During a recent interview on Piers Morgan’s show, Richard Dawkins, a famous scientist known for criticizing religion, refused to answer a question about Shamima Begum, a British woman who joined ISIS. Dawkins said he hadn’t studied the case enough to comment. Critics say his silence shows how scared public figures are of backlash from radical Islamists.
Dawkins has spent years attacking Christianity and other religions. But when asked about Islam, he clammed up. Some say this proves a double standard. People are free to mock Christianity, but Islam gets special treatment. Threats from extremist groups have made many afraid to speak honestly.
Conservative commentators like Dave Rubin argue this is a sign of weakness. If even outspoken atheists like Dawkins won’t criticize Islam, free speech is in trouble. Rubin called it “chilling” that fear controls what people say. He believes this silence lets dangerous ideas grow unchecked.
The ISIS bride case is a hot topic. Begum left the UK as a teenager to join terrorists. Now she wants to come back. Many say she’s a threat. But Dawkins wouldn’t take a side. Critics ask: Why can’t he show the same boldness toward Islam as he does toward Christianity?
This isn’t the first time Dawkins dodged tough questions about Islam. In past interviews, he called fundamentalist Islam a threat but avoided specifics. Some say he’s being hypocritical. If you attack one religion, you should be brave enough to tackle others.
The backlash online was fierce. Many accused Dawkins of cowardice. Others said it’s smart to avoid provoking extremists. But conservatives argue that tip-toeing around Islam only empowers radicals. Free speech dies when people self-censor out of fear.
Western values like open debate and courage are at risk. If experts won’t speak up, who will? The left’s obsession with political correctness makes it harder to confront real dangers. This isn’t about hate—it’s about protecting freedom.
The Dawkins interview highlights a growing problem. Fear of violence shouldn’t silence debate. True strength means standing for truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. If we lose that, the bad guys win.
