Prominent atheist biological scientist Richard Dawkins has sparked a huge row on Twitter after comparing certain types of rape and paedophilia as “worse” or milder than others.

Mr Dawkins wrote on his Twitter account earlier today that "date rape is bad" and "stranger rape at knifepoint is worse" and contrasted "mild" paedophilia with "violent" paedophilia.

The God Delusion writer has defended his comments by emphasising the fact that they are an example of a "syllogism" - logical argument where the comparisons do not infer any endorsement of either.

After starting the discussion using X and Y, he went on to other examples.

Date rape is bad. Stranger rape at knifepoint is worse. If you think that's an endorsement of date rape, go away and learn how to think.

— Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) July 29, 2014

 Some commenters have lambasted Mr Dawkins, replying: "Go away and learn compassion”, with another writing: “So helpful! Maybe he could make a list ranking types of rape from worst to least worst?” and accusing him of being “a danger to women.”