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Line 1: − [[File:Richard Dawkins in Australia.jpg|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Richard Dawkins]] is dismissive of the concept of [[Islamophobia]] and declared: "I’m always being accused of Islamophobia, that’s a non-word."<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/richard-dawkins-defends-ahmed-mohamed-comments-and-dismisses-islamophobia-as-a-non-word-10515389.html Richard Dawkins defends Ahmed Mohamed comments and dismisses Islamophobia as a 'non-word'], ''Independent'', 24 September 2015</ref> ]]+ − The [[New Atheism|New Atheists]] [[Richard Dawkins]], [[Sam Harris]] and the late [[Christopher Hitchens]] have received multiple accusations of engaging in [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]] behavior.<ref> − *[http://www.salon.com/2013/03/30/dawkins_harris_hitchens_new_atheists_flirt_with_islamophobia/ Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens: New Atheists flirt with Islamophobia] by Nathan Lean, ''Salon'', March 30, 2013 − *[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/03/sam-harris-muslim-animus Sam Harris, the New Atheists, and anti-Muslim animus] by Glenn Greenwald, ''The Guardian'', April 3, 2013</ref> On the other hand, defenders of atheist criticisms of Islam/Muslims indicated that New Atheists should be able to criticize Islam without being accused of Islamophobia.<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2013/04/new-atheism-should-be-able-criticise-islam-without-being-accused-islamophobia New Atheism should be able to criticise Islam without being accused of Islamophobia] by Andrew Zak Williams, ''New Statesman'', Published 19 April 2013</ref> See also: [[New Atheism and Islamophobia]] and [[Atheism vs. Islam]] − − Dawkins is dismissive of the concept of Islamophobia and declared: "I’m always being accused of Islamophobia, that’s a non-word."<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/richard-dawkins-defends-ahmed-mohamed-comments-and-dismisses-islamophobia-as-a-non-word-10515389.html Richard Dawkins defends Ahmed Mohamed comments and dismisses Islamophobia as a 'non-word'], ''Independent'', 24 September 2015</ref> − − On December 28, 2015, the ''Daily Express'' reported about Dawkins: − − − Dawkins, 74, author of best-seller The God Delusion, told the New Statesmen's Emad Ahmed that his belief was "pathetic" before angrily storming off.<ref>[http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/629818/Richard-Dawkins-Islam-Muslims-rant 'Pathetic': Richard Dawkins in extraordinary outburst against Islam 'Pathetic': Richard Dawkins in extraordinary outburst against Islam] by Jason Taylor, ''Daily Express'', December 28, 2015</ref>}} − − Ryan Kerney wrote at ''New Republic'' concerning Dawkins' behavior towards Emad Ahmed: "Richard Dawkins is just as rude in person as he is on Twitter, apparently." (See also: [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins]]).<ref>[https://newrepublic.com/minutes/126632/richard-dawkins-just-rude-person-twitter-apparently Richard Dawkins is just as rude in person as he is on Twitter, apparently], ''New Republic'', 2015</ref> − − ''Salon'' declared in an article entitled ''Richard Dawkins does it again: New Atheism’s Islamophobia problem'': − {{cquote|When it comes to making claims about religions, especially [[Islam]], Dawkins is quick to grab the biggest brush he can find and paint “the Muslims,” or “Muslims,” or even “Islam” with one broad stroke. − − “I think Islam is the greatest force for evil in the world today. I’ve said so, often and loudly. What are you talking about?” he Tweeted to one follower in March. − − The greatest force for evil? How is that even quantifiable and [[Atheism and the Problem of Evil|what constitutes evil]]? For a scientist, Dawkins [[Richard Dawkins and pseudoscience|rarely provides]] any qualification, context or evidence for his hypotheses. He doesn’t often give names or reveal identities that could help us better understand exactly whom it is that he targets. But that’s beside the point because to Dawkins, they are just “Muslims,” not fathers, sons, daughters, mothers, bankers, lawyers or doctors. They’re not informed by any other identity that makes them complex human beings; it’s “Islam” that always animates these faceless people.<ref>[http://www.salon.com/2013/08/10/richard_dawkins_does_it_again_new_atheisms_islamophobia_problem/ Richard Dawkins does it again: New Atheism’s Islamophobia problem], ''Salon'', 2013</ref>}} − − − == Richard Dawkins on burkas and Islamic culture == − − ''See also:'' [[Richard Dawkins and Hell]] − [[File:Bill Maher.jpg|thumbnail|left|170px|[[Bill Maher]] ]] − ''The Daily Beast'' reported in their article ''[[Bill Maher]] and Richard Dawkins Slam Muslims: ‘To Hell with Their Culture’'': − {{cquote|“Right, or worse, an Islamophobe — a silly word that means nothing,” Maher declared...if we say something about a woman who’s forced to wear a beekeeper suit in the hot summer all day…” − − “Oh, that’s their culture, you have to respect it,” Dawkins [[Atheism and mockery|said mockingly]]. − − “That’s right! That’s what they say. It’s just insane,” Maher said, swooning. − − “[[Liberal]] about everything else, but then this one exception, ‘It’s their culture.’ Well, to hell with their culture,” Dawkins concluded, to a storm of applause and a passionate yelp of approval from Maher.<ref>[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/10/03/bill-maher-and-richard-dawkins-slam-muslims-to-hell-with-their-culture.html Bill Maher and Richard Dawkins Slam Muslims: ‘To Hell with Their Culture’], The Daily Beast, 2015</ref>}} − − == The Guardian on Richard Dawkins and Islam == − − The Guardian's article ''Richard Dawkins, 'Islamophobia' and the atheist movement'' declared: − {{cquote|Meanwhile, Dawkins – a man for whom [http://skepchick.org/2013/03/pigs-fetuses-and-an-emotional-richard-dawkins/ Twitter does not seem to be a good medium] – has taken to spouting the sort of rhetoric that wouldn't seem out of place at a [[British Nationalist Party|BNP]] meeting. I'll be charitable, and suggest that his [https://twitter.com/mjrobbins/status/327004128171679745 swiftly-deleted retweet] of a link to a website that exposes the 'secret Islamist infiltration of the Obama administration' was a slip of the mouse. I'll also leave to one side his bizarre vendetta against [[Mehdi Hasan]], whose platform at New Statesman seems to be a [http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/22/richard-dawkins-islamophobic source of great offense to the atheist].<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/science/the-lay-scientist/2013/may/03/atheism-dawkins Richard Dawkins, 'Islamophobia' and the atheist movement], ''The Guardian'', 2015</ref>}} − − == Richard Dawkins, Islam and Christianity == − − ''See also:'' [[Richard Dawkins and Christianity]] − − Despite his opposition to religion and [[Christianity]], Dawkins indicated: "Christianity may actually be our best defence against aberrant forms of religion that threaten the world".<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2016/01/12/professional-atheist-dawkins-says-christianity-bulwark-against-something-worse/ Professional Atheist Dawkins Says Christianity ‘Bulwark Against Something Worse’], by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D, ''Breitbart News Network'', Jan 12, 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.christiantoday.com/article/richard.dawkins.says.christianity.is.worlds.best.defence.against.radical.islam/76416.htm Richard Dawkins says Christianity is world's best defence against radical Islam], Christianity Today, January 2016</ref> − − ''Christianity Today'' noted: − {{cquote|Dawkins noted that Christianity, unlike Islam, does not make use of violent methods to fulfill its teachings. "There are no Christians, as far as I know, blowing up buildings. I am not aware of any Christian suicide bombers. I am not aware of any major Christian denomination that believes the penalty for apostasy is death," he said. − − He admitted that he has "mixed feelings" concerning the decline of Christianity, because this faith-based group might just be "a bulwark against something worse."<ref>[http://www.christiantoday.com/article/richard.dawkins.says.christianity.is.worlds.best.defence.against.radical.islam/76416.htm Richard Dawkins says Christianity is world's best defence against radical Islam], Christianity Today, January 2016</ref>}} − − == Berkeley radio station cancels Richard Dawkins scheduled appearance due to his comments about Islam == − − ''The Guardian'' reported: − {{Cquote|Richard Dawkins has denied using “abusive speech against Islam” after a California radio station cancelled a book event with the scientist, citing his comments on Islam, which it said had “offended and hurt … so many people”.<ref>[Richard Dawkins event cancelled over his 'abusive speech against Islam'], The Guardian, 2017</ref>}} − − ''The Independent'' indicated about the cancelled book event: − {{Cquote|The Kenyan-born ethologist said he was “astonished” to be no-platformed by a station broadcasting in the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement, a student protest that took place at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) in 1965. − − He published an open letter in response to the cancellation, which stated: “The idea that I have engaged in abusive speech against Islam is preposterous, which even the most rudimentary fact-checking by KPFA would have made clear. − − “I have indeed strongly condemned the misogyny, homophobia, and violence of Islamism, of which Muslims — particularly Muslim women — are the prime victims. I make no apologies for denouncing those oppressive cruelties, and I will continue to do so.”... − − He has been branded “Islamophobic” by those who have taken offence to his remarks about the world’s second largest religion, which he has called the “greatest force for evil today”.<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/richard-dawkins-islam-muslims-islamophobic-row-twitter-tweets-atheist-kpfa-us-university-of-a7854751.html Radio station cancels Richard Dawkins appearance over Islam tweets], The Independent, 2017</ref>}} − − == Richard Dawkins' "Dear Muslima" letter == − − {{See also|Richard Dawkins' Elevatorgate comments#Richard Dawkins initial Elevatorgate comments - Dear Muslima letter|l1=Richard Dawkins "Dear Muslima" Elevatorgate letter}} − − Richard Dawkins [[Richard Dawkins' Elevatorgate comments#Richard Dawkins initial Elevatorgate comments - Dear Muslima letter|"Dear Muslima"]] [[Elevatorgate]] letter sparked a large wave of criticism from individuals within the secular population who felt he was trivializing [[misogny]] within the secular community (see: [[Elevatorgate news stories]]). − − As a result of Elevatorgate controversy, Dawkins saw a large loss of influence within the secular population and the public at large (see: [[Richard Dawkins' loss of influence]]). − − == Richard Dawkins on the dissemination of pig carcass videos to Islamic societies == − − On January 1, 2015, ''The Telegraph'' reported: − {{cquote|Richard Dawkins’ insanity has now become an English institution – like warm beer and rain. On Saturday morning, a tweet from his account asked why we don’t send lots of "erotic videos" to theocracies, adding that it should be “loving, gentle, woman-respecting” (I guess this involves the pizza delivery boy calling the next day). If we’re going down this road, I also hear that [[Islam]]ists aren’t very keen on bacon, so perhaps we should bombard the [[Iran]]ian countryside with pig carcasses? Also, miniature bottles of gin. And photos of hot guys making out – in a “men-respecting” and “gentle” sort of way. − − After a few minutes of mockery, the tweet was deleted. Perhaps even he realised how utterly mad it was. Which suggests a degree of self-awareness that I didn’t think possible in Britain’s nuttiest professor.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/11381529/Richard-Dawkins-wants-to-fight-Islamism-with-erotica.-Celebrity-atheism-has-lost-it.html Richard Dawkins wants to fight Islamism with erotica. Celebrity atheism has lost it] By Tim Stanley, ''The Telegraph'', January 1, 2015</ref>}} − − {{See also|Atheism and pornography}} − − == Dawkins commentary on Muslims and Nobel Prizes == − − ''See also:'' [[Richard Dawkins on Jews and Nobel Prizes]] − − ''The Guardian'' reported: − {{Cquote|The outspoken atheist Richard Dawkins was involved in an online Twitter row on Thursday after tweeting: "All the world's Muslims have fewer Nobel Prizes than Trinity College, Cambridge. They did great things in the Middle Ages, though."<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/aug/08/richard-dawkins-twitter-row-muslims-cambridge Richard Dawkins criticised for Twitter comment about Muslims], The Guardian</ref>}} − − Wikipedia, a website founded by an atheist and agnostic reported as of June 19, 2016: − {{Cquote|And as of 2015, twelve Nobel Prize winners have been Muslims. More than half of the twelve Muslim Nobel laureates were awarded the prize in the 21st century. Seven of the twelve winners have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, including a controversial award to Yasser Arafat. The recipient of the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics, Abdus Salam, was a member of the Ahmadiyya community of Pakistan. Aziz Sancar is the second Turkish Nobel laureate and the first Muslim to be awarded Nobel prize in the field of molecular biology in 2015.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Muslim_Nobel_laureates&oldid=720632722 List of Muslim Nobel Laureates]</ref>}} − − Richard Dawkins has yet to win a Nobel Prize. − − == Atheist philosopher John Gray on what scares the New Atheists == − − ''See also:'' [[Desecularization]] and [[Secularization thesis]] and [[Global atheism]] − [[File:John Gray.JPG|thumbnail|right|200px|The [[economist]] Tomáš Sedláček (left) and the [[atheism|atheist]] [[philosophy|philosopher]] John Gray (right) at ZURICH.MINDS 2012]] − [[John Gray (philosopher)|John Gray]] in his Guardian article entitled ''What scares the new atheists?'' wrote: − {{cquote|The rise of violent [[jihad]]ism is only the most obvious example of a rejection of secular life. Jihadist thinking comes in numerous varieties, mixing strands from 20th century ideologies, such as [[Nazism]] and [[Vladimir Lenin|Leninism]], with elements deriving from the 18th century Wahhabist Islamic fundamentalist movement. What all Islamist movements have in common is a categorical rejection of any secular realm. But the ongoing reversal in secularisation is not a peculiarly Islamic phenomenon. − − The [[Desecularization|resurgence of religion]] is a worldwide development. Russian Orthodoxy is stronger than it has been for over a century, while China is the scene of a reawakening of its indigenous faiths and of underground movements that could [[Growth of Christianity in China|make it the largest Christian country]] in the world by the end of this century. Despite tentative shifts in opinion that have been hailed as evidence it is becoming less pious, the US remains massively and [[American atheism#American atheist activists exaggerating the number of atheists in the United States|pervasively religious]] – it’s inconceivable that a professed unbeliever could become president, for example. It’s inconceivable that a professed unbeliever could become president of the United States − − For secular thinkers, the continuing vitality of religion calls into question the belief that history underpins their values. To be sure, there is disagreement as to the nature of these values. But pretty well all secular thinkers now take for granted that modern societies must in the end converge on some version of liberalism. Never well founded, this assumption is today clearly unreasonable.<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/03/what-scares-the-new-atheists What scares the new atheists] by [[John Gray (philosopher)|John Gray]], ''The Guardian''</ref>}} − − == New Atheism, Islam and hypocritical cowardice == − [[Image:Hitchens,_Stanford.jpg |right|thumb|170px|[[Christopher Hitchens]] was one of the founders of the [[New Atheism]] movement.]] − − ''See also:'' [[Atheism and cowardice]] − − [[New Atheism]] is a form of [[militant atheism]]. In 2010, [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] [[True Free Thinker|Ken Ammi]] wrote: − {{cquote|The [[New Atheism|New Atheists]] have expressed that the proverbial straw-that-broke-the-Atheist-camel's-back was the group of attacks on the United States of America on September 11, 2001 AD. That is not to say that some of them were not Atheist activists before then, but [[9/11]] fanned the flames of their activism. − − The attacks on 9/11 where primarily caused by Islamic extremism (with a long list of other causes such as maintenance or gaining of power, wealth, popularity, etc.). The question is: what have the New Atheists done in response to this particular event, this particular threat? Surely, they would focus their efforts primarily, if not exclusively, upon confronting this threat, this cause, head on. − − Yet, what have the New Atheists done? What they have and have not done makes one wonder if their appeal to 9/11 is a reason or an excuse. After all, why 9/11? Are they not aware of similar atrocities throughout history? Are they not aware of the recent chronicles of the most secular century in human history also being the bloodiest-with millions upon millions being murdered not only during war, but also by their own regimes? ([http://www.truefreethinker.com/adolf-hitler-nazism-communism see here]). − − Have any of the New Atheists toured [[Islam]]ic countries giving lectures in which they condemn [[Allah]], [[Muhammad]], Islam, or Muslims? Have any of them debated Muslims in Islamic countries? Have any of them been interviewed on Al Jazeera? Have any of them written entire books in which they condemn Allah, Muhammad, Islam, or Muslims? Have they done anything of the sort at all? − The answers to all of the above are: "No." Rather, what they have done is sit within the comfort and safety of countries based on [[Christianity|Christian]] principles and conveniently launched condemnations which are roughly quantifiable as being 90% anti-Christian and 10% anti-other religions (and this may be being too generous an estimation).<ref>[http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/atheism-new-emergent-atheists-part-4-4 Atheism - The New (Emergent) Atheists, part 4 of 4 - Is The New Atheist Movement Dead?]</ref>}} − − == Richard Dawkins' recent attempts to appear more tolerant towards Muslims == − − In 2017, ''Sputnik News'' reported: − {{Cquote|Robyn Blumner, Executive Director of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science, said that to suggest that atheists are narrow-minded, prejudiced or supportive of white, male privilege is to ignore the evidence. − − Mr. Blumner said that the pro-atheist organization does tremendous good for women's equality and the civil rights of Muslims, as well as spreads humanist values in the United States and abroad. − − "In just the last handful of years we have been at the forefront of the major civil justice causes of our time. It is why in 2015 we were the only secularist group to be invited to join the Know Your Neighbor interfaith coalition, launched at the White House. It is why we were a proud and welcome participant in the Women's March on Washington in January," Mr. Blumner told Sputnik.<ref>[https://sputniknews.com/society/201705031053247150-new-atheism-movement-alienation/ Dawkins and Movement 'Lost the Heart of the Cause']</ref>}} − − == See also == − − *[[Richard Dawkins and anger]] − − *[[Atheism vs. Christianity]] − − *[[Richard Dawkins quotes]] − − *[[Richard Dawkins' commentary on Adolf Hitler]] − − *[[Richard Dawkins, atheist atrocities, and historical revisionism]] − − Humor: − − *[[Essay: Richard Dawkins is terrified of Islam]] − − *[[Essay: Does Richard Dawkins have machismo?]] − − == External links == − − *[http://www.salon.com/2014/09/06/richard_dawkins_sam_harris_and_atheists_ugly_islamophobia_partner/ Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and atheists’ ugly Islamophobia] by C.J. Werleman − *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAV_0s1c2V4 Richard Dawkins on Islam, Jews, science and the burka] - Video by BBC Newsnight − *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv3wTRLh7Xk Richard Dawkins takes on Islam on Al Jazeera TV] - Video − − ==References== − {{reflist|2}} − − [[Category:Richard Dawkins]]
Richard Dawkins and Islamophobia accusations (view source)
Revision as of 15:00, July 24, 2017
, 15:00, July 24, 2017Replaced content with "{{speedy}}"
{{speedy}}
{{cquote|The furious academic walked out of an interview when a Muslim journalist confirmed he personally believed the prophet [[Muhammad]] flew to heaven on a winged horse.