The God Delusion

[YummyHoney]

In thinking that Richard Dawkin's The God Delusion should be compulsory reading for all secondary school children?

Not only would it put paid to all the religious nonsense some parents spout, it would also put an end to a lot of wars and violence in the world.

[ChumleeIsMyHomeboy]

[ProfessionallyOffendedGoblin]

Lots of things should be compulsory reading for everyone.
We could make a list

[pointythings]

I think Dawkins, as a militant atheist, is in his own way as bad as any religious fanatic.

And I say this as an atheist myself (though not a militant one. Not being militant is the only thing I am militant about )

[LostMyIdentityAlongTheWay]

Really? You're serious?



(well said, pointy)

[overmydeadbody]

Never have known teenagers to change their whole outlook on life, beliefs, and upbringing based on a book they are made to read in school.


Therefore I think YABU.

[rhondajean]

I agree with pointy. His tone is very objectionable. I dont want my my children taught anything is concrete, they can make their minds up themselves when they are old enough.

I also do not believe tha believing in God is the root of all the evils in the world, though I am agnostic myself. Human nature is the root of all the evil and if they didnt fight about religion, they would find something else. To think otherwise is naive, if hopeful.

[YoungishBag]

No. It's not well written or researched and does not stand up well to criticism.

Thankfully in RE/RS they use proper texts for exploration, analysis and criticism.

[izzywhizzyletsgetbusy]

If the God of organised religion created man in his own image, he sure is one sick fuck.

However, if organised religion was removed from the human equation, I suspect that other reasons and justifications for wars would grow like mushrooms.

[LeBOF]

I think it work better if it was ostentatiously banned. Then some teenagers might read it.

[IAmTheCookieMonster]

I read it, and enjoyed it, but I don't think that "there probably isn't a teapot floating round in space" is national curriculum stuff.

[LeBOF]

Would work, sorry.

[pamplemousserose]

.

Yabu but I think you already knew that.

[NotADudeExactly]

Umm, as a staunch atheist I'd prefer no indoctrination in any form at all. That includes pro-atheistic indoctrination.

Also: if we are to indoctrinate our children after all, could we use books that are not written by misogynists, theist or non-theist?

Thanks!

[DizzyKipper]

I'm an atheist. I haven't actually bothered to read the God Delusion, or his other books for that matter - I don't actually see the point. I definitely do not think it should be made compulsory reading.

[RebelFromTheWaistDown]

I would have to read the book first to have an opinion on whether it should be compulsory reading for school kids. I am going to order the book right now. Thanks for the recommendation OP. I hope those that are expressing opinions on Dawkin's book have actually read it!

[DizzyKipper]

notadudeexactly - I've not heard allegations of misogynist against him before, could you elaborate?

[LostMyIdentityAlongTheWay]

budge up, pample and pass the popcorn.

Light the fuse and offski.....

[MrGin]

I thought it was an excellent book. He articulated much of what had been knocking around in my head. He's a smart man. Never really got all the athiest militancy thing. I never saw it.

I think Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials would be a much better compulsory read in schools though.

[Scaredycat3000]

YABU. As an atheist I say live and let live, each to their own, two wrongs don't make a right. I won't push my views on you even if you push your views on me.

[FabbyChic]

My son is 18 and read that book first, then he bought others, he constantly watches Dawkins on the net.

He does like a religious conversation though as he knows what he is talking about.

[YummyHoney]

RebelFromTheWaistDown - Your last sentence - you took the words right out of my mouth.

I don't think he is telling anyone what to believe. He is simply expounding on the probability of certain things/events. He's not trying to indoctrinate anyone, but the logical conclusion, after reading his book, is that it would be ridiculous to believe in a lot of stuff that is touted in a lot of different religions.

His theories certainly HAVE stood up to scrutiny, and I don't think The Bible teachings are taught in RE because they have stood up to scrutiny!

[queenmaeve]

Imagine theres no heaven, its easy if you try. No hell below us, above us only sky. Imagine all the people living for today hey heeeeeeeeeyyyy.

[LostMyIdentityAlongTheWay]

@Yummy, I simply can't agree with a word of that. You say he's trying not to indoctrinate??? You're kidding? I saw a documentary with him about two years ago on the television and he was positively haranguing some people of various beliefs - he was offensive and rude, tbh, and I'm not one for getting all uppity about stuff like that...

He also misses the fundamental fact - faith cannot be 'proved'. You either have it or you don't. He tries to 'convert' (right word?) without understanding that.

I find him as overtly fanatical as a born-againer or an extreme Islamist.

Popcorn is really tasty

[VictorianIce]

YABU to think it would end wars. Nobody who is religious believes they are 'spouting nonsense' either.

YA also BU to think that compulsory reading for teenagers would change the way they or their parents think.

I enjoyed it though. He writes clearly and in a way that non-specialists can understand about science and philosophy. It is well written and contains reasoned arguments. I also don't think he's militant or 'fundamentalist' or any of the usual criticisms.

[YummyHoney]

I'm not trying to push my views on anyone. I just think that if people read it, they might view things differently... that's all.