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January 6, 2007
Adverse reactions to humanism/atehism/non-faith
I had a very interesting pseudo-debate with a mate of mine about faith. Specifically, relating to Richard Dawkins latest book 'The God Delusion'.
My friend told me that after reading Dawkins book he would lean more toward faith and religion than toward Dawkins point of view.
I asked him to think about what it was that made him think about this (and I have to admit to being a little confrontational trhoughout the 'debate' - which in light of my mate's statement is perhaps {depending on your point of view of course} not a bad thing!) and to remain open to a proper chat about those reasons because I am genuinely fascinated how someone could read the book and reach that point of view!
One mark against him though, I have to point out, he left me with this little gem and I am somewhat paraphrasing here, but I di get hi to repeat the phrase so that I got the meaning of it clearly:
'I think that people of faith or religious people would generally tend to be more selfless'
Take the corollary of that statement - you understand this is me being the devils advocate in relation to analysis of my friends statement:
'I think that people without faith or religion generally tend to be selfish'
I would love to know where that opinion comes from as I am, frankly, surpirsed that this particular person made such a statement.
And yes, I was yet again being boorish - having had a couple of pints and having just finished 'The God Delusion' leaving me with a lot of conflicting or leading or satisifed (many) or continuing questions regarding especially the role of religion, dogma and god (small g please...) in our society.
I do agree with my friend that Dawkins book does not properly address the notion of what it is that will replace god, and religion in our society - but I do think that that was an implied marginalia in Dawkins book - 'proof given elsewhere' - if you excuse the allusion to the famous last theorem of Fermat.
Posted by dottie at January 6, 2007 1:59 AM
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