Atheism used to carry a death sentence

[Brahma's atheist]

CAn you imagine? It's just bizzare. You had to believe.
I saw this on a great show called 'A brief history of disbelief' or maybe it was the spin off 'The atheist tapes', both from the BBC.
Jonathon Miller was looking at these centuries old documents. One said that atheism and polytheism were punishable by death. He said he couldn't believe their stupidity.
I suppose many such things were punishable by death. Being catholic, being protestant, having the wrong version of the bible and other stupidities.

[sodium]

I think that they didn't tend to permit differences of opinion in the olden days. And frankly, I think its not surprising atheism was banned. I'm more surprised that its legal now in countries where there's a believing majority. After all, here we are, spreading our lies, condemning souls to hell. If you really believe there is a hell, and that false beliefs get you there, then its hard to argue against using a little earthly torture and killing if you can save a few souls.

Also, at one time state and religion were not separate. The Church taught the doctrine of divine right of kings. Attacking the church was calling into question the whole structure of government. It tended to be infidels and heretics who were the revolutionaries.

[rachelle_canada]

In some places in this world, it still is punishable by death.

[Vinnie]

In the eyes of some idiot theists atheism entails death:

http://www.freep.com/news/cfp/3/vshoot28_20041028.htm

[jbernier]

Yes, indeed, atheism was once punishable by death. That is what Socrates was killed for - he was accused of having taught that the gods of the city did not exist (a charge which he denied). It is also what the early Christian martyrs were killed for, as well. They denied the existence of the gods, therefore they were considered atheists and traitors. So, no question, atheism used to be a capital offense.

[mirage]

Yes, indeed, atheism was once punishable by death. That is what Socrates was killed for - he was accused of having taught that the gods of the city did not exist (a charge which he denied). It is also what the early Christian martyrs were killed for, as well. They denied the existence of the gods, therefore they were considered atheists and traitors. So, no question, atheism used to be a capital offense.
Time to wheel out my Archbishop of Canterbury excerpt from an address on atheism (http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/sermons_speeches/040329.html):
In the year 156 of the Christian era, Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, was arrested and brought before the magistrate, charged with being a Christian. He was in his eighties, and his age and frailty prompted the magistrate to offer him a quick discharge if he would acknowledge the divine spirit of the emperor and say ‘Away with the atheists.’ The latter, at least, you might think would not be difficult for a bishop; but of course at this period an atheist was someone who refused to take part in the civic cult of the empire, to perform public religious duties and take part in the festivals of the Roman city. Christians were atheists, by this definition; Polycarp had a problem after all. His response, though, was an elegant turning of the tables. He looked around slowly at the screaming mob in the amphitheatre who had gathered for the gladiatorial fights and public executions, and, says our eyewitness chronicler, he groaned and said, ‘Away with the atheists.’

The magistrate did not fail to grasp the theological point, and Polycarp was duly condemned to be burned alive.