What are your thoughts on Richard Dawkins?

[Cecelia]

I don't think he's as intelligent as he thinks he is (that's not to say he's not smart.  He's highly intelligent I'm sure, but I think he thinks himself smarter than he is).  He comes across as very smug, and a bit sexist (I don't think he hates women, but I do think he thinks that's somehow an accomplishment).  He can be just as backwards as the religious people he berates.  He's an accomplished scientist, though his accomplishments aren't really something most people could probably name off hand (that goes for most scientists though with exceptions like Einstein and Tesla)  He's written a lot of books--though I've never read any of them.  (I'm sure they're good books and well thought out, but the bible is the only book you'll ever need to convince me god doesn't exist)

Honestly, he had zero influence on me becoming an atheist.  Actually, I might say the opposite is true.  I think because of him (not because of his arguments mind you) I stayed a theist longer than I might have otherwise.  I mean honestly I thought most atheists were just like him.  (He was the only atheist I could actually name).  I don't think I'd have ever listened to his arguments as a theist.  Actually I'd say my first really positive experience with other atheists other than with my husband and a couple of my close friends--was probably here on this forum. 

I'm sure he's done a lot for Atheism, and he should be applauded for it.  But I hope we get new voices for atheism to step forward and take us on the next step to showing a more empathetic atheism.