I was watching a programme last night on BBC 4 and it was a lecture by Sir Ian Kershaw about Hitler and what place in history he holds. Yesterday was the 60th Anniversary of Hitlers suicide for those people who didn't know.
The lecture was brilliant, I have always loved history and Kershaw is the considered the man when it comes to Hitler. Watching the programme and listening to people debate Hitlers place in history got me thinking about who the most evil person to have ever walked on earth was. Was it Hitler, or was it perhaps someone else?
I am interested to hear my fellow Cricket Web members opinions on this matter. For me, I am unsure on who the most evil person ever is.
I am an atheist. The only evidence I see that would validate the claim of a god, is Hitler. What is good without evil? In truth, there cannot be a such thing as bliss if there is not torment on the other end of the spectrum to compare it with. In Earth terms, Hitler was absolute evil. Why do I say this? Because only a creature such as Hitler could fulfill inflicting the maximum havoc upon humanity. Sure, there are other cannibals, who if they had the power could bring the apocylaptic pain, but they would be far too insane for the people to ever grant them power.
Hitler was a genius. The greatest speaker, without a doubt, of all time. He managed to brainwash millions of people with the mere sound of his voice. He made caring men, like me or you, into his jackals. There's not one other person throughout history who could manage that.
That is my view anyway. There's no doubt that was an evil, evil man. But I think in many ways he was a genius as well.
So, who, in your own opinion was/is the most evil person to have lived? I would ask people to consider a whole spectrum of people. Like Mao, with almost 100 million deaths to his name. Or Stalin, or Saddam Hussein.