Richard Dawkins: Blustering polemicist, bad philosopher, naked atheist emperor

Charlie Spiering reports for Crisis magazine about the Rally for Reason, which featured a bunch of people without ultimate purpose who randomly gathered to and emote and to talk, by complete chance, about their accidentally shared hatred of religion, which they insist, with great intensity, is beneath them and is not worthy of their attention—other than, of course, holding a six-hour rally:

But as gloomy rain clouds hung low over the Washington Monument, the rally quickly degenerated into open mockery of religion and people of faith.

“F— the motherf—-, f— the mother—- pope,” sang Musician Tim Minchin as he played profane songs on the piano for a laughing and cheering crowd.

Few religions remained unscathed while cruel spokesmen of reason roundly ridiculed Mormons, Buddhists, Christians, and Muslims.

Perhaps some of the talented people involved thought it was a Rally for Ridicule and Rage? Apparently so:

But even the laughs turned into malaise as the event drew to a close. Famed atheist headliner Richard Dawkins labored through a speech that quickly grew bitter.

“Do you really believe that when a priest blesses a wafer, it turns into the body of Christ?” he said, ridiculing Catholics. “Are you seriously telling me you believe that?  Are you seriously saying that wine turns into blood?”

Hawkins challenged his fellow atheists to expose people who still cling to their faith in spite of their doubts.

“Mock them, ridicule them in public, don’t fall for the convention that we’re far to polite to talk about religion,” a frustrated Dawkins continued, “Religion is not off the table. Religion is not off limits. Religion makes specific claims about the universe, which need to be substantiated.  They should be challenged and ridiculed with contempt.”

Mockery and ridicule aren't, of course, owned and copyrighted by atheists; you'll find plenty of Christians who are jerks, oafs, blockheads, fools, loons, and all-around louts. But I've never heard, say, the Pope or Billy Graham or some other significant, recognized leader of particular Christian churches or groups say, "Mock them, ridicule them in public" and so forth. But, really, is anyone that surprised? Dawkins might be a fine biologist, but when it comes to religion and philosophy, he's not just the emperor without clothes, he's the proverbial atheist without arguments—that is, real arguments. He has learned that mockery, ridicule, and contempt are the best tools for spreading the religion of anti-religion, since it distracts from all of the nagging questions and robust arguments that otherwise might have to be addressed. Dr. Edward Feser, himself once an atheist, has written:

Continue reading on the Catholic World Report blog...

Comments

[Ed Peters]

Dawkins asks “Do you really believe that when a priest blesses a wafer, it turns into the body of Christ?” I don't. I think when a priest blesses a wafer, you end up with a blessed wafer. But, when a priest consecrates bread, it becomes the [B]ody of Christ, yes, I believe that. If Dawkins wants to ridicule my beliefs, he could at least extend me the courtesy of ridiculing what I actually believe, not what he thinks I believe.

[Charles E Flynn]

Dr. Peters,

In case you were on vacation last August and missed this line from atheist philosopher Bertrand Russell in an earlier comment here:

"I do not recognize my theory in your parody."

[Ed Peters]

:) edp.

[Charles E Flynn]

Another similar statement, quoted in the New York Times' obituary for Sir Karl Popper:

During the 1960's, Sir Karl came to be labeled a reactionary. He said that his views had been misrepresented.
"Criticism of my alleged views was widespread and highly successful," he said. "I have yet to meet a criticism of my views."

[Ed Peters]

iknowhat'e'means