Comment

Comment by Dave Kennedy on January 31, 2010 at 2:42pm

I just love the fact that it seems like many more members are contributing than in days past. Personally, I love Dawkins, have read The God Delusion and loved it, and am starting on The Greatest Show On Earth. Because Dawkins is so brilliant and writes with so much conviction, I just read his works slowly.

Comment by Dallas (on hiatus) on January 31, 2010 at 12:52pm

I read The God Delusion and I liked it very much. I love listening to him talk, and he writes well, too. I don't think Dawkins is arrogant or a windbag. I think he is accurate and confident, and I see nothing wrong with that. After all, it isn't scientists or atheists who are going around bombing people or persecuting people.

I think how we interpret any author depends on who we are as a person. Someone recommended a book by Cormack McCarthy, and I hated it so much I couldn't read it. I thought he was a dreadful writer. But he has a lot of fans. Go figure. Same with Stephen King. I'd rather vacation at Gitmo than read a King book.

Where we are in life, who we are, our attitudes, and our perception all play an integral part in how we interpret people, ideas, and the world at large. There's nothing wrong with that, really. If you don't care for Dawkins, just don't read him. : )

Comment by Friend of Dorothy on January 31, 2010 at 10:45am

I am not as interested in the presentation, as the message. The 4 Horsemen, Dawkins, Dennett, Harris and Hitchens are bringing the message of rational thought to millions that M. M. O'hare could not reach. Time has proven that accommendation for others feelings or beliefs when religion is the subject does not work. Our hesitation in strongly expressing our non-belief openly just makes us weaker in the long run. It is long past time that Atheists professed openly and loudly (as with the Gay struggle for equality), that, no, we will not go silently into the night, but stand up and fight for reason and truth.

Comment by Janine S. on January 31, 2010 at 9:44am

Ester, you are not alone. Personally, I don't mind him, but I have several atheist friends who can't stand him for the same reasons you list. Dawkins is very open with the fact that he does not respect religious views, and that definitely comes across in his writing. I think you will find that atheists who lean more towards the idea that all religious views are inherently deserving of respect have a more difficult time handling him. Not saying that is or isn't you, but that has been my experience. Dawkins believes that religion causes immeasurable harm to both the individual and society, and he sees no evidence that supports the claims they make. So from that point of view it makes a bit more sense that he would come across as he does. I believe he makes a pretty good analogy about this somewhere in The God Delusion, but I can't find it off-hand.

I'm in agreement with Dawkins on those particular views, so he is a bit easier read for me. But yes, you definitely aren't alone. I know several atheists who definitely agree with you and find him quite off-putting.

Comment by Jaime Miller on January 31, 2010 at 7:36am

Ester, its not just you. I've only been introduced to Dawkins via 2 videos, (can't remember the names, John will know). The first I didn't like, and actually thought he was a smarmy windbag, but I really like the most recent one that we watched. In it, he is interviewing people that have views both for and against evolution, where he comes across as warm, inquisitive, and patient. Maybe his publicist asked that he humble himself a bit? I'm looking forward to reading some of his work, but have many other books to read before I get there.

Comment by Ester on January 31, 2010 at 2:00am

hmmm... i hope its not just me... I know that he is an English biologist and that he is very well educated and I know and respect the fact that he is a very intelligent man who has done a lot of the advancement of science and atheism and just think he is getting far to much credit and I do not think the book is 'readable to everyone' I have read other books on atheism and arguments for or against religion and God that I felt were much more 'readable' but everyone has a right to their own opinion and it is a good thing there are so many books for so many people :)

Comment by Ester on January 31, 2010 at 12:57am

I am reading The God Delusion right now and I am curious if I am the only atheist who does not really care for it? I feel like every atheist I know thinks the world of Dawkins, and while this is the only book I have read of his, I just find him intolerably pompous and annoying at times. Just me?

Comment by Aiden on January 19, 2010 at 11:45am

Book Release Today: Evolution by Daniel Loxton.

Comment by Aiden on January 13, 2010 at 7:02am

From Penny Arcade:

Comment by Rick on December 31, 2009 at 11:40pm

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