Has anyone here read The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins?

Question

Im about half way through it and I think its really good so far.
I was just curious as to what other people thought of it.
I dont want any extremist christian answers.
Dont tell me Im going to hell for reading it or anything.

Answer 1

i don't much care for the ending, where dawkins hints that he may be God. I found the plot thin, yet predictable.

Answer 2

Yes, I have. Prof. Dawkins is a fabulous writer, and is adept at communicating his ideas to a wide, less sophisticated audience.

He does self-source, though. A book that attempts to prove a point should have references to many other authors...he only quotes Richard Swinburne, and Dr. Swinburne has openly denounced the use of his writing (out of context) by Dawkins in the book.

Additionally, Dr. Dawkins (a behaviorist who studied the selective pecking of chicks for his dissertation) makes sweeping generalizations about all religions, while ignoring the faults of atheist regimes (Pol Pot/Khmer Rouge, Stalinist Russia, et al.) Is this a responsible refutation of the position for the existence of God, or an attempt to exploit any advantage to sustain an impossible position?

Answer 3

tiresome to read, as i'm not into extremist views either. mr. dawkins is a little too religiously rabid in his atheist beliefs and his writing comes across as a self-indulgent diatribe.

but his book brilliantly illustrates the human need for religion to comfort and control others (in this case, mr. dawkins place of worship is at the altar of science), the human delight in patronizing others, (the man absolutely goes on and on and on with his attacks on opposing viewpoints/theories.)

overall, i find his book tedious, because it is shrill (bordering on hysteria, actually) on many points, exaggerated in the examples and comparisons used, but overall a very telling work that reveals a personal hate agenda towards God and Christians.

so if you embrace atheism religiously, this is the book for you!

Answer 4

I'm an extremist Christian, so I guess I won't answer your question. It might have been a good answer too. Might not have been. Whose to say really. It's good to see you're interested in a good cross-section here.

I will say that I really like my dog, love my family, and I'm going out in search of a good cup of coffee - I haven't had a good one yet today.

Hope you have a great day!

Answer 5

What I read of it was fairly good, though I only browsed it in the bookstore, so I had to skip the chapters on evolution. I assume they're good because that's Dawkins's specialty, though I doubt they are as good as a nice college-level textbook on the subject.

Answer 6

It was interesting.

I had worked out most his arguments for myself already.

I feal that it would probably not be that effective at persuading a believer, as it is too confrontational. I wish that he had been able to put the same arguments (because they are good arguments) in a more detached fashion. As it is it comes across as rather mocking, which is not helping him persuade anyone.

Answer 7

Yes, I read "The God Delusion." Now I am reading "Al-Cur'an" in English translation.

Answer 8

I watched the tv series..without sounding arrogant it didn't tell me anything I haven't already thought long and hard about.

Does this mean I should be a professor too?

Answer 9

No but I am reading the Dawkins delusion by God.

Answer 10

I enjoy it. So far. I thought he rambled on about abortion a little too long. maybe he was trying to make a point and I missed it.

Answer 11

It was ok but it ended up being his platform to bash religion I was expecting a little more out of it I guess.