It seems to me, after seeing yet another stupid discussion of whether anyone was ever killed in the name of atheism, that we really have an error of definition.

I’ve said repeatedly that atheism, by its nature of being a nonbelief in magic, is NOT an organizing principle. And I hold to that.

I’d argue that people like Stalin who murderously suppressed religion may have been atheist, but more importantly were ANTI-theist. Atheism does not imply antipathy to religion. Similarly, Christianity does not imply you’re a Falwell follower.

I think there are lots of atheists who are or who become antitheist, but it’s not really a necessary part of atheism.

Here endeth the lesson.