Richard Dawkins The Genius of Charles Darwin
I watched The Genius of Charles Darwin presented by Richard Dawkins last night, episodes of which can be seen on Channel 4OD.
As a scientific program I thought it excellent and as an evolutionary biologist and ethologist Dawkins has great ability to communicate complex science to the general populace in an engaging and understandable manner.
Given this, why oh why does he have to pepper everything with unnecessary references to God?
It suddenly struck me that Dawkins has done more damage to the cause of science within religious circles than any other person. I can only assume that his references to God are to please his troops, however this severely attenuates the man and the message.
Frankly religion is not his forte and his continual references to God and religion are unnecessary and undermine his self-proclaimed goal of communicating science to the religious.
Watching Dawkins make sweeping statements about religious belief and the existence of God also undermines his impartiality and objective neutrality.
Stick to science Dawkins, there’s no need to keep harping on about God, especially given that you consider him redundant.
Tags: Christianity, Science & Medical
September 9th, 2010 at 10:07 am
I haven’t seen this yet, but what you describe is entirely consistent with Dawko’s previous form.
The question of God is actually quite appropriate when discussing Darwin (I blogged about this a few days ago) but Dawkins has an agenda which is quite unscientific. Your comments are spot on – he is a rabble-rouser, and not at all bothered about having a constructive discussion with his opponents.
September 9th, 2010 at 10:14 am
Your point is well made.
After all, if I was talking about ancient history to Moslems (to pick a random example), would I start by saying “what I am about to tell you proves your religion is wrong! ha! ha!”. No, of course I wouldn’t — not unless I wanted them to ignore everything I said. If I cared about what I was saying, I would do everything possible to avoid treading on people’s political and religious sensitivities, so that what I was saying would go in.
Atheists are a menace to science. Creationism arose precisely because of the abuse of evolution as a stick with which to beat Christians. Christians in rural areas in the US were presented with a choice; “either abandon your religion, or reject evolution.” Guess which they chose?
Clearly Dawkins cares nothing for science, or for Darwin. In which case, why let this creep damage the cause of popularising science?
September 9th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
I had seen it before , science is good but he is a member of the atheistic evolutionary taliban.
Whatever he says about God is wrong.
He needs to get back to his chicks
September 9th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Totally agree with you webmaster. When he’s talking about biology and evolution he is a very lucid and valuable commentator.
Why oh why can’t he let the facts speak for themselves and not launch into anti-religion mode. His views on religion do not represent those of all atheists, this one included.
Roger. Dawkins cares hugely for Darwin and for science. You could not be more wrong. That’s not to say he is a great person, but it’s wrong to make the assumption that you do. I would also dispute your claim that atheists are a menace to science. I think you’ll find that a very high proportion of the most eminenet scientists are atheists. It’s just that there are a very vociferous minority that distort people’s pcture.
September 10th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Jim, it’s no good to claim a man cares about science and Darwin when his actions demonstrate the contrary.
September 10th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
I have never met Richard Dawkins, but have seen some of his TV lectures and programmes and read some of his books.
He has spent his working life in research and in the teaching of science. His work was is the quality to earn him Fellowship of the Royal Society, a most prestigious award given to few.
He claims respect for Darwin and has written and broadcast extensively and deeply about the man and his legacy. One of Dawkin’s most treasured possessions is a first edition of The Origin of Species.
Now, there are some of my reasons to believe Dawkins has respect for Darwin and for science. Google the books and TV programmes for corroboration. Now, Roger Pearse, lets have the evidence for your assertions to the contrary.
September 10th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
‘His work was of the quality’… sorry about the typo in line 3.
September 17th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Watch the movie Expelled. It reveals incredible deceitful practices done by today’s universities to force Darwinian thought and to deny any form of Theism… A real eye opener
September 17th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
cnocspeireag, your panegyric of Dawkins was amusing, but quite how that relates to my comment you do not say.
I note that those people who disagree with me don’t address what I say. In fact they don’t discuss it, even, and show no sign of comprehension. All they give us is a denial and demands that I prove things to them. And what utter ignorant dogma would not be defended in just such a manner?