Richard Dawkins: Religion isn’t the problem in the Middle East

[hrmjustin]

Interfaith post


DAN AREL, ALTERNET

Is Richard Dawkins changing his tune on Islam and terrorism? In a recent interview with Russia Today, the evolutionary biologist and noted atheist was questioned about the Islamic religion and its ties to ISIS and just how much responsibility it bears in the brutal beheadings carried out by the terrorist group. Dawkins said:

“Religion itself is not responsible for this… It’s also this feeling of political involvement. It’s a feeling that it’s ‘us against them.’ And I think that quite a large number of young Muslims feel kind of beleaguered against the rest of the world. And so religion in some sense might be just an excuse, but I do think that a dominant part of the motivation for these young men has to be religion.”

Dawkins’ statement is a huge divergence from the opinions of atheists like Sam Harris and Bill Maher, who continue to claim that religion is the primary motivator for radical terrorist groups like ISIS.

http://www.salon.com/2014/10/14/richard_dawkins_religion_isnt_the_problem_in_the_middle_east_partner/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

[GeorgeGist]

1. Reading comprehension ...

... but I do think that a dominant part of the motivation for these young men has to be religion.”

[hrmjustin]

2. Well i printed as is.

[Union Scribe]

10. No reason to be insulting. nt

[okasha]

3. Translation:

"I'm not really a bigot! Oh, wait, yes, I am."

[hrmjustin]

4. He always leaves a lot to be desired.

[okasha]

8. Worst case of foot-in-mouth disease sincr GeeDubya

[hrmjustin]

9. I think he enjoys it.

[hrmjustin]

5. Just a point on Dawkins

I know some think that some of us think he is the boogie man or that we are trying to turn him into one, but he puts himself out there. He makes comments and he is responsible for them.

[el_bryanto]

6. Well that's true; and in this case he is commenting on religion

But Atheists don't and shouldn't feel responsible for what he says. Just as I wouldn't feel responsible for something someone who belongs to another faith says. If someone identified himself as a Dawkins Atheist and went around talking about how much he or she revered Dawkins, that person would be legitimately identified with Dawkins.

Otherwise it's kind of like saying well I'm a white guy and Dick Cheney is a white guy so naturally I should have to respond to the things that Cheney says.

Bryant

[hrmjustin]

7. This is true.

Atheists on this site should not feel that our criticism of him extends to them.