Some people have a less than positive opinion of Richard Dawkins. He is regularly portrayed in the media as a know-it-all pedantic and pushy person, who positions himself as a rabid anti-religion crusader. So when I first read a critic on the book “The God Delusion” a while ago, I was quite put off.
The reason was not the godlessness of mister Dawkins, but the remark that he was over shouting himself ‘again’ in this book. “Yes Richard, we know it already!” was the tone of the review. And since I had just read some other books of his, I thought that I could do without this one.
I was wrong. Now, some months later (or is it even 1,5 years…?) I did read the book and I am almost tempted to write mister Dawkins a letter, carrying my humble compliments for his amazingly readable book. It had me riveted to its pages for a very pleasant while. Sadly, not for a long while, because I flew through the book as if it were the triple-X rated version of the “Decamerone”.
This letter probably won’t happen. But who knows, maybe mister Dawkins does some I-net profiling on himself every now and then, so he just might stumble upon this posting and read it. The idea is glamorous to say the least.
I must admit that the book is “Gefundenes Fressen” for me, because I trust anyone with a strong religious disposition as far as I can throw him (or her). And for those who are suffering from a mild form of this psychotic delusion I feel mainly pity, and I used to ask myself why these people never grew out of the fairy-tale phase of their lives. But after reading this book, it is no longer a question for me, because Dawkins does explain why religion evolved into human nature. According to him, it is a by-product of something else. Read the book if you want to know what exactly.
The by-product thought is very plausible indeed, Richard. Since I would not dream of countering your insight on this – or anything else hinging on Darwin and Evolution for that matter – I incline to accept your analysis face value.
Or maybe not. I might try to find another explanation, one to also satisfy my sentimental urge to slam-dunk religion into a very deep trash bin. Why? Because there are so many reasons why humanity would be better off without it. If the book recapitulates something very clearly, then it is the terrible pain and suffering – in huge amounts – on this planet, caused by faith.
In times like these, when religious zealots hog the headlines in the newspapers with their useless assaults, their indiscriminate bombs which kill combatants and children alike, their stupid wars and their cringing intolerance, one could almost forget that those who we see as moderate believers should be kept an eye on as well. They perpetually populate the confessional political parties which have a steady foothold in our parliaments and governments. They are all over the place.
God still firmly sits in our state, so to speak, which means that the silliness attached to this phenomenon hasn’t vanished either. If I imagine that people, who adhere to the scriptures of one of the big three*, are poking their noses in the laws and the governments of our countries, it sends shivers down my spine. Shivers of disgust, because the scriptures I am referring to are out of bounds to my children for being too violent and too stupid to be true (literally). They definitely set a very bad example for a growing up youth.
It is clear to me that my audience could be insulted by my strong rejection of their gods. I used to care about that because I thought that ones religion should be accepted as a personal choice, immune to my opinions on the subject. However, Dawkins drove this notion successfully into the ground. One important new thing I learned from him is to ask the question as to why religion should actually be exempt from critical thinking. Religion is often not personal at all but heavily flaunted and forced down the throats of entire nations (and their innocent kids) instead. So if that is the case, then questioning its “explanatory value” for the world we live in OR its right to serve as the basis for our states, laws or cultures, is fully justified.
Be warned, my fellow planeteers of religious plumage! I am no longer protecting your willingness to believe in fairy tales. The consequences are to big; there is too much at stake. I think that the world would be a lot better off without gods, and that is the position I will actively propagate.
To wrap things up: god does not exist anyway. If you want to know why, this BLOG entry of mister Dawkins explains it very well. Take it to heart. And if you do find your way out of your god-delusion – that is, if you currently are in one – then I hereby give you a very warm Welcome To The Real World! Take it from me, it will be a true liberation.
*) Judaism, Christianity and Islam, in order of appearance on the world stage.
