RSS
Home
Bill Maher to get the Dawkins Award
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Bill Maher courtesy of his Facebook page
Saturday October 3rd, comedian, talk show host, and documentary filmmaker Bill Maher will be the 7th recipient of the Dawkins Award from the Atheist Alliance International.
“The Richard Dawkins Award will be given every year to honor an outstanding atheist whose contributions raise public awareness of the nontheist life stance; who through writings, media, the arts, film, and/or the stage advocates increased scientific knowledge; who through work or by example teaches acceptance of the nontheist philosophy; and whose public posture mirrors the uncompromising nontheist life stance of Dr. Richard Dawkins.”
For some reason, this has become a somewhat controversial pick within the greater atheistic community. The main reason why some atheists have argued against Maher has been because Maher is skeptical about how large corporations have affected the health industry. On his weekly television show, Maher has talked about the value of eating healthy and expressed concerns about chemicals, pesticides, and preservatives that are in our food. He has also commented that pollution in our air and water has also contributed to the poor health of most Americans. Maher’s view is that if our bodies weren’t weaken by the crap we put in our food, the crap we put in our water, and the crap we breath, we probably wouldn’t look so appetizing to germs and viruses.
Another issue that some atheists take with Maher is that he has also questioned whether we need all the vaccines that we get. His concern doesn’t see to be the same as Jenny McCarthy’s however. I don’t think Maher has ever expressed the view that vaccines cause autism. The science on that has come in and there is no link between the two. However, like with Maher’s opinion that we shouldn’t put some much artificial stuff in our food; Maher doesn’t seem to think that we should overly vaccinate either. Does that mean that Maher is against all vaccines? I haven’t heard him ever express that view and I have watched his show for many years.
The fact is that none of these views that Maher has expressed are overly irrational or anti-scientific. Maher has even made the point that his only evidence is anecdotal and he is just expressing an opinion which can be proven wrong. But there are those within the atheist community who seem to think that all atheists should believe certain things in a certain way.
Those in the anti-Maher camp claim that the award is supposed to go to “advocates who increase scientific knowledge” and they claim that Maher’s position that the medical industry has been taken over by corporate-minded people rather than scientific-minded is somehow anti-science. While these are issues we can talk about and discuss, I don’t think any of them are anti-science. In fact, I think Maher would advocate more scientific research on these issues.
The fact is that the Dawkins Award is given out by Atheist Alliance International, not by the Medical Industry. The award recognizes people who promote atheism and science. There is little doubt that Bill Maher’s documentary Religulous, has promoted atheism. Maher is also a board member of the Reason Project and talks about the need for more scientific education and research on his show all the time.
What if Bill Maher was a holocaust denier, should he still get he award? The fact is that Maher is not a holocaust denier so it is a moot point. Bill Maher is human being. He is not a machine. He may still have some irrational ideas on some issues just like we all do. None of his ideas are really that far out of the realm of believability that they should discredit him from getting this award.
In 2005, Penn & Teller received this same award despite the fact that Penn believes that the Government is evil and out to get everyone. Penn was also a strong supporter of Congressman Ron Paul’s bid for the Presidency despite the fact that Congressman Paul doesn’t believe in the Jeffersonian Wall of Separation and believes that American is a Christian Nation. Does that mean that Penn shouldn’t have gotten the Award? Of course he should have. Penn and Teller promoted atheism on their show and this award is for the promotion of atheism. Bill Maher has also promoted atheism on his show and in his film. That is why he is getting this award.
Congratulations to Bill Maher for being the 2008 recipient of Richard Dawkins Award.
Atheism 101 Articles:
Atheism 101: What is the difference between atheism and agnosticism?
Atheism 101: Is there moral grounding without God?
Atheism 101: The Purpose of Life
Atheism 101: Is the Bible the inspired word of God?
Atheism 101: The anti-intellectualism of religion
Atheism 101: Why has Christianity demonized nudity, sex and sexuality?
Atheism 101: Does it take more faith to be an atheist?
Atheism 101: What came before the Universe?
Atheism 101: How to respond to the ex-atheist
Related Articles:
Comments
