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September 14th, 2013
08:01 AM ET
Hey atheists, let’s make a deal
(CNN) - Famed atheist Richard Dawkins has been rightfully criticized this week for saying the “mild pedophilia” he and other English children experienced in the 1950s “didn’t cause any lasting harm.” This comes after an August tweet in which Dawkins declared that “all the world’s Muslims have fewer Nobel Prizes than Trinity College, Cambridge. They did great things in the Middle Ages, though.” Dawkins is known for pushing his provocative rhetorical style too far, providing ample ammunition for his critics, and already I’ve seen my fellow Christians seize the opportunity to rail against the evils of atheism. As tempting as it is to classify Dawkins’ views as representative of all atheists, I can’t bring myself to do it. I can’t bring myself to do it because I know just how frustrating and unfair it is when atheists point to the most extreme, vitriolic voices within Christianity and proclaim that they are representative of the whole. So, atheists, I say we make a deal: How about we Christians agree not to throw this latest Richard Dawkins thing in your face and you atheists agree not to throw the next Pat Robertson thing in ours? Now I’m not saying we just let these destructive words and actions go—not at all. It’s important for both believers and atheists to decry irresponsible views and hateful rhetoric, especially from within our own communities. (Believe me. There are plenty of Christians who raise hell every time Robertson says something homophobic or a celebrity pastor somewhere says something misogynistic.) READ MORE: Why millennials are leaving the church But what if we resist the urge to use the latest celebrity gaffe as an excuse to paint one another with broad brushes? What if, instead of engaging the ideas of the most extreme and irrational Christians and atheists, we engaged the ideas of the most reasonable, the most charitable, the most respectful and respected? Only then can we avoid these shallow ad hominem attacks and instead engage in substantive debates that bring our true differences and our true commonalities to light. It’s harder to go this route, and it takes more work and patience, but I’m convinced that both Christians and atheists are interested in the truth and in searching for it with integrity, without taking the easy way out. Pope Francis took a step in that direction this week with a letter in a Rome newspaper responding directly to questions posed by its atheist director and inviting respectful open dialog between nonbelievers and Christians. READ MORE: Why millennials need the church So, yes, Richard Dawkins is an atheist. But so are authors Greg Epstein and Susan Jacoby. So is my friend and fellow blogger Hemant Mehta. So is Sir Ian McKellen. So is ethicist Peter Singer, who may or may not be the best example. And yes, Pat Robertson is a Christian. But so is Nelson Mandela. So is acclaimed geneticist Francis Collins. So is Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee. So is Barack Obama. So is Stephen Colbert. And I'm willing to bet that the same collective groan emitted by millions of Christians each time Pat Robertson says something embarrassing on TV sounds a lot like the collective groan emitted by millions of atheists when Richard Dawkins rants on Twitter. Still, in the end, it’s not about who has the most charismatic or generous personalities in their roster, nor about who has the most “crazies.” It’s about the truth. So let’s talk about the truth, and with the people who most consistently and graciously point us toward it. Rachel Held Evans is the author of "A Year of Biblical Womanhood" and "Evolving in Monkey Town." Evans blogs at rachelheldevans.com, and the views expressed in this column belong to her. soundoff (5,916 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 Next »
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Opinion by Rachel Held Evans, special to CNN
Richard Dawkins = Pat Robertson? really?.......
1. Dawkins was merely saying that a single disgusting encounter did not destroy or define his life.
2. He is right in his statement about Muslim scholars – a single Imam writes that algebra and mathematics are satanic and that was all she wrote for Arab scholars. Arab achievements do not = Muslim achievements btw. Scholars flourished in the ME and Europe until the religions controlling those regions put their foot down. As Islam is more intrusive and a bigger micromanager than Christianity (not for lack of trying mind you) it was harder for Arab knowledge to get rolling again.
well said!
How about we just stop trying to find ways to classify and compartmentalize other people? Don't paint anyone with any brush, wide or narrow. Instead of me calling you a Christian and you calling me an atheist, let's try I call you a human and you call me a human.
I have a difficult time caring less what religion a person is. Unless they bring it up, which generally is a sign of at least mild intolerance and bias.
Didn't your god specifically command you to spread his word? I know it was his son/alternate personality that said it but I thought that was as good as hearing it straight from Yahweh's mouth. Aren't you concerned that he'll find out that you publicly claimed that it's not necessary and a sign of intolerance. Jeebus commanded you to convert. Now get out there and do it lest you face his wrath.
For someone who prides himself on intelligence you demonstrate a staggering lack of it with your post
I wish your pathetic retort would have at least made sense.
The reason Dawkins has a voice is, that he stands vigorously up to creationist lies about evolution.
If creationists would stop lying, Dawkins really wouldn't matter much.
So here is the real "deal" Ms. Evans. Your "side" stops lying about evolution, and Dawkins won't matter.
Hey Rachel, Dawkins merely stated a verifiable fact about the Arab world. He should have added that their wonderful contributions to science stopped when they started to become Muslim fundamentalists. The same will happen here if the Christian fundies have their way. They are actively trying to dumb down the science taught in our schools, as is now being tried in Texas.
No deals with people who believe that mythology is truth. No way.
Amen, brother.
Except he has millions of Christian followers. How many followers does a Christian leader need before we can assume he speaks for... millions of Christians?
he said nothing when asked for whom he spoke?
correct. he has millions of followers. christians? how do you know?
Yeah, Pat Robertson followers call themselves Buddhists.
So does each person get to define what a "christian" is now?
Tell you what – No one who calls themselves a "christian" is allowed to make any point about christianity until you all decide what a "christian" actually is. Otherwise, it's just goal-post moving.
How about you non-believers just stop being so gosh-darn stubborn and accept the Love and Power of Christ Jesus,Amen
Well, shoot. I guess we're waiting for evidence that your god, or any god, actually exists. Or the devil. Or hell. Or heaven. Heck, it would be great if someone could provide indisputable proof that if Jesus actually did exist he was anything more than a radical rabbi. But honestly, there is no more proof that your god exists than there is proof that Vishnu or Zeus exist.
Course, I don't know why anyone would need the love and power of a mythological dead guy anyway. I have plenty of friends and family who love me, and I am an adult - fully able to take care of myself.
Why aren't you praying to Ishtar, or Zeus, Or Osiris, or Baal, Or Ahura Mazda, or Krishna, or The Great Raven, or Ametarasu, or Amida Buddha, or The Cargo Cult Plane, or Papa Gueda?
When you realize why you reject all other religions but your own, you will realize why I reject your religion as well.
I just believe in one less god than you do.
How about you religiots stop being so darn pushy with your nonsense. I could care less what you believe and THAT is what bothers you; my apathy.
Actually your apathy is appreciated. If all atheists were apathetic like yourself that would be awesome:)
Don't confuse apathy to your fantasies to lack of participation in the democratic process to make sure I vote for individuals who express a strong desire for separation of church and state. Your religion as a source of law is terrifying.
Hee yuk?
christians have always been and continue to be a detriminint and danger to society
Bible Clown©
"Yo bozo, what example did Jesus set?" How about let he among you who is without sin throw the first stone? Meditate on that parable for a time, grasshopper, and see if you notice anything.
who said that? the embellishing frauds or the hucksters that stole from horus, zeus and many other gods?
And what is "sin"? Betcha if I ask 10 christians I'll get at least 5 different answers. Hard to understand the meaning of something when the terms cannot be defined...
🙂 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still 🙂
I stopped reading after the comparison of Richard Dawkins to Pat Robertson.
Godies are a hoot. ; )
now that i know colbert is a christian i will stop watching him
More examples of humanists tolerance for others. Way to go
Mindset of the believer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YIj4rLYo0c
Well done Rachel. That was funnier that a Seinfeld episode! ROTFL.
(it was supposed to be comedy, right?)
What a vacuous heap of parrot droppings.
lol
you're all a bunch of jerkwater
Your harsh words will land you in H-E-double-toothpicks....
/step on a crack, break your mama's back...and other childish nonsense....
Sure. I never consider any Christian extreme to be representative of the spectrum of Christianity anyway. Does this help you feel better?
🙂
She also needs to realize that there are more people like Pat Robertson than Richard Dawkins. We are outnumbered 1000 to 1 (or more) when it comes to people who think we are evil just because we don't believe in God
all Dawkins did was state a few facts ... and we all know how upset Christians get when confronted by facts! LOL
I will say it again; for a group that has guaranteed eternal life in paradise they are remarkably thin skinned.
As an asian, I can't wait to see the fall of Europe to Islam 🙂
Atheism allows a gap for Islam to sneak in. Keep it up guys!
I didn't realize that atheists had such power. Wow. I'd prefer that people reason with rationality, believer or atheist. Fundamentalists, muslim or Christian, are irrational by definition.
poor deluded citizen ...