by highdose 115 Replies latest jw friends
Putting aside whether Dawkins is right or not, perhaps it's the fact that he comes across as an smug, arrogant, pompous, condescending little asshole and is obviously very proud of it that offends many people.
In other words, people just don't like him!
Well good for him. I have great respect for all his work. He deserves an attitude, and some of you could enjoy that, too!
Randy
aka Dogpatch
TEC: I do not understand how some do not see that he can be quite condescending and arrogant in regard to people of faith.
When people have a hero they will defend them no matter what they do.
We humans are odd creatures. When we have a particular attachment to a person or a belief system we will accept behavior and put up with inconsistencies that would be completely unacceptable in others. We probably all did that at one point for the WTBTS when we were JWs.
Battered spouses will do that too, making excuses for their abusive spouse.
00DAD
'That said, the "oh God" thing is just silly.'
Not sure if anyone has explained why the British press jumped on this - In a discussion, Dawkins (mockingly I presume) used a survey which showed that most British 'Christians' could not even name the first book of the new testament. In response, the Archbishop (I think it was) asked Dawkins for the full title of Origin of Species - ouch! he couldn't remember it, and that's when 'oh God' came out. A double whammy.
Personally, I find Dawkins comes across as arrogant and militantly anti religion. He clearly believes that anyone who believes in God is either ignorant or stupid, and sometimes, when he's not in charm mode, he says so out loud. You can call that honest, but disrespectfully trampling on the fond beliefs of millions is bound to get him into a little trouble.
At what point do you put aside your patience with those flat-earthers and call them idiots regardless of how cherished this belief may be to them?
I don't feel the need to call flat earthers idiots, it's up to them what they believe. Now, conspiracy theorists, that's a different matter.
I don't feel the need to call flat earthers idiots, it's up to them what they believe. Now, conspiracy theorists, that's a different matter.
How about a guy who is both a flat earther and a conspiracy theorist?
Wow. Thanks Leolaia - I just KNEW there was something in that flat earth theory!
After watching that video, I stand corrected. I am now a believer. Who has the Kool-Aid? Strawberry preferably.
When people have a hero they will defend them no matter what they do.
We humans are odd creatures. When we have a particular attachment to a person or a belief system we will accept behavior and put up with inconsistencies that would be completely unacceptable in others. We probably all did that at one point for the WTBTS when we were JWs. - 00DAD
That's just a silly ad hominem.
Personally I have no problem criticising Dawkins or Myers or Harris or Dennet or any other leading voice in the scepticism/atheism movement. Leolaia offered an example of an incident when Dawkins probably deserved to be criticised. When somebody spouts OTT rants about somebody I respect I am probably going to question it even if they get upset about it.
I also have no problem standing up for the Watchtower or for clergymen when people misrepresent them in a negative way.
That's the beauty of being a sceptic, there are no leaders who must not be questioned, no authority any more. Assess facts objectively as posisble and stand by your conclusion until new information comes along - intellectual freedom.
I don't feel the need to call flat earthers idiots, it's up to them what they believe. - Barefootservant
Yes but if you are a science teacher and ignorant creationists are undermining children's education it is necessary to call them out as the ignorant people they are and to mercilessly expose their superstition with evidence.
highdose: just what is going on here? why do the press hate one man so much?
For your consideration ...
Do NOT click on the above link if reading criticisms about Richard Dawkins upset you.
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Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength - Eric Hoffer
