Richard Dawkins
Is talk of privilege ‘lunacy’? On Richard Dawkins, skepticism, and certainty
By Chris Stedman — December 10, 2014
Richard Dawkins and others have already demonstrated that they're not afraid to direct their skepticism toward religious ideas. But the freethinking spirit they strive to embody and promote can't be limited to this one area.
Philip Kitcher: ‘New Atheism’ hasn’t supplied anything to replace religion
By Chris Stedman — December 1, 2014
Atheist philosopher Philip Kitcher talks with RNS about his disagreements with “New Atheism,” how secular humanism is similar to religion and how it is different, and what Humanists can learn from religion.
Is Richard Dawkins misunderstood, or does he misunderstand his critics?
By Chris Stedman — November 20, 2014
Why does Richard Dawkins, an experienced communicator who once served as Oxford's Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science, say that he feels misunderstood and muzzled?
Richard Dawkins stands by remarks on sexism, pedophilia, Down syndrome
By Kimberly Winston — November 18, 2014
ATHERTON, Calif. (RNS) Recent criticism of Dawkins has come from women, many of them within the atheist movement, which has long drawn more men than women to its ranks.
Jeremy Messersmith wears his atheist heart on his sleeve
By Chris Stedman — October 20, 2014
Atheist musician Jeremy Messersmith tells RNS how his experiences as a former Christian inspired his most recent album, what he believes now, and why relating to his religious family can feel like going to a Renaissance Festival.
Atheist coalition wants you to know they are ‘Openly Secular’
By Kimberly Winston — September 24, 2014
DECATUR, Ga. (RNS) A coalition of nearly 30 atheists, humanists and other nonreligious groups is taking a page from the gay rights movement to encourage people to admit they are “openly secular.”
Richard Dawkins: Atheism’s asset or liability?
By Kimberly Winston — August 7, 2014
(RNS) "I don’t think (Dawkins) has done more harm than good to the atheist movement, but the balance has been shifting towards harm," atheist blogger Adam Lee said.
Atheist TV: Who is the Richard Dawkins-endorsed channel really trying to reach?
By Chris Stedman — July 31, 2014
The first channel specifically for atheists launched this week. But their decision to feature figures like Richard Dawkins and Jaclyn Glenn so prominently has guest columnist Sarah Jones wondering which atheists the channel is designed to attract.
New ‘Openly Secular’ group seeks to combat anti-atheist discrimination
By Kimberly Winston — May 2, 2014
(RNS) A new coalition is gathering stories of discrimination from nonbelievers in an attempt to make that kind of bias unacceptable.
Former Muslim Alom Shaha: Why atheists should care about anti-Muslim prejudice
By Chris Stedman — May 1, 2014
Humanists, and secularists need to stand up against anti-Muslim prejudice, says Humanist author.
Losing my religion: Clergy who no longer believe gather online
By Kimberly Winston — April 24, 2014
(RNS) A new "Rational Doubt" blog hopes to help those who feel isolated by doubt in a sea of believers, pairing clergy who have lost their faith and left the pulpit with those struggling with leaving religion.
Frans de Waal on Ken Ham, Richard Dawkins, and morality without religion
By Chris Stedman — February 28, 2014
Dutch primatologist Frans de Waal speaks with RNS about the Bill Nye and Ken Ham creationism debate, "selfish genes," and what humanists can learn from religion.
Did your absentee father make you an atheist?
By Kimberly Winston — January 13, 2014
(RNS) “I am certainly not predicting that every atheist is the result of one hypothesis, much less mine,” said Catholic psychologist Paul C. Vitz. “I am just saying there is a tendency for more things to go together than you’d expect normally.”
In 2014, let’s stop saying “atheists are immoral” and “believers are stupid”
By Chris Stedman — January 8, 2014
Imagine what we could achieve if we moved beyond name-calling and making dismissive statements about the “other,” and instead put our heads and hearts together to heal our shared world.
Putting a joyful face on atheism — Chris Johnson on “A Better Life”
By Chris Stedman — December 18, 2013
Among the most persistent myths about atheists: that we are joyless, that we are immoral, that we don’t experience wonder, and that we are angry and bitter. These stereotypes can be shattered when people are given an opportunity to get to know atheists. Building relationships seems to be one the best ways to challenge misconceptions about atheists—but a new […]
