http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7136682.stm
http://www.albertmohler.com
Where is the intellectual integrity?
Didn't he say that Christianity was harmful to us?
Why would he mouth the words to songs that he believes are a pack of lies?
If Dawkins can be a cultural Christian can't someone else?
Are Christian traditions good or evil? The "cultural Christian" Richard Dawkins can't seem to make up his mind.
BTW, a cultural Christian is one of the types of Christian we call, not a "true Christian".
2007-12-15 06:51:51 · 17 answers · asked by HAND 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
How do atheists respond to the hypocricy of the, "cultural Christian" , Richard Dawkins?
2007-12-15 06:55:33 · answer #1 · answered by kramaster 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This is not hypocritical. Let me spell things out for you in small words.
1) Intellectual integrity applies in an academic context. An example of violating intellectual integrity would be publishing something that someone else wrote and claiming it as your own. Hypocrisy would be going to church and telling his friends he believes in God, despite everything written in his book. Neither has happened here.
2) No, what he said was that believing things without requiring evidence was harmful to us all. "True Christians" fall under that. "Cultural Christians" do not.
3) Would you refuse to tell your Jewish friend "Happy Hanukkah"? I hope not, even though you don't celebrate Hanukkah. Think about why.
4) See #2
5) See #2
2007-12-15 15:10:49 · answer #2 · answered by Michael 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why is that "hypocritical"?
He grew up with Christian traditions and in a Christian culture, does he have to opt out of that when he decides he doesn't believe in the religion?
Read the BBC article, specifically what he actually said:
"This is historically a Christian country. I'm a cultural Christian in the same way many of my friends call themselves cultural Jews or cultural Muslims."
2007-12-15 22:35:41 · answer #3 · answered by Kevin M 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Okay baby I starred this for you so you will get more responses. =]
So I wonder, dear Atheist friends, if Atheism had a "theme song" (probably something from Monty Python, like "Every Sperm is Sacred" or "Always look on the Bright Side of Life) and the news media got me on tape singing that theme song at an Atheist rally or meeting, you don't think that just a few people might desire to call me a hypocrite? Hmm.....
Have fun picking a best answer on this one darling! =]
2007-12-15 19:20:52 · answer #4 · answered by Last Ent Wife (RCIA) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been. and am. praying that Dawkins will become a true Christian. Nothing is impossible with God!
So, instead of getting upset about something Dawkins said, I'll pray that as he sings the Christmas carols the Truth will hit him.
C.S. Lewis was a famous atheistic thinker in his day and look what happened to him!
So, instead of criticizing Dawkins, why not pray for him instead?
2007-12-15 15:15:49 · answer #5 · answered by Friend of Jesus 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you live in a Wetern country, you're probably culturally Christian. I know I am. I give Christmas presents, I enjoy Christian art, I'll even sing 'God Save the Queen' if there's a chance of pissing off some Americans, even though I'm an anti-monarchist. He's not being a hypocrite, he's being realistic. Our cultural traditions are based on Christianity; to want to throw them all away is fundamentalism as bad as any other.
2007-12-15 14:57:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
He's acknowledging the significance of Christmas on society and culture. It's good that someone finally realizes that political correctness is completely unecessary, and that Christian values DO play a big role in America, as well as the UK.
2007-12-15 15:00:39 · answer #7 · answered by Alex H 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Richard Dawkins is not our "leader". He wrote a book that a lot of us like, we share a lack of belief in gods, but that's it. I personally like the guy, but we don't have to think alike.
Personally, I am the kind of atheist who participates in nothing that has a religious connotation. Obviously, he is different. There are atheists here who celebrate Christmas, some don't. There is no rule book. There are different kinds of atheists because there are different kinds of people.
Really, it's not a big deal.
2007-12-15 14:56:47 · answer #8 · answered by Godless AM™ VT 7 · 9⤊ 1⤋
What?! He sings carols! NOOO! You have shattered all my hopes and dreams. Curse you , CURSE YOU!
Oh wait, that's right, this is totally irrelevant. Am I forbidden from attending a friend's Catholic wedding because I don't believe? Nope, apparently not.
2007-12-15 18:12:34 · answer #9 · answered by Recreant- father of fairies 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no interest in him or his ideas . Each person must believe what his intelligence and knowledge makes him believe . The Pope has his belief . Dawkins has his belief . You have your belief . I have mine . My belief is - - - no supernaturals of any kind .
2007-12-15 15:03:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋