Richard Dawkins - a Christian in the making?

[whiffy]

It always entertains me to see the pent-up hatred in Richard Dawkins. This is not a man who just doesn't believe in God, this is a man who hates God so much that it has taken over his life. In a different culture, a different time, he would exterminate Christians.

This is the kind of soul that may, I hope, one day flip, and see and thankfully accept what it is so violently resisting. It is not possible to carry this degree of bitterness through life for ever.

Oh dear me, he has got on to balanced polymorphism. May he one day travel his own Road to Damascus.

[naomi24]

Your perception, whiffy. I wouldn't hold your breath.

[Theland1]

He does tend to froth at the mouth.

[naomi24]

Naughty, naughty, Theland. I watched him tonight and he didn't froth at the mouth once.

[jake-the-peg]

I think he may have been at the back of the queue when they were giving out subtlty!

I do recall a program where he was at Lourdes asking people in wheelchairs if they were feeling better yet

Still he serves an excellent purpose in reminding the superstitious God-botherers that the rational mind is more than alive and kicking.

[Octavius]

Certainly has something of the pulpit preacher about him, reminds me of those horrid TV evangelist types, a sort of fundamentalist atheist.

Still, it�s only his opinion and he is entitled to express it. When it gets hurtful and malicious � just like with fundamental religionists who do such things � then it is a step too far, and one way or another he may get his comeuppance.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Since Dawkins as a blasphemer of the holy sprite (sic) is definitely and unquestionably hellbound according to your religion, I can only assume by making the less definitive statement 'may get his comeuppance' you must be referring to more Earthly comeuppance.

What would you suggest is a suitable 'comeuppance' for the terrible, dastardly crime of criticising some ideas using words'?

I trust your Christian values would prevent you from wishing anything other than Professor Dawkin's salvation? I only ask because some people might read into your statement

[WaldoMcFroog]

...other interpretations which surely were not intended and you would entirely distance yourself from..?

[mibn2cweus]

If you received hate mail and death threats on a daily basis for exposing the fallacy of a belief that has had devastating consequences on human progress for millennia you too might undergo an attitude adjustment.

I myself have been condemned to hell by both of my parents for daring to state (when asked) my conviction of a non-existent god.

[Octavius]

Waldo I was referring to prevailing law, that of the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006.

I don�t consider what he is doing to be in contravention of that, hence why I mentioned being malicious and hurtful as overstepping the line. I thought my point was pretty clear, though you appear to have read more into it than intended.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Glad to hear it.

Put it down to the effect of other people making the utterly bananas equation of 'criticising some ideas with words' with 'In a different culture, a different time, he would exterminate Christians.'

[Octavius]

I would need to check, but I would guess that exterminating Christians would probably be illegal in other realms of the law regardless of the statute mentioned above.

[Marijn]

Hello Mibn2cweus, I feel very sad that your parents have been so uncharitable to you (sorry, that's an understatement, but I can't think of the right word)
Why are Christians so unchristian?
Why are they so agressive too, when they make a point on here in answerbank? If they've got their beliefs why aren't they just content to keep it to themselves? Why do they feel the need to be so pushy, and condemning?
If there is a God, wouldn't he want people to be kind, tolerant and forgiving? A lot of believers on here are a really bad advert for religion.

[jake-the-peg]

I think it probably stems from a desperation in declining numbers.

Certainly the Church of England has seen a startling decline in attendence over the last 20 years. Where I live one priest serves 3 villages alternating each week. About 20 on an average Sunday with about 2000 in each village.

When you're seeing that sort of decline it's understandable for desperation, fear and anger to kick in. Especially when you have a lot of emotional investment .

[Octavius]

I think perhaps a lot of the aggressiveness is a direct response to the aggression often shown against believers. In all walks of life, points of view, political or ideological opinion, people will defend their beliefs if they are attacked. I don't really hold truth with the fear of decline being a factor, nor desperation. Just standing up for your beliefs.

If you are referring to AB members particularly notafish, then equally a lot of people on here are a bad advert for anything at all.

[mibn2cweus]

Notafish, I do not feel sad, not for myself nor for my parents and others like them that have no comprehension of the hidden cost of believing as they do.

The threat of eternal damnation was a powerful incentive for me to be damn sure that neither god nor hell existed. What I have learned in the process is not only that neither exist but consequently and perhaps more importantly that I am not worthy of hell by virtue of my birth and that I do not need to seek forgiveness from the very one/s who asserts that hell is my only birthright.

It is for those who have bought into the big lie in the sky and are self made victims of such self loathing beliefs for whom, not sadness, but rage is the appropriate emotional response.

I have chosen not to bring more children into a world poisoned by such doctrines but instead to devote my life to doing what I can to bring about a world where teaching children to despise themselves throughout their entire life (whether or not they believe in what they were told) is viewed as the unacceptable monstrosity that it is.

Lacking the self-respect that one must sacrifice in accepting the premise of original sin, is it any wonder Christians behave the way they do?

[Marijn]

Hello Mibn2cweus, I'm really pleased to hear that you are not sad about it. And that you are happy and helpful in your life. I admire you for being brave enough to tell the truth to your parents when they asked you that question. :-)

[Octavius]

That�s a bit of a paradox isn�t it?
�God doesn�t exist, and if he does��

Or are you agnostic Tetjam?

Good for you mibs, extreme zealotry in enforced belief and intolerance by any means is monstrous and unacceptable.

[WaldoMcFroog]

What's a 'Dawkin'..?

Seriously though, I wouldn't joke - some people (not Octavius) might take such a comment at face value and it plays into their dull-headed 'atheism is just another religion' argument.