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Need Freeper help re: History of Christianity

Posted on 04/17/2006 5:16:30 PM PDT by Scarchin

I am an English teacher at the high school level. Today I had a conversation with a history teacher during which I noted that communism was perhaps responsible for more deaths than any other ideology. My colleague stated that I was definitely wrong. I asked him what belief system has caused more deaths. His answer?

Christianity.

After you vent, can you give me a concrete place (books etc.) to start with this guy? I can't let this one go.

P.S. I didn't just role over. I argued and argued, but he was adamant. I'm at a loss because I find his position so ridiculous - as well as frightening.


TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: christianity; churchhistory
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1 posted on 04/17/2006 5:16:32 PM PDT by Scarchin
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To: Scarchin
P.S. I didn't just role over.

English teacher, huh?

2 posted on 04/17/2006 5:18:27 PM PDT by hole_n_one
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To: Scarchin
I didn't just role over.

You teach English? Yikes.

3 posted on 04/17/2006 5:18:28 PM PDT by Kjobs (Murtha IS A COWARD!! Go Jean Schmidt!)
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To: Kjobs

I teach English - not typing. Sheesh.


4 posted on 04/17/2006 5:19:16 PM PDT by Scarchin (www.classdismissedblog.com.)
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To: Scarchin

Maybe his argument was that Communism hasn't been around nearly as long...unless you regard regimes like the Reign of Terror as proto-Stalinst.


5 posted on 04/17/2006 5:19:57 PM PDT by Borges
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To: Scarchin
I am an English teacher at the high school level.

You've got a degree (I presume.) And you ask us how to research a topic that should have encountered you many times in life. Sorry to stereotype, but no wonder our kids learn nothing today. Are you a complete moron, or should I take charge of your classes tomorrow?

6 posted on 04/17/2006 5:20:07 PM PDT by buccaneer81 (Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century.)
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To: Scarchin
The Black Book of Communism
7 posted on 04/17/2006 5:20:29 PM PDT by Texas_Jarhead (Say NO! to "No Illegal Alien Left Behind" legislation...)
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To: Scarchin

Spend some time poking around this website.

http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/NOTE1.HTM

Have a bucket handy


8 posted on 04/17/2006 5:21:49 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (Ditch the 1967 Outer Space Treaty! I want my own space bar and grill)
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To: Scarchin
The History of Lent
9 posted on 04/17/2006 5:22:37 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Scarchin
I think this is an impossible argument to pursue without getting bogged down in a morass of dubious statistics. I suggest that you restate the terms of the debate. Communism was responsible for more deaths in the shortest period of time (i.e. 20th century) than any other belief system.
10 posted on 04/17/2006 5:22:46 PM PDT by Malesherbes
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To: Scarchin
HOW MANY DID COMMUNIST REGIMES MURDER?*.
11 posted on 04/17/2006 5:22:55 PM PDT by TomServo ("You think that's funny? Shoot yourself in the leg, I'll be right back.")
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To: Scarchin
Someone already beat me to it, but the "Black Book of Communism" is a start.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Book_of_Communism

Certianly you can talk about the 20th Century or the past 100 years. Should be easy to document.

12 posted on 04/17/2006 5:23:52 PM PDT by MilesVeritatis (War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things...." - John Stuart Mill)
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To: buccaneer81
Wow! What a jerk. I know how to research, but I was just asking FR for any tips.

One problem with this site is how some of you are so knee jerk that you make asinine comments based on broad and and incorrect assumptions.

No wonder people think we conservatives are all jerks.

13 posted on 04/17/2006 5:24:40 PM PDT by Scarchin (www.classdismissedblog.com.)
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To: Scarchin
There is no way, but make him come up with numbers. Partly, it is because communism's losses during the 21 century were during a time when there were a lot more people on earth. Google things like Stalin's purges: 10 million dead; Mao's famines 71 million dead; Pol Pot's killing fields 5 million dead.

What is he talking about? the Inquisition and the religious wars? They won't even come close. Also, make him prove that so-called religious wars did not have political and economic causes, too.

If he starts talking about blankets with sdmallpox, head for the hills. He's looney.

14 posted on 04/17/2006 5:24:49 PM PDT by ClaireSolt (.)
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To: Scarchin

He's wrong. Conservative estimates of deaths due to Communism are 60 million. The Crusades resulted in less than 10 million deaths, total.


15 posted on 04/17/2006 5:27:15 PM PDT by NittanyLion
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To: Scarchin

You maybe arguing with a communist. In which case any further discussion will be fruitless. One thing I've learned not to do is discuss politics at work. Usually nothing is resolved and no work is done. The best you can do is make sure this person isn't voted into office or anyone he supports.


16 posted on 04/17/2006 5:27:31 PM PDT by Man50D
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To: Scarchin

Not surprised that a 'history' teacher does not know the difference between ideology and religion.

Ideologically, Communism is the grand-prize winner of death. With well over 100 million served.

As far as religion. Islam is the body-count winner.



I bet your 'history' teacher has a pony-tail.


17 posted on 04/17/2006 5:27:46 PM PDT by Spruce (Keep your mitts off my wallet)
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To: Scarchin

Demand he provide proof for his outlandish statement.

You can easily provide him documentation of the millions of deaths directly attributed to communism, but it is impossible to prove a negative. The burden of proof is on him to prove his position and show the suppose millions of deaths that were caused by Christianity. He won't be able to do it. He will say things like, "Look at the Crusades." or "What about the Spanish Inquisition?" But when pressed he will be unable to show the millions of deaths that overshadow communism.


18 posted on 04/17/2006 5:28:00 PM PDT by dpa5923 (Small minds talk about people, normal minds talk about events, great minds talk about ideas.)
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To: Scarchin

Christians don't murder but they do kill in war. The Bible says, "Thou shall not murder". Commies murder their political enemies.


mur·der Audio pronunciation of "murder" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (mûrdr)
n.

1. The unlawful killing of one human by another, especially with premeditated malice.
2. Slang. Something that is very uncomfortable, difficult, or hazardous: The rush hour traffic is murder.
3. A flock of crows. See Synonyms at flock1.


kill Audio pronunciation of "kill" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (kl)
v. killed, kill·ing, kills
v. tr.

1.
1. To put to death.
2. To deprive of life: The Black Death was a disease that killed millions.
2. To put an end to; extinguish: The rain killed our plans for a picnic.
3.
1. To destroy a vitally essential quality in: Too much garlic killed the taste of the meat.
2. To cause to cease operating; turn off: killed the motor.
3. To tire out completely; exhaust: “The trip to work, and the boredom and nervousness of jobs, kills men” (Jimmy Breslin).
4. To pass (time) in aimless activity: killed a few hours before the flight by sightseeing.
5. To consume entirely; finish off: kill a bottle of brandy.
6. Sports. To prevent a hockey team on a power play from scoring during (a penalty).
7. To cause extreme pain or discomfort to: My shoes are killing me.
8. To mark for deletion; rule out: killed the story.
9. To thwart passage of; veto: kill a congressional bill.
10. Informal. To overwhelm with hilarity, pleasure, or admiration: The outstanding finale killed the audience.
11. Sports.
1. To hit (a ball) with great force.
2. To hit (a ball) with such force as to make a return impossible, especially in a racquet game.


19 posted on 04/17/2006 5:28:16 PM PDT by bmwcyle (We got permits, yes we DO! We got permits, how 'bout YOU?;))
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To: Malesherbes
Thanks - I agree. That's why I haven't plunged into stats(as some have snidely suggested I do). This guy is fairly well educated, but he (and many of his colleagues) have a real antipathy towards Christianity/Christians.

They constantly lean on the "Religion has caused more wars...blah blah" crap that I refuse to ignore.

20 posted on 04/17/2006 5:28:16 PM PDT by Scarchin (www.classdismissedblog.com.)
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