File under "Scratch an Atheist, find a Fundamentalist."

The author of this article at "Gather" states the problem with Dawkins' speech at "The Reason Rally":

It would not be offensive to have a gathering of like-minded people to engage in secular discussion and activities relevant to their non-belief. What is offensive is actively encouraging hatred for people who believe in something greater than themselves. Why would any speaker encourage anyone to mock and show contempt for people that they do not even know? Is this not akin to racism? Is it a "Reason" rally? Or an anti-religion rally? According to a recent article, "this rally is not simply about protecting the rights of non-believers, but about the inferiority of religious belief."

Is there not an irony in speaking out against intolerance while being intolerant? Richard Dawkins' foundation's mission is in part, a "quest to overcome religious fundamentalism, superstition, intolerance and suffering." Perhaps the atheists, by encouraging "ridicule and contempt" for believers, are closer than they think to those who may invoke God to bring wrath upon those with whom they disagree.