Quote:
Originally Posted by danielf
I fully agree that the theological argument should be completely irrelevant to Atheists. The outcome however isn't. And if that is associating Atheism with Nazism, I think people are right to be aggrieved. Having said that, there is indeed no need to counter affront with further affront.
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Having listened to that speech in full, as it was made, I think the accent was on extremism rather than Nazism. He used that as it's an obvious example from his own personal experience. Believe me, I'm no fan of the office held by Joseph Ratzinger, but fair's fair, when it comes to Nazis he knows what he's talking about (and no, I'm not poking fun at his membership of the Hitler Youth, quite the opposite).
It so happens that Nazi extremism was fuelled by an
extremist atheistic worldview. What would be more interesting would be an acknowledgement from Herr Ratzinger of the pain caused by Romish extremism, such as the Inquisition (whose successor organisation he was head of prior to being elected to the office of Bishop of Rome).