Dawkins is not widely respected in the field of theology/philosophy. That is quite true. There have been lots of eminent atheists who have been respected over the years. But he ain't one.
"As to his animus towards religions he sees them as the cause of much ignorance, superstition, and violence in the world. In his view such myths are no longer needed because we now have a far greater understanding of science."
The trouble with Dawkins is that his ideas of religion are based on gross characateurs that are not recognised by the majority of religious people! He also sets up this charming dichotomy of religion=good and science=bad. Well, religion didn't invent the atom bomb and it isn't religion that is leeching the world of it's resources. It isn't religion that is destroying our immune systems and planet. Science invented the internet - does that mean it invented those millions of child porn sites too? But while we accept that the following statement is silly: "OMG - we must get rid of science! It's come up with so many ways for humans to abuse and destroy themselves!" We somehow feel it's okay and pick and choose the bad parts of religious history as being the legacy that religion has left us with.
"Dawkins, along with other scientists and philosophers is attempting to encourage the human race to grow up and put away its childish beliefs in Big Sky Daddies!"
Ah, you see, this is the crux of the problem with Dawkins. What religious person would recognise this term? Of course - if you distill religious belief into the crudest elements of it's doctrines then you will come up with a ghastly 'big sky daddy' but then you are guilty of a blind reductionism and setting up a straw man. I'm a religious person and I'd love people to grow up away from beliefs in big sky daddies too! But for Dawkins this means become an atheist. For me it would be embracing a more generous interpretation of divinity. Just because the Big Sky Daddies don't exist, doesn't mean that the universe is without spirituality and the divine.
"When, and why, did atheism become such a public bete noir?"
Well I think the 'new wave' of atheists are not really helping themselves, which is a great shame. If only they were respectful and tolerant, then they could achieve much more. FGS they aren't even funny - their humour relies on humuliating people that they see as the shared enemy. Ho ho ho. There is no reason that inspired atheists could engage with people from multi-faith backgrounds in order to pursue agendas for positive social change. I've not met any thoughtful person who wants creationism in schools! But setting themselves as the enemy to theists prevents such dialogue and mutual engagement. Shame.
In the last couple of years there have been several occasions when my CHILDREN have been heckled by the children of "hardline atheist" chums, who basically take the piss out of their beliefs. They've been told "God doesn't exist, it's all a lie!" by 6 year olds, who have been encouraged by their parents to say such things. WHY on earth would anyone do that? It makes me want to cry. This is my culture, my heritage, it is something I want them to be proud of and to gain from. I want them to feel the peace and sense of homecoming that I do when I enter a church. Of course if they reject it all - that's absolutely FINE. But surely I have the right to teach them and bring them up as I see fit, without making them a target for bullies who want to sabotage my attempts to share the joy of my culture with them?