What was your first thought when you finished reading "The God Delusion"?

Question

Me, my first thought was: "Well, no surprises there God is clearly NOT a delusion..."

Than I though about the sad and counterproductive trend to try and make a religion out of science (which is very, very bad for both religions and for science...). And I wonder why Dawkins persues this trend so badly...

It is a fascinating book! Unfortunately it should be made clear that it is not a scientific book at all. It represents Mr. Dawkins's
opinions on the subject and nothing more...

What were your thoughts?

Paz de Cristo

Answer 1

At the beginning of the book,Dawkins said he hoped to change the minds of some who believed in God. My first thought after finishing the book was "Well,old boy,you sure didn't convince me. Ha Ha." I mean,come on. He used the same old rehashed time and again arguments I've heard all my life. He just rephrased them in a way that he thought would make them seem more"logical." The entire book was based solely on his own personal bias. It's that simple.
BUT, I will admit one thing. I found myself agreeing with him on more than one occasion on certain things he wrote, bu again,he failed miserably to even put a single dent in my faith and beliefs.

Answer 2

I have not read it...yet. I started with his earliest works ( Selfish Gene, Extended Phenotype, Blind Watchmaker ) These books have a very convincing scientific basis to refute intelligent design and seriously question the existence of a super-intelligent deity.

I suggest that if readers think Dawkin's is not coming from a scientific viewpoint in "God Delusion", read the above mentioned books (at least Selfish Gene and Blind Watchmaker). It may help the readers of "God Delusion" see what his ideas are based on.

Answer 3

Good book.

I really don't see Dawkins making a religion out of science. He's merely trying to apply scientific reasoning to an area that's been shielded from it for far too long. There really is no reason that religion shouldn't fall under the same scrutiny as everything else.

Answer 4

It did not prove God did not exist nor is God a delusion...just that the major conceptions of God are inaccurate.

Not very impressed for all the hype.

~ Eric Putkonen

Answer 5

Havent read that book, but Ive been reading "A Science of Mind, a philosophy, a faith and a way of life" By Ernest Holmes. Is it anything like that? Would you suggest it?

Answer 6

There is nothing in the book of him trying to make science into a religion. I find it strange that you came away with that impression. He simply subjected religious claims to scientific testing. No surprise that religion failed every time.

Scientists and those who use science are simply tired...VERY tired...of religionists abusing it, misrepresenting it, and trying to ban it in the name of their religious dogma. They are finally speaking up and facing the fanatics who so badly and deliberately misrepresent them.

Answer 7

Anyone who thinks it is even possible to "make a relgion out of science" does not really understand what science is all about. Science is a self-correcting method for discovering truths about the world.

Answer 8

I enjoyed it so much, I read it again about a week later...

And far from "making a religion out of science", but book instead holds religion up to scientific standards of evidence and proof, and finds religion completely lacking.

Answer 9

It's written in a way that you and I can understand, however a lot of the facts are science-based. He is an evolutionary biologist so he does know what he's talking about.

And yes, God IS a delusion.

Answer 10

I thought it was a great book. Dawkins is probably the best science writer around.