Are Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris making a real difference?

Question

I asked this last night, but thought I'd see what the prime time people think. Are Dawkins and Harris preaching to the figurative (atheist) choir, or are they preaching to a real, actual choir. :) That is, are they making a real difference?

Have you heard people talk about them at the water cooler, at the bar or coffeeshop, or maybe even at ... church?

Answer 1

I think they are, I was an atheist but had alot of trouble telling others that i was. But richard dawkins newest book the god delusion helped me out alot. I now no longer fear telling people im an atheist and i stand up for the rational. And by influenceing me and my other atheist's to come out of the open. Maybe we can help the next generation become a more rational society.

Answer 2

It's coffeeshop theology or non theology. Even Dawkins has said that it can't be proven that there is no God. Although I did find it thoroughly entertaining when he talks to people like Ted Haggard. When it comes to people who are steadfast in their beliefs, usually, they don't waiver for a few reasons.

1. They have invested alot of time in their belief, sometimes their whole life.

2. Their families/friends would reject them.
3. It's comfortable to believe that you don't need to use the time that's been given to you.
4. Their views put them on a pedastol. (Many Christians employ a "Us or Them" Philosophy.
5. They've been taught not to trust Science or Non believers.
6. The big "What If?" Many believers, especially Christians are taught that only believers go to heaven. So the big " What if" means that IF Christianity is right, then they'd go to hell, however ludicrous it sounds.

Funny enough, I'm not an Atheist. I am a Wiccan. One thing you should know about Wiccans is that we have more in common with Atheists than one might think. Our concept of the Divine is abstract to say the least. We admit that it could all be made up. At least. what we use is within nature and we don't preach our beliefs to others.

I mean that's the big problem, right, people who want a Theocracy.

Answer 3

it relatively is particularly doing no longer something extra effective than whilst Jerry Falwell and the likes initiate spouting off. A non-believer isnt going to take heed to them regardless and a believer wont hear to Harris/Dawkins. in the comparable way Atheists can argue back with Jerry as to why they dont have faith, so can Christians to Harris/Dawkins. Christians understand the nicely worth of a guy doesnt lie in a PhD or a stuffy English accessory. you will see that here in this talk board that there are idiots and relatively knowledgeable on the two aspects of the fence and neither part would be replaced with out own adventure. I commonly hear Christianity could be extra useful won if Christians lived their ideals by making use of loving eachother and searching after the adverse and hungry. identity desire to work out Dawkins and Harris do the comparable, in the event that they think of the international could be extra useful with out faith, tutor us how they, with out faith, would be an unbelieving easy unto the international. tutor us that coronary heart warming peace featuring disbelief :D

Answer 4

Dawkins does have a few people talking. He has been getting around to things like The Colbert Report and that gets him noticed.

Rather it really makes a difference, ask me in twenty years.

Answer 5

I think that Dawkins is a well-known public figure who articulates a clear message is helpful. One can never measure a "real difference" until it reaches critical mass, though.

Answer 6

Thanks. I never heard of Sam Harris so I had to look him up. Both men are high profile extremely intelligent men. Sam is cute! LOL

I am going to guess, since I have no proof, that they are more than respected in their fields of work and making a difference, yes.

Answer 7

Dawkins isn't preaching. He is only trying to bring a little more logic into people's minds.

Answer 8

It's too early to judge what kind of effect their words are having on society at large. The important thing now is that they are getting the truth out so those who are searching for the light of reason will be able to find it.

Answer 9

Yup. My spouse read Dawkins - first book of that kind EVER. Loved it and passed it along to a co-worker. After they're done with it, I'm loaning it to my exercize partner. 2 of these people are "non commitals" and one is "borderline christian."

Answer 10

I doubt they're making any sort of actual impact. Religious folks like to have their faith, and as such they tend to ignore evidence and hard cold truth like what Dawkins, or science in general for that matter, utilizes.