The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins
This book is a masterpiece and should be read by everyone, particularly those with a strong faith. I had never considered the fact that I might have been discriminated against for being an atheist and i'd never noticed that I always felt the need to justify myself if someone asked, I would never have the cheek to mock someone based on their beliefs. This book made me realise that it was ok to be faithless and that I don't have to feel bad about my views

read it!!! And in fact if I wasn't an Atheist I would think Richard Dawkins was god!
(monstermunchqueen a queen for the people, by the people, Thu 15 May 2008, 16:17, 6 replies)

Dawkins
Good on him for what he's trying to do, but isn't it absolutely obvious all that he's saying? He's not going to convince Christians with his arguments, and atheists are on his side.
(frankspencer, Thu 15 May 2008, 16:20, closed)

I cant be bothered to read that book because he will be preaching to the converted.
That and I can find Atheists just as judgemental and annoying as religious types.
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Thu 15 May 2008, 16:24, closed)

tis indeed
a marvelous work, i was tempted to give my copy to my dad / stepmum (who are both bible bashing church goers) but i figured that as i work for them pissing them off wouldnt be the greatest idea.
as for dawkins ideas they are great, i particularly like the ultimate 747 analogy, to a thought which i already had!
(pogo_it, Thu 15 May 2008, 16:43, closed)

It's a good read, but I think he pitches it at the wrong level...
...I enjoyed it, but then I was pretty much atheist before I started it. He's got a very aggressive stance, which might frequently be seen as offensive, which is probably the right stance for taking on deep-seated, dyed-in-the-wool fundamentalists. (Against whom I wish him the very best of luck.)

Unfortunately, by doing away with any sort of "live and let live" compromise, I've seen his stance alienate a lot of very moderate religious people who might otherwise have been more prepared to accept what he says. It's a shame, because he does make a lot of very sound arguments, which I think more moderate people might have listened to if he wasn't coming across as quite so militant.

Try Soul Searching by Nicholas Humphrey. It's a very calm, reasoned take on all things supernatural, to which even Dawkins makes numerous references. Aside from anything else, I'd be interested to see how someone who believes in the supernatural responds to it.
(LongJohnBaldry, Thu 15 May 2008, 17:32, closed)

Dawkins
is atheism's equivalent of the kind of fundamentalists that knock on your door or stop you in the street and tell you your soul will burn in eternal hell fire.
( idonthaveafunnynickname Drink-Aware? Sure. I'm aware I want another drink., Thu 15 May 2008, 17:53, closed)

idonthaveafunnynickname
I agree. The Blind Watchmaker is a far more convincing and beautiful explanation of godlessness... too bad that The God Delusion is the book that gets all the attention.
(Emily Bruce-Dickinson http://jovialfellow.blogspot.com/, Fri 16 May 2008, 22:59, closed)