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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Dawkins is a fallible human being. Atheists don't need to defend him, because we don't hold him up as any kind of ultimate source of truth. He makes some strong arguments which you should address on their merits, rather than attacking him for some of the abrasive things he has said.[/quote]

The whole Dawkins tangent came up because I suggested that he and some of the other prominent "new atheists" had brought atheism into the open and create space in the public sphere for discussion of these issues, but that now that we had that space, and since we were demanding respect for our position, we should treat others' positions with the respect was want to be accorded, even though we disagree, rather than treating each other with contempt.

I can't prove there's no God, and I don't believe in one. Believers can't prove there is, but they choose to believe in one.

As long as we're not trying to force one another to submit to our position (which includes enacting legislation based that forces someone to submit to our respective positions on theology), we ought to be able to live together and agree to disagree without arguing based on contempt and ridicule (again, unless we're talking about Scientologists, who just deserve it).

At least one person took exception to the claim that Dawkins shows contempt for believers' positions and demanded evidence. Links were provided, but the issue shouldn't be whether Dawkins does it or not.

Dawkins is a brilliant man who has advanced public recognition of and acceptance of atheism. He's not the patron saint of atheism.

I'll go back to my previous position - as long as a believer isn't trying to force me to accept his/her position, or legislate/regulate their particular theology, I don't care what they believe, because I believe they have a fundamental right to believe whatever they choose. If they try to force their theology on me, or if their theology harms children or animals who are incapable of evaluating for themselves, I will push back.

Aside from that, go in peace and believe what you want.

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