Richard Dawkins, blasphemy and nuclear war:
Freethought for the week, 18 June - 1 July

Dear reader,

This week the Freethinker is delighted to present an interview with Professor Richard Dawkins. I visited him in his home in Oxford, where we discussed The Selfish Gene, New Atheism, the scientific method, recent political controversies, and more.

The spectre of nuclear war has raised its ghoulish head again. In response, we have published a brief list of books, a film and a song, which vividly and eloquently imagine how a nuclear war or catastrophe might occur – or, in some cases, did occur – and why it would still be a bad idea.

Kunwar Khuldune Shahid analyses the role of religion in the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict, and the uncomfortable association of the hard Left in western countries with political Islamism. Finally, NSS historian Bob Forder discusses the trial and imprisonment of our first editor, G.W. Foote, for blasphemy.

New articles
- ‘An animal is a description of ancient worlds’: interview with Richard Dawkins
- Reading list against nuclear war
- Religion and the Arab-Israeli conflict, by Kunwar Khuldune Shahid
- On trial for blasphemy: the Freethinker’s first editor and offensive cartoons, by Bob Forder

July is Pastafarian Month
In July, we will be looking at the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and its adherents' heroic struggles to obtain the same privileges as other religions – or at least to be treated equally. We will also be continuing with our general theme of blasphemy and irreverence towards dogma.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy this week's articles. As usual, we would be incredibly grateful if you were willing to share articles you like, whether online or by word of mouth. We depend on your support.

Best wishes,

Emma Park
Editor, The Freethinker
editor@freethinker.co.uk
freethinker.co.uk