The Pope's On a Roll

I saw an interesting article in the news today about the Pope and his recent attack on atheism. In the most recent "encyclical," which apparently is a very important document that popes can write, Pope Benedict XVI said that atheism has led to the "greatest forms of cruelty and violations of justice" in the world to date.

He was referring to the Soviet Union, claiming that Marxism, which supports atheism and condemns religion, led to all of the atrocities committed in the Soviet Union.

I beg to differ with the pope and I think he should check his history. What about the Spanish Inquisition for one? I think most people would agree that it was a great form of cruelty and injustice. And it was committed in the name of the Catholic Church.

History is full of great cruelty and injustice committed in the name of religion, far greater than that committed by the Soviet Union.

Let's also not forget that the Soviet Union's atrocities were committed not by Marx, who wasn't even alive when the USSR was formed. Marx was a philosopher who's ideas were taken and distorted first by Lenin and more so by Stalin.

What all of history shows, both in the history of the Catholic Church and in movements like the Stalinist movement, is that humans have innate evil tendencies. It has nothing to do with religion.

It has been said that most of the atrocities, injustices and cruelty in the history of the world have been committed in the name this religion or that.

Religion at it's purist is an absolute. When two different people embrace different absolutes, you are bound to have conflict, cruelty and injustice.

For a good discussion on this topic, read "The End of Faith" highlighted in the book section to the right. It is a fascinating read.