Dawkins on Eagleton on Robertson on the Pope!
Richard Dawkins has posted a link to a review by Terry Eagleton on his blog, saying "I'm not normally a fan of Terry Eagleton, but this is a terrific review." The book is Geoffrey Robertson's The Case of the Pope: Vatican Accountability for Human Rights Abuses.
Eagleton and Dawkins have history, with Eagleton dubbing Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens 'Ditchkins', and Dawkins referring to Eagleton (in the blog above) as a 'Catholic apologist'. But in this case, at least, Dawkins is right—it is a terrific review:
This is a book that combines moral passion with steely forensic precision, enlivened with the odd flash of dry wit. With admirable judiciousness, it even finds it in its heart to praise the charitable work of the Catholic church, as well as reminding us that paedophiles (whom Robertson has defended in court) can be kindly men. It is one of the most formidable demolition jobs one could imagine on a man who has done more to discredit the cause of religion than Rasputin and Pat Robertson put together.
Visit the Richard Dawkins Foundation to read the full blog, and the Guardian to read the full review.
The Pope is arriving in London today—join the march to protest his visit tomorrow. Visit Protest the Pope for more details.
For a reminder of some of the many reasons to protest, read Angelo Quattrochi's The Pope is Not Gay!