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Atheist in memory lapse and slavery shock

A riposte to the "smear tactics" used against the evolutionary biologist

Buy a copy of this week's New Statesman, The God Wars, here

Following Richard Dawkins's Today programme exchange with Giles Fraser over the New Testament and Darwin's On the Origin of Species, the evolutionary biologist and former New Statesman guest editor addresses the "smear tactics" used against him over the past week, first of which was the former canon chancellor's attempt on radio:

Far from being a real gotcha, Fraser's diversionary tactic can only be seen as a measure of desperation, designed to conceal the embarrassing ignorance of their holy book shown by 64 per cent of Census Christians [people who self-identified in the 2001 census as "Christian"]. In any case Darwin's Origin, I hope I don't have to add, is nobody's holy book.

In the cover story of this week's magazine, available in shops tomorrow, Dawkins also presents the results of a large-scale Ipsos MORI poll into Britain's relationship with Christianity. Among initial findings such as that the percentage of the population which describes itself as Christian has dropped from 72 to 54 per cent, Dawkins reports that:

"I try to be a good person" came top of the list of "what being a Christian means to you", but mark the sequel. When the Census Christians were asked explicitly, "When it comes to right and wrong, which of the following, if any, do you most look to for guidance?"only 10 per cent chose "Religious teachings and beliefs". Fifty-four per cent chose "My own inner moral sense" and a quarter chose "Parents, family or friends". Those would be my own top two and, I suspect, yours, too.

Dawkins states that these facts - not negotiable opinions - cannot be changed by smears and irrelevant digressions:

In modern Britain, not even Christians put Christianity anywhere near the heart of their lives, and they don't want it put at the heart of public life either. David Cameron and Baroness Warsi, please take note.

god wars

Buy a copy of this week's New Statesman, The God Wars, here

Tags: Religion

155 comments

Offestedo's picture

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Keir's picture

Let's put it this way. If a person without accreditation wishes to apply for membership of certain denominational congregations, he or she will be asked to wait until the members are satisfied that he or she is truly a Christian. One of the most necessary evidences is detailed knowledge of the Bible, Old and New Testaments. So, if we turn the process around, we find that the number of Christians in the UK is not going to encourage Dave to describe 'our country' as a Christian one.

Lox's picture

You're right, Broga. None of us are perfect. And your point is what? I express opinions, and I don't assume that someone is intellectually or morally compromised because their opinion is different from mine. I despise bigotry, that's all. Some of the posters above seem to assume that people are religious because they're stupid or brainwashed: I'm agnostic, several members of my family are theists, others are atheists, and we're all pretty much as clever and stupid or good and bad as one another.
I don't think that we've got a right to assume that any of us are smarter or better people than anyone else because of what we believe (how we express it or how willing we are to be mentally flexible is another matter).

Anyway. Doesn't anyone else see something funny about an atheist crusade?

Mike50's picture

Wow - just arrived at this thread and read the comments. I didn't know so many of us christians were so intolerant and unchristian. I find many of RD's arguments cogent and reasonable. Listen to the message and don't focus on the man.

John Emsley's picture

You give this man far too much space.He is entitled to his views but his ways of expressing them would be more at home in a ten-year-old children's playground-far too many snide comments, yah-boo, etc.

farmerbb's picture

Sir Michael, and in particular Keir, are especially good examples of the trueism "Just because you can string words together into a sentence does not mean they make any sense." Hmm. Question...What is the sound of laughter when accompanied by shaking of the head ?

Amergin's picture

All those attacking Dawkins for what they choose to call'militant ateism' are missing the point entirely.
I am an atheist and content to remain so in a godless yet quite wonderful universe. I am married to a devout christian lady who never goes to church and does not pray. We are both nice people, kind, generous charitable and loving.We have no need for religion in our lives.
But back to Dawkins. He was content until 9/11 to keep his thoughts and words limited to his educational role as an evolutionist biologist. 9/11 showed us all how one religion can so warp the thinking of men that they can murder without pity 3000 or so innocent people. That killing of followers of other religions and indeed even their own kind continues in the name of their god. Dawkins therefore saw it a needful purpose to expose all theistic religions as warping others minds with lies and fables.
Like me I am happy for the next man to believe what he will but he must not
a) use it as an excuse to harass or kill me
b) let it intrude upon the political and secular domain
and c) try to make me believe without proof what he believes withour proof.

Mark's picture

Thank goodness for Richard Dawkins, don't worry, the critics just don't have the intellectual rigour to smear properly!!

Keir's picture

'None of us are perfect.'

None of us _is_ perfect.

Oh dear, oh dear.

;)

Keir's picture

The census shoved Roman Catholics in with Protestants. No Christian will accept that sort of fascism. But who complained?

The census is not worth a carrot. Like every word that comes out of the mouth of Dawkins.

But then, that's why we see his photo so often.

Keir's picture

'Dawkins performs a public service, in an age of faith schools;

He goes damned quiet at election times.

Like his faithful worshippers.

Keir's picture

Mark runs.

Robert Taggart's picture

RD = OUR HERO.
Now then, if Blighty ever manages to wrest apart State, Monarchy, Parliament and Christianity (in England only ofcourse) perhaps RD would be quiet.
Alas, so sheepish are the natives and so disingenuous are the elected methinks this outcome unlikely.
In the meantime RD - keep 'rattling' those 'christy' cages !

Malcolm Dodd's picture

STILL NO RESPONSE TO MY CHALLENGE POSTED 23 February at 1445.

WHY DO I HEAR MORE DEAFENING SILENCE FROM THE NORMALLY VOLUBLE THEISTS?

"Now, this is my challenge to the religionists of all persuasions, post the EVIDENCE for ANY large-scale miraculous intervention in the laws of nature that your god has carried out in response to the prayers of billions (who petition god at least weekly for the same miracles). I do not want to hear of Uncle Harry who was dying of cancer and after the family and friends prayed his illness was cured, no, I want to hear about the BIG things that your beneficent and omnipotent god has done".

Best wishes to you all
Malcolm

mal1@onetel.com

Alan Dente's picture

Always hilarious to hear people refer to Dawkins as pompous and self-important.

He's one of the most important evolutionary biologist author/educators to emerge from the UK. I think he's earned his self-importance...

It's also worth noting that he didn't require a mandate from God to achieve what he has achieved.

avocatus diaboli's picture

To whoever wrote the article: the title really needs revising, given that it makes no mention of the "memory lapse" or "slavery shock".

ridelo's picture

@Keir
I would say; "If something happens, it isn't supernatural."
Do you believe that, say in Lourdes, miracles really happen? Not something like; "I was very depressed when I went and I came back happy." No, something like; "I went without legs and came back with legs." If God really can do magic, why can't He do that?

Lox's picture

Do you usually correct the grammar of strangers, Keir? You're clearly extremely polite. Either that or extremely petty.

Keir's picture

'EVIDENCE for ANY large-scale miraculous intervention in the laws of nature'

'"A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away."' Mt 16:4 NIV

'The sign of Jonah' is the resurrection of Jesus. We do not need formal proof of it, because we know it is true when we learn of it.

'god has carried out in response to the prayers of billions'

'"Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"' Mt 7:22-23 NIV

'But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them — bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.' 2 Pe 2:1-2 NIV

John Glenn's picture

Richard Dawkins presents intelligent arguements. John Emsley may disagree, but they are not the arguements you hear on a playground. As for Keir, both Catholics and Protestants profess to be Christian. How can you equate this aggregation with Fascism? If he finds this grouping offensive, by all means protest. Where I live, most Catholics and Protestants get on well and turn up to each others social events. On the other side, don't get so angry Robert. Our weather avoids extremes. So, apparently, do most of our religious groups.

Keir's picture

'Do you believe that, say in Lourdes, miracles really happen?'

No, but this is hardly relevant to the Dawkins discussion. 2 Pe 2:1-2 is relevant.

Graham Griffiths's picture

Although I've never been religious, a few years ago I think I must have been what is known as 'searching'. I was a sort of agnostic who prayed. The God Delusion was a revelation to me. I could say that reading it led to my Damascene conversion to atheism.

Keir's picture

The records of supernatural events recorded in the Bible are relevant, as I'm sure we are aware. Dawkins asserts that they cannot happen because molecular laws dictate that they cannot. But the whole point is that a creator of molecules can do as he likes with them.

So Dawkins is perfectly circular, and it's unbelievable that he has not been laughed out of sight. There's a miracle.

Religious people are retarded's picture

All your religions are wrong and stupid

Tony Inchpractice's picture

The New Atheism is a joke.

andyg's picture

Like anything else, people will say that they are Christian when and whenever it suits. I know of many who claim to be athiest untill they wish for their child to attend a certain school.

Lox's picture

Broga, you generalise appallingly about theists. That looks like pure intellectual arrogance-which, from the content of your posts, seems to be unjustified. Let me look at a couple of your statements here:

"At the moment they are attacking Richard Dawkins because a distant ancestor of his employed slaves. They search for minor flaws in atheists while readily overlooking much that is far worse as long as the perpetrators are christians."

Really? Who is "they"? Dawkins family history of owning slaves isn't a minor flaw. It isn't a flaw at all, since he bears no responsibility for it. Any theist who's used that to belabour Dawkins makes his or herself look like a fool. Draw your own conclusion about anyone on the other side of the debate who uses it as a stick to belabour theism because they lack the intelligence to make a cogent argument for the non-existence of God.

Your comments about your relatives who, despite their religion, are as enlightened as you when it comes to social issues like gay marriage aren't patronising at all, are they?

You mention creationism. I attended a religious school in the 70s: my teacher then taught us that Darwinism was completely compatible with Christianity. It might suit you to paint theists as a bunch of superstitious hicks, but all you do is draw attention to your limited social circle or to your lack of confidence in any argument you have against religion.

I don't have any axe to grind here. I don't believe in God, but that's not the same as a belief in the non-existence of God. Hopefully you've enough intelligence to grasp the distinction? But I do despise intellectual or spiritual arrogance, especially from people who are neither very clever nor morally upright.

I do hope that your description of Dawkins as mighty was tongue in cheek, but I think you might be as prone to hagiography as the most superstitious theist.

Finally-don't take this the wrong way, but has anyone ever told you that sometimes you come across as a bit pompous? Don't be hurt. Sometimes it's nicer to receive constructive criticism from a stranger, isn't it?

James Henning's picture

Please allow me to congratulate Richard Dawkins on the "religious" fervour with which he promotes his cult.
Judging by the enthusiastic response of the people at "New Statesman" he has thoroughly evangelised them.

New Statesman" b

Sir Michael's picture

Bizarre that a man who has devoted much of his life to the extinction of religion has a cult following. Even this magazine feels the need to leap to his defense.

crabstix's picture

Tony Inchpractice, wtf is The New Atheism that is such a joke?

Non belief in Ashtar?

Non belief in Baal?

Non belief in Loki?

Non belief in Voodoo?

Please enlighten us, inch by inch.

David Anderson's picture

Once again the name of Richard Dawkins brings out the idiot godbots. Anybody with the slightest intelligence could study any religion or religious book to discover how false they all are. Anybody could read a book like "The Golden Bough" by Sir James Frazer to discover where their idiotic superstitions originate.

ridelo's picture

And saying: "Jesus is the son of God, because it is written in the Bible." and "What's written in the Bible is true, because Jesus dictated it." isn't circular, I suppose.
I think reason doesn't get us nearer in our thinking, alas. Quoting the Bible doesn't help. Every prophet says the others got it wrong. Check the Koran. Only real evidence can get us nearer to the truth. And Dawkins provides that in droves. When he doesn't know something, he's not afraid to admit that. When he says he's an atheist, he always adds something like; "I'm 99.9% sure about that.", because in science you can never be sure for 100%. By the way, I'm also 99.9% sure that leprechauns don't exist.
God isn't an explanation. It's a cop-out. If I want to understand something, Goddidit doesn't help.

Keir's picture

'Keir you believe in talking snakes and donkeys'

Sure. They are everywhere on the internet. But I don't _believe_ you.

'Jerusalem Bible'

Jerusalem, my fundament. Why pick a criminal's 'bible' if you're so sure of your interpretation?

City siege everywhere in the known world involved complete destruction of inhabitants; as it did against Israel, and as it did until the appalling Thirty Years' War, that at last shamed humanity into more humane practice (very probably under the influence of the Bible, then opened to Europeans by Protestantism). The enemies of Israel deserved that treatment because the enemies of God were not fit to breathe, in the view of the psalmist. In the case of infants, this was actually an act of mercy, because death from exposure is terrible.

Think before you bray.

Livers's picture

@Keir

I asked:
"'There is no evidence for the existence of God.
What is weak about that argument?'"

"You responded:
a) It's fallacious;
b) it supports agnosticism, not atheism. "

[I'll skip the rest since it didn't present anything resembling an argument]

What logical fallacy has been committed?

And why do you think the lack of evidence for God supports "agnosticism not atheism." ?

McMac's picture

Hope someone could help me here.

Could someone supply some links to Dawkins being militant, rude, hectoring bullying childish etc. Because I can only find stuff of him being calm collected and reasonable. Thanks

Lox's picture

Dawkins is an egotistical zealot. How ironic that he and his acolytes take such a dogmatic approach: a belief in the non-existence of God is as faith-based as a belief in the existence of God. Non-belief in the existence of God-i.e., agnosticism-is a far more rational viewpoint than either. But at least religious people don't try to use rationalism as a prop for their faith: Dawkins and his devotees like Robert Taggart above do.

John's picture

Thank you for this coverage of Dawkins, which I am taking the time out of a busy schedule, and my birthday, to read. What is more, the prominence you give to Dawkins makes me consider subscribing to your magazine, which is unavailable here in South America, I think. Excellent stuff; keep it up, New Statesman and Richard.

Sam's picture

Sir Micheal
Morality is a concept, there aren't actually any one set of morals we can study and scientifically identify and study. There are thousands upon thousands of differing moral codes developed throughout history. Some are for the good of all people, others are horrible. Like the religiously sanctioned practice of owning slaves. At least, that's what the bible says.

la potenza della speranza's picture

I suspect that in arguing for the existence of a God many people are engaging in sophistry in a misguided attempt to prove how smart they are. To me it just seems abundantly clear that God is a man made concept and it seems an utterly ridiculous notion that our species, on this unremarkable out post of an insignificant galaxy is the focal point of all existence. As Feynman put it "the stage is too big for the show". And whether or not the arguments put forward by Richard Dawkins are to your satisfaction does not affect it one way or another.

Philosophorum Protoplastes's picture

I an evangelical Christian who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I also believe that Richard Dawkins is doing a good job in pointing out the many absurdities present in organised religion and so provoking a necessary debate about the nature of being, matter and the meaning of life. As a Baptist, I also support the separation of Church and State as well as complete civil equality for homosexuals, including the right to have state-recognised marriages on an equal footing with heterosexuals. While I do not agree with many of the broader conclusions Professor Dawkins draws, I applaud his attacks on superstition and lame religiosity.

Keir's picture

'both Catholics and Protestants profess to be Christian'

Both Catholics and Protestants deny that the other sort is Christian. It's in their official documents, in current use. Protestants evangelise Catholics. Are Dawkinsites ignorant of these things? Or do they just not _want_ to know? Are they just fascist-lite, secret admirers of Franco and Salazar? That is the best label for them, unless they join the adults.

McMac's picture

Religious people think like religious people, no surprise, so they think that atheisum fills the religious shaped hole that would be left is they removed religion from their lives. Hence they say things like “Atheism is as much as a religion as…”

Describing atheism as a religion is like saying a loaf of bread is a type of bicycle.

The fact that religious people suffer from this affliction is more to be pitied than scolded, they do genuinely believe that atheism is a type of religion and that one can ride to work on a loaf of bread.

Livers's picture

@Keir

As an atheist I really couldn't give a monkey toss about the semantics used by one group of fairy worshippers use to describe another. I am proud to be ignorant of such irrelevance.

All the ornate sophistry surrounding religion cannot hide it is essentially built upon myth. From Zeus to Jesus via Odin, its all the same old nonsense.

James's picture

@LOx who said

"a belief in the non-existence of God is as faith-based as a belief in the existence of God."

If you are talking about pre-big bang and creation of the universe we inhabit, then yes, but as all religions tend to focus on everything AFTER that point, the key difference then is that there is no evidence FOR a god, and lots of evidence about how nature has developed the universe and its contents, and how we are evolved beings and not created by a supernatural being.

So, anyone looking at evidence would accept that a belief in God is faith DESPITE the evidence and an atheist is basing their views on that, and logic, rather than on a book written a couple of millenia ago, for example.

Why does that prove so difficult to understand?

Lesley's picture

Sorry keir but your comment makes no sense at all.

Lesley's picture

Sorry Lox but non belief in god is not a faith. If I don't do stamp collecting am I part of a non stamp collecting faith?

terence patrick hewett1's picture

Golly massa Richard we really miss you down on de ol' plantation.

Keir's picture

'Sorry keir but your comment makes no sense at all.'

Of course not. Otherwise you'd be stuck for an answer.

Keir's picture

'I am proud to be ignorant'

There you are Richard, one made in your own image.

Keir's picture

'isn't circular, I suppose.'

It's circular, like the cross-section of the bullet you just put through you head. Fortunately, you're no marksman.

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