Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

The God Delusion

2007-09-22T22:39:04Z

Imperatoromnium: /* Brief Summary */

''The God Delusion'' is a book by prominent [[atheist]] [[Richard Dawkins]]. Dawkins' website describes it:
<blockquote>"A preeminent scientist – and the world's most prominent atheist – asserts the irrationality of belief in God and the grievous harm religion has inflicted on society, from the Crusades to 9/11."</blockquote>

''The God Delusion'', by [[Richard Dawkins]] was written to persuade religious people to "de"-convert from their relgions to atheism, and to strengthen the convictions of any atheists who may also read it. It has been a ''New York Times'' bestseller for nearly a year.

==Brief Summary==
===Chapter 1: A Deeply Religious Non-Believer===
In chapter 1, Dawkins attempts to establish Einstein as nonreligious, and he tries to prove that religion is unworthy of respect.

===Chapter 2: The God Hypothesis===
In chapter 2, Dawkins explains the different kinds of religion (Monotheism, Polytheism). He also asserts that the founding fathers of the USA were nonreligious. He continues to explain Secularism, Agnosticism, and some basic assertions of the religious.

===Chapter 3: Arguments for God's Existence===
In chapter 3, Dawkins summarizes some common proofs for God and attempts to debunk them.

===Chapter 4: Why There Almost Certainly is No God===
In chapter 4, Dawkins gives his reasons for believing that God is about as likely as fairies living under his garden.

===Chapter 5: The Roots of Religion===
In chapter 5, Dawkins gives and explains some thoughts about the origins of religion that have been proposed by atheists.

===Chapter 6: The Roots of Morality: Why are We Good?===
In chapter 6, Dawkins explains why he believes that morality evolved.

===Chapter 7: The 'Good' Book and the Changing [[Moral Zeitgeist]]===
In chapter 7, Dawkins suggests that morality does not come from religion, but rather a changing moral ''Zeitgeist''.

===Chapter 8: What's Wrong With Religion? Why Be So Hostile?===
In chapter 8, Dawkins shows why he believes that religion is evil and repressive.

===Chapter 9: Childhood, Abuse and the Escape from Relgion===
In chapter 9, Dawkins explains why he believes that religion is child abuse, and that the scars from the "indoctrination" last into adulthood and even the child's entire life.

===Chapter 10: A Much Needed Gap?===
In chapter 10, Dawkins concludes his book on a more positive level, giving inspiration to those whom he may have convinced to "de"-convert from their religion.

==Intentions==
In his book, Dawkins' main objectives are to convince his readers that the existence of [[God]] or any other [[deity]] is highly unlikely, the Bible is incoherent, morality does not come from religion, and that if religion does effect morality, it only makes people worse. He also intends to teach that atheists can live happy, intelligent, lives (perhaps even happier lives than religious people). It asserts that atheists do not do evil things in the name of [[atheism]], while [[religion|religious]] people have been known to commit atrocities in the name of their religion.

==Criticism==
''The God Delusion'' has been subject to a great deal of criticisms from the religious and the non-religious alike.

===Andrew Brown: Prospect Magazine===
<blockquote>
"It has been obvious for years that Richard Dawkins had a fat book on religion in him, but who would have thought him capable of writing one this bad? Incurious, dogmatic, rambling and self-contradictory, it has none of the style or verve of his earlier works."<ref>http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=7803</ref>
</blockquote>
Andrew Brown of Prospect Magazine was unimpressed by Dawkins' book. Brown calls atheism "unnatural" and points out that many atheists were violent in their belief (or lack thereof), citing Stalin killing members of the clergy.

Brown also attacks Dawkins' argument that suicide bombers are caused by religious schools. While Dawkins states that if these children were not taught what he calls "faith without question", suicide bombings would not be an issue. Brown, however, says that religion is not a necessity in suicide bombings. He points out that it is a tactic used by Marxists in Sri Lankav.

===Marilynne Robinson: Harper's Magazine===
<blockquote>
"There is a pervasive exclusion of historical memory in Dawkins's view of science. Consider this sentence from his preface, which occurs in the context of his vision of a religion-free world: 'Imagine . . . no persecution of Jews as 'Christ-killers.'"<ref>http://solutions.synearth.net/2006/10/20</ref>
</blockquote>

Robinson's major complaints about ''The God Delusion'' lie in how sheerly false the book is in many aspects. Although Dawkins claims that "the majority of us believe in free speech", she points out that most countries do not, pointing out that [[China]] (population 1.3 billion<ref>http://geography.about.com/od/populationgeography/a/chinapopulation.htm</ref>) does not. In her review, Robinson basically says that Dawkins purposefully ignored important parts of history in his attempt to convince his readers. "It's a shame," she says, "to see him reduced to one long argument from professorial incredulity."

===Terry Eagleton: London Review of Books===
<blockquote>
"Card-carrying rationalists like Dawkins [...] are in one sense the least well-equipped to understand what they castigate, since they don’t believe there is anything there to be understood, or at least anything worth understanding."
</blockquote>

===Alister McGrath: The Dawkins Delusion?===
''The Dawkins Delusion?'' is a response to Dawkins' ''The God Delusion''.

== Quotes from ''The God Delusion'' ==
"The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully." Chapter 2

"I am one of an increasing number of biologists who see religion as a ''by-product'' of something else." Chapter 5

"By contrast, what I, as a scientist, believe (for example, [[evolution]]) I believe not because of reading a holy book but because I have studied the evidence... Books about evolution are believed because they present overwhelming quantities of mutually buttressed evidence." Chapter 8

"... [Moral absolutism] rules the minds of a great number of people in the world today, most dangeriously so in the Muslim world and in the incipient American theocracy... Such absolutism nearly always results from strong religious faith, and it constitutes a major reason for suggesting that religion can be a force for evil in the world." Chapter 8

== Sources ==
<references/>

[http://www.richarddawkins.net www.richarddawkins.net]

''The God Delusion'', by [[Richard Dawkins]]

[[category:Books]]
[[category:Atheism]]

The God Delusion

2007-09-22T22:34:43Z

Imperatoromnium: /* Sources */

''The God Delusion'' is a book by prominent [[atheist]] [[Richard Dawkins]]. Dawkins' website describes it:
<blockquote>"A preeminent scientist – and the world's most prominent atheist – asserts the irrationality of belief in God and the grievous harm religion has inflicted on society, from the Crusades to 9/11."</blockquote>

''The God Delusion'', by [[Richard Dawkins]] was written to persuade religious people to "de"-convert from their relgions to atheism, and to strengthen the convictions of any atheists who may also read it. It has been a ''New York Times'' bestseller for nearly a year.

==Brief Summary==
===Chapter 1===
In chapter 1, Dawkins attempts to establish Einstein as nonreligious, and he tries to prove that religion is unworthy of respect.

===Chapter 2===
In chapter 2, Dawkins explains the different kinds of religion (Monotheism, Polytheism). He also asserts that the founding fathers of the USA were nonreligious. He continues to explain Secularism, Agnosticism, and some basic assertions of the religious.

===Chapter 3===
In chapter 3, Dawkins summarizes some common proofs for God and attempts to debunk them.

===Chapter 4===
In chapter 4, Dawkins gives his reasons for believing that God is about as likely as fairies living under his garden.

===Chapter 5===
In chapter 5, Dawkins gives and explains some thoughts about the origins of religion that have been proposed by atheists.

===Chapter 6===
In chapter 6, Dawkins explains why he believes that morality evolved.

===Chapter 7===
In chapter 7, Dawkins suggests that morality does not come from religion, but rather a changing [[Moral Zeitgeist]].

===Chapter 8===
In chapter 8, Dawkins shows why he believes that religion is evil and repressive.

===Chapter 9===
In chapter 9, Dawkins explains why he believes that religion is child abuse, and that the scars from the "indoctrination" last into adulthood and even the child's entire life.

===Chapter 10===
In chapter 10, Dawkins concludes his book on a more positive level, giving inspiration to those whom he may have convinced to "de"-convert from their religion.

==Intentions==
In his book, Dawkins' main objectives are to convince his readers that the existence of [[God]] or any other [[deity]] is highly unlikely, the Bible is incoherent, morality does not come from religion, and that if religion does effect morality, it only makes people worse. He also intends to teach that atheists can live happy, intelligent, lives (perhaps even happier lives than religious people). It asserts that atheists do not do evil things in the name of [[atheism]], while [[religion|religious]] people have been known to commit atrocities in the name of their religion.

==Criticism==
''The God Delusion'' has been subject to a great deal of criticisms from the religious and the non-religious alike.

===Andrew Brown: Prospect Magazine===
<blockquote>
"It has been obvious for years that Richard Dawkins had a fat book on religion in him, but who would have thought him capable of writing one this bad? Incurious, dogmatic, rambling and self-contradictory, it has none of the style or verve of his earlier works."<ref>http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=7803</ref>
</blockquote>
Andrew Brown of Prospect Magazine was unimpressed by Dawkins' book. Brown calls atheism "unnatural" and points out that many atheists were violent in their belief (or lack thereof), citing Stalin killing members of the clergy.

Brown also attacks Dawkins' argument that suicide bombers are caused by religious schools. While Dawkins states that if these children were not taught what he calls "faith without question", suicide bombings would not be an issue. Brown, however, says that religion is not a necessity in suicide bombings. He points out that it is a tactic used by Marxists in Sri Lankav.

===Marilynne Robinson: Harper's Magazine===
<blockquote>
"There is a pervasive exclusion of historical memory in Dawkins's view of science. Consider this sentence from his preface, which occurs in the context of his vision of a religion-free world: 'Imagine . . . no persecution of Jews as 'Christ-killers.'"<ref>http://solutions.synearth.net/2006/10/20</ref>
</blockquote>

Robinson's major complaints about ''The God Delusion'' lie in how sheerly false the book is in many aspects. Although Dawkins claims that "the majority of us believe in free speech", she points out that most countries do not, pointing out that [[China]] (population 1.3 billion<ref>http://geography.about.com/od/populationgeography/a/chinapopulation.htm</ref>) does not. In her review, Robinson basically says that Dawkins purposefully ignored important parts of history in his attempt to convince his readers. "It's a shame," she says, "to see him reduced to one long argument from professorial incredulity."

===Terry Eagleton: London Review of Books===
<blockquote>
"Card-carrying rationalists like Dawkins [...] are in one sense the least well-equipped to understand what they castigate, since they don’t believe there is anything there to be understood, or at least anything worth understanding."
</blockquote>

===Alister McGrath: The Dawkins Delusion?===
''The Dawkins Delusion?'' is a response to Dawkins' ''The God Delusion''.

== Quotes from ''The God Delusion'' ==
"The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully." Chapter 2

"I am one of an increasing number of biologists who see religion as a ''by-product'' of something else." Chapter 5

"By contrast, what I, as a scientist, believe (for example, [[evolution]]) I believe not because of reading a holy book but because I have studied the evidence... Books about evolution are believed because they present overwhelming quantities of mutually buttressed evidence." Chapter 8

"... [Moral absolutism] rules the minds of a great number of people in the world today, most dangeriously so in the Muslim world and in the incipient American theocracy... Such absolutism nearly always results from strong religious faith, and it constitutes a major reason for suggesting that religion can be a force for evil in the world." Chapter 8

== Sources ==
<references/>

[http://www.richarddawkins.net www.richarddawkins.net]

''The God Delusion'', by [[Richard Dawkins]]

[[category:Books]]
[[category:Atheism]]

The God Delusion

2007-09-22T22:14:29Z

Imperatoromnium: /* The Dawkins Delusion?, by Alister McGrath */

''The God Delusion'' is a book by prominent [[atheist]] [[Richard Dawkins]]. Dawkins' website describes it:
<blockquote>"A preeminent scientist – and the world's most prominent atheist – asserts the irrationality of belief in God and the grievous harm religion has inflicted on society, from the Crusades to 9/11."</blockquote>

''The God Delusion'', by [[Richard Dawkins]] was written to persuade religious people to "de"-convert from their relgions to atheism, and to strengthen the convictions of any atheists who may also read it. It has been a ''New York Times'' bestseller for nearly a year.

==Brief Summary==
===Chapter 1===
In chapter 1, Dawkins attempts to establish Einstein as nonreligious, and he tries to prove that religion is unworthy of respect.

===Chapter 2===
In chapter 2, Dawkins explains the different kinds of religion (Monotheism, Polytheism). He also asserts that the founding fathers of the USA were nonreligious. He continues to explain Secularism, Agnosticism, and some basic assertions of the religious.

===Chapter 3===
In chapter 3, Dawkins summarizes some common proofs for God and attempts to debunk them.

===Chapter 4===
In chapter 4, Dawkins gives his reasons for believing that God is about as likely as fairies living under his garden.

===Chapter 5===
In chapter 5, Dawkins gives and explains some thoughts about the origins of religion that have been proposed by atheists.

===Chapter 6===
In chapter 6, Dawkins explains why he believes that morality evolved.

===Chapter 7===
In chapter 7, Dawkins suggests that morality does not come from religion, but rather a changing [[Moral Zeitgeist]].

===Chapter 8===
In chapter 8, Dawkins shows why he believes that religion is evil and repressive.

===Chapter 9===
In chapter 9, Dawkins explains why he believes that religion is child abuse, and that the scars from the "indoctrination" last into adulthood and even the child's entire life.

===Chapter 10===
In chapter 10, Dawkins concludes his book on a more positive level, giving inspiration to those whom he may have convinced to "de"-convert from their religion.

==Intentions==
In his book, Dawkins' main objectives are to convince his readers that the existence of [[God]] or any other [[deity]] is highly unlikely, the Bible is incoherent, morality does not come from religion, and that if religion does effect morality, it only makes people worse. He also intends to teach that atheists can live happy, intelligent, lives (perhaps even happier lives than religious people). It asserts that atheists do not do evil things in the name of [[atheism]], while [[religion|religious]] people have been known to commit atrocities in the name of their religion.

==Criticism==
''The God Delusion'' has been subject to a great deal of criticisms from the religious and the non-religious alike.

===Andrew Brown: Prospect Magazine===
<blockquote>
"It has been obvious for years that Richard Dawkins had a fat book on religion in him, but who would have thought him capable of writing one this bad? Incurious, dogmatic, rambling and self-contradictory, it has none of the style or verve of his earlier works."<ref>http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=7803</ref>
</blockquote>
Andrew Brown of Prospect Magazine was unimpressed by Dawkins' book. Brown calls atheism "unnatural" and points out that many atheists were violent in their belief (or lack thereof), citing Stalin killing members of the clergy.

Brown also attacks Dawkins' argument that suicide bombers are caused by religious schools. While Dawkins states that if these children were not taught what he calls "faith without question", suicide bombings would not be an issue. Brown, however, says that religion is not a necessity in suicide bombings. He points out that it is a tactic used by Marxists in Sri Lankav.

===Marilynne Robinson: Harper's Magazine===
<blockquote>
"There is a pervasive exclusion of historical memory in Dawkins's view of science. Consider this sentence from his preface, which occurs in the context of his vision of a religion-free world: 'Imagine . . . no persecution of Jews as 'Christ-killers.'"<ref>http://solutions.synearth.net/2006/10/20</ref>
</blockquote>

Robinson's major complaints about ''The God Delusion'' lie in how sheerly false the book is in many aspects. Although Dawkins claims that "the majority of us believe in free speech", she points out that most countries do not, pointing out that [[China]] (population 1.3 billion<ref>http://geography.about.com/od/populationgeography/a/chinapopulation.htm</ref>) does not. In her review, Robinson basically says that Dawkins purposefully ignored important parts of history in his attempt to convince his readers. "It's a shame," she says, "to see him reduced to one long argument from professorial incredulity."

===Terry Eagleton: London Review of Books===
<blockquote>
"Card-carrying rationalists like Dawkins [...] are in one sense the least well-equipped to understand what they castigate, since they don’t believe there is anything there to be understood, or at least anything worth understanding."
</blockquote>

===Alister McGrath: The Dawkins Delusion?===
''The Dawkins Delusion?'' is a response to Dawkins' ''The God Delusion''.

== Sources ==
<references/>

[http://www.richarddawkins.net www.richarddawkins.net]

''The God Delusion'', by [[Richard Dawkins]]

[[category:Books]]
[[category:Atheism]]

The God Delusion

2007-09-22T22:13:43Z

Imperatoromnium: /* Terry Eagleton: London Review of Books */

''The God Delusion'' is a book by prominent [[atheist]] [[Richard Dawkins]]. Dawkins' website describes it:
<blockquote>"A preeminent scientist – and the world's most prominent atheist – asserts the irrationality of belief in God and the grievous harm religion has inflicted on society, from the Crusades to 9/11."</blockquote>

''The God Delusion'', by [[Richard Dawkins]] was written to persuade religious people to "de"-convert from their relgions to atheism, and to strengthen the convictions of any atheists who may also read it. It has been a ''New York Times'' bestseller for nearly a year.

==Brief Summary==
===Chapter 1===
In chapter 1, Dawkins attempts to establish Einstein as nonreligious, and he tries to prove that religion is unworthy of respect.

===Chapter 2===
In chapter 2, Dawkins explains the different kinds of religion (Monotheism, Polytheism). He also asserts that the founding fathers of the USA were nonreligious. He continues to explain Secularism, Agnosticism, and some basic assertions of the religious.

===Chapter 3===
In chapter 3, Dawkins summarizes some common proofs for God and attempts to debunk them.

===Chapter 4===
In chapter 4, Dawkins gives his reasons for believing that God is about as likely as fairies living under his garden.

===Chapter 5===
In chapter 5, Dawkins gives and explains some thoughts about the origins of religion that have been proposed by atheists.

===Chapter 6===
In chapter 6, Dawkins explains why he believes that morality evolved.

===Chapter 7===
In chapter 7, Dawkins suggests that morality does not come from religion, but rather a changing [[Moral Zeitgeist]].

===Chapter 8===
In chapter 8, Dawkins shows why he believes that religion is evil and repressive.

===Chapter 9===
In chapter 9, Dawkins explains why he believes that religion is child abuse, and that the scars from the "indoctrination" last into adulthood and even the child's entire life.

===Chapter 10===
In chapter 10, Dawkins concludes his book on a more positive level, giving inspiration to those whom he may have convinced to "de"-convert from their religion.

==Intentions==
In his book, Dawkins' main objectives are to convince his readers that the existence of [[God]] or any other [[deity]] is highly unlikely, the Bible is incoherent, morality does not come from religion, and that if religion does effect morality, it only makes people worse. He also intends to teach that atheists can live happy, intelligent, lives (perhaps even happier lives than religious people). It asserts that atheists do not do evil things in the name of [[atheism]], while [[religion|religious]] people have been known to commit atrocities in the name of their religion.

==Criticism==
''The God Delusion'' has been subject to a great deal of criticisms from the religious and the non-religious alike.

===Andrew Brown: Prospect Magazine===
<blockquote>
"It has been obvious for years that Richard Dawkins had a fat book on religion in him, but who would have thought him capable of writing one this bad? Incurious, dogmatic, rambling and self-contradictory, it has none of the style or verve of his earlier works."<ref>http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=7803</ref>
</blockquote>
Andrew Brown of Prospect Magazine was unimpressed by Dawkins' book. Brown calls atheism "unnatural" and points out that many atheists were violent in their belief (or lack thereof), citing Stalin killing members of the clergy.

Brown also attacks Dawkins' argument that suicide bombers are caused by religious schools. While Dawkins states that if these children were not taught what he calls "faith without question", suicide bombings would not be an issue. Brown, however, says that religion is not a necessity in suicide bombings. He points out that it is a tactic used by Marxists in Sri Lankav.

===Marilynne Robinson: Harper's Magazine===
<blockquote>
"There is a pervasive exclusion of historical memory in Dawkins's view of science. Consider this sentence from his preface, which occurs in the context of his vision of a religion-free world: 'Imagine . . . no persecution of Jews as 'Christ-killers.'"<ref>http://solutions.synearth.net/2006/10/20</ref>
</blockquote>

Robinson's major complaints about ''The God Delusion'' lie in how sheerly false the book is in many aspects. Although Dawkins claims that "the majority of us believe in free speech", she points out that most countries do not, pointing out that [[China]] (population 1.3 billion<ref>http://geography.about.com/od/populationgeography/a/chinapopulation.htm</ref>) does not. In her review, Robinson basically says that Dawkins purposefully ignored important parts of history in his attempt to convince his readers. "It's a shame," she says, "to see him reduced to one long argument from professorial incredulity."

===Terry Eagleton: London Review of Books===
<blockquote>
"Card-carrying rationalists like Dawkins [...] are in one sense the least well-equipped to understand what they castigate, since they don’t believe there is anything there to be understood, or at least anything worth understanding."
</blockquote>

===The Dawkins Delusion?, by Alister McGrath===
''The Dawkins Delusion?'' is a response to Dawkins' ''The God Delusion''.

== Sources ==
<references/>

[http://www.richarddawkins.net www.richarddawkins.net]

''The God Delusion'', by [[Richard Dawkins]]

[[category:Books]]
[[category:Atheism]]

The God Delusion

2007-09-22T19:02:36Z

Imperatoromnium: /* Sources */

''The God Delusion'' is a book by prominent [[atheist]] [[Richard Dawkins]]. Dawkins' website describes it:
<blockquote>"A preeminent scientist – and the world's most prominent atheist – asserts the irrationality of belief in God and the grievous harm religion has inflicted on society, from the Crusades to 9/11."</blockquote>

''The God Delusion'', by [[Richard Dawkins]] was written to persuade religious people to "de"-convert from their relgions to atheism, and to strengthen the convictions of any atheists who may also read it. It has been a ''New York Times'' bestseller for nearly a year.

==Brief Summary==
===Chapter 1===
In chapter 1, Dawkins attempts to establish Einstein as nonreligious, and he tries to prove that religion is unworthy of respect.

===Chapter 2===
In chapter 2, Dawkins explains the different kinds of religion (Monotheism, Polytheism). He also asserts that the founding fathers of the USA were nonreligious. He continues to explain Secularism, Agnosticism, and some basic assertions of the religious.

===Chapter 3===
In chapter 3, Dawkins summarizes some common proofs for God and attempts to debunk them.

===Chapter 4===
In chapter 4, Dawkins gives his reasons for believing that God is about as likely as fairies living under his garden.

===Chapter 5===
In chapter 5, Dawkins gives and explains some thoughts about the origins of religion that have been proposed by atheists.

===Chapter 6===
In chapter 6, Dawkins explains why he believes that morality evolved.

===Chapter 7===
In chapter 7, Dawkins suggests that morality does not come from religion, but rather a changing [[Moral Zeitgeist]].

===Chapter 8===
In chapter 8, Dawkins shows why he believes that religion is evil and repressive.

===Chapter 9===
In chapter 9, Dawkins explains why he believes that religion is child abuse, and that the scars from the "indoctrination" last into adulthood and even the child's entire life.

===Chapter 10===
In chapter 10, Dawkins concludes his book on a more positive level, giving inspiration to those whom he may have convinced to "de"-convert from their religion.

==Intentions==
In his book, Dawkins' main objectives are to convince his readers that the existence of [[God]] or any other [[deity]] is highly unlikely, the Bible is incoherent, morality does not come from religion, and that if religion does effect morality, it only makes people worse. He also intends to teach that atheists can live happy, intelligent, lives (perhaps even happier lives than religious people). It asserts that atheists do not do evil things in the name of [[atheism]], while [[religion|religious]] people have been known to commit atrocities in the name of their religion.

==Criticism==
''The God Delusion'' has been subject to a great deal of criticisms from the religious and the non-religious alike.

===Andrew Brown: Prospect Magazine===
<blockquote>
"It has been obvious for years that Richard Dawkins had a fat book on religion in him, but who would have thought him capable of writing one this bad? Incurious, dogmatic, rambling and self-contradictory, it has none of the style or verve of his earlier works."<ref>http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=7803</ref>
</blockquote>
Andrew Brown of Prospect Magazine was unimpressed by Dawkins' book. Brown calls atheism "unnatural" and points out that many atheists were violent in their belief (or lack thereof), citing Stalin killing members of the clergy.

Brown also attacks Dawkins' argument that suicide bombers are caused by religious schools. While Dawkins states that if these children were not taught what he calls "faith without question", suicide bombings would not be an issue. Brown, however, says that religion is not a necessity in suicide bombings. He points out that it is a tactic used by Marxists in Sri Lankav.

===Marilynne Robinson: Harper's Magazine===
<blockquote>
"There is a pervasive exclusion of historical memory in Dawkins's view of science. Consider this sentence from his preface, which occurs in the context of his vision of a religion-free world: 'Imagine . . . no persecution of Jews as 'Christ-killers.'"<ref>http://solutions.synearth.net/2006/10/20</ref>
</blockquote>

Robinson's major complaints about ''The God Delusion'' lie in how sheerly false the book is in many aspects. Although Dawkins claims that "the majority of us believe in free speech", she points out that most countries do not, pointing out that [[China]] (population 1.3 billion<ref>http://geography.about.com/od/populationgeography/a/chinapopulation.htm</ref>) does not. In her review, Robinson basically says that Dawkins purposefully ignored important parts of history in his attempt to convince his readers. "It's a shame," she says, "to see him reduced to one long argument from professorial incredulity."

===Terry Eagleton: London Review of Books===
<blockquote>
"Card-carrying rationalists like Dawkins [...] are in one sense the least well-equipped to understand what they castigate, since they don’t believe there is anything there to be understood, or at least anything worth understanding."
</blockquote>

== Sources ==
<references/>

[http://www.richarddawkins.net www.richarddawkins.net]

''The God Delusion'', by [[Richard Dawkins]]

[[category:Books]]
[[category:Atheism]]

The God Delusion

2007-09-22T02:10:24Z

Imperatoromnium: /* Intentions */

''The God Delusion'' is a book by prominent [[atheist]] [[Richard Dawkins]]. Dawkins' website describes it:
<blockquote>"A preeminent scientist – and the world's most prominent atheist – asserts the irrationality of belief in God and the grievous harm religion has inflicted on society, from the Crusades to 9/11."</blockquote>

''The God Delusion'', by [[Richard Dawkins]] was written to persuade religious people to "de"-convert from their relgions to atheism, and to strengthen the convictions of any atheists who may also read it. It has been a ''New York Times'' bestseller for nearly a year.

==Brief Summary==
===Chapter 1===
In chapter 1, Dawkins attempts to establish Einstein as nonreligious, and he tries to prove that religion is unworthy of respect.

===Chapter 2===
In chapter 2, Dawkins explains the different kinds of religion (Monotheism, Polytheism). He also explains that the founding fathers of the USA were nonreligious. He continues to explain Secularism, Agnosticism, and some basic assertions of the religious.

===Chapter 3===
In chapter 3, Dawkins summarizes some common proofs for God and attempts to debunk them.

===Chapter 4===
In chapter 4, Dawkins gives his reasons for believing that God is about as likely as fairies living under his garden.

===Chapter 5===
In chapter 5, Dawkins gives and explains some thoughts about the origins of religion that have been proposed by atheists.

===Chapter 6===
In chapter 6, Dawkins explains why he believes that morality evolved.

===Chapter 7===
In chapter 7, Dawkins suggests that morality does not come from religion, but rather a changing [[Moral Zeitgeist]].

===Chapter 8===
In chapter 8, Dawkins shows why he believes that religion is evil and repressive.

===Chapter 9===
In chapter 9, Dawkins explains why he believes that religion is child abuse, and that the scars from the "indoctrination" last into adulthood and even the child's entire life.

===Chapter 10===
In chapter 10, Dawkins concludes his book on a more positive level, giving inspiration to those whom he may have convinced to "de"-convert from their religion.

==Intentions==
In his book, Dawkins' main objectives are to convince his readers that the existence of [[God]] or any other [[deity]] is highly unlikely, the Bible is incoherent, morality does not come from religion, and that if religion does effect morality, it only makes people worse. He also intends to teach that atheists can live happy, intelligent, lives (perhaps even happier lives than religious people). It asserts that atheists do not do evil things in the name of [[atheism]], while [[religion|religious]] people have been known to commit atrocities in the name of their religion.

==Criticism==
''The God Delusion'' has been subject to a great deal of criticisms from the religious and the non-religious alike.

===Andrew Brown: Prospect Magazine===
<blockquote>
"It has been obvious for years that Richard Dawkins had a fat book on religion in him, but who would have thought him capable of writing one this bad? Incurious, dogmatic, rambling and self-contradictory, it has none of the style or verve of his earlier works."<ref>http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=7803</ref>
</blockquote>
Andrew Brown of Prospect Magazine was unimpressed by Dawkins' book. Brown calls atheism "unnatural" and points out that many atheists were violent in their belief (or lack thereof), citing Stalin killing members of the clergy.

Brown also attacks Dawkins' argument that suicide bombers are caused by religious schools. While Dawkins states that if these children were not taught what he calls "faith without question", suicide bombings would not be an issue. Brown, however, says that religion is not a necessity in suicide bombings. He points out that it is a tactic used by Marxists in Sri Lankav.

===Marilynne Robinson: Harper's Magazine===
<blockquote>
"There is a pervasive exclusion of historical memory in Dawkins's view of science. Consider this sentence from his preface, which occurs in the context of his vision of a religion-free world: 'Imagine . . . no persecution of Jews as 'Christ-killers.'"<ref>http://solutions.synearth.net/2006/10/20</ref>
</blockquote>

Robinson's major complaints about ''The God Delusion'' lie in how sheerly false the book is in many aspects. Although Dawkins claims that "the majority of us believe in free speech", she points out that most countries do not, pointing out that [[China]] (population 1.3 billion<ref>http://geography.about.com/od/populationgeography/a/chinapopulation.htm</ref>) does not. In her review, Robinson basically says that Dawkins purposefully ignored important parts of history in his attempt to convince his readers. "It's a shame," she says, "to see him reduced to one long argument from professorial incredulity."

===Terry Eagleton: London Review of Books===
<blockquote>
"Card-carrying rationalists like Dawkins [...] are in one sense the least well-equipped to understand what they castigate, since they don’t believe there is anything there to be understood, or at least anything worth understanding."
</blockquote>

== Sources ==
<references/>

[[category:Books]]
[[category:Atheism]]

Deity

2007-09-22T01:38:14Z

Imperatoromnium:

A deity is a supernatural being worshiped in a religion.

Moral

2007-09-22T01:34:54Z

Imperatoromnium: /* See Also */

Morals are the principles of right conduct. In general, they are used by people toward living amongst other people. When everyone agrees to what is right, life goes along more smoothly. Governments use law to enforce morals, but civilization couldn't stand if individuals had no morals at all.

== Sources of Moral Guidance ==
There are many sources of moral guidance used by many different groups of people; each groups sees their sets of morals as supreme. Western civilization in general is largely based off of the [[Ten Commandments]] (and to a wider extent the [[Bible]]), the set of morals for [[Judaism]] and [[Christianity]]. [[Islam|Muslims]] derive their morals from the [[Koran]], another widely used source of moral guidance.

==See Also==
[[Morality]]

[[Moral Zeitgeist]]

[[Category:philosophy]]

Moral

2007-09-22T01:34:25Z

Imperatoromnium: /* Sources of Moral Guidance */

Moral Zeitgeist

2007-09-22T01:27:26Z

Imperatoromnium: /* See Also */

==About the Moral ''Zeitgeist''==
The moral ''Zeitgeist'' is a term used by atheists to describe the evolution of morality. Proponents of a moral ''Zeitgeist'' believe that morality evolved to help our ape-like ancestors survive in large groups as social animals. This theory suggests that moral acceptability is chosen by the masses. As people's view of what is morally right and wrong changes, the moral ''Zeitgeist'' is said to "shift."

There appears to be a universal moral consensus as to what makes something morally acceptable. Richard Dawkins illustrates this with respect to racism in chapter 7 of his book ''The God Delusion'':

<blockquote>
In the early part of the twentieth century, almost everybody in Britain... would be judged racist by today's standards. Most white people believed that black people... were inferior to white people in almost all respects except --- patronizingly --- sense of rhythm. The 1920s equivalent of James Bond was... Bulldog Drummond. In one novel, ''The Black Gang'', Drummond refers to "Jews, foreigners, and other unwashed folk." In... ''The Female of the Species'', Drummond is cleverly disguised as Pedro, black servant of the archvillain. For his dramatic disclosure... that "Pedro" is really Drummond himself... he chose these words: "Every beard is not false, but every nigger smells. That beard ain't false, dearie, and dis nigger don't smell [...]"... I read it... three decades after it was written, and it was (just) still possible for a boy to thrill to the drama and not notice the racism. Nowadays, it would be inconceivable.
</blockquote>

The moral ''Zeitgeist'' is believed to be independent of any religious principles. However, it is freely admitted that the moral ''Zeitgeist'' changes universally and sometimes very quickly. This suggests to its proponents that something effects its changes, however, nothing has yet been found to do so.

===The Evolution of Morality===
The moral ''Zeitgeist'' was proposed to explain the evolution of morality. While natural selection favors ''individuals'' instead of ''populations'', it has been proposed that it must have been more beneficial to the individuals of the species to behave somewhat morally (No society, not even a small clan of apes, can function well if the members go around killing each other). This is also used to explain why people have a tendency to be more moral to the people to whom they are most closely related.

The changing moral ''Zeitgeist'' is believed to be the evolution of morality.

==The Word ''Zeitgeist''==
''Zeitgeist'' is a German word meaning "spirit of the times."

==Controversy==
The moral ''Zeitgeist'' is incompatible with moral absolutism and religious morality. Moral absolutism suggests that actions are either morally right, acceptable, or wrong, regardless of the context. Religious morality suggests that actions are either morally right, acceptable, or wrong based on the religion's teaching (see [[Buddhism]]) or the revelations of a deity or deities<ref>Some religious people would consider their morals absolute</ref>. The moral ''Zeitgeist'' suggests that actions are morally right, acceptable, or wrong based on the opinions of the masses.

==Quotes==
"There seems to be a steadily shifting standard of what is morally acceptable... Something... has shifted in all of us, and the shift has no connection with religion. If anything, it happens in spite of religion, not because of it."
--- Richard Dawkins, The ''God Delusion''

==See Also==
[[Morality]]

[[Atheism]]

[[The God Delusion]]

[[Richard Dawkins]]

[[Evolution]]

==References==
''The God Delusion'' (Chapter 7) by [http://www.richarddawkins.net Richard Dawkins]

Moral Zeitgeist

2007-09-22T01:26:29Z

Imperatoromnium: An Explanation of the Moral Zeitgeist, as Proposed by Atheists

==About the Moral ''Zeitgeist''==
The moral ''Zeitgeist'' is a term used by atheists to describe the evolution of morality. Proponents of a moral ''Zeitgeist'' believe that morality evolved to help our ape-like ancestors survive in large groups as social animals. This theory suggests that moral acceptability is chosen by the masses. As people's view of what is morally right and wrong changes, the moral ''Zeitgeist'' is said to "shift."

There appears to be a universal moral consensus as to what makes something morally acceptable. Richard Dawkins illustrates this with respect to racism in chapter 7 of his book ''The God Delusion'':

<blockquote>
In the early part of the twentieth century, almost everybody in Britain... would be judged racist by today's standards. Most white people believed that black people... were inferior to white people in almost all respects except --- patronizingly --- sense of rhythm. The 1920s equivalent of James Bond was... Bulldog Drummond. In one novel, ''The Black Gang'', Drummond refers to "Jews, foreigners, and other unwashed folk." In... ''The Female of the Species'', Drummond is cleverly disguised as Pedro, black servant of the archvillain. For his dramatic disclosure... that "Pedro" is really Drummond himself... he chose these words: "Every beard is not false, but every nigger smells. That beard ain't false, dearie, and dis nigger don't smell [...]"... I read it... three decades after it was written, and it was (just) still possible for a boy to thrill to the drama and not notice the racism. Nowadays, it would be inconceivable.
</blockquote>

The moral ''Zeitgeist'' is believed to be independent of any religious principles. However, it is freely admitted that the moral ''Zeitgeist'' changes universally and sometimes very quickly. This suggests to its proponents that something effects its changes, however, nothing has yet been found to do so.

===The Evolution of Morality===
The moral ''Zeitgeist'' was proposed to explain the evolution of morality. While natural selection favors ''individuals'' instead of ''populations'', it has been proposed that it must have been more beneficial to the individuals of the species to behave somewhat morally (No society, not even a small clan of apes, can function well if the members go around killing each other). This is also used to explain why people have a tendency to be more moral to the people to whom they are most closely related.

The changing moral ''Zeitgeist'' is believed to be the evolution of morality.

==The Word ''Zeitgeist''==
''Zeitgeist'' is a German word meaning "spirit of the times."

==Controversy==
The moral ''Zeitgeist'' is incompatible with moral absolutism and religious morality. Moral absolutism suggests that actions are either morally right, acceptable, or wrong, regardless of the context. Religious morality suggests that actions are either morally right, acceptable, or wrong based on the religion's teaching (see [[Buddhism]]) or the revelations of a deity or deities<ref>Some religious people would consider their morals absolute</ref>. The moral ''Zeitgeist'' suggests that actions are morally right, acceptable, or wrong based on the opinions of the masses.

==Quotes==
"There seems to be a steadily shifting standard of what is morally acceptable... Something... has shifted in all of us, and the shift has no connection with religion. If anything, it happens in spite of religion, not because of it."
--- Richard Dawkins, The ''God Delusion''

==See Also==
[[Morality]]

[[Atheism]]

[[The God Delusion]]

[[Richard Dawkins]]

==References==
''The God Delusion'' (Chapter 7) by [http://www.richarddawkins.net Richard Dawkins]