Atheist Richard Dawkins warns Harry Potter could have 'negative effect on children'

[S.A.M.]

Outspoken atheist Professor Richard Dawkins is to warn children of the dangers in believing "anti-scientific" fairytales such as Harry Potter.

Prof Dawkins will write a book aimed at youngsters where he will discuss whether stories like the successful JK Rowling series have a "pernicious" effect on children.

The 67-year-old, who recently resigned from his position at Oxford University, says he intends to look at the effects of "bringing children up to believe in spells and wizards".

Source

Is this another way that Dawkins is trying to evangelise atheism, by moving to a target group that he has himself claimed is more vulnerable? What do you think of this attack on fairy tales as an attempt to undermine religion?


Note: evangelism here refers to its secondary meaning, ie militant zeal for a cause, and not the primary meaning , ie zealous preaching and dissemination of the gospel, as through missionary work, although in my personal opinion, Dawkins qualifies for both

 

[Enmos]

I think a lot of theists actually agree with him. Haven't you heard ?

 

[SkinWalker]

I see no "evangelism" ocurring since Dawkins is not religious and not seeking to increase a religious membership, which what evangelism is.

Moreover, the quote you provided states that he's writing a book for children that looks at "the effects of bringing children up to believe in spells and wizards."

Not a single Harry Potter fan I've ever known (and I've two families full of them) actually believes in spells and wizards.

Clearly this is trolling for an atheist/theist flame war. Thread closed.