yes
French Revolution 1793-1794 263,000 No
Albigensian Crusade 1208-1249 200,000 Yes
Witch Hunts 15 C-17 C 100,000 Yes
Total For All Cases pre-20 C 133,147,000 2,650,000
Hypothetical Total 30 C B.C.-19 C A.D. 625,716,0007
International war-related dead 30 C B.C.-19 C A.D. 40,457,0008
Plague dead (Black Death) 541 A.D.-1912 102,070,0009
  1. Adopted from STATISTICS OF DEMOCIDE.
  2. Unless otherwise noted, years and centuries are A.D.
  3. Unless otherwise noted, these are a best guess estimate in a low to high range.
  4. Excludes democide in China by Mongols.
  5. An absolute low.
  6. A very speculative absolute low.
  7. From STATISTICS OF DEMOCIDE.. Calculated from the 20th century democide rate and the population for each century since 30 B.C.
  8. From table STATISTICS OF DEMOCIDE. Total undoubtedly inflated by democide.
  9. A minimum: includes plague dead in circa 541-542 A.D.; 1346-1771 in Europe; 1771 in Moscow; 1894 in Hong Kong; and 1898-1912 in India. From Duplaix (1988, p. 677-678).

What percentage of these killings were due to religious democide? It is less than 3% of the totals. The surprising thing is that these killings occurred during a period of time when virtually all the peoples of the world were involved in some sort of religion. Here is the data for the 20th century:

TABLE 1.2 20th Century Democide1
REGIMES YEARS DEMOCIDE2 Atheist?
U.S.S.R. 1917-87 61,911,000 Yes
China (PRC) 1949-87 35,236,000 Yes
Germany 1933-45 20,946,000 No
China (KMT) 1928-49 10,075,000 No
Japan 1936-45 5,964,000 No
China (Mao Soviets)3 1923-49 3,466,000 Yes
Cambodia 1975-79 2,035,000 Yes
Turkey (Armenian Genocide) 1909-18 1,883,000 No
Vietnam 1945-87 1,670,000 Yes
Poland 1945-48 1,585,000 Yes
Pakistan 1958-87 1,503,000 No
Yugoslavia (Tito) 1944-87 1,072,000 Yes
North Korea 1948-87 1,663,000 Yes
Mexico 1900-20 1,417,000 No
Russia 1900-17 1,066,000 Yes
China (Warlords) 1917-49 910,000 No
Turkey (Ataturk) 1919-23 878,000 No
United Kingdom 1900-87 816,000 No
Portugal (Dictatorship) 1926-82 741,000 No
Indonesia 1965-87 729,000 No
LESSER MURDERERS 1900-87 2,792,000 ?
WORLD TOTAL 1900-87 169,202,000 107,047,000
  1. From STATISTICS OF DEMOCIDE.
  2. Includes genocide, politicide, and mass murder; excludes war-dead. These are probable mid-estimates in low to high ranges. Figures may not sum due to round off.
  3. Guerrilla period.

Vox Day, in The  Irrational Atheist, lists 22 atheistic regimes that committed  153,368,610 murders in the 20th century alone:

Murders by Atheists (20th Century)
Country Dates Murders
Afghanistan 1978-1992 1,750,000
Albania 1944-1985 100,000
Angola 1975-2002 125,000
Bulgaria 1944-1989 222,000
China/PRC 1923-2007 76,702,000
Cuba 1959-1992 73,000
Czechoslovakia 1948-1968 65,000
Ethiopia 1974-1991 1,343,610
France 1793-1794 40,000
Greece 1946-1949 20,000
Hungary 1948-1989 27,000
Kampuchea/Cambodia 1973-1991 2,627,000
Laos 1975-2007 93,000
Mongolia 1926-2007 100,000
Mozambique 1975-1990 118,000
North Korea 1948-2007 3,163,000
Poland 1945-1948 1,607,000
Romania 1948-1987 438,000
Spain (Republic) 1936-1939 102,000
U.S.S.R. 1917-1987 61,911,000
Vietnam 1945-2007 1,670,000
Yugoslavia 1944-1980 1,072,000

What percentage of this democide was due to religious conflict? It turns out that religious democide doesn’t even make the top 20 (although I am sure there is some in the “lesser murderers” category. Still, the total religious killings is less than 2%. In fact, the top two killers were specifically atheistic states (which had never existed before in human history). Should atheism be blamed for more than 50% of the atrocities committed during the 20th century? The answer of course is No! If one examines the nature of the regimes that committed these atrocities (even the religious ones), the key factor is absolute power (see Figure 1, right). According to Professor R.J. Rummel, in the 1816-2005 period there were 205 wars between non-democracies, 166 wars between non-democracies and democracies, and 0 wars between democracies. Lord Acton’s warning that “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” seems to be more than just a trite saying.

What about Christians who commit evil?

Jesus Himself addressed the issue of “Christians,” performing evil deeds in a rather chilling prophecy:

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” (Matthew 7:22-23)

One should note that Jesus said that “many” people who think they are His followers will be rejected by Jesus when at the judgment when they attempt to claim that they are His disciples. Not all who claim the name of Jesus are actually His disciples. My guess is that in even the best of Christian churches only about half of the people have been truly born again (see John  chapter 3).1 Christianity should be judged on the basis of what Jesus said and did, not on the basis of the actions of people who merely claim to be Christians. Foxe’s      Book of Martyrs details the deaths of Christians who were killed because of their faith in Christ, in many cases by people claiming to be Christians.

So you see it isn’t all about religion is it? Man is born into sin. It is in his nature. Jesus Christ said ..’no-one is good, not even one’

Shirley Anne

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Illegal to pray in Council meetings

Posted by Shirley Anne on February 11, 2012

Meetings are sometimes held around conference ...

Image via Wikipedia

It was declared yesterday that it is now illegal to pray in council meetings. Traditionally at the start of council meetings in Bideford in the UK and presumably in many other council meetings around the country it was customary to pray at the start of a meeting. This tradition was presumably to ask for guidance from God in order that righteous and proper decisions would subsequently be made. Of course this tradition assumes that those who are in leadership actually believe in God but this isn’t the case these days. Ever since this country generally turned away from God there has been a resistance to accept anything to do with religious practices in whatever form that takes. Speaking as a Christian I have no problem with this trend. As far as I am concerned I don’t think the Church should raise objections to atheists and secularists who reject the imposed tradition of acknowledging God in meetings which are intrinsically to do with secular law.  As a Christian of course I would love it that everyone should acknowledge God as their Maker and supreme authority in our lives but I appreciate that isn’t the case and may never be. We cannot impose our own beliefs on everyone else but all we can do is to witness for God in the hope that those who don’t believe may turn to Him one day. As a once time atheist myself I fully understand the objections and if I was indeed still an atheist I would probably feel the same way as they do about religion. I can only say that I was once as they were. I don’t see it as a victory for atheism though, it is a loss for salvation for as a Christian I think atheists are rejecting salvation but don’t know it. There is no reason however that those who still wish to pray before a council meeting should not be able to do so in chambers, away from the secularists and atheists so as not to offend them and then meet up afterwards for the council meeting. This way everyone is accommodated and any friction is avoided. This is common sense though isn’t it? I’ll wager that no-one will think of this but rather try to argue instead. How stupid is that?

Shirley Anne

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Caught up in traditional ways

Posted by Shirley Anne on December 8, 2011

 

Detail - Glory of the New Born Christ in prese...

Image via Wikipedia

It is the season to be jolly, goodwill to all men, presents, family get-together, food, drink, parties all in the name of Christ. Ooops, sorry, did I infer that Jesus was the reason for it all? Yes, it is all very nice to greet people with a smile, wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy new year if it really is sincere and based upon Christ. The sad thing is few people include Jesus in their celebrations. That is one thing but did you ever consider that those you may be wishing these things may not support the festival maybe for personal reasons or for religious beliefs (such as myself). Not everyone is a Christian, some may be Muslims, some may be Jews, some may be Buddhists…..you get my drift…..but nevertheless people still insist on greeting others with this message. It is burnt into their memories, it is a traditional thing to do but it could be an insult to an unbeliever. Now I am a Christian, that is a follower of Jesus but over the last couple of years I have come to the conclusion that the way the mainstream Church celebrates Christ’s birth is unscriptural. Whilst it celebrates one thing it neglects others which are scriptural. The majority of people in this land would say they believe in God and Jesus and because their upbringing was based upon traditional things they assume it is the right thing to do. Tradition is very hard to break. It is like a bad habit that is hard to stop and the reason for that is because it is nice and gives us a sense of well-being. There is nothing wrong in having a good time of course, for those who enjoy it, like the majority of us, including me. A lady I did a job for recently, only a very small job, presented me with a Christmas card and wished me a happy Christmas. I had to tell her gently that I couldn’t accept the card and the reasons why I didn’t believe in the celebrating of Christ’s birth as it is celebrated in this country and elsewhere. Of course I celebrate His birth, I do it every day in prayer and the thought is with me all day long. I do not need to be told to have a happy Christmas, I do not need to have a card wishing me the same and sitting on the mantle for a couple of weeks only to be thrown into the waste bin afterwards. So please don’t wish me a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, I will not be able to reciprocate such a gesture in the same way. I want people to love each other under His banner of love. I want people to be nice to each other 24 hours of the day and 365/6 days of the year and not forget the reason they are supposed to be celebrating Christmas in the first place if in fact they believe anyway. It would be wonderful if we had a festival that wasn’t focused on Jesus. It would be filled with good things, food, drinks, parties, family and friends and all could wish each other well, but we already have one of those disguised as a religious festival. Then we could concentrate on Jesus all of the time, in the right way and for the right reasons. May God’s will be done.

Shirley Anne

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Something to ponder

Posted by Shirley Anne on October 10, 2011

I was browsing other blogs to do with ‘Religion’ and came across this post. I seem to recollect having seen the content somewhere before but I cannot remember where. Nevertheless it is here again, intact, placed by a fellow blogger.  The article uses logic to explain it’s message that we should not simply take things as true because we are being taught them.

http://myscientificways.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/faith-the-biggest-hope-in-this-universe/

And have a look at this one which I thought was brilliant…….

Finding Real Contentment
Acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace… Job 22:21
A wealthy businessman was upset to find a fisherman sitting beside his boat. ‘Why aren’t you out fishing?’ he asked. ‘Because I’ve caught enough for today,’ replied the fisherman. ‘Why don’t you catch more fish than you need?’ the businessman asked. ‘What would I do with them?’ replied the fisherman. The businessman said, ‘You could earn more money, buy a bigger boat, catch even bigger fish and make more money. Soon you’d have a whole fleet of boats and be rich like me.’ The fisherman said, ‘Then what would I do?’ The businessman replied, ‘You could sit down and enjoy life.’ The fisherman said, ‘What do you think I’m doing now?’ Contentment comes from two things: great relationships and God-given purpose. The first great relationship you must have is with God. In the book of Job we read, ‘Acquaint yourself with [Him], and be at peace; thereby good will come to you.’ The second relationship you must have and treasure is with your family. When you reach the end of your life that’s the relationship that will matter most. When it comes to God-given purpose, you must identify your core strengths, know what God’s called you to do, then go to work. Humourist Sam Levenson said, ‘My folks are immigrants. They fell under the spell of the American legend that said the streets are paved with gold. But when Papa got here he found out three things: a) The streets are not paved with gold. b) Many streets are not paved at all. c) He was supposed to do the paving.’ What are you supposed to do? Do it, and you’ll find contentment.
© 2011: This devotional is produced by UCB, free of charge through the generosity of our supporters. As a gift to the body of Christ, permission is given to Churches and Christian organisations to copy up to a maximum of 52 daily excerpts per year. Excerpts must acknowledge The Word For Today as the source, give the UCB address and inform that free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

The Word For Today is written by Bob and Debby Gass, with Ruth Gass Halliday. http://www.ucb.co.uk/
Shirley Anne

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An invitation

Posted by Shirley Anne on September 23, 2011

Psalm 121

Image via Wikipedia

 

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you.  [Psalm 139:1]

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.  [Psalm 139:2]

I am familiar with all your ways. [Psalm 139:3]

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. [Matthew 10:29-31]

For you were made in my image. [Genesis 1:27]

In me you live and move and have your being. [Acts 17:28]

For you are my offspring. [Acts 17:28]

I knew you even before you were conceived.  [Jeremiah 1:4-5]

I chose you when I planned creation.  [Ephesians 1:11-12]

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.  [Psalm 139:15-16]

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.  [Acts 17:26]

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. [Psalm 139:14]

I knit you together in your mother’s womb. [Psalm 139:13]

And brought you forth on the day you were born. [Psalm 71:6]

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. [John 8:41-44]

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. [1 John 4:16]

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. [1 John 3:1]

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father.  [1 John 3:1]

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. [Matthew 7:11]

For I am the perfect father. [Matthew 5:48]

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. [James 1:17]

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. [Matthew 6:31-33]

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. [Jeremiah 29:11]

Because I love you with an everlasting love. [Jeremiah 31:3]

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. [Psalms 139:17-18]

And I rejoice over you with singing. [Zephaniah 3:17]

I will never stop doing good to you. [Jeremiah 32:40]

For you are my treasured possession. [Exodus 19:5]

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. [Jeremiah 32:41]

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. [Jeremiah 33:3]

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. [Deuteronomy 4:29]

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.  [Psalm 37:4]

For it is I who gave you those desires. [Philippians 2:13]

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.  [Ephesians 3:20]

For I am your greatest encourager. [Thessalonians 2:16-17]

Father’s Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999-2011 www.FathersLoveLetter.com

 

Shirley Anne

 

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I’m crying

Posted by Shirley Anne on August 9, 2011

New Testament, Old Testament

Image by thousandshipz via Flickr

I am sitting here crying. I have lots of reasons for crying, everyday things connected with relationships, respect, the sins of society, the attitudes of others, oh many things make me cry. This time though my tears are tears of joy. Have you ever cried because you were happy or because you were touched by some compassionate incident? Sometimes I even cry when listening to music! I was reading some articles in relation to Christianity and it’s stance against homosexuality, not those who engage in it but the condition itself. The Bible has strong views regarding homosexuality which can be found in both the New Testament and the Old Testament. Activists will be quick to point out that things found in the Old Testament do not necessarily apply today even if they find those writings to be untrue anyway. It is true that some of the laws as written in the Old Testament do not apply today because they were specific to the life and times of the day and were a matter of civil law. However the laws regarding sexual behaviour are a matter of moral law and do not change with the passage of time so those laws as written in the Old Testament and subsequently in the New Testament are very much still relevent today. It wasn’t this subject or anything about it that opened the floodgates in my eyes though, it was the reassurance I felt of Gods love and forgiveness when we repent. There is no difference between a Christian and anyone else for we are all sinners every one of us. A person can only claim to be a Christian when they repent of their sins and continually strive against the sin in their lives. Whilst I was reading more on this subject through reading about homosexuality and other things, I realised how much God loves me, loves us all. It’s the sin He hates, not the perpetrator. So if we don’t repent we condemn ourselves. I am crying because God loves me.

Shirley Anne

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A time for everything

Posted by Shirley Anne on July 22, 2011

Ecclesiastes 3

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

If you look at the list above you will most probably have done all these things in your life, even kill! You can kill people without physically harming them, you can kill them psychologically. Each thing we do in life is apportioned a time in which to do it. Sometimes it is appropriate to do things and at other times not.

9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

15 Whatever is has already been,
and what will be has been before;
and God will call the past to account.[b]

But whatever you do in life, whether good or bad, God is watching you and will call you into account.

Shirley Anne

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Such love

Posted by Shirley Anne on May 30, 2011

c. 1632

Image via Wikipedia

How deep the Father’s love for us

How vast beyond all measure,

That He should give His only Son,

To make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss,

The Father turns His face away,

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross,

My sin upon His shoulders;

Ashamed, I hear the mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished;

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,

No gifts, no power, no wisdom;

But I will boast in Jesus Christ,

His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer,

But this I know with all my heart,

His wounds have paid my ransom.

Stuart Townsend.


Copyright Kingsway’s Thankyou Music 1995

I am reminded every day just how much I am loved. I am loved with an everlasting love that will never die. This love is pure, not like an earthly love. No matter what I have done or how I behave this love remains faithful. How then can I deliberately ignore such a love and come against the one from whom it comes? I cannot. Oh yes, I will fail and I do every day. It is a lifelong struggle which I am forced to undertake each day but I do it willingly and strive to correct my shortcomings. God, my God, the Father of all Creation shows His love for me in this,  ’While we were still sinners, Christ died for us’. (Romans 5:8). Christ did not die for those who already loved him but he died for sinners, of which I am one. It is hard to understand such a love for in this world we never experience anything like it. Everyone can know the love God has for them. Do you know that love?

Shirley Anne

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In the name of religion?

Posted by Shirley Anne on May 3, 2011

What About Atrocities That Have Been Done in the Name of Religion?
by Rich Deem

Introduction

Many atheists claim that religion is evil and, as such, cannot be from God. It is true that there are many examples of evil committed in the name of Christianity. In the past, those who disagreed with “official” church doctrine, such as Galileo were persecuted or killed. Many other Christians were brought before the Inquisition because they were teaching from the Bible instead of from “officially sanctioned” Roman Catholic Church materials. In addition, the Crusades resulted in “holy” wars between “Christians,” Jews, and Moslems. In more modern times, wars have been fought between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland and between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East. However, common to all this violence was an underlying struggle for power. Today, some people kill abortionists in the name of God. Are these people unwilling pawns of religion or using religion to justify their own evil agendas?

History of human atrocities

Therefore, I absolutely agree with atheists and others who say that many atrocious things have been done in the name of God, and even in the name of Christianity. However, these atrocities were not perpetrated by God, but by evil human beings.  If we look at the history of democide (which includes genocide, politicide,  and mass murder, but not war-dead) prior to the 20th century, we find that  millions of people were killed by people groups who wanted the other people groups  eliminated. Note that these numbers do not include those killed through  wars.

TABLE 3.1
Selected Pre-20th Century Democide and Totals1
Cases Years2 Democide3 Religious?
China 221 B.C.-19 C. 33,519,0004 No
Mongols 14 C-15 C 29,927,000 No
Slavery of Africans 1451-1870 17,267,000 No
Amer-Indians 16 C-19 C 13,778,000 No
Thirty Years War 1618-1648 5,750,000 No
In India 13 C-1 9 C 4,511,0005 No
In Iran 5 C-19 C 2,000,0004,5 No
Ottoman Empire 12 C-19 C 2,000,0005 No
In Japan 1570-19 C 1,500,0005 No
In Russia 10 C-19 C 1,007,0005 No
Christian Crusades 1095-1272 1,000,000 Yes
Aztecs Centuries 1,000,0006 Yes
Spanish Inquisition 16 C-18 C 350,000 Yes
French Revolution 1793-1794 263,000 No
Albigensian Crusade 1208-1249 200,000 Yes
Witch Hunts 15 C-17 C 100,000 Yes
Total For All Cases pre-20 C 133,147,000 2,650,000
Hypothetical Total 30 C B.C.-19 C A.D. 625,716,0007
International war-related dead 30 C B.C.-19 C A.D. 40,457,0008
Plague dead (Black Death) 541 A.D.-1912 102,070,0009
  1. Adopted from STATISTICS OF DEMOCIDE.
  2. Unless otherwise noted, years and centuries are A.D.
  3. Unless otherwise noted, these are a best guess estimate in a low to high range.
  4. Excludes democide in China by Mongols.
  5. An absolute low.
  6. A very speculative absolute low.
  7. From STATISTICS OF DEMOCIDE.. Calculated from the 20th century democide rate and the population for each century since 30 B.C.
  8. From table STATISTICS OF DEMOCIDE. Total undoubtedly inflated by democide.
  9. A minimum: includes plague dead in circa 541-542 A.D.; 1346-1771 in Europe; 1771 in Moscow; 1894 in Hong Kong; and 1898-1912 in India. From Duplaix (1988, p. 677-678).

What percentage of these killings were due to religious democide? It is less than 3% of the totals. The surprising thing is that these killings occurred during a period of time when virtually all the peoples of the world were involved in some sort of religion. Here is the data for the 20th century:

TABLE 1.2
20th Century Democide1
REGIMES YEARS DEMOCIDE2 Atheist?
U.S.S.R. 1917-87 61,911,000 Yes
China (PRC) 1949-87 35,236,000 Yes
Germany 1933-45 20,946,000 No
China (KMT) 1928-49 10,075,000 No
Japan 1936-45 5,964,000 No
China (Mao Soviets)3 1923-49 3,466,000 Yes
Cambodia 1975-79 2,035,000 Yes
Turkey (Armenian Genocide) 1909-18 1,883,000 No
Vietnam 1945-87 1,670,000 Yes
Poland 1945-48 1,585,000 Yes
Pakistan 1958-87 1,503,000 No
Yugoslavia (Tito) 1944-87 1,072,000 Yes
North Korea 1948-87 1,663,000 Yes
Mexico 1900-20 1,417,000 No
Russia 1900-17 1,066,000 Yes
China (Warlords) 1917-49 910,000 No
Turkey (Ataturk) 1919-23 878,000 No
United Kingdom 1900-87 816,000 No
Portugal (Dictatorship) 1926-82 741,000 No
Indonesia 1965-87 729,000 No
LESSER MURDERERS 1900-87 2,792,000 ?
WORLD TOTAL 1900-87 169,202,000 107,047,000
  1. From STATISTICS OF DEMOCIDE.
  2. Includes genocide, politicide, and mass murder; excludes war-dead. These are probable mid-estimates in low to high ranges. Figures may not sum due to round off.
  3. Guerrilla period.

Vox Day, in The  Irrational Atheist, lists 22 atheistic regimes that committed  153,368,610 murders in the 20th century alone:

Murders by Atheists (20th Century)
Country Dates Murders
Afghanistan 1978–1992 1,750,000
Albania 1944–1985 100,000
Angola 1975–2002 125,000
Bulgaria 1944–1989 222,000
China/PRC 1923–2007 76,702,000
Cuba 1959–1992 73,000
Czechoslovakia 1948–1968 65,000
Ethiopia 1974–1991 1,343,610
France 1793–1794 40,000
Greece 1946–1949 20,000
Hungary 1948–1989 27,000
Kampuchea/Cambodia 1973–1991 2,627,000
Laos 1975–2007 93,000
Mongolia 1926–2007 100,000
Mozambique 1975–1990 118,000
North Korea 1948–2007 3,163,000
Poland 1945–1948 1,607,000
Romania 1948–1987 438,000
Spain (Republic) 1936–1939 102,000
U.S.S.R. 1917–1987 61,911,000
Vietnam 1945–2007 1,670,000
Yugoslavia 1944–1980 1,072,000

What percentage of this democide was due to religious conflict? It turns out that religious democide doesn’t even make the top 20 (although I am sure there is some in the “lesser murderers” category. Still, the total religious killings is less than 2%. In fact, the top two killers were specifically atheistic states (which had never existed before in human history). Should atheism be blamed for more than 50% of the atrocities committed during the 20th century? The answer of course is No! If one examines the nature of the regimes that committed these atrocities (even the religious ones), the key factor is absolute power (see Figure 1, right). According to Professor R.J. Rummel, in the 1816-2005 period there were 205 wars between non-democracies, 166 wars between non-democracies and democracies, and 0 wars between democracies. Lord Acton’s warning that “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” seems to be more than just a trite saying.

What about Christians who commit evil?

Jesus Himself addressed the issue of “Christians,” performing evil deeds in a rather chilling prophecy:

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” (Matthew 7:22-23)

One should note that Jesus said that “many” people who think they are His followers will be rejected by Jesus when at the judgment when they attempt to claim that they are His disciples. Not all who claim the name of Jesus are actually His disciples. My guess is that in even the best of Christian churches only about half of the people have been truly born again (see John  chapter 3).1 Christianity should be judged on the basis of what Jesus said and did, not on the basis of the actions of people who merely claim to be Christians. Foxe’s      Book of Martyrs details the deaths of Christians who were killed because of their faith in Christ, in many cases by people claiming to be Christians.

How do you know if a person is a Christian or not?

We cannot know for certain whether a person is or is not a true Christian (only God can makes such a determination).2However, the Bible describes the nature of a person who is indwelt by the Holy Spirit3 (which happens at the point a person accept Jesus as Lord and Savior):

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians  5:22-23)

In addition, the true believer does what is right and demonstrates love toward others.4 Even non-believers can readily see who the true Christians are. Ultimately, the behavior of those who claim to be Christians but practice evil should not be a consideration in determining if the claims of Christ are true or not.

Conclusion Top of page

Yes, “Christians” have committed atrocities against other religious and non-religious people. However, atheists have committed far more atrocities than all religious groups combined. Even so, the key factor in these atrocities has been totalitarian power, rather than religion, which has resulted in these hundreds of millions of murders. The Bible says that people are evil (and the statistics on this page support this claim), but that they can become transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit to live lives of love, joy and peace.

For most of the links above visit http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics

References Top of page

  1. Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;    this man came to Him by night, and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”    (John 3:1-2)
    Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”    (John 3:3)
    Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”    (John 3:4)
    Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.    That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.    Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”    (John 3:5-8)
    Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” (John    3:9)
    Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not understand these things?    Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak that which we know, and bear witness of that which we have seen; and you do not receive our witness.    If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how shall you believe if I tell you heavenly things?    And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, even the Son of Man.    And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;    that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.    For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.    He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.    And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil.    For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.    But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”    (John 3:10-21)
  2. God judges based upon the intentions of an individual’s heart, not just    apparent actions. See God Tests the Hearts of People.    It is only through faith that one can be completely justified (declared    righteous) before God.
  3. The Holy Spirit of God comes to live in the body of those who have    confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior:
    However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.    (Romans 8:9).
    Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us?”    (James 4:5)
    If the person has already been living a moral life, the change may be    subtle, being primarily characterized by increased peace, joy, and patience.    However, in those who have led immoral lives, the change is dramatic.
  4. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.    (1 John 3:10)

//
Copyright http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/atrocities.html
Last updated April 14, 2008

Shirley Anne

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Blame religion

Posted by Shirley Anne on March 20, 2011

We hear of many instances of mans inhumanity to his fellow-man and often many of the offences are attributed to religion. Those who are believers in God are often accused of discrimination, homophobia and many other things because they are making a stand for God. However, as Christians and believers in God we should not be demonstrating this sort of behaviour. Whilst it is true that many things that go on in the secular world are an offence to God according to His word, they should not be made an excuse for unloving, uncaring and hateful behaviour on behalf of the believer. God has demonstrated his love for us in this, that while we were still sinners Christ (Jesus) died for us, consequently we should be acting in humility, showing patience and love to those who don’t believe. If there is any penalty to pay, it is for God to decide and not mankind, especially those of the faith. The problem with many Christian believers is that they take many things from Scripture out of context and use what they read as an excuse for their wicked behaviour. There was an incidence recently whereby a young man murdered an old man who was ‘gay’ simply because the stoning of certain people was carried out as written in the Bible. He neglected the fact that the teaching was in the Old Testament and applied to the people of that day. The New testament gives no instruction to act that way. Remember the woman accused of adultery who was about to be stoned to death and Jesus saying to her ‘who is it that is accusing you’? (For by this time they had all dispersed after Jesus had said to the accusers ‘Which of you is without sin? Let him cast the first stone’). Those who misinterpret scripture do so at their own peril, for it is by God we are judged. Don’t blame religion, blame those who misinterpret Scripture.

Shirley Anne

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Secular law v Gods Law

Posted by Shirley Anne on February 15, 2011

In everything that concerns the exclusively earthly order of things, the Orthodox Christian is obliged to obey the law, regardless of how far it is imperfect and unfortunate. However, when compliance with legal requirements threatens his eternal salvation and involves an apostasy or commitment of another doubtless sin before God and his neighbour, the Christian is called to perform the feat of confession for the sake of God’s truth and the salvation of his soul for eternal life. He must speak out lawfully against an indisputable violation committed by society or state against the statutes and commandments of God. If this lawful action is impossible or ineffective, he must take up the position of civil disobedience (see, III. 5).

This statement forms part of a larger document issued by the Russian Orthodox Church which explains the standards by which the true Church of God scattered throughout the world are obliged to conform.

The whole document can be viewed here http://www.mospat.ru/en/documents/social-concepts/about/

I heard on the news today that the British Government is proposing a new law which will allow ‘gay’ couples, that is same-sex marriages or rather a civil ceremony to be conducted in churches throughout the land. Whether a church is allowed the freedom to refuse or not is not clear to me as yet. Depending on your stance this can either be a good thing or a bad thing. As a Christian I would disagree with such proposals and say that any church group allowing such ceremonies is not being faithful to God and His Laws. If you read fully the above document you will find that although all laws originated from the same source some are merely allowed by God because He allows us the freedom to choose. Naturally therefore, the secularists see no problem in conforming to the proposal. Personally I uphold the right for others to do as they please within secular law but for the Christian it is a matter between them and God. I do not agree however that secular law should be imposed on their religious right to conform to Gods Law within their own establishments. This should also be the rule for other faiths too. It would appear that secular society can try to impose its ideas on Christians but not the other way round. This is democracy at work! The real truth is that Christians are under pressure to conform, comply and one day even deny their faith. This is all written in Scripture as prophecy.

Shirley Anne

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All roads lead to Rome

Posted by Shirley Anne on January 24, 2011

A well-known saying that was debatably true during the times of the Roman Empire. They say there are many ways to reach a destiny, a goal and that is true for many things but not everything. As human beings we don’t always see things in the same way, we each have a different perspective on things and life in general. To that end those perspectives become the truth for those who hold them. Many are closed books to other ways even though those ways are better.

I was speaking with a friend recently about belief systems and found myself witnessing and speaking up for Christ. This comes naturally for me when once it was impossible. Once I knew not the truth but now, by grace it has been revealed to me. I have been told by a few people that ‘there are many ways to reach God‘ and each time I have spoken against such statements. My friend is dabbling in Buddhism, others I know are Muslim and yet others have different views. Believing that there are many roads to God is a false belief for Jesus Christ declares, ‘ I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me’ John 14:6 . You see, Jesus tells us that there is but one way to God the Father and that is through Jesus himself, alone. Yet people insist on not believing that and expect that God is with them anyhow or that they will be with God when they die. God however says differently. People often maintain that by doing good things they will automatically go to Heaven. No so, for God says, ’It is by grace you have been saved through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no-one can boast’ Ephesians 2:8-9 . Good works are expected of course but they alone do not ensure salvation. That is achieved through faith and belief in Christ Jesus and not from any ‘religion of men’. No, all roads do not lead to God, only the one.

Shirley Anne

Posted in God, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit, Religion, Wisdom | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

A follow-on from the last post

Posted by Shirley Anne on December 31, 2010

 So, thinking about this next twelve, forty, one hundred months, who knows? What thoughts do you have regarding what comes after you depart from this life? Oh we make plans, we make resolutions, we endeavour to do this and that but at the end of the day nothing really changes in life. 

In times gone by as times today
We fought and died and lost our way
And in those days all was the same
Just as it is, we’ve nothing gained.
We grow in peace, we grow in war
But all remains as was before
A lesson learned is soon forgot
It seems as if we’ve lost the plot.
We cleverly invent new things
And revel in the joy they bring
But sadly at the end of day
We have to give them all away.
Our lives are centred in this world
Which doesn’t last, or so we’ve heard
We live our lives just for the day
But never take the time to pray.
When we depart from out this place
Do we expect a saving grace?
By then it all will be too late
If to our hearts we close the gate!

Copyright Shirley Anne 14 Nov 2010

Do we really expect a saving grace when we die? On any journey there are plans to be made in advance. There is no exception to our journey into death either. What is man other than a spirit when his bones lie deep in the ground? Your spirit is the real you, not what is left to rot away in the ground. Prepare a place in advance.

Shirley Anne

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Keeping up with the Joneses

Posted by Shirley Anne on December 19, 2010

E and I were driving home late in the afternoon on Friday and we passed by many houses displaying some form or another of Christmas outside decorations. One house simply had a tree lit up with lights, another had lights along the roofline and yet another had both or even more! We drove through countryside and one homestead had filled their extensive green house with a grotto displaying Santa Claus, reindeer, tree and other paraphernalia supposedly portraying what Christmas was supposed to be about. Well it told me that all their efforts honour no-one but that it was an effort to ‘outdo’ everyone else. Many people who profess a belief in Christ leave it there. He has no part in their everyday lives and they simply pay lip service to Him. They are blind to what they do when they follow tradition and think that is what Christmas is all about. It isn’t about tinsel, decorations, Christmas trees, baubles, Christmas cards, alcoholic drinks, turkey, puddings and cakes or even about family and friends, it is all about show. The festival of Christmas is a man-made thing which has grown out of all proportion since its inception in the 4th century. It doesn’t honour God, in fact it makes a mockery of what the Christian faith is supposed to be. We should be living out the sentiments surrounding the day all year round and not just on Christmas day. We miss the point. God demands that we love Him and that we love one another next but do we? No, we prefer to celebrate something our hearts believe is right and then we wage war on one another afterward. Who are we kidding if we profess a belief in God yet follow pagan ways? You either love God or you don’t, you cannot have it both ways, you cannot ignore His wishes and expect Him to be happy about it. You cannot serve both God and mammon as it says in Scripture. Christmas it seems is a time of stupidity, of silliness and of ignorance. So I have said quite a few times in the approach to December 25th and I make no excuses for it, turn away from your pagan traditions and come to the living God. Nothing could be simpler but the choice is yours as always.

Shirley Anne

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Ailments and disorders

Posted by Shirley Anne on December 3, 2010

There isn’t one person living on this planet who is immune from ailments and disorders. Each one of us has at one point suffered an illness or a disorder of some sort. Some things are very minor whilst others can be debilitating or even life-threatening. We would all like to think ourselves perfect but none of us are. Even those who enjoy fairly good health get struck with something sometimes. Then there are those who suffer from mental or psychological problems, some of which may be mild but some severe in the extreme. Scientists glibly say that everything is in our genes and they are probably right. I guess you could then say well it is the luck of the draw. No illness is pleasant but it can be worse when others have little or so sympathy or worse still, no understanding. People who suffer an illness or other disorder are often rejected too. Not only can we be physically or psychologically impaired but we can be spiritually impaired too! Having the right attitude to those around us is important, even if it isn’t reciprocated; in fact it is probably more important. We are told in Scripture to love one another ‘even as I have loved you’, Jesus said. That love is the love that sees through each other’s faults be they physical or otherwise but how many of us would have it in us? Too many want to point the finger, ridicule, condemn,  and judge. The first rule is to look inward and correct the faults we see in ourselves before we pass judgement on others. Indeed no-one on this planet is perfect, we all suffer one form of ailment or disorder.

Shirley Anne

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