a quote for thought

I am reading Richard Dawkin’s “The God Delusion” this week on the train. I have been seriously re-evaluating my beliefs over the last two weeks - mostly due to a excess of free time - and have arrived at the conclusion that I can best describe myself as a secular humanist (atheist). Returning to the book, I’ve only just started so I am sure there are many more interesting comments deeper beneath the cover, however the following was a particularly striking one from the first chapter:

“I am a deeply religious nonbeliever. This is somewhat a new religion.

I have never imputed to Nature a purpose or a goal, or anything that could be understood as anthropomorphic. What I see in Nature is a magnificent structure that we can comprehend only very imperfectly, and that must fill a thinking person with a feeling of “humility.” This is a genuinely religious feeling that has nothing to do with mysticism.”

-Albert Einstein

a note to dropB listeners: rotations this summer have been weird, I apologize. My show continues next week , for the next 3 weeks straight. Come back in a bit :)

Published:: 8.8.07 / 1pm

Category:: personal, religion

ian 8.9.07 / 7pm

While I thoroughly enjoyed that book, I have to admit that Dawkins has a rather personal, impassioned approach that is often palatable only to those already in the choir or thinking of joining. To that end, I strongly recommend “Breaking the Spell” by Daniel Dennett. Being a philosopher by trade, he takes an extremely logical approach to the question of religion and its usefulness, and while he doesn’t offer any conclusion as to what should be done (which isn’t nearly as fun as Dawkins’ or Harris’ tirades,) it does arm one with many logical tools for a basic discussion of the role religion has and continues to play in people’s lives and of our duty to examine it, tools that even the most ardent zealot will have a difficult time ignoring.

andrew.j.farley 8.9.07 / 11pm

thanks for the feedback! although i agree his writing is more like a tirade - the more-logical-than-thou style do feel almost like a guilty pleasure - i did feel obligated to read some of his work (this is my first) since he is frequently referenced. your suggestion sounds much more provoking, thank you ill look for it

a quote for thought

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