World’s Oldest Student Debate Club Disinvites Richard Dawkins to Protect the ‘Comfort’ of Its ...

It has become ‘one of the most rabidly progressive institutions’ at the college. Who knew evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins was a polarizing figure?

Apparently not Trinity College Dublin’s College Historical Society, which proclaims itself “the world’s oldest undergraduate society” and “the model for debating societies” at Oxford, Cambridge and Yale.

Student newspaper University Times reports that the society’s auditor, Brid O’Donnell, announced on her personal Instagram page that “The Hist” was disinviting the militant atheist and famed author of “The Selfish Gene” because “we value our members comfort[sic] above all else.”

She did not know about his “opinions on Islam and sexual assault until this evening,” O’Donnell reportedly wrote Sunday, though the post is not visible on her public page. It’s not clear whether she deleted it or just hid it.

The longtime University of Oxford “professor for public understanding of science,” who once said that pigs are more “human” than human fetuses, has become loathsome to the progressive left in recent years for his critical comments on Islam.

By referring to Dawkins’ views on sexual assault, O’Donnell (below) apparently means his 2013 comments that people shouldn’t judge “mild pedophilia” by 21st century standards.

According to the Times, O’Donnell’s post explained that her predecessor had invited Dawkins and “I followed up the invitation with limited knowledge” of the scientist’s views, which were not fully fleshed out on “his Wikipedia page.” He was supposed to speak early next year.

She told the newspaper: “I was not previously aware of the harmful statements made by Richard Dawkins. The invitation was issued in advance of this committee’s tenure, and we are deeply grateful to the members and students who brought this to our attention.

“The comfort of our membership is paramount, and we will not be proceeding with Professor Dawkins address. I apologize for any distress caused by this announcement, and the Hist will continue to listen and adapt to the needs and comfort of students.”

https://www.thecollegefix.com/worlds-oldest-student-debate-club-disinvites-richard-dawkins-to-protect-the-comfort-of-its-members/