Letter on atheism in the Irish Independent

This is the letter I wrote that got published in the Irish Independent about what atheism is, and its relation to Communist regimes:

In response both to Eric Conway (Letters, April 22) and Sean Conroy (Letters, April 21) may I suggest a middle ground?

People, in general, have a capability of doing terrible things on the basis of beliefs or lack thereof.

Our history has been, and continues to be, a testament to that.

I believe Mr Conroy is correct to suggest that atheism in and of itself is not an ideology, but rather a lack of belief.

I also believe that Mr Conway is correct to say that under communist regimes during the 20th century (Stalin, Hoxha, Pol Pot to name a few), Christianity, Judaism and Islam, among other forms of religious thought, were suppressed and many severely persecuted using atheism as its justification.

Its legacy continues in the treatment of religion in North Korea and China. As a Christian, however, I cringe while reading accounts of the Crusades, to think that people could represent our gospel in such a manner.

People, in general, have a great ability to twist beliefs, or even lack of belief to suit their own agenda.

This is true both in the case of religious warfare, and in the state atheism that occurred under communist regimes.