- Image via Wikipedia
Yesterday, Richard Dawkins participated by video at the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival. He also announced the award of the inaugural Royal Society of NZ Science Book of the Year award. It went to The Awa book of New Zealand science.
The first blog post I have seen of Dawkins appearance comes from the Christchurch City Libraries blog (see Richard Dawkins High Priest of the Flying Spaghetti Monster Church).
Saying in part:
“Plunket asked if Dawkins felt he was in any danger of becoming a Prophet for secularism or a High Priest of atheism, in reply Dawkins said he saw the danger but personally hated the idea of any cult or idolatry, wanting instead people to think independently and critically for themselves.”
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=addefc03-d4a8-420b-87a5-cbb201c382d2)
Subscribe to Open Parachute
Subscribe by Email
10 responses so far ↓
richard // May 16, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Hi. You could also check out this post on the library blog. http://cclblog.wordpress.com/2009/05/16/tip-toe-through-the-minefield-richard-dawkins-on-the-big-screen/
Richard
Gareth // May 17, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Or indeed, at Hot Topic.
The greatest show « Open Parachute // May 20, 2009 at 1:05 am
[...] some real appearances in New Zealand (he seemed to create quite a bit of interest with his recent virtual appearance). Perhaps there is a chance. There are plans for him to speak at the Atheists Foundation of [...]
sue // May 24, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Did anyone else see Dawkins and then Holloway the next day? Holloway was so unfair on Dawkins
Skeptical // May 24, 2009 at 11:05 pm
The “convenience” of having heard Dawkins speech and being able to “attack” him without him having an opportunity to reply?
Ken // May 25, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Damian was going to see Holloway – haven’t heard his assessment yet.
Still, Dawkins’ bashing does seem to be very common. Very often the bashers haven’t even read Dawkins. Many just seem to feel it’s expected of them. Strawmannery is also commonly used against Dawkins – in fact there seems to be a whole swag of theological courses and lectures based on unfounded claims of what Dawkins believes. And then there is the “I’m an atheist, but … ” crowd.
Personally, I think it’s a sign of intellectual weakness. These people should engage with the real issues instead of relying on Dawkins as a handy foil.
Damian // May 25, 2009 at 2:27 pm
I missed it sorry. They were sold out.
Ken // May 25, 2009 at 2:45 pm
I wonder if there are any downloadable mp3s of Holloway’s presentation? I managed to find one of the interview with Dawkins – it was worth listening to. It’s at the SMC site (Richard Dawkins: Writers’ and Readers’ Festival interview)
Anyway, I have requested Holloway’s latest book at our local library so expect to find out more about his ideas from that.
sue // May 25, 2009 at 6:47 pm
That’s exactly it, Ken. “Strawmannery.”
In general, I enjoyed Holloway. He was intelligent, funny and charming. So it was extra disappointing when he rolled out two unfair cliches – that Dawkins was a ‘High priest” (when you can’t argue the point, attack the point-maker) and that “Dawkins needs to take prozac” (yawn).
The worst thing, though, was that he described carefully 4 different attitudes towards religion (the main thesis of his new book, I think). 3 and 1/2 of them were outlined carefully, sympathetically, in detail etc. Then he got to ”neo-atheism” and it was dismissed in a scathing, generalised few comments including the above attacks on Dawkins. Disappointing.
Richard Dawkins in Wellington next March « Open Parachute // November 4, 2009 at 4:03 pm
[...] 4, 2009 · Leave a Comment Auckland got Richard Dawkins by video this year when he announced the winner of the inaugural Royal Society NZ science Book of the Year [...]