Is belief in God a delusion? A response to Richard Dawkins

Name: Is belief in God a delusion? A response to Richard Dawkins
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Description: Is belief in God a delusion? A response to Richard Dawkins

Is belief in God a delusion? A response to Richard Dawkins
Notes for presenter Introduction The presentation begins with comments about atheist attacks on Christianity during The two quotations from an editorial in The Times newspaper published on Christmas Eve 2007 provide a good illustration of this.

“ It has been a good year for atheists…” The Times, 24th December 2007

“ Not since Victorian times has there been such a sustained debate about religious belief” The Times, 24th December 2007

“The God Delusion “ One of the best-selling non-fiction books of its type:1.5m copies in 31 languages Although Dawkins has not been the only atheists publicising his views, he has become the leading publicist for atheist views in the UK. The God Delusion has been widely publicised. Richard Dawkins

“The God Delusion “ One of the best-selling non-fiction books
Backed up by Channel 4 TV series: new Dawkins on Darwin series Dawkins was also given the opportunity to make a mainstream TV series expounding his views Richard Dawkins

“The God Delusion “ One of the best-selling non-fiction books
“Richard Dawkins was recently voted as one of the world’s top three intellectuals” “The God Delusion “ One of the best-selling non-fiction books Backed up by TV series Much hyped This is a claim from the sleeve of the book; there is no information as to who held this vote! Richard Dawkins

“The God Delusion “ One of the best-selling non-fiction books in 2007
“Appendix: A partial list of friendly addresses for individuals needing support in escaping from religion “ (p 375) “The God Delusion “ One of the best-selling non-fiction books in 2007 Backed up by Channel 4 TV series Much hyped A book designed to try to destroy faith in God by an “Evangelical Atheist” Dawkins makes no secret of the fat that he regards all religion as dangerous to society and sets out to encourage people to become atheists. Richard Dawkins

“ I see this as a book for a new millennium, one in which we may be released from lives dominated by the supernatural” Brian Eno, sleeve comment “The God Delusion “ One of the best-selling non-fiction books in 2007 Backed up by Channel 4 TV series Much hyped A book designed to try to destroy faith in God Brian Eno is allegedly another of the three greatest intellectuals in the world. Like Dawkins, he suggests that religious beliefs are outmoded. Richard Dawkins

Suggests that believers are of inferior intelligence to atheists
“The God Delusion “ One of the best-selling non-fiction books in 2007 Backed up by Channel 4 TV series Much hyped A book designed to try to destroy faith in God Couched in scathing and sometimes offensive language This is one of the more offensive aspects of Dawkins’ book; he spends a whole chapter trying to argue that believers are less intelligent than atheists; - the notion that Christians are poor fools who don’t have the wit to see the folly of their beliefs. This is one of a number of very offensive comments made in the book, which at times descends into blasphemous language in criticising faith. Richard Dawkins

“The 19th century is the last time when it was possible for an educated person to admit to believing in the Virgin Birth [of Jesus] without embarrassment.” (p 157) “The God Delusion “ One of the best-selling non-fiction books in 2007 Backed up by Channel 4 TV series Much hyped A book designed to try to destroy faith in God Couched in scathing and sometimes offensive language This quotation is a good example of the toine of the book Richard Dawkins

“Dawkins claims that religion..can lead to extreme violence; [therefore] faith instruction to the young is worse than paedophile abuse.” The Times, 24th December 2007 “The God Delusion “ One of the best-selling non-fiction books in 2007 Backed up by Channel 4 TV series Much hyped A book designed to try to destroy faith in God Couched in scathing and sometimes offensive language And this is a reference to one of his wilder claims, in which he suggests that any parents bringing up their children in a religious faith is worse than child abuse. Richard Dawkins

“My dream is that his book may help [atheists] to ‘come out’ “ (p 4)
“The God Delusion “ One of the best-selling non-fiction books in 2007 Backed up by Channel 4 TV series Much hyped A book designed to try to destroy faith in God Couched in scathing and sometimes offensive language Claims atheists are a persecuted minority Dawkins is particularly critical of the Religious Right in the USA and claims , rather bizarrely that atheists are a persecuted minority who, like homosexuals, need to “come out.” Richard Dawkins

Worried about the persistence of belief in creation
“He worries that evolution takes up little more than two hours of a child’s science education” Worried about the persistence of belief in creation Critical of science teaching Dawkins is particularly critical of the Religious Right in the USA and claims , rather bizarrely that atheists are a persecuted minority who, like homosexuals, need to “come out.” Richard Dawkins

Worried about the persistence of belief in creation
“He worries that evolution takes up little more than two hours of a child’s science education” Worried about the persistence of belief in creation Critical of science teaching Very alarmed by 2006 survey which showed: - Creation most likely 22% - Intelligent Design % - Evolution % - Don’t know % Ipsos Poll for BBC Horizon January 2006 Dawkins is particularly critical of the Religious Right in the USA and claims , rather bizarrely that atheists are a persecuted minority who, like homosexuals, need to “come out.” Richard Dawkins

The God hypothesis “ That there exists a super-human, supernatural intelligence who deliberately designed and created the universe and every-thing in it, including us.” (p 31) This is Dawkins’ definition of the basis of belief in God; - based quite rightly on the foundation belief of God as Creator. ( Dawkins is particularly scathing about those who try to marry evolution to the Biblical account. Richard Dawkins

The Dawkins assertion “ That any creative intelligence, of sufficient complexity to design anything, comes into existence only as the end product of an extended product of gradual evolution.” (p 31) Dawkins own counter-view is that the evolutionary process of natural selection is the sole explanation of the world around us. Richard Dawkins

The Dawkins assertion That there is no God and that Christianity is at best a delusion and at worst a danger to civilised society Richard Dawkins

The Dawkins assertion That the earth we see around us is the product of an almost mystical force of Darwinian evolution Dawkins has been accused of a pseudo-religious faith in natural selection, which he describes at various points in the book as a wonderfully complex and clever process, - a sort of design without God. Richard Dawkins

To examine what Dawkins says about the earth
Objectives tonight To examine what Dawkins says about the earth To look at what he says about the Bible, the Lord Jesus and God To make some comparisons with what the Bible says Objectives of the presentation Richard Dawkins

Deluded by Design? 2. The second section looks at the arguments Dawkins puts forward to counter the argument of Intelligent Design Whilst Dawkins scoffs at this, he finds it difficult to rebutt.

Deluded by Design? Dawkins accepts that life on earth is complex:-
“ Every species and every organ that has ever been looked at within a species is good at what it does. The wings of birds, bees and bats are good at flying…. Dawkins first of all has to admit the complexity of the world around us…

Deluded by Design? Dawkins accepts that life on earth is complex:- “
“We live on a planet where we are surrounded by perhaps 10 million species, each one of which independently displays a powerful illusion of apparent design…” p 139 “ The quotation speaks for itself – it looks more like a quotation from a supporter of Intelligent Design

Deluded by Design? Dawkins accepts that life on earth is complex:- “We live not only on a friendly planet but in a friendly universe …” “ This is one of the hardest issues for Dawkins, evolutionists and atheists: - the failure to find any form of life on any planet so far located poses serious questions, since it underlines the unique nature of the earth.

Deluded by Design? “our kind of life cannot exist without liquid water”
The next few quotations might almost have been taken from a Christadelphian writer such as Bro Alan Hayward’s God is….

Deluded by Design. We are in exactly the right orbit round the sun
Deluded by Design? We are in exactly the right orbit round the sun ..not too hot and not too cold”

Deluded by Design? “Earth’s single relatively large moon serves to stabilise our axis..

Deluded by Design? “Our sun is unusual in not being a binary, locked in mutual orbit with a companion star..” Apparently binary suns i.e two stars within a constellation, create complex gravitational fields which make such things as the retention of an atmosphere.

Deluded by Design? The odds against life on earth developing are a billion to one!
Dawkins deals with the problem by two very different arguments dealt with in the following slides:- Suggesting that there are an infinite number of planets – literally zillions, thus making the odds of one planet developing complex life statistically possible. Suggesting that since the world is here evolution must work! This is a form of faith far greater than that required from Christians.

Deluded by Design? Yet evolution must have happened because we are here!

Deluded by Design? Evolution by natural selection is the only explanation

Deluded by Design? Evolution by natural selection is the only explanation, since Dawkins refuses to accept the idea of an all-powerful God The Biblical phrase willingly ignorant comes to mind!

Digression : But about the origin of life?
Dawkins denies that chance is the reason for the development of life, since he claims natural selection is not chance 3. Dawkins still has a problem in explaining how the basic building blocks of natural selection came into existence

But what about the origin of life?
Dawkins denies that chance is the reason for the development of life, since he claims natural selection is not chance But he suggests that the origin of life required several pieces of luck He is reduced to acknowledging that “we just got lucky”. This is an astonishing admission.

Dawkins denies that chance is the reason for the development of life, since he claims natural selection is not chance But he suggests that the origin of life required several pieces of luck Literally one in a zillion

“We can deal with the unique origin of life by postulating a very large number of planetary opportunities. Once that initial slice of luck has been granted..natural selection takes over and natural selection is emphatically not a matter of luck..” (p 140)

Not a matter of luck? “It may be that the origin of life is not the only major gap in the evolutionary theory which is bridged by sheer luck..” (p 140) This is the first piece of luck which he admits…

Not a matter of luck? “It may be that the origin of life is not the only major gap in the evolutionary theory which is bridged by sheer luck..”(p 140) Goes on to suggest that the origin of eucaryotic cells and consciousness are also matters of luck. There are two other developments which he then has to ascribe to luck. For details of “eucaryotic cells” the development of which is critical to the development of life, see the internet. This makes three slices of luck!

Flaws of logic Neither the theory of evolution nor natural selection are , as Dawkins suggests, proven facts. 4. It is important to remind the audience that neither of the key foundations of Dawkins’ beliefs are proven facts

Flaws of logic Neither the theory of evolution nor natural selection are , as Dawkins suggests, proven facts. Dawkins has not disposed of the difficulty of irreducible complexity e.g. the components of basic cells Irreducible complexity is the argument that some of the components of cells necessary to life are so complex in their design that it is impossible to see how they might have evolved over time as Dawkins suggests. An example is the bacterial flagellum. Dawkins dismisses this as a spurious example, by trying to claim that a simpler mechanism must have preceded it because the process of natural selection is indisputable.

The bacterial flagellum
“ Evidently crucial components ..were already in place and working [in TTSS] before the bacterial flagellum evolved” p132 Irreducible complexity is the argument that some of the components of cells necessary to life are so complex in their design that it is impossible to see how they might have evolved over time as Dawkins suggests. An example is the bacterial flagellum. Dawkins dismisses this as a spurious example, by trying to claim that a simpler mechanism must have preceded it because the process of natural selection is indisputable.

Flaws of logic Neither the theory of evolution nor natural selection are , as Dawkins suggests, proven facts. Dawkins has not disposed of the difficulty of irreducible complexity. Dawkins’ suggestion that because we exist, evolution must have happened is a circular argument, rather less scientific or rational than religious faith.

God’s reply to those who assert the supremacy of human reason
5. At this point it is worth looking at God’s response to Job’s questioning of His power and authority

God’s reply to those who assert the supremacy of human reason
Job chapter 38 When Job is questioning the judgement of God the response is the storm which approaches Job and his three friends.The picture show a highly dramatic storm in Canada. These storms generate huge amount of energy and demonstrate the power of God. “The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind..”

Dawkins on God “A God capable of designing a universe or anything else would have to be complex and statistically improbable..” p153 6. When Dawkins comes to talk about God and the Bible he demonstrates a profound lack of understanding of the God of the Bible… in effect he is saying that God is not clever enough to have made the world! Dawkins has no concept of omnipotence.

Dawkins on God “To suggest that the original prime mover was complicated enough to indulge in intelligent design..is tantamount to dealing yourself a perfect hand in bridge..” p155 The following slides illustrate the Biblical view of God in comparison to Dawkins.

Dawkins on God “To suggest that the original prime mover was complicated enough to indulge in intelligent design..is tantamount to dealing yourself a perfect hand in bridge..” p155 The God of the Bible is presented to us as being eternal, all-powerful and the creator of all we see around us.

The God of the Bible is presented to us as being eternal, all-powerful and the creator of all we see around us:- This is evidenced by:- * the wonders of the world around us e.g. Psalm 19 vv 1-4

* the wonders of the world around us e.g. Psalm 19 vv 1-4
The God of the Bible is presented to us as being eternal, all-powerful and the creator of all we see around us:- This is evidenced by:- * the wonders of the world around us e.g. Psalm 19 vv 1-4 * God’s work in the lives of men and women e.g. Psalm 23 Dawkins does not like the idea of a God who is at the same time all-powerful but intimately concerned with individuals in his world. He would prefer a Greek –like group of deities, aloof from human kind.

* the wonders of the world around us e.g. Psalm 19 vv 1-4
The God of the Bible is presented to us as being eternal, all-powerful and the creator of all we see around us:- This is evidenced by:- * the wonders of the world around us e.g. Psalm 19 vv 1-4 * God’s work in the lives of men and women e.g. Psalm 23 * the words of God’s prophets e.g. Ezekiel 37 being fulfilled long after they were spoken Dawkins is completely silent on the subject of Bible prophecy!

The God of the Bible is presented to us as a God who cares:-
This is evidenced by:- * Repeated descriptions of God as a Father e.g. Psalm 103

This is evidenced by:- * Repeated descriptions of God as a Father e.g. Psalm 103 * Many references to God caring about right and wrong e.g. Psalms 7, 11 Dawkins and other atheists have real problems in dealing with the problem of evil in the world of natural selection

This is evidenced by:- * Repeated descriptions of God as a Father e.g. Psalm 103 * Many references to God caring about right and wrong e.g. Psalms 7, 11 * A clear account of the origin of evil Genesis 3 Nor can he explain where either evil or altruism

This is evidenced by:- * Repeated descriptions of God as a Father e.g. Psalm 103 * Many references to God caring about right and wrong e.g. Psalms 7, 11 * A clear account of the origin of evil Genesis 3 * The giving of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins Romans 5:6-8 Dawkins actually scoffs at a God who would sacrifice His Son to save the world..

This is evidenced by:- * Repeated descriptions of God as a Father e.g. Psalm 103 * Many references to God caring about right and wrong e.g. Psalms 7, 11 * A clear account of the origin of evil Genesis 3 * The giving of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins Romans 5:6-8 * The promise that the world will be restored to perfection when the Kingdom of God is established on the earth. Revelation 21:1-5 Dawkins has no real solution to the problems of the world, - other than to attribute most conflict to religion

Dawkins has no conception or understanding of such a God
Scoffs at the Biblical record Knows little and cares less for historical evidence of the existence of Biblical characters including Jesus Recycles objections, ( including the Da Vinci Code’s), from a wide range of critics and atheists without giving any real impression that he has read the whole of the Bible with an open mind Many of Dawkins’ criticisms appear to have been drawn from other sources..and cover the usual attacks of atheists and sceptics. His scepticism about the existence even of Jesus, let alone most other Biblical characters, his assertion that by the time the Gospels were written no-one knew where Jesus had been born. And other comments show a poor understanding of the convincing historical evidence about the life of Jesus or the dates of the writing of the Gospels.

So struggles:- To explain altruism in humans, especially Christian “charity” to others Dawkins is hampered by his insistence that every trait of any animal behaviour must have some evolutionary value!

So struggles:- To explain altruism in humans, especially Christian “charity” to others The presence of evil in the world – except to blame almost all conflicts on religion “ I cannot think of any war that has been fought in the name of atheism.”

So struggles:- To explain altruism in humans, especially Christian “charity” to others The presence of evil in the world – except to blame almost all conflicts on religion “ I cannot think of any war that has been fought in the name of atheism.” [Really? what about the Terror in the French Revolution, Stalin’s massacres or Pol Pot’s killing fields,- to name only a few!] During the Terror thousands of aristocrats and priests were guillotined or killed in other ways both in the name of egalitarianism and the atheism which scrapped Christianity and tried to introduce a new calendar. Stalin massacred millions of his opponents, - Pol Pot killed large numbers in the name of an atheistic communism.

So struggles to explain:- altruism in humans, especially Christian “charity” to others the presence of evil in the world – except to blame almost all conflicts on religion the persistence of religious beliefs which he believes to be not only useless but dangerous Dawkins really struggles to explain the persistence of religious belief, falling back on the idea that it is an evolutionary anomaly.

What of the future? 7. Dawkins asserts that the triumph of atheism and reason will remove the problems of the world… He marks no mention for Global warming, for example.

What of the future? * Climate change? * Population growth? * Sustainability? * The future of the human race?

What of the future? Dawkins asserts that evolution is bringing a better world:- “ There seems to be a steadily shifting standard of what is morally accepted.. in a recognisably consistent direction ..[of] improvement.” p268

What of the future? Murder Rape Robbery 347 251 921 315 329 965
UK Crime figures Murder Rape Robbery Dawkins’ assertion that the human race is becoming more civilised does not bear careful examination; these figures are just from the UK, but would be reflected in many other statistics from around the world.

What of the future? Murder Rape Robbery 347 251 921 315 329 965
UK Crime figures Murder Rape Robbery Note: During this time church attendance declined substantially This is hardly a steady improvement with the impact of enlightened atheism!

What of the future? “But understand this, that in the last days will come times of stress. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people.” 2 Tim 3:1-5 Clearly a much more accurate analysis !

What of the future? “The Lord God will set up a Kingdom which will never be destroyed… The law will go out from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord This same Jesus you saw taken from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw Him go…” This is the hope of the Bible, -not a delusion, but a real hope for the world

Is belief in God a delusion? No, never!

Thank you and goodnight!

Is belief in God a delusion? A response to Richard Dawkins

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Is belief in God a delusion? A response to Richard Dawkins

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