Here's A Thought-Provoking Incident - Being Offended Vs Spectrum Of Views

[Mosaic]

https://richarddawkins.net/2014/08/a-hundred-walked-out-of-my-lecture/

Be interesting to see what AB thinks of this incident. I never realised being an atheist was an issue until recent media coverage, mainly from the US, started describing atheists' painful experiences at 'coming out'.
This article gives me two areas of thought - one is the event seems to have attracted a largely Moslem audience - the other is that the lecturer seems to have approached the subject, memes, in a singular way.

What do you think?

[Old_Geezer]

No time to read the link but I will say it is not so much being an atheist that can turn folk off RD. But the way he mocks and belittles other folks beliefs without even presenting a decent argument. He went down below floor level in my estimation years ago for that very reason, and I think he should stick to teaching about evolution. That said why go to the man's lecture just to walk out ? Making a scene for it's own sake ?

[Mosaic]

Sorry you didn't read the link OG. The lecture was given by a professor from Southampton Uni, it's simply linked from RD's website.
She recounts the experience of giving a lecture she was invited to give, at an Oxford Uni summer school.

[belrec]

Mosaic that was an interesting read thank you. It is sad that these supposedly young aspiring minds could not even open a tiny crack to the possibility of another idea :-(

I read a few of the comments and one was positive in saying that

//let’s cheer up and think that even if only one person with strong religious beliefs stayed till the end, and put some thought on what was said in the lecture, it is worth, right?//

[Old_Geezer]

Had a quick look at it whilst the code compiled. I may read more this evening.

But she told the Islamists that they do strange things and didn't think that would offend ? One may consider it as over-sensitive but many folk in this world are when compared to western culture. Then she goes on to claim "ridiculous promises" to the Christians ?

Reads to me so far that she got the reaction she was aiming for.

[atalanta]

Some people really enjoy being offended. makes them feel important

[jomifl]

Her audience proved her point, pity that in doing so they weren't there to appreciate the irony.

[Old_Geezer]

Her point presumably being if you deliberately offend folk they don't tend to stick around to allow you to do so further ? It sounds like she has been studying at the RD school of ridiculing folk knowing they either stick there and just take it (win) or leave and allow her to claim some form of win anyway. This is precisely why RD has nothing useful to add to the subject, one had just to try reading his book to realise this. (But I'd advise not doing so if fair minded with blood pressure issues.)

[mibn2cweus]

When truth is required to take a back seat to the potential for hurt feelings, evil takes centre stage.