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A Michigan country club has nixed an appearance by outspoken religion critic Richard Dawkins after catching wind of the fact that he’s an atheist.
Mr Dawkins was to speak at the Wyndgate Country Club tonight in an event sponsored by the Center for Inquiry, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a secular society through education, advocacy and research, according to the group’s website.
But when top brass at the club saw Mr Dawkins’ appearance on The O’Reilly Factor last week and learned that he was an atheist, the event was rejected.
Richard Dawkins banned from speaking at a Michigan country club | Mail Online
Seeded on Wed Oct 12, 2011 3:32 PM EDT
Article Source: the Mail online
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- Public Discussion (11)
The religious community is well known for silencing free speech one way or the other.
- 2 votes
#1 - Wed Oct 12, 2011 3:35 PM EDTWhat part did the religious community have in this? That wasn't made clear in the article.
Ummm... the part where it says they "learned that he was an atheist" and subsequently rejected the event?
- 1 vote
At $95 per plate, this was hardly free speech.
What part did the religious community have in this? That wasn't made clear in the article.
Your conspiracy theory may have some validity to it. Since when have the religious been known to turn down money in the guise of "Donations?"
- 1 vote
Ummm... the part where it says they "learned that he was an atheist" and subsequently rejected the event?
Chickenmann,
That doesn't mean they were religious. They may have just been conservative. I hear atheists are not very popular among Republicans either.
- 1 vote
So the Country Club was ok with a company who pushes for secular society doing a fundraiser, but when they find out the guest speaker is atheist, they bolt?
Did they think a Christian was going to be speaking about the virtues of a secular society?
- 3 votes
#2 - Wed Oct 12, 2011 3:41 PM EDTMy thoughts exactly. The Center for Inquiry promoting a secular society invites Mr Dawkins to speak. Who better to speak on the subject but an atheist?
- 3 votes
When a private club offers services or accomodations to the public I'm curious whether they retain their legal status as "private" which allows them protection under Title II of the Civil Rights Act. If you're engaging in commerce with the general public it's hard to argue that you're acting as a private members only institution. I don't expect the group will sue, but the clubs actions are ridiculous on a number of levels.
- 2 votes
#3 - Wed Oct 12, 2011 4:34 PM EDTAll other issues aside, I'm wondering how oblivious they had to have been to only just now be "discovering" that Dawkins is an atheist. Anyone else find this perplexing?
- 3 votes
#4 - Wed Oct 12, 2011 6:23 PM EDTAnyone else find this perplexing?
It's looking more like a publicity stunt, he does have a new book out.
But I do talk to Christians all the time who are oblivious to any of the religious critics. Even atheists on Newsvine have said to me, "Who the hell is Sam Harris?" I am surprised, it seems more are familiar with Dawkins then Harris.
- 1 vote
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