It is easy to defeat an individual or an entire group, such as Dawkins boys when they have thier feet firmly planted in mid air.

God Bless ya boys,
Anthony

Dawkins has tried to make this clear – he considers theism a mere copout position, and therefore rejects its elementary foundation.

I figured as much. Dawkins, I think, is so fundamentally disgusted with religion that it would be hard to have a conversation with him. Perhaps that’s not the case, but I fear that it is.

Of course, Mr. Dawkins is welcome to come by this blog and challenge that assertion

Dawkins has tried to make this clear – he considers theism a mere copout position, and therefore rejects its elementary foundations.

- Matthew

especially with the rather awful ‘panel’ on discrimination against atheists they showed recently (this was also hosted by Zahn, btw).

Saw it on digg, and you’re right, it was disgraceful. I was embarrassed watching it. It was a monologue dismissal of atheism. Obviously, I disagree with atheism, but not in the same sense as say, the black lady (can’t remember her name). She seemed to emit the same condescending attitude that many accuse Dawkins of.

Have you read any of Dawkins’ books?

none of his philosophical books, although I would like to read “Unweaving the Rainbow”. I’ve read Selfish Gene, and skimmed through Ancestors Tale. I don’t remember too much about him referring to religion in either of those, but I may be wrong.

I doubt that. You have shown a willingness to listen, argue, and ask the tough questions, and while he would of course heavily disagree with your position…I’m sure he would be willing to engage in an honest debate…He might well get impatient if you used an argument he found infantile, but that’s how he is.

I would hope that I wouldn’t use infantile arguments
I’m not sure that Professor Dawkins has shown much interest in a dialogue with those of opposite beliefs. I hope I’m wrong, but he seems repulsed at the thought of “debating” with religious folks, although admittedly I’m referring to debating with creationists over the issue of creation. Perhaps he’d be more willing to debate evolution, ID, or the topic of religion itself. Although, as you said, I’m sure that his schedule wouldn’t permit him taking the time to give a mere middle-class, non-celebrity, non-academic type American Can’t blame him for that one!

Have you read any of Dawkins’ books? If so, which? I understand that he may come across as contemptuous in person, but he is much more relaxed in his books. I perceive his somewhat condescending mannerisms as nothing more than an extreme impatience with ignorance and incompetence.

I highly doubt he’d like to socialize with an “ignorant theist” like myself

I doubt that. You have shown a willingness to listen, argue, and ask the tough questions, and while he would of course heavily disagree with your position (as, in fact, I do) I’m sure he would be willing to engage in an honest debate (such practicalities as he being a semi-celebrity with a no-doubt busy schedule aside). He might well get impatient if you used an argument he found infantile, but that’s how he is.