A Fire-side Reading of Dawkins' Hate Mail

[ThreadKiller]

I'm happy to see that the R&S forum is still frequented by people with widely differing belief systems. So here is something a little light-hearted for atheists, although it might get a chuckle from others as well.

Here's what Richard Dawkins likes to do with friends on a cold night: read his hate mail.

Three words from God to you ... "You are a fool."

... right now your destiny is all fucked up, you fucking atheist ...

I suppose it shouldn't be funny when mail wishes for one's death but at least the posters aren't threatening to kill Dawkins, they are just wishing that God would do something about him.

Of course the vitriol is only from a small proportion of believers, but I do wonder how much hate mail fringe scientists send to famous evangelicals when they feel science is threatened by religion?

[Tempo Gain]

Sounds like they were having a raring time over there

[cranky laowai]

Nice. That reminds me of what Abbie Hoffman said was his favorite bit of hate mail: "Just wait till Jesus gets his hands on you, you little bastard."

[wollemi]

I wish Dawkins would stick to doing evolutionary science. That is interesting. His views on religion are not.

[Got To Be Kidding]

Nice. That reminds me of what Abbie Hoffman said was his favorite bit of hate mail: "Just wait till Jesus gets his hands on you, you little bastard."

THAT was a GOOD one!

Of course the vitriol is only from a small proportion of believers, but I do wonder how much hate mail fringe scientists send to famous evangelicals when they feel science is threatened by religion?

Actually, religious leaders get much the same kind of hate mail. There are idiots everywhere.

I don't happen to agree with Dawkins, but he seems like an exceptionally likeable guy. The fact that he thinks that what I believe is ridiculous, makes no difference whatsoever.

[Chris]

I wish Dawkins would stick to doing evolutionary science. That is interesting. His views on religion are not.

I disagree. I find his views on religion and atheism captivating and well thought out.

In any case, I just love hearing him read the letters from profanity-spewing disciples of Christ in his oh-so-proper English accent!

[Tempo Gain]

Yes, he is very interesting, he makes a lot of good points.

[Fortigurn]

How can so many Christians justify being so utterly revolting? How on earth do they justify swearing like that, for a start?

I disagree. I find his views on religion and atheism captivating and well thought out.

That would change if you were exposed to quality commentary on the subjects. Dawkins is a biologist, and a very enlightening and entertaining one. But he's less than an amateur religious commentator, and amazingly uninformed on the subject. I wouldn't get him to do my plumbing either.

[wollemi]

I wish Dawkins would stick to doing evolutionary science. That is interesting. His views on religion are not.

I disagree. I find his views on religion and atheism captivating and well thought out.

I agree they are thought out. I'd just prefer to read about his science and not hear about his religious views. For example, I wouldn't want to read Darwin for views on atheism but for views on evolution. Equally, I won't listen to Chomsky about politics. Well, to be fair I don't really read or listen to Chomsky all that much anymore. Not since they busted Marc Hauser. I read Hitchens for some atheism. I like to keep things separate. But thats just me.

[Tempo Gain]

He has a lot to say on the subject of atheism, and he says it well. It doesn't matter who he is. Maybe Jesus should have stuck to building houses!