No. They just want to dupe us into believing that so that we’ll shut up and stop speaking against their absurdities. Problem is, we’re too smart to fall for that old trick.

Dawkins has had no impact on any of the theists or atheists I know. I doubt anyone has become a fundamentalist creationist because they read the god delusion or saw it on TV. Sadly I doubt any one deconverted as a result either.

Creationism flourishes in devout communities. The presence of “militant atheists” has no impact there. UK creationism is influenced by the influx of religious fundamentalists from elsewhere, again there is no impact from atheists.

Do people really think that atheists should be quiet, should be prevented from speaking out, should be considered unsuitable for government office, all because anything else acts as a recruiter for fundies? That is utter madness.

(BTW: Nice bagpuss reference 🙂 )