The God delusion

by

Here are quotes from the (in)famous Richard Dawkins's book. It's title explains it all: do not believe in god.

I have only read the first few chapters but I already think he is full of himself; I won't befriend him (if there ever is a chance). I have also found no reason to disagree with what he says. This guy is controversial and amplifies his viewpoint in a planned, entertaining way – reminds me of Michael Moore – which always has a point. I might disagree with, but won't ignore, what he says.

Indeed, organizing atheists has been compared to herding cats, because they tend to think independently and will not conform to authority. But a good first step would be to build up a critical mass of those willing to 'come out', thereby encouraging others to do so. Even if they can't be herded, cats in sufficient numbers can make a lot of noise and they cannot be ignored.

A Gallup poll taken in 1999 asked Americans whether they would vote for an otherwise well-qualified person who was a woman (95 per cent would), Roman Catholic (94 per cent would), Jew (92 per cent), black (92 per cent), Mormon (79 per cent), homosexual (79 per cent) or atheist (49 per cent). Clearly we have a long way to go.

As to whether it is a symptom of a psychiatric disorder, I am inclined to follow Robert M. Pirsig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, when he said, 'When one person suffers from a delusion, it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion it is called Religion.'