Guilt by association

The logical fallacyguilt by associationclaiming that something must be false because ofpeople or organisations who support it.

Examples:

1. Atheism must be wrong, because Karl MarxStalin were atheists,just look at them.
2. Anne: "Wow - that'sgreat word-processor". Bill: "Yes it's Microsoft Word". Anne: "Well there must be something wrong withthen, because Microsoft use unfair business practices"
3. Anne: "I think that there should be heavier penaltiesdrug-dealers". Bill: "really, that'sBNP policy! You don't wantsupport those racists do you!"

• See also honor by association.