In a recent letter Professor Kelly David Ludema claimed the lack of organized religion has caused the worst tragedies in human history (“Organized religion helps, not hurts,” SN 10/12), which is untrue. First, communism, while embracing atheism, is a political ideal. Crimes committed by communist regimes were committed in the name communism, not atheism. Second, claiming that Nazism was functional atheism is false. Hitler thought of himself as a Christian. If you don’t believe me just look at his writings. In “Mein Kampf” he says, “Therefore, I am convinced that I am acting as the agent of our Creator. By fighting off the Jews, I am doing the Lord’s work.”

Doesn’t sound very atheistic to me. Not to mention Ludema seemed to have forgotten a lot of horrible crimes, which where committed in the name of the Christian God, such as the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition and many witch trials. Not say mention the crimes committed in the name of other religions. I think history shows religion has a much bloodier track record than atheism.

Steve Davis
public policy and administration senior