What I don’t get is why critics of Dawkins always seem to use words like “strident” or “shrill”. He always has been very polite where I’ve seen him talk. His criticism of religion would certainly be considered very mild mannered if it were – for example – directed at a political party. I’m genuinely confused when many religious people seem to go pretty nuts when they are confronted with Dawkins’ (hilarious) chapter on the old testament. Who in their right mind would be offended by that?<p>We have nothing against high profile scientists expressing their opinions about politics. We should have nothing against scientists expressing their opinion about religion.