11 replies to this topic

[dimasok]

Watch it here:
http://video.google....689&q=god&hl=en

My comments:
Dawkins renounces religion, while being a missionary for atheism himself... Religion isn't bad, fanticism is. And Dawkins got plenty.

IMHO, it's wrong to be a missionary of either religion or atheism BUT atheism isn't dangerous nowadays, whilst religion (that is to say fanatic religion and those people there were fanatics) is. Atheist are not fighting for their territory attempting to expurge Jews or Muslims for whatever reason, and that's why the current state of affairs is hazardous. Islamification, Christianification or Judafication? Atheification I say, because that holds no potential threats (and no, history is history and besides Stalin or whoever else you'd want to mention wasn't fighting anything due to the "lack fo God" or for any reason that could be considered remotely close to religious, we're talking about the here & now). Religion isn't bad per se, but "eyes forming by accident" or "the universe is 10,000 years old" or "men should watch out for how their women dress" or "you called my children animals" - all of that is terribly outdated and hysterically funny.

What do you guys think?

[basho]

I say Dawkins is making a stand against the increasing negative influence of religion in Western society. Too many scientists try to play nice with religion, and that tactic is not only not effective, it is intellectually dishonest. Sometimes you need to draw a line in the sand and say it like it is. Dawkins does that.

[zoolander]

Thanks for the link dimasok. I really enjoyed watching the presentation

[Live Forever]

I have seen some other videos of Dawkins. Like the lecture he gave, where there were some people from the nearby Liberty "University" (university in quotes because it is a religious brainwashing school) that was started by Jerry Falwell come at the end and ask him questions.

(part 1)
(part 2)

[dimasok]

Read this great article here guys:
http://www.nytimes.c...agewanted=print

[JonesGuy]

I have seen some other videos of Dawkins. Like the lecture he gave, where there were some people from the nearby Liberty "University" (university in quotes because it is a religious brainwashing school) that was started by Jerry Falwell come at the end and ask him questions.

(part 1)
(part 2)

I watched the second video, because I was interested in the questions.

What I found interesting is how stunningly simple the questions (from the theists) were. They all had immediate and obvious answers. To me, it shows how little is known about the mindset of the people 'across the isle' in the religion debate.

[Karomesis]

Religion isn't bad, fanticism is.

wrong.

both are bad, as both encompass delusional falsehoods.


basically lies are never "right" they are always wrong...period. [mellow]

I may take great pleasure in telling you that flourescent unicorns will bring me to the next imminst gathering, but I can safely assume you'd think me mad for such a statement. As all religious people should be considered....mad.

[Live Forever]

I have seen some other videos of Dawkins. Like the lecture he gave, where there were some people from the nearby Liberty "University" (university in quotes because it is a religious brainwashing school) that was started by Jerry Falwell come at the end and ask him questions.

(part 1)
(part 2)

I watched the second video, because I was interested in the questions.

What I found interesting is how stunningly simple the questions (from the theists) were. They all had immediate and obvious answers. To me, it shows how little is known about the mindset of the people 'across the isle' in the religion debate.

This is a quite astute observation. When I first watched it, I had the same reaction. Dawkins seemed to totally dismantle all of the questions posed to him. I don't know if the simple questions were because of the caliber of the people at the debate or the caliber of people in general in religion, but it is an interesting question to explore, no doubt.

[Aegist]

I think Dawkins' 'Fanaticism' as you call it is spot on the mark and in no way a negative thing.

I have loved Dawkins' books for many years now, and I subscribe whole heartedly to his selfish gene theory of evolution. And this latest book of his is spot on the mark: Religion is hurting our world, and it is time we stop dancing around the fact that people who believe in this rubbish are simply nuts.

His arguments are undeniable. I dare anyone to try to argue against it.

[JonesGuy]

basically lies are never "right" they are always wrong...period. [mellow]

This mindset makes a good rule of thumb, but it's not always true. The placebo effect, for example, creates a great deal of benefit in the world. I don't know how much beneficial placebo effect exists due to religion, but I don't think it's zero.

[damen]

Geat Videos
I realy like what Dawkins said in the first video that in realigion you dont think, you do only what the book says and what is now writen in the book is a lie

[Aegist]

I thought it was very revealing when he spoke to the Ex-Jewish muslim. He thought he would be receptive, but the first thing he did was prove the very point Dawkins was trying to get him to explore with him as a neutral.

Dawkins mentions how he doesn't get all of the Hate the religious people have, then the guy replies with "You know what I hate about you atheists..." etc. I was ready for this fool to get up and start hitting richard just from an unfounded prejudice. Not to mention the "you should dress your women properly..." BS.



BTW, the original film clip isn't "The God Delusion" which is Dawkins' most recent book, the first clip in this thread is "The Root Of All Evil?" which was a BBC production documentary.