The British scientist was appearing on a live TV chat show in the United States when he blasted "to hell with their culture" when referring to some practices in Islam, such as women being made to wear burkhas.
Dawkins was appearing on the Bill Maher's HBO show and the pair were debating regressive liberals and, in particular, universities banning those with extreme views from giving lectures.
The conversation turned to Islam when Dawkins criticised those afraid to confront the religion on some of its extreme practices, saying the religion was being given a "free pass".
The 74-year-old said: "There's this notion Islam and Muslims are this protected species.
"That if we talk about them at all or criticise at all, it's somehow hurting or humiliating Muslims. It's a ridiculous idea."
Host Maher then added liberals should protect those who are being repressed regardless of who it offends.
He went on to say this includes women forced to wear religious clothing, which led to Dawkins extraordinary comment.
Maher said: "We're on the side of the women's movement and poor and minorities and whatever. Gay people, the disabled, the abused, whatever Caitlyn (Jenner) is up to. We're all for it.
"And they (liberals) applaud that but if you say something about a woman being forced to wear a beekeeper suit in the hot sun all day…"
Dawkins then took over saying: "But that's 'their culture' and you have to accept it. It's the one exception. Liberal about everything but this one exception, 'it's their culture'.
"Well, to hell with their culture." Read on and comment » | John Worthing | Friday, November 27, 2015
