Defending the Truth

I believe Richard Dawkins is one of the smartest and most rational people of our time. His latest book "The God Delusion" is fantastic. It's an a well thought out and clear exploration into why "god almost certainly doesn't exist". It's a great read and I highly recommend it for the religious and secular alike. Everyone can walk away with something positive from the experience of reading this book.

He also pretty rationally exposes why even if god does exist, why it doesn't really matter. What we need to do is worry about getting along in this life and taking care of each other rather than worrying about punishment or reward after we die.

So Richard Dawkings is "almost certainly" God?

To know that there is no God, one would have to be omniscient - which would mean that person is God, and prove that there is, in fact, a God.

Not true at all... He gives clear, rational arguments. That's why it is almost certain and not certain. Very little (if anything) can be stated with 100% certainty.

Right.

So it's speculation.

No, it's much less speculative than the stance of an Abrahamic religion. Speculation is a stance without a rational argument.

But it's still speculation.

And truthfully, MANY of the "religious" people I've known have EXTREMELY good, strong and rational reasons for their beliefs.

I also know many religious people (myself included) who have a good rational basis for their beliefs.

I am just saying it's a good book, with a lot of good lessons.

Good.

I'll probably pick it up and read it some time. I have a HUGE Barnes & Noble gift card I'm slowly making use of.

All I'd ask is approach it with an open mind. He makes many arguments I do disaggree with, or feel uncomfortable with, but he also aptly points out many ways in which religion divides us.

Well there's not much denying that religion has been a great divider.