Atheism is a gateway drug to communism.

That’s why one of the first things communist regimes do, after taking away people’s guns and eliminating political opponents, is stomp out religious activity.

Statist regimes do not want any ideological competition.

Religious people tend to follow their own inner compass, rather than the edicts of mortal authority figures.

Therefore, religious people are a threat to the statists in power.

You’ll notice people like Sam Harris start out as rational atheists, who support free speech, and generally have common sense stances.

Then, as soon as a “crisis” emerges, all reason goes out the window and fear takes hold. Calls for greater levels of authoritarianism follow. There is a growing sense that people can’t be trusted, and they must be put in their place by the authoritative state that knows best.

Contrast this with religious folks who typically care more about doing what is right than what is expedient.