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Originally Posted by analog
Was their cause of converting people to Communism, or to atheism? I believe the entire intent was to forcibly convert people to Communism- one part of that overall societal structure being an abolishment of religion.
Saying that is an example of atheists forcibly converting, is like saying the Church of England is responsible for any spread of the British Monarchy after it was made the official religion- we're talking about a conversion of societal structure as a whole, more about the economic and governing powers. If those in power believed in the Flying Spaghetti Monster, it wouldn't change the fact at all that it was Communism that was being forced on people, the center of the killings and violence. Atheism was just a part of the package that came with their brand of communism.
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The English empire didn't force the Church of England down the throats of the entire Empire.
Most uses of Religion in war are about increasing obedience to the secular powers.
In the case of Communism, the Atheism requirement was about removing alternatives to the Communists social structure. By banning or surpressing organized religion, they removed organizations that did not line up with their belief systems.
Religions, typically in the human experience,
have been about governing people. The divine right of kings. Sharia law. The Church of England broke away from the Catholic church because the King wanted to do something against Catholic rules, and didn't want the Catholics messing with him. Abortion bans. Creationism teachings.
It is only in a handful of recent Western nations do they claim that Religion and State are seperate spheres.