Evolutionary biologist and renowned atheist Richard Dawkins states of Christianity: “It seems to me to be a fundamentally decent religion in a way that I think Islam is not.”
Does he have a right to express this without being accused of “hate” or canceled? Of course he does, but the woke and Islamic supremacists may not think so.
Consider the uppermost issue of violence: when Christianity and Jesus are insulted, those insults may be met with defensive words, even unkind ones; on the other hand, try insulting Islam and Muhammad, and your life will be in danger.
There isn’t one verse in the New Testament calling for war against or the murder of disbelievers, or of anyone who insults Christianity. The Qur’an and Hadith, meanwhile, are littered with violent verses declaring Islam to be constantly at war with disbelievers. See HERE for an extensive list of Qur’an verses calling for violence against disbelievers. So when jihadists act in accordance to their scriptures, they are acting out of religious duty. One cannot honestly slap a psychological label on this, much less a victimology one. Jihadists are acting purely out of religious zeal.
Indeed, it has been reiterated over and over again that large numbers of Muslims do not ascribe to the idea of violence against the infidel. Yet surveys have repeatedly shown that most Muslims quietly support the Sharia. Therefore, one cannot know how many Muslims actually support the idea of violence against unbelievers. The concern for the West should be the fact that some support violence, not the fact that some live peaceably among non-Muslims.
The treatment of women, often addressed on Jihad Watch, is another issue.
Of course, Dawkins criticizes Christianity, which he is within his rights to do without being hunted down on accusations of Christophobia or “hate.” He also notes that while he sees a problem with how women are treated in Christianity in terms of being of equal status within its political structures, he calls out “an active hostility to women” in Islam, as well as Islam’s support for polygamy.
“Atheists for Christianity,” by Conn Carroll, Washington Examiner, April 1, 2024:
Evolutionary biologist and renowned atheist Richard Dawkins, author of the 2006 book The God Delusion, came out as a “cultural Christian” this past weekend on British radio.
“I do think that we are culturally a Christian country,” Dawkins told Leading Britain’s Conversation, a British talk-radio station. “I call myself a cultural Christian,” Dawkins continued, “I’m not a believer. But there is a distinction between being a believing Christian and being a cultural Christian. And so you know I love hymns and Christmas carols and I sort of feel at home in the Christian ethos. I feel that we are a Christian country in that sense.”
Dawkins was not asked if he believes the United States is a Christian nation, but if he did, he would actually be in the minority. According to Pew, just 33% of adults consider the U.S. to be a Christian nation, although 45% say it should be. Meanwhile, 64% say the U.S. is not a Christian nation, and the majority, 51%, say it should not be one.
A solid majority, 60%, however, do believe that the founders intended the United States to be a Christian nation. That means that while 60% believe the United States was founded as a Christian nation, 64% now believe it is not.
I would really love to ask those who believe our country was founded as a Christian nation, but who now believe it is not a Christian nation, when exactly that transformation took place. What year exactly did the United States stop being a Christian nation?
It’s not a completely rhetorical question. As Dawkins later notes in the same interview, “The number of people who actually believe in Christianity is going down.” The same is true here in the United States. One might think Dawkins would be concerned about the declining number of people who consider themselves Christian, but he is not. Quite the opposite. “I’m happy with that,” Dawkins says.
When the interviewer then notes that while Christian churches are empty, thousands of mosques are being built every year, suddenly Dawkins is alarmed.
“If I had to choose between Christianity and Islam, I’d choose Christianity every single time,” Dawkins says. “It seems to me to be a fundamentally decent religion in a way that I think Islam is not.”….
somehistory says
Astrophysicist Hugh Ross says that biologists look at what is and believe in atheist evolution, while astronomers look at what was and believe in God’s Creation.
So the “biologist,” dawkins is ‘happy’ seeing fewer Christians around, but the bad news of more mozlums is frightening to him….because islam is ‘not decent.’
And he’s a “cultural Chirstian”? He needs to know in the long run, in the time when he’s being looked at by Christ, that may not count for much, if anything.
If he has ever given water to a thirsty Christian, food to one who is hungry, visited one in the hospital or prison, or given clothes to one who needs them, because that one is Christian, then he might be counted in with those “on Jesus’ right.”
If he is only half as intelligent as he believes himself to be, he would ponder as to “why” he likes things about Christianity and esp about how much damage he may have done over the years…how much fodder he has given to atheists, and mozlums… by all of the negative things he has spouted about Christian belief.
And America was Founded by those who wanted it to be, expected it to be, Christian; although atheists deny that fact.
ruth samuel tenenholtz says
it still is. and as to choosing any religion, better to choose Judaism which is more ethical and moral than Christianity. People were not killed in the name of Judaism. War is not a value unless it is a defensive one.
somehistory says
I must disagree.
Most people in America do not claim to be Christian, and so much is done every day that is un-Christian by a whole lot of Americans. The “Golden Rule” Jesus gave is not followed by the many.
No belief is more “ethical or moral” than Christianity. Again, The Golden Rule was a fulfillment of the entire Mosaic Law and the Prophets. Jesus told us that when He gave it to His disciples and the crowds of those who followed Judaism. And, He gave us more instruction that goes beyond the Law.
He said, “You have heard that it was said ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy,” and then He went on to say “love your enemy and pray for those persecuting you,”…..and a whole lot more on what He meant for Christians to do.
The only time Christians kill another is in *defense.*
True Christians stick with what Jesus said, such as the Sermon on the Mount.
And as for people being killed for Judaism, read the Bible. God told the Israelites, the Jews, to go to war to rid the land of those who worshipped the false gods inspired by satan the devil. God had them take back the Land He had promised to Abraham. A lot of people were killed during those times. Even people whom God had not said to kill.
So, get out your Bible, read and compare.
John Smith says
Excellent reply Somehistory
mgoldberg says
‘even people whom G-d said not to kill?? Who are you referring too?
Hoi Polloi says
Yes, I’m a bit surprised at the contention regarding killing. Most confusion over violence with respect to Christianity involves the early books of the Bible where people were most certainly killed. No one? It’s in there, and some, that’s a well crafted response.
somehistory says
thank you, John. Appreciate your response.
somehistory says
mgoldberg
If you re-read what I wrote, I did not write that God said “not to kill” but some were killed whom “God had not said to kill.”
He clearly told the Israelites to go in and take the Land and gave some instructions directly. But if you read every book of the Bible from Genesis through Malachi, you can find instances of one man killing another without God having had a say. None of the Jews kept the Law perfectly.
Jeremiah was nearly killed by his countrymen. David had to run and hide from King Saul’s men who were sent to kill the young man. David had Uriah put where he would be killed in battle.
somehistory says
Thank you, HP, for your added information and response to my comment. I appreciate reading your thoughts.
40 rounds says
I fully support Israel and more than likely have some Jewish ancestors but I dislike the moral superiority some Jewish people have toward Christians(ben Shapiro comes to mind). Jews have waged offensive war, deemed immoral by you. Ask the sailors on the USS Liberty.
St. Croix says
There are many Christians who do not behave like they are. And many are as Dawkins, merely born into it as cultural Christians. I’d say the same is true of Jews. Many lives as cultural Jews but in their hearts they don’t know how much of it they believe. Some are atheists, many are buddhiists and so on. I know many of them, and love them, but they aren’t moral in the Biblical sense of the laws. However, they, and the Christians, are living with a legacy of what they know they should be living up to. The society itself has enshrined the golden rule in the laws. That’s all under attack now.
And those who want to say it’s good no longer to be a Christian are basically sawing off the branch on which they are sitting.
One thing about this Hamas/Islamic uprising situation is that it will bring about a sharp dividing between what is good and bad, the darkness and the light. No one will be able to be neutral, or just go along to get along. They will continue on the incline, whatever that is, up or down. It may well mean choosing LIFE by refusing to support ISlam–and facing execution for taking a stand. When I see our leaders, they scare me. They are puppets to evil! And capable of everything they deem “necessary” to “save the world.” Could be forcing poison on people to reduce population numbers or other such things. Throwing people in jail for disagreeing with the agenda. Taking away your job, your bank account, your ability to buy food, to sell anything, kind of like what it says…in the BIBLE!
somehistory says
St. Croix
I agree. Everyone has to make a choice…good or bad, life or death, just as God told Moses to tell the people.
It’s that way in what’s called ‘life.’ People make choices….obey the laws, get a job, support yourself legally or become a lawbreaker and take what you want in a life of crime.
I saw a drawing…a cartoon, such as are made about politics, but this was about that “life or death” choice.
Two men were walking along…after the culmination found in Revelation (in the Bible)…and they approached a fence where they noticed a skeleton, straddling the upper railing.
FYI says
Here is the law of Moses that was given.
1}Deuteronomy 6 v 5 Law #1
Leviticus 19:18 Law #2
“The whole of the law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets DEPENDS on these two laws””
2}Exodus 20 commandments
This law system is confirmed by Jesus Christ in Matthew 22
:37-40 but the emphasis is on the TWO Chief commandments
This law cannot be changed.It was carried into Christianity in full.
The law of Moses has nothing to do with the noahide laws,Kosher rules,613 commandments
Christianity is based on these laws given to Moses.
somehistory says
Jesus didn’t “change” the Law, but He did fulfill the Law. Christians are not under the Law. Christians are under the “Law of Love.”
If a Christian “loves Jehovah with the whole heart, soul, mind and strength, and loves his neighbor as he loves himself,” then that Christian has “fulfilled the Law” he is under.
As for the ‘festivals, the sacrifices required of the Jews, keeping of the Sabbath, etc,, Christians are not required to keep those things.
Jesus is “Lord of the Sabbath” and explained that when His apostles were plucking and eating grain on the sabbath.
The Apostle Paul explained that we are not required to keep the times, seasons, etc. and Peter was shown that we are not under the food commandments.
PRCS says
Yes, founded by.
The First Amendment ended their expectaion.
FYI says
Christianity is not on the way out{Matthew 24 v 30}
Atheists need to look deeper:where does reason and consciousness come from?
Just consider the possibility that you may have been given that by God to figure things out for yourself.
You need Wisdom too:not just Knowledge.
England Invaded says
I am not a believer but the Christian values, buildings and way of life should be preserved in the UK.
I do not think it is hypocritical to say that.
Difficult I know with dwindling numbers but more importantly the importation of savagery from some of the worst parts of the world.
He’s really made himself a target now though.
On the matter of churches, the traitor UK government gives muzzees millions of pounds per year to protect their terrorist training camps. I’m sure all the money is used for its intended purpose and not siphoned off (eye roll) even when they don’t need the money anyway. This while churches in England are desecrated and in far more need of protection just as elsewhere in the world.
Hoi Polloi says
Well, he’s right that Christianity is a “fundamentally decent religion in a way that …Islam is not.” But expecting a few to carry the many is a lot to ask and he could go, given things he’s said, beyond Christmas carols to outline the positives. A scientist might examine the idea that nature abhors a vacuum and that for every action (force) in nature there is an equal and opposite reaction as regards the infill and takeover of islam.
somehistory says
Nicely said, HP.
Agreed on what he could say that is positive, more than he did.
Yes, if fewer Christians are around, the mozlums are pleased to fill in the void. In fact, they won’t mind pushing more Christians out to take the space.
Hoi Polloi says
Yes, he’ll lose those Christmas traditions as we’re seeing with London’s ramavan decorations during Easter.
somehistory says
Agreed. It may be that last Christmas is the last one. It will be if mozlums have their way.
FYI says
The Golden Rule is impossible in ialam as islam teaches that non-muslims are inferior to muslims and are “the WORST of created beings” koran 98:6.According to the Bible the Golden Rule “the meaning of the law of the law and the teachings of all the Prophets” Matthew 7 v12
There is no concept in islam of “love thy neighbor”{2nd Chief Commandment!!}if that neighbor is a Jew or Christiasn…or atheist.
Matthew chapter 23;What Jesus Christ thinks of ‘holy men”:it is ferocious!
The Law of Moses,The law behind the Bible,is based on the TWO chief commandments:”holy men” love to make up rules like the ridiculous Noahide laws when the law of Moses was already given
.Some religious ‘holy men’ love their religion more than God.
God is looking for the TWO chief commandments.Not A doctorate in Theology or adherence to dietary rules.
tim gallagher says
I think that it is quite a few other religions that have high ideals and love and tolerance, and definitely Christianity (but, from what I can understand, Buddhism seems pretty tolerant and peaceful) and then there is this stinking, hate-filled, totally barbaric, rotten to the core thing called islam. I was going to say about this Dawkins character, well, duh, of course you would choose Christianity, only an evil or insane person would choose islam, but then you do get so many scumbags who actually do go and join islam. Talk about a bizarre and evil choice. You would have to be really bent and twisted to go off and join islam.
PRCS says
“What year exactly did the United States stop being a Christian nation?”
Fortunately for those following other religions–and none–then and the many millions since, the First Amendment, which states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion”, was adopted on December 15, 1791.
Afghanistan is a Muslim nation because virtually every resident is a Muslim and Islam is the national religion.
We’re better than that.
somehistory says
A nice discussion of what Dawkins said, and what is happening in the U.S.
One cannot have the “culture” without the Belief.
The Constitution and Bill of Rights are only possible because of Christianity.
True Christians allow others to have freedom to speak, choice, etc.
The reasons these are disappearing from the U.S. is due to fewer people actually being Christian and the government leaving behind what built those Freedoms.
https://www.glennbeck.com/radio/persecution-christians-begun-in-america?utm_source=glenn-dailyPM&