Atheist Richard Dawkins Defends Donald Trump's Freedom of Speech

Well-known atheist Richard Dawkins has recently spoken out regarding 2016 presidential hopeful Donald Trump, saying that although he does not agree with the real estate mogul's politics, he does approve of free speech.

Dawkins recently took to his Twitter profile to announce that he had accidentally voiced his support for a U.K.-based petition calling for Trump to be banned from entering the European country based on recent comments he made regarding Muslims in the U.S.

Dawkins, an outspoken atheist, took to his Twitter account to say that although he does not agree with Trump's views, he believes the presidential hopeful has a right to free speech.

"I mistakenly RTd the petition to ban Trump from UK, & I swiftly corrected it. Horrible though his views are, free speech is more important," Dawkins tweeted this week.

Trump has received a rash of criticism after he recently suggested that all Muslims be banned from entering the United States. His comments came after 14 people were killed when Muslim extremists opened fire on a Christmas party in San Bernardino, California two weeks ago.

As of Wednesday, the petition calling for Trump's ban reportedly surpassed 370,000 signatures.

"The UK has banned entry to many individuals for hate speech. The same principles should apply to everyone who wishes to enter the UK," the petition states.

"If the United Kingdom is to continue applying the 'unacceptable behaviour' criteria to those who wish to enter its borders, it must be fairly applied to the rich as well as poor, and the weak as well as powerful," the petition adds.