Did The C Of E Troll Richard Dawkins?

[ChillDoubt]

Genuine? Or t-i-c? I think Dawkins would be amused anyway.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35571588

[jourdain2]

I am sure Dawkins would be amused. I'm equally certain that the prayers offered are genuine and not t-i-c.

[-Talbot-]

Paradoxical prayers

[DaisyNonna]

If I were ill I would be happy if anyone of any faith were good enough to intercede for mr

[agchristie]

'expected to make a full or near full recovery.

Won't be needing those prayers then anyway.

No, I don't believe it was trolling but are the c of e in the habit of offering prayers to anyone in the public eye? I don't think so. Why Dawkins then? I bet even he can't believe it! ;)

[-Talbot-]

I'm sure Dawkins will be pleased to hear that and has got his on order

[Old_Geezer]

Since the religion thinks all "God's children" should be loved and cared for, I can only assume that anyone seriously suggesting that the tweet was a troll must themselves be trolling. Seems like it worked or at least doesn't seem to have done any harm.

[naomi24]

No. I've no doubt the prayers were offered with the best intentions.

[RATTER15]

I think the prayers were in good faith, it probably also amused them somewhat to do it.

[agchristie]

People who experience a serious threat to their health and who recover, sometimes do put it down to divine intervention.

Question is, will Dawkins suddenly turn into some kind of David Icke figure and become a very changed man? I doubt it but wouldn't it be interesting? ;)

[Marshwarble]

Good God! Taking the name of the Dawkins in vain!

[naomi24]

ag, I doubt very much that Richard Dawkins’ illness will change his opinions, but Antony Flew, a renowned philosopher who also strongly advocated atheism, suddenly at the age of 80 plus, declared himself a deist. Whether or not his judgement was sound is an area of some contention, and having read some of his works I can understand why.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antony_Flew

[mikey4444]

I think that the Church sees Dawkins as a significant opponent to its teachings, and this tweet shows that.

In his place, I would be most amused and highly honoured !

[agchristie]

Naomi, interesting! I suppose it flew in the face of sound reasoning!

When I read he was 80 I initially thought some form of dementia or mental health issues may have played a part in his new found beliefs.

I agree, Dawkins is unlikely to change his views and I am sure he will comment soon on the tweet!

[sp1814]

Chilldoubt

No, I really don't think that it was a trolling exercise in the true sense of the word.

...but I think it has a political motive as opposed to:

"At this time, we wish John Hurt and his family the best"

Because Dawkins is the most famous atheist in the country, that tweet from the CofE has a subtext which reads, "Hey...no matter what someone's beliefs are, we still love them, because Christianity is about love and acceptance".

That's how I read it.