The Highlands Presbyterians are outraged because Dawkins is invited to the Faclan Hebridean Book Festival on the Isle of Lewis.
The festival does not take place until November but as soon as Prof Dawkins’ name appeared on the schedule it was enough to rouse the ire of many in this stronghold of Presbyterianism.
Pastor Donnie Stewart of the New Wine Church in Stornoway said: “It is disappointing he has been invited, given the Christian heritage and local sensitivities here.”
Is it? So the Christian heritage there means atheists should Keep Out? Only one opinion allowed, in the whole region? Really, Mr Stewart – that’s an awfully theocratic claim.
…the Free Church (known locally as the Wee Frees) got involved, challenging Prof Dawkins to a debate.
His response – a deliberately antagonistic jibe on Twitter – did not go down well.
“As a great president of the Royal Society said, ‘That would look great on your CV, not so good on mine,’” he tweeted.
Oh those deliberately antagonistic jibes on Twitter! Hahahahaha
As of last night, Prof Dawkins insisted he will attend the festival but still refuses to debate.
The main winners at this stage, it seems, are the organisers of the Faclan Book Festival who have generated the sort of publicity they could only ever have dreamed of before they decided to put Prof Dawkins on the schedule.
Oooh – deliberately stirring up controversy to get blog hits ticket sales. Naughty!