Dawkins on Book TV

[helemon]

http://richarddawkins.net/home

[Born Free]

http://richarddawkins.net/home
Just this last Saturday I sat and browsed through Dawkins "The God Delusion" in a new Borders here, and it will certainly be on my Xmas Wish List.

He quotes an English comedian at one point who said "If Christ had died 20 years ago, Catholics would be wearing around little electric chairs on chains around their necks, and not crosses".

Cracked me up! :Crazy:

He also quoted some very interesting research with Israeli kids (8-14) designed by a psychologist, who tested their acceptance and justification of "Gods commandment" through Joshua to destroy Jericho, against which a control group were told the same quote applied to an ancient Chinese emperor and city.

The justification scores where completely reversed when the commandment was given to another people. That is over 70% thought the slaughter and destruction completely OK in the context of their own people, but found it absolutely wrong if performed by another people.

Proof ample in my mind that religion is dangerously tribal. :duh

Daryl

[helemon]

Proof ample in my mind that religion is dangerously tribal. :duh

Daryl

I think we are conditioned to give the answer that we have been trained is correct for our social group. But you are right, it is dangerous that people will justify it if it provides an advantage for their group but condem it if someone else does it. I guess this is why the Middle East conflict will never end. Both sides feel their agression is justified based on past offenses and so the offenses continue.

[ben]

Just this last Saturday I sat and browsed through Dawkins "The God Delusion" in a new Borders here, and it will certainly be on my Xmas Wish List.

Daryl

I am in the process of reading this book. It is an excellent read so far. To paraphrase one of my favorite lines out of the book, "The greatest disservice that religion does is to teach people that it is a virtue to be satisfied with ignorance”.

[Born Free]

I am in the process of reading this book. It is an excellent read so far. To paraphrase one of my favorite lines out of the book, "The greatest disservice that religion does is to teach people that it is a virtue to be satisfied with ignorance”.
I'd go further. How about proud of ignorance?

Ben, thanks for that progress report.

Daryl