Not that I can pull up papers for the 'official' government policy of China, but wasn't the popular impression that China tended to suppress religious observances, which would make it, in practice, atheistic?

Not at all. In theory it would make the Chinese government Atheistic. In practice it would simply mean the Chinese government doesn't endorse religion or religious observances. Atheism wouldn't come into play.

BTW - I don't agree with the Chinese government's mandate by force that its employees are not allowed to practice religion at all.

Atheist Communist China .. ?

When did China adopt Atheism? Last I checked they were a mix of various religions like Taoism, Confucianism, Buddism, Islam, and Christianity. I'm sure there's a few Atheists there, but not sure why you'd make a blanket statement like this.

From the Mao's Red Book "Self-Reliance and Arduous Struggle" chapter 21:

Our GOD is none other than the masses of the Chinese people.

Which would suggest a lack of religious endorsement on behalf of the Chinese government, not Atheism. Lack of endorsement isn't the same as Atheism.

Comparing Mao to Erdogan?
Re: Our way, or imprisonment and death.
Possibly.

It's very possibly in Turkey.
https://www.hrw.org/europe/central-asia/turkey

A large portion of the Turkish People, will rue the day they 'supported' him.

Of course. And that's only the supporters.
Turkey has already the problem with the Kurds.
Biji Kurdistan:)

BTW: We have (future had?) very large and important Military Bases in Turkey. In our supposed fight against International Islamist Extremism.

Yes. The NATO problem.
Bases built from the beginning against Soviet Union.
I remember when I was in the Greece archipelago 1974 when the war started in Cyprus.
I took only one day when all american tourists left the building...

And of course at least 50 modernized B61 nuclearbombs!!!

Turkey has a long history of committing Genocide.

True.
The Armenian Genocide for instance.
About 1.5 million Armenians where killed.
That's about the half of the population in Armenia.
Armenia is a neighbour to Turkey.
Now after many years of trouble the heat are starting up there.
https://themoscowtimes.com/articles/armenia-revolts-forget-social-protest-people-demand-regime-change-54745

Welcome to Europe:)

The Kurd's (Muslim) are very tolerant of all religions and other cultures. Including protecting Christian's, their Church's, including Historical Archaeological Sites. Unlike Islamist Extremists.
Should the Kurd's need it. I, for one, would not mind assisting their relocation to the West, including the USA. If needed.

Very much of the problems we see today in the region is most likely because of colonial Britain in the 1920's.
When the Ottoman empire ended Britain sat in Westminster and drawed new border lines.
For some reason Kurdistan disappeared and the country is now located and divided in Turkey, Iraq and Iran.

Cheers or as it called in kurdish Nosh:)

oh btw. If you go to Erbil, Iraq, there is a place where you can get scandinavian food.
Eskilstuna Cafe!

The various line in the sand gangs are responsible for so many of the worlds issues today.

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