What do you think of Richard Dawkins' books?

Question

Do you agree with them, disagree with them? Why?

Answer 1

He makes good points, but I think it is his sense of humor that keeps people buying.

Answer 2

In many ways, I think Professor Dawkins' books largely preach to the choir. For the most part, atheists will be the ones reading and digesting his books. This is fine. Atheists ought to ruminate on the reasons for their belief, and if his books provide a catalyst for that, then great. Besides, people don't turn to atheism generally by reading books. They have encounters with disbelieving individuals, see that they aren't bad people with no meaning in their lives, and possibly rethink their own position.

However, I also think Dawkins will have a major impact on the uncommitted, "spiritual not religious" crowd. I've known several already who have read "The God Delusion" and proclaimed it an eye-opener. While they aren't vociferously anti-religion, a couple I know have even told me that Dawkins' arguments convinced them to not even bother with sending their children to catechism (which they had considered just as a matter of giving their children a religious background).

I already agree with much of what Dawkins has to say, and I feel that he makes a great argument against the possible existence of the Judeo-Christian God. Believing in a personal, all-powerful, all-loving Creator is not compatible with a ruthless, cold system like Natural Selection. Just consider all of those species that fell by the wayside upon the entirely amoral factor of reproduction. That's not a loving or cherishing system.

Answer 3

I own most of them. I'm a huge fan - since my Catholic school didn't teach evolution, he's one of the sources I learned it from. He explains things in a clear, direct fashion while being very articulate. I'm currently reading The God Delusion, and while I think it's well-written, he may just be preaching to the choir with this one. I can see how some people may find his tone condescending or even insulting if you've never seen him interviewed and been able to put his manerisms to his writing style. Kinda like reading a transcript of a Colbert Report and having never heard Stephan Colbert - it loses a lot in the translation.

Answer 4

I was a bit disappointed he recently chose to write outside his field. I think it is hard for him to top his scientific work and quasi-philosophical Blind Watchmaker.

Here is a good review of God Delusion by Terry Eagleton, the most well known literary critic writing in English. He is very harsh towards Dawkins, so much so that some uninformed readers thought Eagleton was a defensive Christian. In fact, he is an atheist and Marxist. The difference is he is literate about his subjects and finds Dawkins work lacking basic scholarship.

http://www.lrb.co.uk/v28/n20/eagl01_.html

Answer 5

I think they're a waste of people's money. Christians never read them and then convert to Atheism... Atheists read them. So really whats the point? A friend of mine (atheist) always thinks he has something on me when he reads something from him, as if a Christian wouldnt have an answer.

Answer 6

Enlightening. I've read The God Delusion and I'm making my way through Devil's Chaplin.

I like his tea-sipping, crumpet-loving style of atheism.

Answer 7

I haven't read his books but I loved him on the Family Feud and Hogan's heroes.

Answer 8

he is a good biologist, but a poor historian.

He should not quit his day job and stick to being a scientist

Answer 9

brilliant