With the headlines covering fanaticism, fundamentalism, superstition, and ignorance, religion is getting bad press these days. And much of the conflict in the world, from the Middle East to Nigeria and Myanmar, is often blamed on religion.
But how are things from a different perspective? Some defenders of religion claim Adolf Hitler was an atheist. Communism under Joseph Stalin, Pol Pot, or Mao Zedong banned religion but also massacred millions. And science brought incredible advances, but also pollution and the atomic bomb.
A critic of religious dogmatism, Professor Richard Dawkins revolutionized genetics in 1976 with the publication of The Selfish Gene. He has since written 12 more bestsellers, including The God Delusion which sold millions of copies, was translated into more than 30 languages, and catapulted him to the position of the world's foremost atheist.
Mehdi Hasan challenges evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins at the Oxford Union in front of a varied and lively audience.
In a frank and at times heated exchange, they discuss: Is religion a force for good or evil? Can it co-exist with science? Is science the new religion? And why if god does not exist, is religion so persistent?
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Richard Dawkins is a British evolutionary biologist, ethologist, and author who is widely known for his outspoken views on religion, particularly his advocacy for atheism and scientific skepticism. Dawkins has written extensively on evolutionary biology and has also become a prominent critic of organized religion. Here are some key points regarding Richard Dawkins's perspective on religion:
Atheism and Scientific Skepticism: Dawkins is a prominent advocate for atheism and secularism. He argues that belief in God or a higher power lacks empirical evidence and that a scientific, evidence-based approach is the most reliable way to understand the natural world.
"The God Delusion": One of Dawkins's most well-known works is "The God Delusion," published in 2006. In this book, he criticizes religious faith, argues against the existence of God, and contends that religion has been a source of conflict and harm throughout history.
Memetics: Dawkins introduced the concept of "memes" in his book "The Selfish Gene." In the context of religion, he suggests that religious beliefs can be understood as cultural memes-ideas that spread and evolve in a manner analogous to genes in biological evolution.
Critique of Religious Indoctrination: Dawkins is critical of the indoctrination of children into religious beliefs, arguing that it inhibits independent thinking and perpetuates religious traditions without critical examination.
Science vs. Faith: Dawkins often emphasizes the conflict between science and faith, asserting that the scientific method provides a more reliable path to understanding reality. He sees religious faith as incompatible with a rational and evidence-based worldview.
Secularism and Education: Dawkins advocates for secularism in education and public policy. He argues that religious beliefs should not influence or dictate scientific education in schools, and he supports the teaching of evolution over creationism in science classrooms.
Public Engagement: Dawkins is known for his public engagement, including debates, lectures, and interviews, where he articulates his views on science, reason, and the detrimental effects he believes religion can have on society.
While Dawkins has a significant following, his views on religion have also been met with criticism from religious communities and some scholars who argue that his approach is overly reductionist and dismissive of the nuanced roles that religion plays in individuals' lives and in society as a whole.
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