Dawkins Speaks Out Against Muslim Creationists in the UK

[jordan179]

Some welcome news to me:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1041089/Atheist-Richard-Dawkins-blames-Muslims-importing-creationism-classrooms.html

Devout Muslims are importing creationist

Comments

[anysia]

What I am worried about is the UK gov't will cave in and allow the ranting to make their decisions, as they have been doing.

[jordan179]

What I am worried about is the UK gov't will cave in and allow the ranting to make their decisions, as they have been doing.

They may, but if they do, their opposition will no longer be entirely on the Right. This may be the beginning of an opposition from liberal democracy as a whole, and not just part of it.

[astroprisoner]

Too many atheists don't seem to grasp that being "atheist" means disbelief in all religions, not just Christianity.

Somewhere I read once that for many atheists, it's not just that they don't believe in God, it's that they don't believe in a specific God. There's only one vision (I would assume the one predominate in their culture) that they see as a threat. It's almost as though they're saying "We've already agreed that Allah isn't real...you know, I'll bet they don't really believe that either, I'm sure they just do all those prayers and dietary things because it's their culture and heritage."

So they don't see it as real, it doesn't count.

[jordan179]

... for many atheists, it's not just that they don't believe in God, it's that they don't believe in a specific God. There's only one vision (I would assume the one predominate in their culture) that they see as a threat.

For my part, the only religions I regard as "threats" are those which are trying to force me to conform to their precepts. I'm not "threatened" by those who peacefully hold opinions differing from mine.

[cutelildrow]

There's a damned good reason why there are science classes and religious classes.

[eric_hinkle]

Agreed!

And in this country (the USA), I wish they'd actually do something with both those classes than lecture the students into boredom-induced comas...

[mosinging1986]

Good to see him finally doing something useful in the world. He loves to rage at Christians, but the most they'll do is write books to counter his and engage in debates. We have no desire to cause him any harm. Maybe now he'll see the difference, and get it through his head that religions are NOT all the same, and do not teach the same things.

[jordan179]

He loves to rage at Christians, but the most they'll do is write books to counter his and engage in debates. We have no desire to cause him any harm. Maybe now he'll see the difference, and get it through his head that religions are NOT all the same, and do not teach the same things.

I remember thinking when I read The God Delusion -- much of which, btw, I agreed with -- that most of his criticisms would make far more sense directed at Islam than at modern Christianity. Islam is anarchic, irrational and violent; modern Christianity (even the Protestant sects) tend to be organized, rational and peaceful by comparison. It is no accident that the Scientific Revolution happened in the Christian, rather than the Muslim, world.

[fortyozspartan]

"Good to see him finally doing something useful in the world."

He does think what he's doing is useful. That's a matter of perspective.

"religions are NOT all the same"

I think most of his opinions are ironically based on experiences with Christianity and the different flavors.

[mosinging1986]

I'd say that's nonsense, or that he's run into some poor examples of Christians and poor teaching of Christianity in general.

[ghostwolf]

Dawkins is merely pointing out the main threat of religion, not one particular sect: There is no allowance for individual, critical thinking that conflicts with religion. None at all. If it doesn't come from God, it's from the devil. Believe against the established order, you're either "shown the error of your ways," or killed for Heresy. The Crusades and Inquisition are more than enough evidence.

As a Pagan/Wiccan, I've dealt with this for years, and I'm only a "newbie." But the change in perspective will definitely open your eyes to what religion's truly about: Control of the mind.

And Senator McCarthy was worried about Socialism.

[irked_indeed]

Yes. Why, just the other day, my church raided the local New Age bookstore. Some folks agreed to see the error of their ways, but for the rest, well, it was curtains for them! Then we burned some volumes of Plato and went back to our covered dish dinner.

Come on, now! Please feel free to criticize religion, where it's legitimately flawed, but the kind of blanket statement you make here is just silly.

[ghostwolf]

You can be as snide as you like, but until you've seen more than one religion, and really looked at them, you know nothing. Especially when you mistake Plato's philosophy for religion.

When you're on he receiving end, perhaps we can talk. Otherwise, leave me off your list.

[jordan179]

I've seen plenty of religions, both personally and in my readings, and I see a very BIG difference between a religion which is tolerant of dissent and a religion which considers it proper to convert by fire and sword. Modern Christianity is tolerant of dissent; modern Islam is not. It's that simple.