Source
r/atheism•
philamon

Atheist societies = fascism. Does anyone really think this is a valid argument anymore?

I see this one so much - even from so called professors like the link below. Fascism started in France, spread to Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece. At the time these were by far the most religious societies in Europe. The Italian Nationalist Association (National Syndicalist movement) had close links to the Catholic church. Georges Sorel (a key fascist) merged Catholics and French patriots to grow the movement and push for the war. The fascist manifesto was derived from Catholic social doctrine and the Lateran Treaty was a deal signed by the Pope and the National Fascist Party of Italy. I'm surprised Atheists don't arguing that Catholic doctrine leads to fascism. Anyone disagree with that hypothesis (I agree it's absurd but it would only be offered in retort to that above claim).

http://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2012/03/college-removes-defamatory-remarks-about-atheists-from-its-module

Posted Mar 13, 2012, 11:28 AM UTC

29
NukeThePopeKnight of /new•

It never was a valid argument. But that's never stopped the religious nutbags.

4
philamonOP•

Like the pope?

1
NukeThePopeKnight of /new•

The Pope has argued that the growing secularism of societies is what causes child abuse in the Catholic Church. Having heard that argument, I feel there's nothing more to say. ;)

1
[deleted]•

The guy who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance was a Christian socialist...

Linking religion to a political idea is ridiculous.

2
biermonet•

Fascism is about the degree of sociological control (as opposed to economic control) the government exercises in the lives of its citizens. It can occur independently of any economic doctrine or religious belief (or lack thereof).

If you plot communism-libertarianism on one axis (economy), fascism-anarchy on another (social) and atheism-theism (religion) on a third it's possible to have systems of government occurring at any point without any one factor affecting the others. At this point I should note that when I speak of an atheist-thesit axis I mean the general principles on which the government bases its laws, not mandating or banning religion - the former would not be fascist, the latter would.

2
wonderfuldog•

Atheist societies = fascism. Does anyone really think this is a valid argument anymore?

Some people apparently do, yes.

1
[deleted]•

I think Fascism is wholly incompatible with my atheism. But largely because I'm also a communist.

1
philamonOP•

I was addressing the idea of "atheistic societies" as opposed to atheists - however good luck on the whole communism thing comrade. ;)

1
taterbizkit•

Religion is a key element in Mussolini's strategy, which was copied by the Nazis and by Franco in Spain. You appeal to feelings of nationalism and religion - specifically, that the nation is special in the eyes of god, and that an anti-decadence movement is necessary to restore former glory, etc. You have to make the people believe they deserve the austerities and hardships to come.

1