If you are offended by reading views that disagree with yours, then yes, you will be offended. However, it is not gratuitously offensive, it simply puts an argument, and if your views are strong enough, as I believe they are, you will be able to defend your views. You will not say, "Oh, it's offensive, it's offensive." You will say "No, you are wrong here and you are wrong here," and that's what you should do.
Interpretation
Engaging with opposing views strengthens your beliefs rather than offends you.
This quote by Richard Dawkins emphasizes the importance of being open to differing opinions and debates. It suggests that rather than being offended by contrary views, one should engage actively and defend their own beliefs, showcasing a commitment to rational discussion and critical thinking.
In practice
In a seminar on free speech, this quote could illustrate the value of engaging in debate.
No educated person believes the Adam and Eve myth nowadays, but it's surprising how many parents think that it's somehow fun to pass on this falsehood to their children...I would want to argue that the truth of evolution is more interesting and more poetic
If the history-deniers who doubt the fact of evolution are ignorant of biology, those who think the world began less than ten thousand years ago are worst than ignorant, they are the deluded to the point of perversity.
The population of the U.S. is nearly 300 million, including many of the best educated, most talented, most resourceful, humane people on earth. By almost any measure of civilised attainment, from Nobel prize-counts on down, the U.S. leads the world by miles.
When you make machines that are capable of obeying instructions slavishly, and among those instructions are 'duplicate me' instructions, then of course the system is wide open to exploitation by parasites.
Even if not a single fossil has ever been found, the evidence from surviving animals would still overwhelmingly force the conclusion that Darwin was right.
The bitter hatreds that now poison Middle Eastern politics are rooted in the real or perceived wrong of the setting up of a Jewish State in an Islamic region. In view of all that the Jews had been through, it must have seemed a fair and humane solution. Probably deep familiarity with the Old Testament had given the European and American decision-makers some sort of idea that this really was the historic homeland of the Jews.
As much as I want to help people, I had to accept the fact long ago that being stupid with money isn't illegal.
Insights don't usually arrive at my desk, but go into notebooks when I'm on the move. Or half-asleep.
Present-moment awareness creates a gap not only in the stream of mind but also in the past-future continuum. Nothing truly new and creative can come into this world except through that gap, that clear space of infinite possibility.
Let go into the mystery_x000D_ Let yourself go_x000D_ You've got to open up your heart_x000D_ That's all I know_x000D_ Trust what I say and do what you're told_x000D_ Baby, and all your dirt will turn_x000D_ Into gold.
All that is gold does not glitter,_x000D_ Not all those who wander are lost;_x000D_ The old that is strong does not wither,_x000D_ Deep roots are not reached by the frost._x000D_ _x000D_ From the ashes a fire shall be woken,_x000D_ A light from the shadows shall spring;_x000D_ Renewed shall be blade that was broken,_x000D_ The crownless again shall be king.
You need not aspire for or get any new state. Get rid of your present thoughts, that is all.
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