I strongly suspect that Richard Dawkins is not an anti-Semite, although he has apparently bought into the delusion that there's a "Jewish lobby." But in the next few days, weeks, and months, he will definitely be given that label by a media hungry for sensationalism. Since Dawkins is perceived by many religionists as a major spokesperson for atheism, we nonbelievers may all have to fend off similar charges of bigotry.
I think Dawkins deserves credit for using his high-profile persona to warn the world of the god delusion. But he has hurt the atheist “movement” by his ill-considered statement. By suggesting that atheists emulate the mythological Jewish Lobby, he has given propagandistic fodder to the theistic masses. Those who know that there is no Jewish Lobby will dismiss Dawkins as a fool; and, most people being what they are, will then feel free to reject everything he has ever said or written as equally unfounded in reason. On the other hand, those who believe that there is an international Jewish conspiracy for world domination, as manifested in the Jewish Lobby, will be delighted to demonize atheists whose “leader” clearly wishes to set up a similar cabal.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Dawkins' Jew slander has hurt atheists
Remember what Richard Dawkins said last week about how Jews "monopolize American foreign policy?" Well, its been getting a lot of negative traction in the blogosphere, and The Exterminator says the grand atheist leader has hurt the no-god movement:
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On other occasions, he has used the word "notorious" to describe the power of the American Jewish lobby, which is a shame as well.
If he was going to make that point, he'd do much better to call it's the "Pro conservate Israeli government lobby in America" and not imply that American Jews as a whole are in any sense a single block. I find it absurd that Israeli citizens are split on their government policies toward the Palestinians, and yet somehow this shadowy block of American Jews are to blame as impediments to a resolution of the crisis.
Ah, the two-edged sword. To gain respect, atheists need people to be a public face of atheism. But then once they start speaking up, they turn out to be all too human, and cease to be good role models.
-Siamang
Nice points, Siamang. If there's one thing obvious about the Jewish community, it's that its member don't agree on ANYTHING.
He is right. If you want to see an example of the Orthodox community using this example to not only attack his beliefs but to attack evolution check out Eytan Kobre's most recent post on cross currents.
I suppose we can rule out most of linguistics because Noam Chomsky's political beliefs.
I am still trying to figure out why, and even how. . . a "God-fearing Christian with devilishly good Jewish looks" thinks Richard Dawkins "deserves credit for using his high-profile persona to warn the world of the god delusion."
Can you please explain?
I would have thought that a God-fearing Christian would not consider God to be a delusion.
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