Changes

The irreligious also have higher rates of domestic violence (see: [[Irreligion and domestic violence]]).  

The irreligious also have higher rates of domestic violence (see: [[Irreligion and domestic violence]]).  

In addition, there is the issue of excess alcohol usage and violence and irreligious societies have significant problems with alcoholism (see: [[Atheism and alcoholism]]).<ref>[http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa38.htm Alcohol Alert, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism No. 38 October 1997], National Institute of Health website</ref>  

In addition, there is the issue of excess alcohol usage and violence and irreligious societies have significant problems with alcoholism (see: [[Atheism and alcoholism]]).<ref name="pubs.niaaa.nih.gov">[http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa38.htm Alcohol Alert, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism No. 38 October 1997], National Institute of Health website</ref>  

Furthermore, there the historical incident of the [[Mass rape during the occupation of Germany|mass rape during the occupation of Germany]] committed by the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] army.  

Furthermore, there the historical incident of the [[mass rape during the occupation of Germany]] committed by the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] army.  

Additionally, there are the issues of [[atheism and forced labor]] and [[atheism and slavery]].  

Additionally, there are the issues of [[atheism and forced labor]] and [[atheism and slavery]].  

''See also:'' [[Nanking massacre]]

''See also:'' [[Nanking massacre]]

[[File:Flag of Japan.png|thumbnail|right|200px|[[Japan]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world,<ref>

[[File:Flag of Japan.png|thumbnail|right|200px|[[Japan]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world,<ref name="thechapmans.nl">*[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]

*[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]

*[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref> ]]

*[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref> ]]

[[Japan]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world,<ref>

[[Japan]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world,<ref name="thechapmans.nl"/>

*[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]

*[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref>

In the [[Nanking massacre]] (or Rape of Nanking) the Japanese military murdered 100,000 to 300,000 Chinese after conquering the city of [[Nanjing]] (then called ''Nanking'' in English, just as [[Beijing]] was called ''Peking''.)

In the [[Nanking massacre]] (or Rape of Nanking) the Japanese military murdered 100,000 to 300,000 Chinese after conquering the city of [[Nanjing]] (then called ''Nanking'' in English, just as [[Beijing]] was called ''Peking''.)

A 2010 ''Scientific American'' column article indicates concerning domestic violence that "Women suffer close to two thirds of the injuries... In addition, women and men differ in the severity of their actions; women are more likely to scratch or slap their partners, men more commonly punch or choke their partners."<ref>Arkowitz, Hal and Lilienfeld, Scott O. (May–June 2010).  [http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-men-the-more-belligerent-sex/ "Are men the more belligerent sex? Men are more dangerous, but women can be just as aggressive"]. ''Mind''.  Retrieved from ''Scientific American'' website.</ref>  

A 2010 ''Scientific American'' column article indicates concerning domestic violence that "Women suffer close to two thirds of the injuries... In addition, women and men differ in the severity of their actions; women are more likely to scratch or slap their partners, men more commonly punch or choke their partners."<ref>Arkowitz, Hal and Lilienfeld, Scott O. (May–June 2010).  [http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-men-the-more-belligerent-sex/ "Are men the more belligerent sex? Men are more dangerous, but women can be just as aggressive"]. ''Mind''.  Retrieved from ''Scientific American'' website.</ref>  

[[File:Vodka.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Alcoholism]] was a serious social problem in the former atheistic [[Soviet Union]].<ref>Pomerlau, Joceline, et. al. (May–June 2008).  [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18245818 "Hazardous alcohol drinking in the former Soviet Union: A cross-sectional study of eight countries"]. ''Alcohol and Alcoholism'', vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 351-9.  Retrieved from PubMed.gov</ref> Between 1940 and 1980, this [[atheist state]] had the largest increase of the amount of alcohol usage in the developed world.<ref>Anderson, Sandra C. and Hibbs, Valerie K. (October 1992). [http://isw.sagepub.com/content/35/4/441.extract "Alcoholism in the Soviet Union" [first page&#93;].  ''International Social Work'', vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 441-53 [fee or registration required for full article].  First page retrieved from Sage journals/International Social Work.</ref>]]

[[File:Vodka.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Alcoholism]] was a serious social problem in the former atheistic [[Soviet Union]].<ref>Pomerlau, Joceline, et. al. (May–June 2008).  [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18245818 "Hazardous alcohol drinking in the former Soviet Union: A cross-sectional study of eight countries"]. ''Alcohol and Alcoholism'', vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 351-9.  Retrieved from PubMed.gov</ref> Between 1940 and 1980, this [[atheist state]] had the largest increase of the amount of alcohol usage in the developed world.<ref>Anderson, Sandra C. and Hibbs, Valerie K. (October 1992). [http://isw.sagepub.com/content/35/4/441.extract "Alcoholism in the Soviet Union" [first page&#93;].  ''International Social Work'', vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 441-53 [fee or registration required for full article].  First page retrieved from Sage journals/International Social Work.</ref>]

Atheists and atheistic societies often have significant problems with excess alcohol usage (For more information please see: [[Atheism and alcoholism]]).

Atheists and atheistic societies often have significant problems with excess alcohol usage (For more information please see: [[Atheism and alcoholism]]).

''See also:'' [[Atheism and alcoholism]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and alcoholism]]

According to the National Institute of Health, "Scientists and nonscientists alike have long recognized a two-way association between alcohol consumption and violent or aggressive behavior."<ref>[http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa38.htm Alcohol Alert, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism No. 38 October 1997], National Institute of Health website</ref>

According to the National Institute of Health, "Scientists and nonscientists alike have long recognized a two-way association between alcohol consumption and violent or aggressive behavior."<ref name="pubs.niaaa.nih.gov"/>

[[File:04656 market in Sanok.JPG|thumbnail|200px|left|[[Alcoholism]] was a serious social problem in the former atheistic [[Soviet Union]].<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18245818 Hazardous alcohol drinking in the former Soviet Union: a cross-sectional study of eight countries]</ref> Between 1940 and 1980, this [[atheist state]] had the largest increase of the amount of alcohol usage in the developed world.<ref>[http://isw.sagepub.com/content/35/4/441.extract Alcoholism in the Soviet Union]</ref>]]

[[File:04656 market in Sanok.JPG|thumbnail|200px|left|[[Alcoholism]] was a serious social problem in the former atheistic [[Soviet Union]].<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18245818 Hazardous alcohol drinking in the former Soviet Union: a cross-sectional study of eight countries]</ref> Between 1940 and 1980, this [[atheist state]] had the largest increase of the amount of alcohol usage in the developed world.<ref>[http://isw.sagepub.com/content/35/4/441.extract Alcoholism in the Soviet Union]</ref>]]

At least 100 studies suggests religion has a positive effect on preventing alcohol-related problems, researchers Christopher Ellison, Jennifer Barrett and Benjamin Moulton noted in an article in the ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'' on “Gender, Marital Status, and Alcohol Behavior: The Neglected Role of Religion.”<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-briggs/charlie-sheen-circus-and-_b_836934.html The Doubled-Edged Sword of Religion and Alcoholism]</ref>

At least 100 studies suggests religion has a positive effect on preventing alcohol-related problems, researchers Christopher Ellison, Jennifer Barrett and Benjamin Moulton noted in an article in the ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'' on “Gender, Marital Status, and Alcohol Behavior: The Neglected Role of Religion.”<ref name="huffingtonpost.com">[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-briggs/charlie-sheen-circus-and-_b_836934.html The Doubled-Edged Sword of Religion and Alcoholism]</ref>

The [[Barna Group]] found that [[atheism|atheists]] and [[agnostics]] in America were more likely, than [[theist]]s in America, to look upon the following behaviors as morally acceptable:  excessive drinking; illegal drug use; sexual relationships outside of marriage; [[abortion]]; cohabitating with someone of opposite sex outside of marriage; obscene language; gambling; pornography and obscene sexual behavior; and engaging in [[homosexuality]]/bisexuality.<ref>[http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/58-practical-outcomes-replace-biblical-principles-as-the-moral-standard Practical Outcomes Replace Biblical Principles As the Moral Standard]</ref>

The [[Barna Group]] found that [[atheism|atheists]] and [[agnostics]] in America were more likely, than [[theist]]s in America, to look upon the following behaviors as morally acceptable:  excessive drinking; illegal drug use; sexual relationships outside of marriage; [[abortion]]; cohabitating with someone of opposite sex outside of marriage; obscene language; gambling; pornography and obscene sexual behavior; and engaging in [[homosexuality]]/bisexuality.<ref>[http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/58-practical-outcomes-replace-biblical-principles-as-the-moral-standard Practical Outcomes Replace Biblical Principles As the Moral Standard]</ref>

''See also:'' [[Atheism and alcoholism]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and alcoholism]]

At least 100 studies suggests religion has a positive effect on preventing alcohol-related problems, researchers Christopher Ellison, Jennifer Barrett and Benjamin Moulton noted in an article in the ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'' on “Gender, Marital Status, and Alcohol Behavior: The Neglected Role of Religion.”<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-briggs/charlie-sheen-circus-and-_b_836934.html The Doubled-Edged Sword of Religion and Alcoholism]</ref>

At least 100 studies suggests religion has a positive effect on preventing alcohol-related problems, researchers Christopher Ellison, Jennifer Barrett and Benjamin Moulton noted in an article in the ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'' on “Gender, Marital Status, and Alcohol Behavior: The Neglected Role of Religion.”<ref name="huffingtonpost.com"/>

Atheists and atheistic cultures often have significant problems with excess alcohol usage (For more information please see: [[Atheism and alcoholism]]).  

Atheists and atheistic cultures often have significant problems with excess alcohol usage (For more information please see: [[Atheism and alcoholism]]).  

[[File:Vodka bottle.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|Alcoholism was a serious social problem in the former atheistic [[Soviet Union]].<ref name="Pomerlau">Pomerlau, Joceline, et. al. (May–June 2008).  [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18245818 "Hazardous alcohol drinking in the former Soviet Union: A cross-sectional study of eight countries"]. ''Alcohol and Alcoholism'', vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 351-9.  Retrieved from PubMed.gov on May 23, 2015.</ref> Between 1940 and 1980, this [[atheist state]] had the largest increase of the amount of alcohol usage in the developed world.<ref name="Anderson">Anderson, Sandra C. and Hibbs, Valerie K. (October 1992). [http://isw.sagepub.com/content/35/4/441.extract "Alcoholism in the Soviet Union" [first page&#93;].  ''International Social Work'', vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 441-53 [fee or registration required for full article].  First page retrieved from Sage journals/International Social Work on May 23, 2015.</ref>]]

[[File:Vodka bottle.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|Alcoholism was a serious social problem in the former atheistic [[Soviet Union]].<ref name="Pomerlau">Pomerlau, Joceline, et. al. (May–June 2008).  [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18245818 "Hazardous alcohol drinking in the former Soviet Union: A cross-sectional study of eight countries"]. ''Alcohol and Alcoholism'', vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 351-9.  Retrieved from PubMed.gov on May 23, 2015.</ref> Between 1940 and 1980, this [[atheist state]] had the largest increase of the amount of alcohol usage in the developed world.<ref name="Anderson">Anderson, Sandra C. and Hibbs, Valerie K. (October 1992). [http://isw.sagepub.com/content/35/4/441.extract "Alcoholism in the Soviet Union" [first page&#93;].  ''International Social Work'', vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 441-53 [fee or registration required for full article].  First page retrieved from Sage journals/International Social Work on May 23, 2015.</ref>]

'''Asian countries:'''  

'''Asian countries:'''  

[[Suicide]] is a form of self-violence.

[[Suicide]] is a form of self-violence.

   

   

Concerning [[atheism and suicide]], although there are recent studies relating to [[atheism]] being a causal factor for suicide in some individuals, an early proponent of atheism being a causal factor for suicide in some individuals was the Reverend Dr. [[Robert Stuart MacArthur]].<ref>http://www.adherents.com/misc/religion_suicide.html</ref><ref>http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/161/12/2303</ref><ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9507E2DC1131E033A25754C1A96F9C94659ED7CF NY Times, September 17, 1894, ATHEISM A CAUSE OF SUICIDE.; Dr. MacArthur Preaches on the Sin and Cowardice of Self-Destruction]</ref>

Concerning [[atheism and suicide]], although there are recent studies relating to [[atheism]] being a causal factor for suicide in some individuals, an early proponent of atheism being a causal factor for suicide in some individuals was the Reverend Dr. [[Robert Stuart MacArthur]].<ref name="adherents.com">http://www.adherents.com/misc/religion_suicide.html</ref><ref>http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/161/12/2303</ref><ref name="query.nytimes.com">[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9507E2DC1131E033A25754C1A96F9C94659ED7CF NY Times, September 17, 1894, ATHEISM A CAUSE OF SUICIDE.; Dr. MacArthur Preaches on the Sin and Cowardice of Self-Destruction]</ref>

In 1894, the [[NY Times]] declared regarding atheism and suicide:

In 1894, the [[NY Times]] declared regarding atheism and suicide:

The same NY Times article quotes the Reverend Dr. MacArthur describing suicide in the following manner:  

The same NY Times article quotes the Reverend Dr. MacArthur describing suicide in the following manner:  

{{cquote|It is mean and not manly; it is dastardly and not daring. A man who involves his innocent wife and children in financial disaster and disgrace and takes his life and leaves them to bear the burden he was unwilling to bear, is a coward.<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9507E2DC1131E033A25754C1A96F9C94659ED7CF NY Times, September 17, 1894, ATHEISM A CAUSE OF SUICIDE.; Dr. MacArthur Preaches on the Sin and Cowardice of Self-Destruction]</ref>}}   

{{cquote|It is mean and not manly; it is dastardly and not daring. A man who involves his innocent wife and children in financial disaster and disgrace and takes his life and leaves them to bear the burden he was unwilling to bear, is a coward.<ref name="query.nytimes.com">[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9507E2DC1131E033A25754C1A96F9C94659ED7CF NY Times, September 17, 1894, ATHEISM A CAUSE OF SUICIDE.; Dr. MacArthur Preaches on the Sin and Cowardice of Self-Destruction]</ref>}}   

[[File:Rev. Dr. Robert Stuart MacArthur.JPG|thumb|left|200px|The Rev. Dr. [[Robert Stuart MacArthur]] was an early proponent of atheism being a causal factor for suicide.<ref>http://www.adherents.com/misc/religion_suicide.html</ref><ref>[http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ajp.161.12.2303 Religious Affiliation and Suicide Attempt], ''American Journal of Psychiatry''</ref><ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9507E2DC1131E033A25754C1A96F9C94659ED7CF NY Times, September 17, 1894, ATHEISM A CAUSE OF SUICIDE.; Dr. MacArthur Preaches on the Sin and Cowardice of Self-Destruction]</ref>]]

[[File:Rev. Dr. Robert Stuart MacArthur.JPG|thumb|left|200px|The Rev. Dr. [[Robert Stuart MacArthur]] was an early proponent of atheism being a causal factor for suicide.<ref name="adherents.com">http://www.adherents.com/misc/religion_suicide.html</ref><ref name="query.nytimes.com">[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9507E2DC1131E033A25754C1A96F9C94659ED7CF NY Times, September 17, 1894, ATHEISM A CAUSE OF SUICIDE.; Dr. MacArthur Preaches on the Sin and Cowardice of Self-Destruction]</ref><ref>[http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ajp.161.12.2303 Religious Affiliation and Suicide Attempt], ''American Journal of Psychiatry''</ref>]]

The website Adherents.com reported the following in respect to atheism and suicide:

The website Adherents.com reported the following in respect to atheism and suicide:

{{cquote|Pitzer College sociologist Phil Zuckerman compiled country-by-country survey, polling and census numbers relating to atheism, agnosticism, disbelief in God and people who state they are non-religious or have no religious preference. These data were published in the chapter titled "Atheism: Contemporary Rates and Patterns" in The Cambridge Companion to Atheism, ed. by Michael Martin, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK (2005). In examining various indicators of societal health, Zuckerman concludes about suicide:

{{cquote|Pitzer College sociologist Phil Zuckerman compiled country-by-country survey, polling and census numbers relating to atheism, agnosticism, disbelief in God and people who state they are non-religious or have no religious preference. These data were published in the chapter titled "Atheism: Contemporary Rates and Patterns" in The Cambridge Companion to Atheism, ed. by Michael Martin, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK (2005). In examining various indicators of societal health, Zuckerman concludes about suicide:

"Concerning suicide rates, this is the one indicator of societal health in which religious nations fare much better than secular nations. According to the 2003 World Health Organization's report on international male suicides rates (which compared 100 countries), of the top ten nations with the highest male suicide rates, all but one (Sri Lanka) are strongly irreligious nations with high levels of atheism. It is interesting to note, however, that of the top remaining nine nations leading the world in male suicide rates, all are former Soviet/Communist nations, such as Belarus, Ukraine, and Latvia. Of the bottom ten nations with the lowest male suicide rates, all are highly religious nations with statistically insignificant levels of organic atheism."<ref>http://www.adherents.com/misc/religion_suicide.html</ref>}}

"Concerning suicide rates, this is the one indicator of societal health in which religious nations fare much better than secular nations. According to the 2003 World Health Organization's report on international male suicides rates (which compared 100 countries), of the top ten nations with the highest male suicide rates, all but one (Sri Lanka) are strongly irreligious nations with high levels of atheism. It is interesting to note, however, that of the top remaining nine nations leading the world in male suicide rates, all are former Soviet/Communist nations, such as Belarus, Ukraine, and Latvia. Of the bottom ten nations with the lowest male suicide rates, all are highly religious nations with statistically insignificant levels of organic atheism."<ref name="adherents.com">http://www.adherents.com/misc/religion_suicide.html</ref>}}

== Mass rape during the occupation of Germany by the Soviet army ==

== Mass rape during the occupation of Germany by the Soviet army ==

[[File:Joseph-stalin.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|When told that Red Army soldiers sexually assaulted German refugees, the atheist [[Joseph Stalin]] declared: "We lecture our soldiers too much; let them have their initiative."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1080493/Stalins-army-rapists-The-brutal-war-crime-Russia-Germany-tried-ignore.html | location=London | work=Daily Mail | first=Andrew | last=Roberts | title=Stalin's army of rapists: The brutal war crime that Russia and Germany tried to ignore | date=24 October 2008}}</ref>]]

[[File:Joseph-stalin.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|When told that Red Army soldiers sexually assaulted German refugees, the atheist [[Joseph Stalin]] declared: "We lecture our soldiers too much; let them have their initiative."<ref name="Roberts">{{cite news| url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1080493/Stalins-army-rapists-The-brutal-war-crime-Russia-Germany-tried-ignore.html | location=London | work=Daily Mail | first=Andrew | last=Roberts | title=Stalin's army of rapists: The brutal war crime that Russia and Germany tried to ignore | date=24 October 2008}}</ref>]]

''See also:''  [[Mass rape during the occupation of Germany|Mass rape of German women by the Soviet army]] and [[Atheism and communism]] and [[Soviet atheism]]  

''See also:''  [[Mass rape during the occupation of Germany|Mass rape of German women by the Soviet army]] and [[Atheism and communism]] and [[Soviet atheism]]  

The [[Soviet Union]] practiced [[state atheism]] and [[militant atheism]].  According to the [[University of Cambridge]], historically, the "most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the [[Marxism-Leninism|Marxist-Leninists]] to power."<ref name="Marxism-Leninism">{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20130728215151/http://www.investigatingatheism.info/marxism.html|title=Investigating atheism: Marxism|publisher = [[University of Cambridge]]|quote=The most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the Marxist-Leninists to power. For the first time in history, atheism thus became the official ideology of a state.|year=2008|accessdate=July 17, 2014}}</ref>  

The [[Soviet Union]] practiced [[state atheism]] and [[militant atheism]].  According to the [[University of Cambridge]], historically, the "most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the [[Marxism-Leninism|Marxist-Leninists]] to power."<ref name="Marxism-Leninism"/>  

The journalist Peter Hitchens is the [[ex-atheists|ex-atheist]] brother of atheist [[Christopher Hitchens]] and he covered the Soviet Union during its latter years before it collapsed.  According to Peter Hitchens, an atheistic society degraded the morals of the Russian people during the Soviet period (see: [[Soviet Union and morality]]).<ref>[http://creation.com/britain-needs-god ''Britain needs God'']</ref>  

The journalist Peter Hitchens is the [[ex-atheists|ex-atheist]] brother of atheist [[Christopher Hitchens]] and he covered the Soviet Union during its latter years before it collapsed.  According to Peter Hitchens, an atheistic society degraded the morals of the Russian people during the Soviet period (see: [[Soviet Union and morality]]).<ref>[http://creation.com/britain-needs-god ''Britain needs God'']</ref>  

The majority of the rapes happened in the Soviet occupation zone.  Estimates of the number of German women sexually assaulted by Soviet soldiers have ranged up to 2 million.<ref name="ElizabethHeineman">{{cite journal |first=Elizabeth |last=Heineman |title=The Hour of the Woman: Memories of Germany's "Crisis Years" and West German National Identity |journal=American Historical Review|volume=101 |issue=2 |year=1996 |pages=354–395 |jstor=2170395 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Kuwert |first=P. |last2=Freyberger |first2=H. |year=2007 |title=The unspoken secret: Sexual violence in World War II |journal=International Psychogeriatrics |volume=19 |issue=4 |pages=782–784 |doi=10.1017/S1041610207005376 }}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/berlin_01.shtml|title=BBC - History - World Wars: The Battle for Berlin in World War Two|publisher=Bbc.co.uk|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Schissler">Hanna Schissler ''The Miracle Years: A Cultural History of West Germany, 1949–1968'' [http://books.google.com/books?id=00fCzJKt1QMC&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&dq=soviet+estimates+rape+tens+of+thousands&source=web&ots=xzyKzJm1sj&sig=cy2AfPmp7ZvT7K9YSWPRkXoyp6E]</ref><ref name="NPR">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106687768|title=Silence Broken On Red Army Rapes In Germany|date=17 July 2009|work=NPR.org|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> The historian William Hitchcock declared that in many cases women were the victims of repeated rapes, some women experienced as many as 60 to 70 rapes.<ref name="Struggle for Europe">{{cite book |first=William I. |last=Hitchcock |title=The Struggle for Europe: The Turbulent History of a Divided Continent, 1945 to the Present |publisher=Anchor Books |year=2004 |url=http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385497992&view=excerpt |isbn=978-0-385-49799-2}}</ref>

The majority of the rapes happened in the Soviet occupation zone.  Estimates of the number of German women sexually assaulted by Soviet soldiers have ranged up to 2 million.<ref name="ElizabethHeineman">{{cite journal |first=Elizabeth |last=Heineman |title=The Hour of the Woman: Memories of Germany's "Crisis Years" and West German National Identity |journal=American Historical Review|volume=101 |issue=2 |year=1996 |pages=354–395 |jstor=2170395 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Kuwert |first=P. |last2=Freyberger |first2=H. |year=2007 |title=The unspoken secret: Sexual violence in World War II |journal=International Psychogeriatrics |volume=19 |issue=4 |pages=782–784 |doi=10.1017/S1041610207005376 }}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/berlin_01.shtml|title=BBC - History - World Wars: The Battle for Berlin in World War Two|publisher=Bbc.co.uk|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Schissler">Hanna Schissler ''The Miracle Years: A Cultural History of West Germany, 1949–1968'' [http://books.google.com/books?id=00fCzJKt1QMC&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&dq=soviet+estimates+rape+tens+of+thousands&source=web&ots=xzyKzJm1sj&sig=cy2AfPmp7ZvT7K9YSWPRkXoyp6E]</ref><ref name="NPR">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106687768|title=Silence Broken On Red Army Rapes In Germany|date=17 July 2009|work=NPR.org|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> The historian William Hitchcock declared that in many cases women were the victims of repeated rapes, some women experienced as many as 60 to 70 rapes.<ref name="Struggle for Europe">{{cite book |first=William I. |last=Hitchcock |title=The Struggle for Europe: The Turbulent History of a Divided Continent, 1945 to the Present |publisher=Anchor Books |year=2004 |url=http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385497992&view=excerpt |isbn=978-0-385-49799-2}}</ref>

After the atheist leader of the Soviet Union [[Joseph Stalin]] received a complaint from Yugoslav politician Milovan Djilas about rapes in Yugoslavia, Stalin reportedly said that he should "understand it if a soldier who has crossed thousands of kilometres through blood and fire and death has fun with a woman or takes some trifle."<ref>Anne Applebaum, ''Iron Curtain, The Crushing of Eastern Europe'', p.32</ref> Also, when told that Red Army soldiers sexually assaulted German refugees, Stalin reportedly declared: "We lecture our soldiers too much; let them have their initiative."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1080493/Stalins-army-rapists-The-brutal-war-crime-Russia-Germany-tried-ignore.html | location=London | work=Daily Mail | first=Andrew | last=Roberts | title=Stalin's army of rapists: The brutal war crime that Russia and Germany tried to ignore | date=24 October 2008}}</ref>

After the atheist leader of the Soviet Union [[Joseph Stalin]] received a complaint from Yugoslav politician Milovan Djilas about rapes in Yugoslavia, Stalin reportedly said that he should "understand it if a soldier who has crossed thousands of kilometres through blood and fire and death has fun with a woman or takes some trifle."<ref>Anne Applebaum, ''Iron Curtain, The Crushing of Eastern Europe'', p.32</ref> Also, when told that Red Army soldiers sexually assaulted German refugees, Stalin reportedly declared: "We lecture our soldiers too much; let them have their initiative."<ref name="Roberts"/>

Only a handful of Soviet soldiers were ever court martialed for raping German women during the war.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsOouDLL_EA German women raped during WWII by the Soviets] - Video</ref>

Only a handful of Soviet soldiers were ever court martialed for raping German women during the war.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsOouDLL_EA German women raped during WWII by the Soviets] - Video</ref>