Religion Kills - Crimes Against Humanity by Christianity
Dmitri June 5th, 2007
A brief list of the worst among the crimes against humanity committed by Christian religious fanatics before and after the World War Two. The data is compiled using reference websites, published records and library/museum archives. Note that in a lot of incidents the crimes by these religious zealots (mostly Popes and Cardinals) rival that of known brutal killers like Stalin and Hitler. Yet we are quick to condemn the killings which were done in political interests and do not take much notice or condemn those committed by religious groups. Is it a bias in favour of religion that crimes committed by religious groups get ignored and hush hushed? Today the Christian cross evokes much fear and hatred in the world as much as the Swastika does in Western countries which we living in the west are unable to recognise.
Crimes of Christians after World War 2
Croatia (1942 - 1943) - 300000 to 600000 Jews, including children were burned alive under the rule of Ante Paveli, a practicing Catholic and a fan of the then Pope (who approved and backed most of his atrocities). The burnings of Jews were presided over by Franciscan friars (priests) which were appalling enough to induce bystanders of the Nazi Sicherheitsdienst der SS to complain about them to Hitler (the Nazis gassed their victims to death instead which was quicker and less cruel at least in comparison to the Catholic friars).
South Vietnam (1950 - 1970) - 80000 people were executed, 275000 had been detained or tortured, and about 500000 were sent to concentration or detention camps by fanatic Catholic Ngo Dinh Diem. He was put to power by the United States administration under the influence of Catholic lobbies in Washington, headed by Cardinal Spellman, the Vatican’s spokesman in US. At least 2000000 Vietnamese lost their lives in the following decades of resistance against the US, which wanted to put this corrupt and vicious man to power over the whole of Vietnam using undemocratic means.
Rwanda (1994 ..) - About 1000000 Tutsis and Moderate Hutus were butchered by Roman Catholic priests and nuns. There is almost no church in Rwanda that has not seen refugees - women, children, old - being brutally butchered or burned facing the crucifix. According to eyewitnesses clergymen gave away hiding Tutsis and turned them over to the machetes of the Hutu militia and created conflicts between the Hutu and Tutsi tribes. The Pope who kept his mouth tight over the actions all along, condemned them only after two priests were sentenced to death by a court in Rwanda.
Burning of philosophers and scientists during the Inquisition
Christian Crimes Before World War 2
Europe and Central Asia (1098 AD) - When the Crusade I was unleashed, at least 1000000 (mostly Jewish and Muslims) men, women and children were killed in Turkey, Spain, Italy, Palestine, Israel and Arabia by “Armies of Christ” under the command of Pope Urban II of Vatican. At that time the population of the world was about 80 million which makes the Crusade One a much worse crime than the Nazi Holocaust in a comparison of victims vs population.
Europe and Asia (1232 AD) - According to Cathar heresy alone, over 1000000 victims perished in the Inquisition I started by the Catholic church to destroy the remaining and hiding heretics (scientists, atheists and non-Christians) who survived the Crusade I.
Netherlands (1568 AD) - Spanish Inquisition Tribunal ordered extermination of 3 million rebels and apostates of Christianity in Netherlands. They were either drowned or burned alive by the troops led by the Catholic church.
Central Asia and Europe (~1200 - 1500 AD) - The Turkish city of Constantinople was sacked with an unknown number of human victims. In the fall of Akkon in 1291 AD, at least 2 million Muslim and Jew victims perished in the holy lands of Turkey and Israel alone.
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A lot of what is presented is regrettably true but isn’t it harsh on today’s Christians who are mostly peace loving folks and have no connection with the violent past?
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Today’s religious fanatics need to be reminded of that.
Fred Phelps comes to mind when you talk of Christian fundamentalists…
@Dmitri
Bag you pardon, Since I am participating in your web page, I realise that you take favor of christians,Jews ,Hindus while on another hand you are more agressive against Islam and its followers, which is clearly visible from two distinct articles…”Religion Kills - Crimes Against Humanity by Islam”, “Religion Kills - Crimes Against Humanity by Christianity” ..May I ask you why?
In this article you mentioned things but you did not produced them in true form, for instance in World War II only Russia lost more than 40 million people (WW II, The Rise and fall of Third Reich,p.25-60)…for more crimes of Christianity follow links below…….
http://www.ftarchives.net/foote/crimes/contents.htm
do true followers of christ murderers?
those so-called christians are not christians in the eye of god.
@Durian
The scary part is they think they are being true christians and that they are fighting for god. I think that killing in the name of any “imaginary friend” is an extremely crazy thing to do… It dsn’t matter what god thinks because these people are affecting thousands of others, not just themselves. In my opinion, these murderers are most likely not going to receive any punishment in the afterlife because there is no after life.
P.S. Im not trying to anger anyone, all i am saying is if you look at it from this perspective than it makes these peoples’ crimes even worse because they are getting off scott-free with absolutly no reprocussions.
we need to rmember one thing, religion is power, when it can not be impose by preaching will be impose by the sword, it does not matter what religion, the end porpose of any conglomeration or group of people is the get strong by adding foloower.
As a Christian let me say this: While it is true that many atrocities have been comitted by groups wearing the garb of Christianity,Their actions were inexcusable. To be a Christian is to have a personal relationship with Christ and be redeemed from the penalty of sin,saved at the terrible price Jesus’s sacrifice for us personally.This kind of faith cannot hold hands with violence or hate.
While it is neccessary to take a stand on moral issues the stance is not one of a holier than thou fanatic.It is a quiet resolve to share the source of life and true happiness.I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.Lately we have been the object of hate and resentment over the Marriage issue in California.The Savior would have us return insults with compassion and ridicule with the meaasge of redemtion .Part of that message is that none of us is beyond saving regardless of our past.Christ is more than willing to make his home within us if we will only come.In the process he understans issues like gender confusion and same sex attraction.Inthe process of time these issues are dealt with and you are cleansed and forgiven.He is always near to lean upon in the hour of need or temptation. This the real message of Christ that he loves us personally in ways we dont understand.John Wesley wrote a hymn Called ”Oh for a thousand tounges to sing!” My favorite Stanza is this one;
Speaking of Christ Wesley writes:
”He breaks the power of cancelled sin! He sets the prisnor free! His blood can make the foulest clean,His blood availed for me”!
I hope that this will be true for you as it was for me .All you have to do is come.He is waiting.
Yours in Christ,Dan.
Response to Katana
“A lot of what is presented is regrettably true but isn’t it harsh on today’s Christians who are mostly peace loving folks and have no connection with the violent past?” Not true at all, as countless evidence show that religious fanatic Christians are largely ignorant and more prone to use religion as an excuse for violence, like the so called War on Terrorism.
Abhramic religions are violent..and I mean it. All of them.
Follow Dharmic religion, Buddists and Jains and most of the Hindus. Very peaceful people.
The article is interesting, but I see no reason why one set of people alone should take the blame. Everyone is very good when they are a minority. First of all, only the people really interested in the faith follow it, and secondly, one is in no position to create trouble. When a faith or philosophy becomes a majority, then every one wants to join it to profit from it and secondly, there is no call to be polite to the others anymore. Please correct me if I am wrong.
As examples of excesses by all communities, I quote the following:
1. Christian history in Europe and the colonies after the time of Constantine I, till the 1800s.
2. Judaism during the Kitos revolt, the sack of Jerusalem by the Persians and the Hebrew kingdom in current day Yemen.
3. Jihad in Islam, and treatment of the “kafirs” from 600 Ad till now.
4. Even though Hinduism is more tolerant (Jewish communitites from around 500 BC, Christian communites from 52 AD and Parsee communities from 700 AD have existed in Hindu lands), atrocities have been commited during the Sangha dynasty (when Buddhists were killed en masse), Pandyan Dynasty in the II Sangham age (when Jainists were killed), 1857 rebellion, and the Partition of India, with incidents (Gujrat, Orrisa) happening even in this day and age.
5. Buddhists in Thailand and Sri Lanka, with the killings even up till 2009. Can one also classify the Japanese as Buddhists? Tibet itself had seen interesting incidents when she was independent.
6. Zorastrian persecution of the Christians till the destruction of the Sassanid empire.
7. Aethists, during the French revolution and the reign of terror.
8. Communists in the Soviet lands, China, Vietnam, Combodia, Ethiopia, Cuba, and the Spanish Civil War.
9. “Pagans” during the Roman empire, the Wendish rebellion etc.
Religion, ALL RELIGION, is a deadly and addictive poison for weak minds. Humanity quite apparently is prone to it’s woeful attractions, and the only thing that we the reasoning can hope for is that humanity never, ever escapes from this solar system to wreak it’s havoc elsewhere in the beautiful Universe. One day even this sun will die, humanity will die long before that. Most probably from being stupid, selfish, and greedy apes that will never learn not to s**t where we must eat or stop killing our brothers and sisters. We can at least thank our non-existent sky daddy for that much of a consolation.
PS: I think Mormon Dan’s church is still miffed at losing their own bid to “redefine” marriage as polygamy. That’s why they couldn’t spend enough to support Prop 8 and stomp gay people in California and elsewhere.
Religion is just a tool for controlling masses.
The most important thing is that we have no right to harm other human being or mother nature.I can call myself a man with no religion,but neither am I agnostic nor atheist.I believe there is an omnipresent being called God that oversees everything in the universe.
To all bloggers here,we must not judge any religion just by the deeds of few bad apples.There are good and evil people from any religion.Prejudice destroy rational thinking.A person of different views from us is not always our enemy.This applies to religion.
For religious fanatic atrocities,it is regretable.A true believer and upholder of Christianity,Islam,Buddhism or Hinduism will only do good,not atrocities.
By the way,Aby,are you agnostic?
You forgot the african slaves alot who were muslim 250 years by christians and the indians and aztecs, incas, ect. I can go on . But my time is limited.
Very enjoyable book
Question the general assumption that people suffering from development disorder are inherently
deficient when it comes to social interaction.
Chance seems very simple-minded and has lived in the house his whole life, tending the garden, with virtually no contact with the outside world.
Having no experience with anything else then his precious garden Chance answers difficult questions by referring to his Garden, brining up examples of different agriculture mechanics.
Although Chance is really describing being kicked out of the home where he tended to the garden, Ben Rand perceives it as attorneys shutting down Chance’s business because of financial problems
Yet he manages to impress many highly educated business men who wrongly interprets his descriptions as deep metaphors.
Through a series of random events Chance becomes a media personality with a very successful political career.
MESSAGE:
Question the general assumption that people suffering from development disorder are inherently
deficient when it comes to social interaction.
- Its a underlaying allegory about the humans tendency to find deeper meanings in ultimately very simple things.
Gardener similes
He becomes very popular among capitalists and aristocrats
Gardener similes
He becomes very popular among capitalists and aristocrats
They even assume that he shares their political believes. Even though he has no political believes at all.
Also how shallow these peoples perspective is.
Judging by his appearance and overall demeanor, Ben Rand automatically assumes that Chauncey is an upper class, well-to-do, highly educated business man.
They assume he is one of them
There is a difference between Christianity and Catholicism. Catholics are not Christians and I wish people would take the time to research and realize the distinction. To be a Christian is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Anyone who accepts him as Lord and Savior and choose to put him first in their lives is deemed a Christian. You simply have to believe in Him and follow his leading and example. Catholics put their faith in the church and priests and this is who they follow. They believe that if you are not a member of the “church” you are not saved. The Catholic church is satanic; it does everything the Bible says you are not to do. They pray to (worship) the saints and they use the priest as their mediator to God. As a matter of fact, they consider Mary a co-redeemer when she was simply a vessel used by the Almighty. There isn’t a case in the New Testament where a sword was used to spread the gospel. True Christians are non-violent and are led by the Spirit to do God’s will on earth. There is no other way to heaven but through belief in Jesus Christ. If I did not love you, I would tell you different. All other religions are tools used by Satan to lead you away from the truth. Learn the truth now and don’t take a chance when you leave this earth. Good works will not get you into heaven, it is belief in Jesus and the redeeming power of his blood which washes away sin that does. When you meet the Lord on Judgment day, he should not see you and your sin, but Jesus and his righteousness; you become a reflection of him. Only Jesus can free you from sin. Accept him now before it is too late…
Unfortunately, there have been a number of deaths caused by the Church in the “Name of God”, and any number is far too many. But, the numbers you have given in your writing is greatly over exaggerated given historical facts and research done by the experts.
Accordingly, the number through the centuries of death caused at the hands of the church is actually around 6 million people. Given, this is still 6 million too many, but 6 million none the less.
I would like to see the links to where you received your facts and information from because I think they are gravely mistaken.
Also, let me state, you cannot take one person, who states they are a Catholic or a Christian, and place the deaths they cause under the hand of the Church. That is disingenuous as well. The only deaths that can be attributed to the church are the deaths that the leaders of the church actually have caused.
Deaths Caused By the Church
1562-1598 – French Wars of Religion – France – 4 million
1095-1291 – Crusades to the Holy Land – Middle East, Spain, Africa – 1.5 million (This does include all sides of the conflict)
1184-c. 1860 – Various Christian Inquisitions – Europe – 17,500
Plus all those burned at the stake for “Witchcraft” - 300,000
Rounding it up, that comes to 6 million.
In contrast, we should look at the deaths caused by non Christians though history.
184-205 – Yellow Scarves Rebellion (Taoists) – China – 7 million
1300s-1521 – Human Sacrifices (Aztecs) – Mexico – 1 million
1855-1877 – Panthay Rebellion (Muslims) – China – 12 million
1932-1933 – Holodomor (communist atheists) – Ukraine – 10 million
1941-1945 – Nazi Genocides (statist atheists) – Germany – 11 million
1959-1962 – Great Leap Forward famine (communist atheists) – China – 43 million
1971 – Bangladesh Atrocities (Islamists) – East Pakistan – 3 million
1975-1979 – Khmer Rouge Repression (communist atheists) – Cambodia – 3 million
September 11, 2007 – Terrorist attacks (Muslim Jihadists) – USA – 5,000
The deaths caused by non-Christians – approximately 90 MILLION! And this is actually a conservative number, but far more than 6 million.
Just my thoughts, but it would do you well to re-edit your post, and add the links to your sources.
@Tony Phillips
Firstly, let me clarify the meaning of Atheism for you. Atheism is the rejection of the existence of deities. They do not believe it god and the higher beings. You must first understand that Atheism and irreligious people are different. Buddhism and Jainism are examples of atheism while, irreligious people do not have faith in any religions at all.
Secondly, communism clearly do not advocate the spread of religions, be it atheist or not. Karl Marx himself stated that religions is the “opium” of the people. Communist states often see religions as a relic from the old regime and feudalism, and thus oppose to the growth of any religions. Some communist country even prosecute religious leaders. Religions declined by more the most in Soviet Russia because Lenin and other leaders are oppose to it.
Thirdly, Hitler himself doesn’t seem to have faith in any religions. To be more specific, he is atheist AND irreligious.
I think we should make a clear distinction here between atheist and irreligious people. Irreligious is a subset of atheism but some religions are also atheist as well.
Thus I think you should withdraw your claim on deaths caused by communist country and the German third Reich. Those leaders were atheist without a religions, thus their crime should not be associated with any religions whatsoever. Thus I think your claims are quite invalid.
And I’m not tryin to be offensive here, but I think Christianity get its bad name from the way the power consuming pope is suppressing the growth of science in the middle ages and the way US government gets all religious when it comes to simple logic such as the evolution and stuff. Religions like Buddhism encourage people to learn and test and see the result themselves; a certain christian president from a certain new world country seems to be tryin real hard to keep it’s followers dumb. Maybe they are easier to control that way.