Adam Marczyk <ebonmuse@deletethis.hotmail.com> wrote in alt.atheism

Elroy Willis <elo@airmail.net> wrote in message

What is the best defense or offense when talking to somebody who
grew up during the commie scares of the 50's and equates atheism
with god-hating anti-capitalism commies?

If the person is logically inclined, you could point out that it's an
example of the converse fallacy: "All communists are atheists" is *not*
equivalent to "All atheists are communists." Of course, with the type of
people inclined to make this argument, that probably won't make an
impression on them, so...

I'm sick and tired of hearing "If you want to see what the world would
be like without God, just look at communist Russia."

You could try replying with, "And if you want to see what the world would
be like with theists in charge, just look at the Dark Ages, when the
Inquisition tortured and killed everyone who tried to voice a different
opinion." If they're Protestants and protest that the crimes of the
Catholic church don't apply to them, you can reply that if all Christians
aren't responsible for the actions of one Christian group, then why are
atheists responsible for what communists have done?

I've used the above before and it works pretty well, but I'd like to
have a little more ammo in my belt to refute the claims that Stalin
was out to do away with religion.