COULTER'S CANARD SLAMS ATHEISTS, COMPARES
NONBELIEF WITH MASS MURDER, HOLOCAUST
HITLER NOT AN ATHEIST...

AMERICAN ATHEISTS ACTION ALERT
March 11, 2004

It has become fashionable with some religious and political conservatives to blame the ills of modern society on Atheism, Humanism or some other form of nonbelief.

Some go even further, however, and distort history in an attempt to smear Atheism. One example is the claim that mass murderers such as Hitler, Stalin, or even the killers at Columbine are examples of anti-religious (specifically anti-Christian) animus, and were even Atheists.

Townhall.com photo

In her March 11, 2004 column titled "W.W.J.K.: Who Would Jesus Kill?" writer Ann Coulter discusses the new Mel Gibson film and the issue of anti-Semitism. She then claims, without attribution or documentation:

"Indeed, Hitler denounced Christianity as an 'invention of the Jew' and vowed that the 'organized lie (of Christianity) must be smashed' so that the state would 'remain the absolute master.' Interestingly, this was the approach of all the great mass murderers of the last century -- all of whom were atheists (sic): Hitler, Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot."

* While some political despots may have been Atheists, others were not. And whatever their crimes, Stalin and Mao justified their actions not in the name of Atheism but as part of a larger political agenda.

* Adolph Hitler was a Roman Catholic having been baptized into the faith, but he was also a staunch admirer of Martin Luther. A number of statements concerning religion, and Christianity, seem contradictory. In his book "Mein Kampf," Hitler wrote "I am convinced that I am acting as the agent of our Almighty Creator. By fighting the Jews, I am doing the Lord's work." He repeated these words in a 1938 address to the Nazi Reichstag, and in 1941 informed General Gerhart Engel, "I am now as before a Catholic and will always remain so."

* Hitler did make anti-Christian remarks, like his October 10, 1941 claim that "Christianity is a rebellion against natural law, a protest against nature. Taken to its logical extreme, Christianity would mean the systematic cultivation of the human failure." (Adolph Hitler, "Table Talk," London, Weidenfelt & Nicholson, 1953). But much of his hostility was not so much against the ideas of Christianity, whatever their diverse interpretations, but the institution of the churches in Germany, and the opportunities they posed for allowing his Nazi movement to consolidate power. Hitler remarked, "We'll see to it that the Churches cannot spread abroad teachings in conflict with the interest of the State."

* The Papacy never excommunicated Hitler, and his writings such as Mein Kampf were never placed on the notorious "Index of Forbidden Books."

* It would be wrong to blame all Christians or churches simply because of the deeds of one believer (Hitler, Torquemada). It is also wrong to stigmatize nonbelievers because of the actions of Pol Pot or Stalin. Any debate about the role of religion in society should be based solidly on historical facts, not falsification and distortion. Ms. Coulter undermines her own credibility as an advocate for conservative ideals by selectively using undocumented quotes, possibly taking statements out of context, and trying to generalize from the inhumane deeds of several individuals to a larger class of people -- namely, Atheists, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists and other individuals. This is wrong.

Let's ask Ms. Coulter to reconsider her brash statement, stop equating Hitler with Atheism, and stick to issues -- not personalities!

-- Ms. Coulter's insensitive and ill-informed opinion piece appeared on the Town Hall web site

We urge you to contact Town Hall to express your thoughts on this. After reading the Coulter article, you may fax or send a thoughtful letter to:

Town Hall
214 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20002

You may also FAX your opinion to 202-544-7330. We encourage you to also send us your responses so we may post them on this web page.

* Be polite and concise. Point out that while Ms. Coulter is certainly free to express her opinions on a variety of subjects, including Atheism, those opinions need to be based on facts, not bias or misinformation. Hitler was not an Atheist; and not all Atheists should be stereotyped in such a fashion, just as Christians or any other group should not as well.

* Ask for a response. Also, ask Ms. Coulter to consider a public reply, hopefully that corrects this misinformation.

* Share this action alert!

Send us copies of your letters, and we will post a selection of them on this web site.

(AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for nonbelievers; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.)

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