"As far as I know, China is the only nation in the world ever to have enshrined atheism as a special belief system under law and given special rights to atheists."
Well, I'll admit that I am not up on my history details as much as I would like to be, but I am pretty sure there was a well-established and documented persecution of religion in the USSR starting from Lenin and going forward. As far as I recall, atheism and loyalty to the state (and the party) was the only acceptable position to take in Soviet Russia (just like China).
However, I can certainly understand sticking with the area of history one is most familiar with. It is what I do as well.
All in all, your main point seems rather obvious, especially when generalized. Throughout history any number of groups who found themselves in the ruling group have made persecuted/committed atrocities against some other group in the name/ideal of something or other. I would note that usually the underlying (or parallel) causes of such actions are also grabs for power/money.
I can see that you are reacting to some specific foolishness stated elsewhere, but really, most opinions that say "group A, which I happen to belong to, is SOOOO nice and NEVER EVER did anything bad or evil" are silly and are at best tangential to a worthwhile argument.
Out of curiosity, do you know if there was actually legally enshrined status for Atheism in the USSR (as there was and, to some degree, still is in China) or if it was strictly off the books?
I think it is tough for me to decipher what you mean by legally enshrined. I am sure there were written directives regarding the repossession of church property, the 'reduction' of preachers/etc in the nation and the educational focus on "worshiping" the state.
To quote wikipedia:
The regime's efforts to eradicate religion in the Soviet Union, however, varied over the years with respect to particular religions and have been affected by higher state interests. Official policies and practices not only varied with time but also differed in their application from one nationality to another and from one religion to another.
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Well, I'll admit that I am not up on my history details as much as I would like to be, but I am pretty sure there was a well-established and documented persecution of religion in the USSR starting from Lenin and going forward. As far as I recall, atheism and loyalty to the state (and the party) was the only acceptable position to take in Soviet Russia (just like China).
However, I can certainly understand sticking with the area of history one is most familiar with. It is what I do as well.
All in all, your main point seems rather obvious, especially when generalized. Throughout history any number of groups who found themselves in the ruling group have made persecuted/committed atrocities against some other group in the name/ideal of something or other. I would note that usually the underlying (or parallel) causes of such actions are also grabs for power/money.
I can see that you are reacting to some specific foolishness stated elsewhere, but really, most opinions that say "group A, which I happen to belong to, is SOOOO nice and NEVER EVER did anything bad or evil" are silly and are at best tangential to a worthwhile argument.
no subject
Out of curiosity, do you know if there was actually legally enshrined status for Atheism in the USSR (as there was and, to some degree, still is in China) or if it was strictly off the books?
yrs--
--Ben
no subject
To quote wikipedia:
The regime's efforts to eradicate religion in the Soviet Union, however, varied over the years with respect to particular religions and have been affected by higher state interests. Official policies and practices not only varied with time but also differed in their application from one nationality to another and from one religion to another.