The God Delusion

Just read The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins.

A rather enjoyable read I have to say. Pretty insightful.

In this book, Richard Dawkins states arguments which, personally, I have never heard about and points of views which I have never thought of looking through. I learnt quite abit from it. The book made me think about religion and what I believe.

I won't discuss my religious stand here. One, it's too big and complex an issue to be discussed like this. Two, I have no intention of making my blog any sort of discussion forum. Three, when it comes to religion I'm actually quite a relativist.

However I feel that he does make a point which is valid regardless of your religious stance. That is religion is not something which you should raise on a pedestal in an unquestioning manner and follow blindly. I feel that it is good to talk about religious matters. By talking or debating about it you discover where you stand on such matters. What's the point of blindly following a religious doctrine? Doctrines invented thousands of years ago, do they still work? If there really is a God, would he/she want your membership in his/her religion or your true belief and sincerity? If at the end of your quest to find your belief, you choose to maintain your original faith, then good for you. Your faith would be as strong as ever. You would have found true light or meaning in your life. If not, then you would just have discarded a belief that even if you continue to forcibly maintain it, you would not be happy doing it. This is important. This is what I think this book is all about. To get people to think.

I mean, a smart man as Richard Dawkins is, surely he can't possibly assume that his book will change the world. I think what this book is capable of is raise awareness about what people are doing nowadays and help those who are pained by not being able to show the world what they truly believe. (Note that I am not exclusively referring to religious people in this sense.)

In this book, Richard Dawkins argues exclusively for atheism. There's nothing wrong with that. Atheism is what he believes and he should duely do whatever he can to defend it. That's all there is to it. To all those who thinks that he is being too extreme, I'd say it's a matter of perspective. Also, the fact that he is so scathing towards religion makes it an ever more illuminating book in such matters. It contrasts so sharply with the other end of the spectrum that you can easily see what is going on in this very well presented book length expose of religion and its apparent delusions about the God Hypothesis.

It is really a book to read for those interested in the matters of religion. Not so much as a textbook from which you derive certified knowledge. But as a book to set the benchmark or a reference point to aid you in your quest to know more about religion. Afterall, atheism is what Richard Dawkins subscribes to, not you.