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That Stalin was inspired to become an atheist is a specific claim made by E. Yaroslavsky according to several anti-evo sites.

They cite the source as Yaroslavsky's Landmarks in the Life of Stalin (Moscow: Foreign Languages Publishing house, 1940), pp. 8-12.

The Institute for Creation Research transcribes the passage:

At a very early age, while still a pupil in the ecclesiastical school, Comrade Stalin developed a critical mind and revolutionary sentiments. He began to read Darwin and became an atheist.
G. Glurdjidze, a boyhood friend of Stalin's, relates: "I began to speak of God, Joseph heard me out, and after a moment's silence, said:
"`You know, they are fooling us, there is no God. . . .'
"I was astonished at these words, I had never heard anything like it before.'
"`How can you say such things, Soso?' I exclaimed.
"I'll lend you a book to read; it will show you that the world and all living things are quite different from what you imagine, and all this talk about God is sheer nonsense,' Joseph said.
"`What book is that?' I enquired.
"`Darwin. You must read it,' Joseph impressed on me"

Landmarks does appear to be a real book according to this site

I could not find the book on-line so I was unable to independently confirm the citation. If, however, the citation is accurate, -- and I have no reason to doubt it -- it appears that Darwin was a prime influence, if not the prime influence, on Stalin's view of morality.

Something that a book published in the Soviet Union in 1940 said about Stalin's childhood might be true, but personally I would bet against it being true, especially if it's something that makes Stalin look studious or erudite.

As an alleged reply to my 269, that's not answering the mail, is it? Maybe Stalin couldn't handle the truth, but I still want it, OK? Most of us can take it.

I have my doubts about you, of course.

BTW, Jim Jones and Torquemada were inspired by the Bible, but I'll grant you they had fewer victims. OTOH, Stalin was probably inspired rather more by Marx, Lenin, and personal ambition even if Yaroslavksy's account is true. While the book is real, the only other references to it on the web seem to be in creationist literature. Stalin's "Darwinism" didn't keep him from promoting Lysenko, who favored a form of Lamarckianism which would have shocked Darwin, who already knew better.

Do you have any arguments that aren't based on ignorance and illogic?