Deepak Chopra Says Richard Dawkins' Atheism 'Fundamentalist'

A well-known author recently criticized prominent atheist Richard Dawkins for being an "adolescent" in his nonbelief system.

In a recent interview with The Huffington Post, author Deepak Chopra criticized Dawkins' approach to atheism while discussing his new book, The Future of God. In the book, Chopra argues that Dawkins and those like him practice "militant atheism."

Chopra said Dawkins' approach to atheism "antagonizes people. [..] I didn't invent the word 'militant atheism,'" Chopra continued. "He uses that expression to describe himself, and says if you're not a militant atheist, you're stupid."

"I think [Dawkins] is a fundamentalist," he continued, "just on the other side of the divide. His version of reality is what we call 'empirical reality' — if you can see it it's real, if you can't see it it's not real. But we know you can't see your thoughts, feelings, emotions, desires, creativity, choice and they're real. Your inner world is real."

Chopra went on to argue that Dawkins' atheist beliefs are "a rationality that's bamboozled by the superstition of materialism."

Dawkins has previously received criticism for some extreme comments he's made regarding his atheist beliefs. The well-known atheist apologized on Twitter earlier this year after getting into an argument over Down Syndrome and abortion. The outspoken atheist later apologized if his comments were misinterpreted as suggesting one should abort their child, should it have Down Syndrome.

"The choice would be entirely yours and I would never dream of trying to impose my views on you or anyone else," Dawkins said to a woman regarding abortion. "My phraseology may have been tactlessly vulnerable to misunderstanding, but I can't help feeling that at least half the problem lies in a wanton eagerness to misunderstand."