Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
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It is called "apocalypticism", and it is in my opinion the real modern threat of religion facing this world. It is what should have been made much more explicit in Bill Maher's Religulous, as it was really at the heart of everything that is wrong with religion.
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I remember reading a book that talked about rationalism in communist leadership.
They based it around a lack of belief in an afterlife or a heaven in hell, so these communist leaders believed that they had to reach their goals in their lifetime.
Hence the revolutionary saying, World Socialism in our lifetime.
That mind set created a ruthlessness that powered the whole Soviet state security apparatus.
and because there was no fear of heaven or hell, these leaders could combine their fear of their life ending without making their mark with no fear of any cost to their actions.
Stalin very much had that mindset, and I'm convinced that he also suffered from some very significant mental health issues that made him a fairly brilliant monster.
The crazies in charge of Iran believe the opposite, they believe that their life work based in religion is a virtue that will get them their final reward, and heaven help who gets in your way.
If you wack a bunch of kids, its ok, they were innocents and will get into heaven.
If you kill an enemy they will serve you in heaven.
If you carry out a great act of violence in the name of your religion, enyoy your virgins.
Leadership mindsets are just very interesting.