Yes, Dawkins can be considered a missionary. And a zealous one at that. Not all religious missionaries ultimately want your money. Some are just so convinced about their one and only one truth and it makes them blind and deaf.
I don’t believe in missionary endeavors whether it’s about spreading atheism, any religious faith or any other worldview. Even trying to spread democracy (especially by force) doesn’t really work.
It’s like pushing a knight from his horse shoving him into a BMW telling him to hit the road. What road? Where are the highways? Not built yet. Too bad. No driver’s licenses either. Oh, you haven’t thought about that, Mr. Bush. You should, actually, before boarding Air Force One spreading democracy around the world.
Now the story is completely different if a knight sold his horse, got electricity installed in his castle, went online using a broadband connection and asked: Where do I buy a BMW and how much is a driver’s license?
I think that’s the approach Barack Obama takes.
And it should be the approach of atheists and believers too. They should let all other people make their own decisions.