












I'm an atheist, BUT . . .2. Comment #7269 by Benjamin Tuite on November 18, 2006 at 2:26 am
Fascinating essay. I was led to Richard's work via Bill Bryson's "The Meaning of Everything", which references "The Blind Watchmaker". More appealing still was the testimonial on the "...Watchmaker" cover written by Martin Amis. The "thrilling godlessness" contained within "The Blind Watchmaker" led me to Richard's other works, "Climbing Mount Improbable" and "The God Delusion". This title alone was enough to excite my anticipation of many hours of enjoyment.3. Comment #7271 by Aussie on November 18, 2006 at 2:31 am
I'm an atheist but ... I want to have my cake and eat it too.4. Comment #7272 by Dom on November 18, 2006 at 2:43 am
"Did you notice the patronizing condescension in the quotations I just listed? You and I, of course, are much too intelligent and well educated to need religion. But ordinary people, hoi polloi, the Orwellian proles, the Huxleian Deltas and Epsilon semi-morons, need religion."5. Comment #7273 by Aussie on November 18, 2006 at 2:52 am
I'm an aetheist but .... I find this website and RD's books very therapeutic. I also really enjoy being in the choir.6. Comment #7275 by robzrob on November 18, 2006 at 2:59 am
I don't understand this 'what are we going to replace religion with' thing. Millions of us in Europe are not religious and we're getting on perfectly well without it already.7. Comment #7276 by Aussie on November 18, 2006 at 3:29 am
"Not everyone (I'd even say the majority of the public) are wowed by the mysteries and the wonders of science. If we're to change that (and we need to consider if that's something that we should change) we have to change the mindset of the pubic at large from the most basic levels and reinvigorate the image of science to schoolchildren, which is a Herculean task. This will also take many years, possibly even decades."8. Comment #7278 by Diplo on November 18, 2006 at 3:31 am
" I'm an atheist, but religion is here to stay. You think you can get rid of religion? Good luck to you!"9. Comment #7279 by Noodly on November 18, 2006 at 3:57 am
Richard, if I was you I'd be more worried if you didn't encounter any I'm-an-atheist-buttery. Had they yet read The God Delusion, let alone have time for the ideas to sink in or carry out further research?10. Comment #7282 by maryhelena on November 18, 2006 at 4:26 am
Richard Dawkins wrote:11. Comment #7283 by Anonymous on November 18, 2006 at 4:36 am
@ Benjamin Tuite12. Comment #7284 by Mark P. on November 18, 2006 at 4:53 am
I'm an atheist, but I need a peanut butter and jelly sandwich right about now.13. Comment #7286 by Donald E. Flood on November 18, 2006 at 5:02 am
I am an atheist, BUT...14. Comment #7288 by writerdd on November 18, 2006 at 5:22 am
I'm an atheist. Period.15. Comment #7290 by Roy on November 18, 2006 at 5:30 am
Dom "With the notable exception of David Attenborough, science documentaries on tv are watched by a niche and increasingly smaller audience"16. Comment #7292 by Jonathan McKenzie on November 18, 2006 at 5:52 am
For some people, it's hard to disbelieve a lie that's been laid on thick for years and years and years. Especially in American culture, where groupthink is ever present. Popular conceptions of beauty, intelligence, sophistication, music, literature, and other forms of media are largely the result of wanting to fit in. As you so rightly point out, atheists don't fit in. The quote of Julia Sweeney's mother you use in your book is pretty apropos, here, too. Set aside not believing in god, that's one thing. But atheism is an inferior caste; being atheist means being untouchable. I think America's obsession with popularity is what stifles the de facto atheism of a lot of people. The melting pot is more like oil in water. Not to be trite, but you're really shaking things up. And perhaps, like a vinaigrette, we do have to be shaken up from time to time. Religion, after all, is the lazy alternative. It's atheism that's hard. Atheists are willing converts, if only there were evidence. The same can't be said about most religious folk, unfortunately.17. Comment #7293 by Anonymous on November 18, 2006 at 5:59 am
And then there is this ongoing tragedy that is protected and sanctified by world governments that offering mobsters diplomatic immunity:18. Comment #7296 by Jim Dean on November 18, 2006 at 6:21 am
Stick to what you know, tough guy, or maybe you don't understand the scientific method?19. Comment #7297 by J on November 18, 2006 at 6:26 am
You are an athiest AND an anti-religious proselytizer. Fine, but these are two separate things. The question of the existence of god and of the whether organized religion or belief has had a net positive affect in human affairs are two separate questions, as of course you know.20. Comment #7298 by Torbjörn Larsson on November 18, 2006 at 6:29 am
Thinking with your but doesn't get you very far.21. Comment #7300 by Randy Ping on November 18, 2006 at 6:47 am
I always get the whole "Well, I'm an atheist, but you don't have the right to tell other people that thier imaginary friend is imaginary because they hve a right to believe in...." kind of arguments.22. Comment #7302 by hoju on November 18, 2006 at 6:49 am
I am not an athiest, but I have no use for religion as it is practiced by western society.23. Comment #7303 by Harald Hanche-Olsen on November 18, 2006 at 6:50 am
robzrob writesI don't understand this 'what are we going to replace religion with' thing.
24. Comment #7304 by Loren Petrich on November 18, 2006 at 6:54 am
The emergence of "New Age" and "alternative" religions does make me wonder if some people have a craving for religion.25. Comment #7305 by Yorker on November 18, 2006 at 6:55 am
MaryHelena wrote,26. Comment #7306 by Melisande on November 18, 2006 at 6:56 am
I'm not an atheist but I play one on TV.....27. Comment #7307 by david baker on November 18, 2006 at 6:58 am
I would like to see a lot more of "brights" celebrating the joy of their lifestyle and outlook rather than wasting time heaping ridicule on believers.28. Comment #7308 by stefanc on November 18, 2006 at 7:08 am
I'm definitely an athiest - AND I understand where some parts of religion come from:29. Comment #7309 by Chaley on November 18, 2006 at 7:28 am
"You and I, of course, are much too intelligent and well educated to need religion. But ordinary people, hoi polloi, the Orwellian proles, the Huxleian Deltas and Epsilon semi-morons, need religion. Well, I want to cultivate more respect for people than that."30. Comment #7310 by Jake Danger on November 18, 2006 at 7:30 am
I'm NOT an atheist, but...31. Comment #7311 by Anonymous on November 18, 2006 at 7:31 am
Are you suggesting that old people who have lost the plot or never had it should be respected and or patronized? Surely if you look at them it is evident that they aided and abetted wretched family values such as saying it's ok to hate Italians or Catholics since they are dirty? Should adult children who feel harmed emotionally by the actions of their parents never have a chance to express themselves?32. Comment #7312 by Anonymous on November 18, 2006 at 7:37 am
hoju:33. Comment #7313 by Torbjörn Larsson on November 18, 2006 at 7:38 am
Ooops, I forgot the address fields.34. Comment #7314 by felix on November 18, 2006 at 7:40 am
Religion is the origin of public entertainment. It's a way people have amused themselves or diverted their attention from the bejinning. It's happens generally from a stage of some kind. Whether you call yourself an aetheist or a stand-up comic you do the same thing the other orators do. You get up on a stage and perform. Either the audience likes your work and buys your books or they don't. It's an oratory process that leads to the same end no matter what form is used to practice it.35. Comment #7315 by Yorker on November 18, 2006 at 7:46 am
hoju said:36. Comment #7316 by Tolerance on November 18, 2006 at 7:48 am
I'm an atheist but I tolerate other's belief's because I expect the same in return.37. Comment #7317 by Walter Yergen on November 18, 2006 at 7:51 am
I am Not an Athiest But!38. Comment #7318 by asdf on November 18, 2006 at 7:57 am
I entirely agree with you, it may be helpful to you to read this exceprt from The God Delusion though39. Comment #7319 by Manfred on November 18, 2006 at 8:07 am
Walt40. Comment #7320 by Jack on November 18, 2006 at 8:09 am
I'm an atheist, AND I'm proud!41. Comment #7323 by Yorker on November 18, 2006 at 8:19 am
Comment #7310 by Jake Danger42. Comment #7324 by Anonymous on November 18, 2006 at 8:21 am
I have one more constructive "but" suggestion perhaps.43. Comment #7325 by js on November 18, 2006 at 8:24 am
"I don't think you're an idiot hoju"44. Comment #7326 by Yorker on November 18, 2006 at 8:24 am
Comment #7317 by Walter Yergen45. Comment #7327 by G Bile on November 18, 2006 at 8:31 am
In a comment to Mr. Robertsons essay (elsewhere on this site) I stated that I am convinced that "Nobody is born as a sinner, and most will not become one in their lifetime". (This effectively discards the Christian faith). In his answer mr Robertson accused me of *living in a fantasy world* ! I suspect that many believers (I think that the from atheism 'converted' Prof. McGrath is one of them) indeed think that religion is necessary 'to tame the masses' (a little bluntly put). This is all insulting to mankind. Atheists know better. So I agree with Dawkins that we should never accept *I believe in people and people believe in God*.46. Comment #7328 by Torbjörn Larsson on November 18, 2006 at 8:32 am
"That's what it's about! Unlike religion and other foolish doctrine, science constantly corrects its own errors, thereby advancing and adding to the body of knowledge that it is."47. Comment #7329 by Some dude on November 18, 2006 at 8:37 am
I think that it's funny how scientists try to explain everything in the world. Such as all of the little biddy itty atoms or genes that make up life. It's completely endless and no one can explain how babies are born or what defines their genetics. But the biggest theory that's just an utter let down is the big bang theory of how everything just came to existence. So, how does complete nothingness just come into complete living ability?48. Comment #7330 by Yorker on November 18, 2006 at 8:41 am
Comment #7308 by stefanc49. Comment #7331 by Seamus7 on November 18, 2006 at 8:42 am
I am an Atheist. The enormous evolving mystery of existence is more than enough for me. I don't need any silly inadequate man-made theosophies to dumb it down for me. Thank you Bertrand Russell and Richard Dawkins for coming so unwaveringly to the atheists' defense.50. Comment #7332 by Yorker on November 18, 2006 at 8:50 am
Comment #7329 by Some dude
1. Comment #7268 by Colin K on November 18, 2006 at 2:14 am
I'm an atheist, but nothing. What else is there to say. We are accused of all kind of evils by the religious but its worse when our "own side" does it too.