Re: [asa] Interesting review of "The Selfish Gene"

Merv:

> People need to read more of Dawkins to be innoculated from his
> religious views.
> Yes I was shaken up a bit by some of it -- but what doesn't kill
> my faith
> sharpens it. So why is it that so many religious type readings
> seem to
> debilitate my faith more, and hostile atheist writings sometimes
> strengthen it?

Thanks Merv for your post. I agree fully with your appraisal of
Dawkins, which applies similarly to Dennett. Their religious views
are so lacking in any rigorous thinking, and so ungrounded, that they
come almost as a shock of incredulity. I can enjoy their sometimes
eloquent discussion of evolutionary processes, but that just makes
the contrast with their religious claims that much more stark.

I do think that pondering the mysteries of nature are in and of
themselves worshipful acts. There is no reason why such
contemplation should not strengthen one's faith. On the other hand,
ill-informed, simplistic, or poorly-grounded theological claims and
arguments can erect unnecessary barriers to spiritual growth or
inhibit the ability of Christians to effectively apply and work out
their faith.

All the best,

Keith

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Received on Tue Aug 15 21:59:26 2006