The early part of this century saw a great deal of relativism from intellectuals not the least of which, was Richard Dawkins. A man who’s books on evolution in my opinion are compulsory reading. His book, ‘The Selfish Gene’ is one of the best explanations for the mechanisms of evolution, if not the best one for lay people, ever written.
Even if you are religious and do not subscribe to science or evolution this is the book to read, so that at least you are arguing against genuine evolutionary theory and not, which is the common thing, arguing against a straw man of ones own creation claiming it to be evolution.
However, Dawkins in his documentary film, ‘The Root of all Evil’ goes to great lengths to attempt to make Islam, Judaism and Christianity etc. to all appear equally dangerous, stupid and counter civilization. So you can imagine how delighted I was to find this:
Richard Dawkins views Christianity as a bulwark against Islam
Christianity is in decline in Europe as a whole, and has collapsed in Britain in particular, leaving even the most committed atheists wondering what is going to fill the spiritual vacuum.
From The Times:
“Even among the world’s most famous atheists, the crisis of faith among Christians in Europe has been met with concern.Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, said: “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. I have mixed feelings about the decline of Christianity, in so far as Christianity might be a bulwark against something worse.”
Peter Tatchell, the human rights campaigner and one of the organisers of the Protest the Pope demonstration at Westminster Cathedral last weekend, came to the defence of a Christian street preacher who was fined £1,000 in Glasgow for saying that homosexuality was a sin.
Shawn Holes, a Baptist from America, was charged with “uttering homophobic remarks” in a breach of the peace that prosecutors said was “aggravated by religious prejudice”.
Mr Tatchell said: “The price of freedom of speech is that we sometimes have to put up with opinions that are objectionable and offensive. Just as people should have the right to criticise religion, people of faith should have the right to criticise homosexuality.”
It is a sign of how bad things have become that the faith’s enemies seem now to be defending it.”
More at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article7085129.ece
Tatchell is one of the bravest men in Britain. He has suffered attacks both physical and verbal through his career as a spokesperson for gay rights. One of these attacks have left a permanent problem for him. However, he remains as clear thinking as ever; though able to work less hard than he used to due to his injuries. As for Dawkins he should be aware that money from Saudis and oil and arms deals to muslim nations keeps the Politicians selling themselves. Also the Muslim vote in key constituencies is a source of desire for all politicians. Again they sell themeselves for that vote rergadless of party. Against this political, and economic power one needs another group who has the same clout. There is one group and that is the fox hunting lobby. However, they just want to carry on with their blood sport and that is all they care about. Though they have economic power that outranks the muslims and political power that can hand a party power ( conservatives appease fox hunters the most and they won) but they will only use their power to further their allegiance to fox hunting. To appease people who oppose fox hunting a bill was passed banning it by the Labour government. They police just never enforce it. Fox hunting carries on rerdless every single week during the season.Such is the power of the fox hunting lobby. Very similar things can be said about the Muslims. One rule for them and another for the rest of the community. So Christianity has none of this power politcal and economic for politicians to salivate over. It is back to the drawing board for Dawkins to come up with a group that can do the job.
I really should check the spelling before submitting. Regardless not rerdless.In any case the fox hunting lobby in Britain counts on some of the wealthiest land owners and business men in the UK. These people have a huge impact on the country and keep politicians dangling looking for favours from them. Most of the UK population is against fox hunting but it carries on despite that. Muslims inroads into society carry on despite the fact that most people in the UK have a negative view of Islam. Economic and political power are the key drivers of any government. The fight back by the English Defence League against Islam is a tiny thing indeed; and the police deal harshly with them as their masters know who they need if they wish to gain contracts for oil and weapons and a political increase in the key constituncies. So how to answer the question who will challenge Islam?
Done it again. Constituencies. Must slow down.