Virtue is usually defined as moral excellence. Religions often/normally claim virtue as the basis of their message and their justification. The evil done in the world, past and present, in the name of religion is recognized by non-believers and believers alike. OTOH, the virtue of non-belief is seldom an issue. The good done in the world, past and present, by non-belief goes unrecognized by believers and nonbelievers alike. Not all the virtue that attaches to non-belief arises from non-believers. A man may discover a basic law of nature through careful observation and rationality while being profoundly moved by the mysteries of religion as did Isaac Newton describing the general principles of gravity and in developing the methods of Calculus. He is recognized for his work but not the for his virtue for doing so outside the restrictions of his religious belief. A mine collapses in the mountains and engineers rush to rescue trapped miners using the virtues learned about the natural sciences to save lives. Later a service is organized to thank god for saving the miners. Believers recognize their prayers saved no miners but the unashamedly claim the virtue of the rescue belongs to them. When I look at the news, read history, and watch tv I am astounded at how much harm is done by believers and how dependent we all are on the virtue of non-belief to live successfully and safely. It is time we spoke up and insisted that the world recognize that non-belief has been the source of everything good in history and religious belief has been the source for the harm done by humans.
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Well some religious belief has helped improve against slavery the abolition movement was faith inspired backed by Christianity Also a lot of the universities and charities and hospitals were the result of the faith in god. so I would have to disagree with you here.Your not giving a fair appraisal of what history has taught us here. And I take issue with you that non-belief has been the cause for everything right or good. Look at north korea how they treat there people there so busy building up there military that there people are doing without, they cant wait to escape and go to south Korean or other countries.Look at what happened under the communist regimes of stalin polpot lenin No I`m afraid you haven`t thought things out here you are oblivious to what really happened so far in the past.
Bullshit. Slavery was invented by religion. As for the abolitionist, well yes they found that progress was causing inhumane behavior and mounted a movement to end slavery in the US, but they didn't really start the ball rolling. Thomas Jefferson remarked about the national shame years earlier. James Madison wanted to abolish slavery but was soundly rebuked mainly by the GOD men.
1) Communist isn't based on atheism in practice and never has been.
BTW no nation has actually practice communism. The USSR was never a true communist nation. It was a totalitarian nation (a dictatorship by committee.) The same goes for China, Vietnam, North Korea, Cuba, and all the other nations that have declared themselves communist.
Now I am not defending communism. I don't' think it is realistic. But you cannot equate atheism with supposed communism. Yes, the communist manifesto calls to eradicate religion, but that is a reference to the bourgeoisie religious regime that preyed upon the common person. The churches have property and assets. Communism calls for all assets to be owned by the people equally.