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So, I just got back from a talk/lecture/Q&A session Richard Dawkins gave to my university about evolution or more specifically, about his book "The Greatest Show on Earth"
Couple of thoughts:
1. He's a very smart speaker and person in general judging by his Q&A session. Every answer has the right amount of humor, anti-religious undertones, and really big words/scientific facts to keep the audience guessing what he will say in his next reply. While lacking the charisma and charm of a political speaker, he makes up for with an aura of absolute confidence and a "don't fuck with me on any topic" attitude. He speaks very deliberately (has an awesome British accent) and puts just enough condescension in his voice towards anything not agreeing with him. The combination of such led to a fully packed standing room only auditorium (3200) that awaited with absolute silence for his next words. A few people walked out on the talk after a certain quote*
2. While I do agree with him almost 100% on topics, initially I was wary of him as many outspoken atheist lectures generally end up being religion bashing. But he actually (I feel) did pretty well keeping the religion bashing to somewhat of a low. Although that's not to say there wasn't plenty of anti-religious statements.
3. The talk itself was pretty short and was mostly about how religious people try to use false arguments such as the "missing parts of the fossil record" argument and the "if you can't prove theory A, then we'll assume God did it until you can". The majority of the lecture was teh Q&A session which was mostly just people telling him how much they loved him. Some interesting quotes:
Question - 'why don't scientists try to show different, non-literal interpretations of the Bible that can be of the same vein as their science?' (something like that, don't remember the exact quote)
*RD - "Why should I care about the scribblings of middle-eastern goat herders?"
(particularly amusing since I was sitting in the back and at first misheard the quote as "nerf herders"
Comment from some guy "Richard Dawkins, I may be an atheist but you're my god"
Question - "do you think there is any validity in creationism or intelligent design?"
RD - "no."
4. The most interesting part was after the session, when leaving attendees had to walk past the religious groups protesting the lecture. They were handing out books and flyers and info sheets on why and how evolution was false. Also they were yelling stuff like 'You're going to hell!" and the like. I even got a free 1300~ page book about how the scientific facts all point towards evolution being false. (looking forward to reading this). One interesting thing to note was that this lecture was sponsored by the Secular Alliance at our school and it's not like they go around protesting religion at the campus churches on sundays..
Thoughts? Opinions?
Just wondering what TL has to say about evolution, richard dawkins, religion, and the like.
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I just listened to "The Greatest Show on Earth" audio book, but I listen while I play games so I don't really soak everything in. That said I enjoyed it but I think I liked the God Delusion much more. Haven't read any of his earlier works but I think I'll try to read them at some point.
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United States24805 Posts
Cool, I wish I had had the opportunity to attend a lecture by him. Yeah it is pretty sickening that religious groups protest events like that... although I think that consists of the more radical members.
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Hmm, do you know if this lecture was recorded anywhere? I'd be interested in hearing it.
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On October 13 2009 11:48 Draconizard wrote:
Hmm, do you know if this lecture was recorded anywhere? I'd be interested in hearing it.
He specifically said that no one has permission to record or distribute the lecture
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I'd love to attend a lecture by Richard Dawkins. I'm currently trying to get a copy of A Devil's Chaplain and The Greatest Show on Earth.
I find it disturbing how so many people do not believe in evolution. It's amusing how they throw all kinds of reasons to "disprove" evolution, for example the "missing link" and "gaps" argument, and my favorite "You can't prove it, so I believe God did it". Its not like ALL bones from millions of years ago will turn to fossils.
So yeah, I'm a big fan of Dawkins' work and am extremely jealous you got to attend one of his lectures.
EDIT: Do update us on that 1300+ page book disproving evolution. I'd love to read your thoughts on it.
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If the book you were given is called 'the case for a creator' throw it out.
The sources and authors from that book are so pathetic and not reputable at all. Probably more use to read a picture book imo.
Atheism doesn't have all of the answers, and neither does religion. Only a fool would blindly follow either.
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On October 13 2009 12:11 Misrah wrote:
Atheism doesn't have all of the answers, and neither does religion. Only a fool would blindly follow either.
Atheism is nothing more than lack of belief in a single proposition. So...
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I find Richard Dawkins to be just as annoying as some of the more outspoken religious fanatics.
Please just leave my brain in peace. I really don't care if you think you're smarter and the people on the other side are brain dead retards. You're all just condescending, uptight fucks.
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On October 13 2009 12:29 koreasilver wrote:
I find Richard Dawkins to be just as annoying as some of the more outspoken religious fanatics.
Please just leave my brain in peace. I really don't care if you think you're smarter and the people on the other side are brain dead retards. You're all just condescending, uptight fucks.
So the truth doesn't matter then? You really ought to care, since many of these "condescending, uptight fucks" also happen to have high positions in the government, at least in the US.
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On October 13 2009 12:33 ShoCkeyy wrote:
What uni was this at?
This was at Indiana University
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On October 13 2009 12:29 koreasilver wrote:
I find Richard Dawkins to be just as annoying as some of the more outspoken religious fanatics.
Please just leave my brain in peace. I really don't care if you think you're smarter and the people on the other side are brain dead retards. You're all just condescending, uptight fucks.
Calling the people on the other side "brain dead retards" is sure condescending in my book.
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On October 13 2009 12:11 Misrah wrote:
If the book you were given is called 'the case for a creator' throw it out.
The sources and authors from that book are so pathetic and not reputable at all. Probably more use to read a picture book imo.
Atheism doesn't have all of the answers, and neither does religion. Only a fool would blindly follow either.
atheism isnt a thing, it doesnt give answers and people dont follow it. its just a lack of belief in something else. everyone is an atheist, its just a matter of with respect to which gods.
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On October 13 2009 13:05 IdrA wrote:Show nested quote +On October 13 2009 12:11 Misrah wrote:
If the book you were given is called 'the case for a creator' throw it out.
The sources and authors from that book are so pathetic and not reputable at all. Probably more use to read a picture book imo.
Atheism doesn't have all of the answers, and neither does religion. Only a fool would blindly follow either. atheism isnt a thing, it doesnt give answers and people dont follow it. its just a lack of belief in something else. everyone is an atheist, its just a matter of with respect to which gods.
Everyone is an atheist? Are you serious? Dear God man, thank you for enlightening us with your useless philosophy.
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Richard Dawkins is one of the best voices of science out there
I admire him  !
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On October 13 2009 13:09 Mori600 wrote:Show nested quote +On October 13 2009 13:05 IdrA wrote:On October 13 2009 12:11 Misrah wrote:
If the book you were given is called 'the case for a creator' throw it out.
The sources and authors from that book are so pathetic and not reputable at all. Probably more use to read a picture book imo.
Atheism doesn't have all of the answers, and neither does religion. Only a fool would blindly follow either. atheism isnt a thing, it doesnt give answers and people dont follow it. its just a lack of belief in something else. everyone is an atheist, its just a matter of with respect to which gods. Everyone is an atheist? Are you serious? Dear God man. Thank you for enlightening us with your useless philosophy.
do you believe in zeus?
and its not a philosophy, its just making a point.
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On October 13 2009 13:10 IdrA wrote:Show nested quote +On October 13 2009 13:09 Mori600 wrote:On October 13 2009 13:05 IdrA wrote:On October 13 2009 12:11 Misrah wrote:
If the book you were given is called 'the case for a creator' throw it out.
The sources and authors from that book are so pathetic and not reputable at all. Probably more use to read a picture book imo.
Atheism doesn't have all of the answers, and neither does religion. Only a fool would blindly follow either. atheism isnt a thing, it doesnt give answers and people dont follow it. its just a lack of belief in something else. everyone is an atheist, its just a matter of with respect to which gods. Everyone is an atheist? Are you serious? Dear God man. Thank you for enlightening us with your useless philosophy. do you believe in zeus? and its not a philosophy, its just making a point.
What do you think? And honestly, I am having a hard time seeing your point. "Everyone is an atheist, it just a matter of with respect to which gods" Sounds like a contradiction.
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your post originally said "of course i do not!"
of course you dont! a supreme being who throws lightning bolts is far more ridiculous than a zombie jew who will cleanse us of the sins of a woman who ate an apple because a talking snake tricked her, but only if we eat his body.
the point is theres a whole host of gods and religions that you and any religious person would consider absolutely ridiculous. and alot of them have followers just as devoted your own (if you're religious). but somehow or another you just happened to choose the right one. which coincidentally happened to be the one that your family taught you.
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On October 13 2009 13:13 Mori600 wrote:Show nested quote +On October 13 2009 13:10 IdrA wrote:On October 13 2009 13:09 Mori600 wrote:On October 13 2009 13:05 IdrA wrote:On October 13 2009 12:11 Misrah wrote:
If the book you were given is called 'the case for a creator' throw it out.
The sources and authors from that book are so pathetic and not reputable at all. Probably more use to read a picture book imo.
Atheism doesn't have all of the answers, and neither does religion. Only a fool would blindly follow either. atheism isnt a thing, it doesnt give answers and people dont follow it. its just a lack of belief in something else. everyone is an atheist, its just a matter of with respect to which gods. Everyone is an atheist? Are you serious? Dear God man. Thank you for enlightening us with your useless philosophy. do you believe in zeus? and its not a philosophy, its just making a point. What do you think? And honestly, I am having a hard time seeing your point. "Everyone is an atheist, it just a matter of with respect to which gods" Sounds like a contradiction.
Theres a Richard Dawkins Quote like this
"We are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further"
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EPT
