Atheist Richard Dawkins Targets Romney's Faith: 'Can You Really Vote for Such a Massively-Gullible Fool?

Famed atheist and biologist Richard Dawkins is known for taking a combative approach when it comes to his attempts to debunk -- and dismiss -- faith and religion. While his malicious comments are nothing new, the statements he's been making about Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's Mormon faith are noteworthy. In his most recent Twitter rant, Dawkins alleged that Romney's beliefs should disqualify him for the U.S. presidency.

The atheist leader claims that Romney is "a massively gullible fool" for being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

"No matter how much you agree with Romney's economic policy, can you really vote for such a massively gullible fool? He is a Mormon Bishop!," Dawkins Tweeted on Sunday.

In an effort to further dissuade Americans from casting a vote for Romney, the British academic also wrote, "Could you really vote for a man who thinks the Garden of Eden was in Missouri?"

But Dawkins wasn't done there. He went on to insult Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon faith. "Romney's prophet Joseph Smith is a fraud," he continued. And, as for the Book of Mormon, Dawkins held little back.

"Bible & Koran genuinely old, written in the language of their time. Book of Mormon written by 19th (century) charlatan. Romney too stupid to see it," he said in yet another message.

The Christian Post has more about the Dawkins' weekend Twitter activities:

The professor then links to an article titled The Mormon Delusion, a play on his own work challenging Christianity and the belief of God, where in Jamie Smith, an atheist writer and blogger, criticizes many aspects of Mormon history, and says of Joseph Smith: "A fraud. A con artist. A brilliant story teller, but ultimately, a liar and an awful historian." Smith adds: "His cult should not be taken seriously, should have no power over the world."

Focusing on some of the controversial aspects of Mormonism, Dawkins reminded his Twitter followers of a passage in the Book of Mormon that refers to the white race as "the chosen seed" and warns against taking part in interracial relationships. The Mormon Church, however, disavowed that teaching in the 1970s, and Romney has dismissed any notions that he agrees with the idea that interracial relationships are a sin.

Dawkins made headlines recently for some other harsh commentary. In addition to calling creationists "ignorant," Dawkins, in an interview with Playboy, alleged that the evidence for Jesus' existence "is surprisingly shaky."

In the past, he has lambasted Romney's Mormon faith, too, claiming that Joseph Smith was a "convicted conman using [a] magic hat to read gold plates."

(H/T: The Christian Post)

--

Related:

• Richard Dawkins Echoes Bill Nye: ‘Who Cares About Creationists’ & Their ‘Deep, Profound Ignorance’ 
• Atheist Richard Dawkins Tells Playboy: We Are ‘Apes,‘ Evidence for Jesus’ Existence ‘Is Surprisingly Shaky’ & Christ Dying for Humanity‘s Sins Is a ’Truly Disgusting Idea
• Atheist Richard Dawkins Bashes Romney & His Mormon Faith: Joseph Smith Was a ‘Convicted Conman Using Magic Hat to Read Gold Plates’