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Lullaby Chainer · Apr 23, 2007, 07:01 pm

Is Richard Dawkins wasting his time?

What are your thoughts on Bill O'Reilly?

At the time I am posting this, the interview has yet to happen. Please use this thread to express your thoughts on the interview if you have a chance to see it. I'll have a link to the video as soon as I can in case you miss it.

On a side note..
YouTube - Bill O'Reilly and Geraldo Rivera Shouting Match

Osborn F Enready · Apr 23, 2007, 07:04 pm

If Dawkins doesn't agree 100% with O'Reilly, yes, he is wasting his time.

Lullaby Chainer · Apr 23, 2007, 07:47 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Osborn F Enready

If Dawkins doesn't agree 100% with O'Reilly, yes, he is wasting his time.

Is that the only purpose of going on the show? To win the argument? Isn't getting one's beliefs out in the open worth something?

**Jack** · Apr 23, 2007, 07:54 pm

O'Reilly is one of the worst interviewers I've ever seen. He cannot be objective or control his bias. Between his eye rolls and attempts to put words in Dawkins' mouth, I doubt the interview will amount to much.

Osborn F Enready · Apr 23, 2007, 08:16 pm

Quote:

Lullaby said:
Is that the only purpose of going on the show?

Is what the only purpose?

Quote:

Lullaby said:
To win the argument?

Winning any argument is important to your case, if your case depends on public perception.

O'Reilly is an opinion generator, not a journalist or an investigative reporter. O'Reilly holding an interview with someone he doesn't agree with is liking giving editing power to your biggest enemy, on their own show, at their mercy.

I would not be prone to go on O'Reilly, though I have challenged him to a debate he never took me up on, of course.

Quote:

Lullaby said:
Isn't getting one's beliefs out in the open worth something?

Totally, but doing so on a show like O'Reilly's is like asking to be skewered with dishonest tactics, and admitting that most of your important points will be butchered or edited to fit "his agenda".

Lullaby Chainer · Apr 23, 2007, 09:09 pm

Here's the video

At first, you may be taken by how Dawkins didn't get an hour or so to present a well-rounded case. Bill has a way of covering his interviewers points with his own snot. But if you analyze it, all Bill had to say was that he believes because he believes, and I feel Dawkins did a very good job defending atheism despite his oafish interviewer. I think Dawkin's projected an intelligent and rational persona for Atheism to the many many theists who undoubtedly watched the interview. Not to mention, Bill went over some statistics about how atheism is growing which I feel is a positive message.

StrongHeartsWin · Apr 23, 2007, 09:22 pm

That's all!? Disappointing.

Lullaby Chainer · Apr 23, 2007, 09:28 pm

Quote:

Quote by: StrongHeartsWin

That's all!? Disappointing.

I know.. I was hoping for a much longer segment.

Osborn F Enready · Apr 23, 2007, 10:36 pm

I watched it when it aired on Fox. Dawkins did well against the spinmaster.

Hmm · Apr 23, 2007, 10:59 pm

I also watched it as it aired tonight. The "interview," if you wish to name it as such, was far too short to even have any type of involved argument.

It was mainly Dawkins responding to O'Reilly for twenty seconds, and then O'Reilly blabbering some remark to get the last word in before moving on to the next question.

Dawkins should have refused the "interview" if he knew it was going to be so short.

StrongHeartsWin · Apr 23, 2007, 11:23 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Hmm

I also watched it as it aired tonight. The "interview," if you wish to name it as such, was far too short to even have any type of involved argument.

Dawkins should have refused the "interview" if he knew it was going to be so short.

Exactly. I think Bill made it so short because he knew that getting too deep on the topic would have opened him and his Jesus/God fairy tale up to too much scrutiny and fraud exposure.

However, if Dawkins knew that the interview was going to be this short, like you said, he should have refused it out of principle for not getting a fair hearing on his views or the issues.

If he did it just to get some time to plug the book...well, at least it gets the info out a little more and perhaps those who are having a crisis in keeping their faith could be convinced to go buy one and then be pushed off the fence into reality.

**Jack** · Apr 23, 2007, 11:26 pm

Quote:

Is Richard Dawkins wasting his time?

I can't speak for Dawkins, but I will say watching even a few minutes of O'Reilly's show was certainly a waste of mine.

phoenix_fire · Apr 23, 2007, 11:34 pm

Haven't watched it yet. I have to say that this has put me into somewhat of a conundrum: I'm not sure which of the two I loathe more. Oh dear. Must I choose?

**Jack** · Apr 23, 2007, 11:37 pm

It just played here in California. What time zone is Narnia in?

phoenix_fire · Apr 23, 2007, 11:47 pm

Nah...it's already played. I can't seem to find it on the internet, though. I tried the link someone provided, but it didn't play.

Lullaby Chainer · Apr 24, 2007, 12:06 am

Quote:

Quote by: phoenix_fire

Nah...it's already played. I can't seem to find it on the internet, though. I tried the link someone provided, but it didn't play.

Did you try the link I provided? It takes you to a page, and you have to click on the text that says "Click here to watch video" or something of that sort. It's right under a image of the video.

Lullaby Chainer · Apr 24, 2007, 12:08 am

Do you guys think it was a positive for atheism? Assuming the US is the target audience.

phoenix_fire · Apr 24, 2007, 12:14 am

Quote:

Quote by: Lullaby Chainer

Did you try the link I provided? It takes you to a page, and you have to click on the text that says "Click here to watch video" or something of that sort. It's right under a image of the video.

Yeah, I did all that. I'm having trouble with Quicktime.

StrongHeartsWin · Apr 24, 2007, 12:32 am

Quote:

Quote by: Lullaby Chainer

Do you guys think it was a positive for atheism? Assuming the US is the target audience.

The U.S. audience, and O'Reily's audience by nature, tends to be aggressive. I think Dawkins came across a little too passive, almost as if he weren`t convinced of his own argument. He should have been more aggressive and animated. He looked almost like a wet towel not trying to fight for more of the limited air time with his voice.

**Jack** · Apr 24, 2007, 01:19 am

Come on, SHW. He's a British intellectual scientist. He does have an image to uphold. Cut the old boy a little slack.

At least he's not a raving lunatic like O'Hair was. Even I was embarrassed by her as the "official" voice of atheism.

Apr 23, 2007, 07:01 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
Lullaby Chainer Digital Witchcraft Posts: 3,020	Richard Dawkins \| Bill O'Reilly \| Interview on Monday, April 23 Is Richard Dawkins wasting his time? What are your thoughts on Bill O'Reilly? At the time I am posting this, the interview has yet to happen. Please use this thread to express your thoughts on the interview if you have a chance to see it. I'll have a link to the video as soon as I can in case you miss it. On a side note.. YouTube - Bill O'Reilly and Geraldo Rivera Shouting Match *Powerful.. magical.. e-e-e-eevil..*

Apr 23, 2007, 07:04 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
Osborn F Enready Principled Observer Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 13,873	If Dawkins doesn't agree 100% with O'Reilly, yes, he is wasting his time. Petition of Redress of Grievances: http://www.givemeliberty.org/default.htm Canadian Lawsuit Against Their National Banks: http://www.freewebs.com/classaction/ Osborn F. Enready

Apr 23, 2007, 07:54 pm	#4 (permalink) (top)
Jack formerly Isherwood Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 12,999	O'Reilly is one of the worst interviewers I've ever seen. He cannot be objective or control his bias. Between his eye rolls and attempts to put words in Dawkins' mouth, I doubt the interview will amount to much. The Forum Rules Radical Atheist Heathen Queer Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be. (Ashleigh Brilliant)

Apr 23, 2007, 09:09 pm	#6 (permalink) (top)
Lullaby Chainer Digital Witchcraft Posts: 3,020	Here's the video At first, you may be taken by how Dawkins didn't get an hour or so to present a well-rounded case. Bill has a way of covering his interviewers points with his own snot. But if you analyze it, all Bill had to say was that he believes because he believes, and I feel Dawkins did a very good job defending atheism despite his oafish interviewer. I think Dawkin's projected an intelligent and rational persona for Atheism to the many many theists who undoubtedly watched the interview. Not to mention, Bill went over some statistics about how atheism is growing which I feel is a positive message. *Powerful.. magical.. e-e-e-eevil..*

Apr 23, 2007, 09:22 pm	#7 (permalink) (top)
StrongHeartsWin Open the cages! Posts: 1,774	That's all!? Disappointing. "FREE ME", song video by Goldfinger "Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." --Albert Einstein

Apr 23, 2007, 10:36 pm	#9 (permalink) (top)
Osborn F Enready Principled Observer Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 13,873	I watched it when it aired on Fox. Dawkins did well against the spinmaster. Petition of Redress of Grievances: http://www.givemeliberty.org/default.htm Canadian Lawsuit Against Their National Banks: http://www.freewebs.com/classaction/ Osborn F. Enready

Apr 23, 2007, 10:59 pm	#10 (permalink) (top)
Hmm Shame on you! Posts: 374	I also watched it as it aired tonight. The "interview," if you wish to name it as such, was far too short to even have any type of involved argument. It was mainly Dawkins responding to O'Reilly for twenty seconds, and then O'Reilly blabbering some remark to get the last word in before moving on to the next question. Dawkins should have refused the "interview" if he knew it was going to be so short. That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves. - Thomas Jefferson

Apr 23, 2007, 11:34 pm	#13 (permalink) (top)
phoenix_fire Paladin Location: Narnia Posts: 4,277	Haven't watched it yet. I have to say that this has put me into somewhat of a conundrum: I'm not sure which of the two I loathe more. Oh dear. Must I choose? Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. -- Song 8:6

Apr 23, 2007, 11:37 pm	#14 (permalink) (top)
Jack formerly Isherwood Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 12,999	It just played here in California. What time zone is Narnia in? The Forum Rules Radical Atheist Heathen Queer Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be. (Ashleigh Brilliant)

Apr 23, 2007, 11:47 pm	#15 (permalink) (top)
phoenix_fire Paladin Location: Narnia Posts: 4,277	Nah...it's already played. I can't seem to find it on the internet, though. I tried the link someone provided, but it didn't play. Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. -- Song 8:6

Apr 24, 2007, 12:08 am	#17 (permalink) (top)
Lullaby Chainer Digital Witchcraft Posts: 3,020	Do you guys think it was a positive for atheism? Assuming the US is the target audience. *Powerful.. magical.. e-e-e-eevil..*

Apr 24, 2007, 01:19 am	#20 (permalink) (top)
Jack formerly Isherwood Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 12,999	Come on, SHW. He's a British intellectual scientist. He does have an image to uphold. Cut the old boy a little slack. At least he's not a raving lunatic like O'Hair was. Even I was embarrassed by her as the "official" voice of atheism. The Forum Rules Radical Atheist Heathen Queer Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be. (Ashleigh Brilliant)