Famed evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins has revealed that he won't be writing anti-religious books anymore and has "given up" on sharing his controversial opinions on Twitter.
In an interview with BBC News regarding the 40th anniversary of his book The Selfish Gene, Dawkins was asked about his criticism of religion, and whether his 2006 bestseller The God Delusion might have been a "step too far."
"I've stepped back," Dawkins said in response. "I haven't written any more books along those lines. The God Delusion is a one-off. Not one that I'm ashamed of; I'm very proud of it. But it's a one-off."
However, he added that he stands by his earlier criticisms of various religions and encouraged others to join the conversation.
"It's important to [be involved in those debates]. I think scientists need to get involved in that kind of thing," he told BBC.
The 75-year-old evolutionist added, "Religion is not really a field that you can have. It's a non-field. And insofar as religion makes claims in the area of science - which it does, because it talks about creation, it talks about the nature of the universe, it talks about the nature of life - to that extent, all scientists should be involved in it."
Dawkins, who has routinely come under fire for controversial comments he made on social media, revealed that his active Twitter account is now run by some of his staff members at his Foundation for Reason and Science.
"I occasionally ask them to post something, which they do, but I've given up doing it myself," he revealed.
In a separate interview with The Times, Dawkins argued that the liberal media is far too worried about being viewed as racist, and slammed the "absurd double standard" in the Western world where people are more anxious about attacking Islam than Christianity.
"People are terrified of being thought racist," he said. "There's an awful confusion in many people's minds. They think Islam is a race, which of course it isn't."
"If you're seen to criticize Islam you are often accused of racism, which is absurd," he added. "I'm all for offending people's religion. I think it should be offended at every opportunity."
Dawkins also said "Islamophobia" is a "non-word" and argued that refugees from Syria and Iraq, who have turned from Islam, should be prioritized in the immigration system.
"In the case of immigrants from Syria and Iraq I would like to see special preference given to apostates, people who have given up Islam," he said. "They are in particular danger."
