Harry Potter fails to cast spell over Professor Richard Dawkins (atheist to write book for kids)

Telegraph ^ | October 28, 2008 | Martin Beckford and Urmee Khan

[NYer]

The prominent atheist is stepping down from his post at Oxford University to write a book aimed at youngsters in which he will warn them against believing in "anti-scientific" fairytales.

Prof Hawkins said: "The book I write next year will be a children's book on how to think about the world, science thinking contrasted with mythical thinking.

"I haven't read Harry Potter, I have read Pullman who is the other leading children's author that one might mention and I love his books. I don't know what to think about magic and fairy tales."

Prof Dawkins said he wanted to look at the effects of "bringing children up to believe in spells and wizards".

"I think it is anti-scientific – whether that has a pernicious effect, I don't know," he told More4 News.

"I think looking back to my own childhood, the fact that so many of the stories I read allowed the possibility of frogs turning into princes, whether that has a sort of insidious affect on rationality, I'm not sure. Perhaps it's something for research."

But Prof Dawkins, the bestselling author of The God Delusion who this week agreed to fund a series of atheist adverts on London buses, added that his new book will also set out to demolish the "Judeo-Christian myth".

He went on: "I plan to look at mythical accounts of various things and also the scientific account of the same thing. And the mythical account that I look at will be several different myths, of which the Judeo-Christian one will just be one of many.

[NYer]

"It is evil to describe a child as a Muslim child or a Christian child. I think labelling children is child abuse and I think there is a very heavy issue, for example, about teaching about hell and torturing their minds with hell.

"It's a form of child abuse, even worse than physical child abuse. I wouldn't want to teach a young child, a terrifyingly young child, about hell when he dies, as it's as bad as many forms of physical abuse."

Catholic Ping
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[Slapshot68]

“The prominent atheist is stepping down from his post at Oxford University to write a book aimed at youngsters in which he will warn them against believing in “anti-scientific” fairytales.”

Good. He can start with Global Warming.

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

The prominent atheist is stepping down from his post at Oxford University to write a book aimed at youngsters in which he will warn them against believing in "anti-scientific" fairytales.

So he's writing a book against evolution?

[Paperdoll]

This from Bill Clinton’s alma mater! Barack would have a copy in every classroom!

[LongElegantLegs]

Yes, let’s take away Santa Claus and Faries and replace them with sex ed and global wrming...That’ll keep the little darlings from worry!

[50sDad]

I can imagine that this guy is generally reguarded within The Faith as evil. And his works are...but we have to struggle to separate this sinner from his impressive sins.

Can we at least have a moment of prayer for the man himself? I mean, can you imagine what a wretched existance he lives, completely separated from God's love, and what a horrible childhood he must have had in some sad, twisted way, to grow up so dreadfully bileful and bitter?

[MediaMole]

The Golden Compass wasn’t atheist enough?

[50sDad]

Two words, though: “Golden Compass”.

[Slapshot68]

St. Jude comes to mind with this guy.

[EyeGuy]

“....he will warn them against believing in “anti-scientific” fairytales.”

#######

Well, Dick, then start close to home and work yourself up to the larger questions.

Like the mythology of the “elite” university and the “wise” college professor.

[JWinNC]

Dawkins may know a great deal about science, but he knows little else. He knows nothing of God and his attempts to disprove God are simply sad, pitiable really.

jw

[Thorin]

Dawkins is a real buffoon.

[Valpal1]

"I haven't read Harry Potter,

Which is why he doesn't know it's not actually about the power of magic, but about the power of love and friendship.

[weegee]

He’s a naked bigot.

Pullman’s Dark Materials are a trilogy of fantasy novels. So fantasy novels that preach an alegory that “god is dead” are okay, but any other fantasy elements are wrong wrong wrong.

What an intolerant man.

[weegee]

He went on: "I plan to look at mythical accounts of various things and also the scientific account of the same thing.

I for one am looking forward to his public explanation of how Mohammed rode a horse into heaven.

[JimSEA]

“Golden Compass”

Seems to me, from when my daughter was reading such books as Harry Potter and Pullmans, that both dealt heavily in magic but Potter was not mean spirited or targeting Catholicism. My daughter gave up on Pullman BTW. Dawkins is a first class jerk who doesn't understand the distinctions between science and values and plan old entertainment. He is likely wearing too small a size jockey shorts. I ascribe to evolution as a convincing scientific argument but fail to see how it demands atheism as my religion.

[weegee]

The same courts that keep religious texts out of students’ books will need to keep his atheist faith out of classrooms. It is intolerant of the other faiths.

[DannyTN]

Adults won’t believe Dawkins so he is targeting children.

[Tax-chick]

his public explanation of how Mohammed rode a horse into heaven

LOL! What a dope. And he thinks there will be an audience? Snoooooooze ...