It's only a matter of scale and planning. Hitler probably wasn't the best comparison (but it's the author who brought him up first), but we do have a very close similarity to the Armenian Genocide, as we both had forced death marches, just a smaller scale for us.
Christianity is inarguably a moderating force on the level of violence.
Quite arguably. How the Spanish tortured natives for not bringing in enough gold was not moderate. Christianity has also been the originating cause of many atrocities. Let me rephrase that, it has also been used effectively by bad people to originate many atrocities. And, yes, Hitler even used it.
Communism has also been used by bad people to commit atrocities. You can do anything once you have an all-powerful, all-important figure to serve, be it God, Allah or the state.
I actually think religiousness in the US has helped us in a way. With dual loyalties, to god and to state, it's harder for people to be completely fanatical in their support of the state. And the majority would not enforce their religion if it violated their loyalty to the state. The danger comes from mixing god and state, as there is no internal limit to a theocracy's power.
It's a matter of intent. There was no government plan to wipe out the Indians.
How the Spanish tortured natives for not bringing in enough gold was not moderate.
Nor was it Christian.
Christianity has also been the originating cause of many atrocities.
No, it hasn't.
Let me rephrase that, it has also been used effectively by bad people to originate many atrocities.
Who would have used something else, probably more effectively -- which is why tyrants generally end up seeking to eliminate Christianity, whether it be Hitler or Stalin or Mao.
Communism has also been used by bad people to commit atrocities.
Who were following utilitarian communist principles.
You can do anything once you have an all-powerful, all-important figure to serve, be it God, Allah or the state.
You will do anything without God.
I actually think religiousness in the US has helped us in a way. With dual loyalties, to god and to state, it's harder for people to be completely fanatical in their support of the state.
The way it works is you owe certain loyalty to the state. You other greater loyalty to God. God always trumps state. It is our founding principle.