The Problem with God: Interview with Richard Dawkins

Beliefnet ^ | 12/05 | by Laura Sheahen

[tbird5]

The renowned biologist talks about intelligent design, dishonest Christians, and why God is no better than an imaginary friend.

British biologist Richard Dawkins has made a name for himself defending evolution and fighting what he sees as religiously motivated attacks on science. Dr. Dawkins sat down with Beliefnet at the World Congress of Secular Humanism, where his keynote address focused on intelligent design.

You're concerned about the state of education, especially science education. If you were able to teach every person, what would you want people to believe?

I would want them to believe whatever evidence leads them to; I would want them to look at the evidence, judge it on its merits, not accept things because of internal revelation or faith, but purely on the basis of evidence.

Not everybody can evaluate all evidence; we can’t evaluate the evidence for quantum physics. So it does have to be a certain amount of taking things on trust. I have to take what physicists say on trust, for example, because I'm a biologist. But science [has] a system of appraisal, of peer review, so that I trust the physics community to get their act together in a way that I know from the inside. I wish people would put their trust in evidence, not in faith, revelation, tradition, or authority.

[Elsie]

John 20

 

 24.  Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
 25.  So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"   But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
 26.  A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
 27.  Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
 28.  Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
 29.  Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

[Elsie]

But who wants to believe a lie?

No one, Dick.

But...

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NIV John 8:45
   Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!

 

NIV John 14:6
   Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

NIV John 18:37-38
 37.  "You are a king, then!" said Pilate.   Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
 38.  "What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him.

 

NIV John 14:6
  Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

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"What is truth?" Dawkins asks....

[Elsie]

A good scientist knows the limitations of his vocation.

Well spoken, Dirty Harry!

[Elsie]

I sure do!

[Just mythoughts]

Wonder if he is the 'master'?

[Elsie]

The definition of a black hole is that no information can ever escape it or be knowable in any way.

And Scientists say these these things DO exist, and somehow they came from what is called the Big Bang, which, by definition, would be the largest 'black hole' ever, yet, stuff DID come out of this BH, even though, by definition it can't.....

OH!! I'm SO confused!!

[Elsie]

It's the INTERPRETATION of the evidence that is in question!

[Elsie]

I have to think there is something wrong with this interpretation.

You are right!

God's ways are not ours, and His thoughts are not ours.

[Elsie]

I don't understand....

You are correct!

[Elsie]

Why would God insist on torturing forever someone who repents?

HE wouldn't.

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We report - you decide.

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(My prayer)
"Oh Lord; give this man some clear insight to Your eternal qualities that Satan has blinded him to so far."

[Elsie]

We all filter the Truth of the Bible through our own minds and hearts, and what is obvious and clear to one man may be obviously different to another.

You are right.

WAY to many of us will interpret the Bible from our life eperiences, instead of interpreting our experiences using the Bible.

[Elsie]

Time is Nature's way of making sure that everything doesn't happen at once.

[Elsie]

Ya beat me to it!! ;^)

[jwalsh07]

Dawkins is a bigot. No surprises here.

[pby]

Dittos to your prayer, Elsie!

[BraveMan]

Punishment according to one's sins, yes, but why would God be unwilling to accept repentance and acceptance just because they came moments after a deadline?

John 21, verses 20 - 22 is a discussion of the apostle who betrayed Jesus. The key verse is John 21:22:

Jesus said unto him, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou Me."

For some, there is hope even in Hell. Many who have had near-death experiences talk of seeing and visiting Hell, yet have been removed from that awful place and given another chance.

[Paved Paradise]

The pride of some people knows no bounds. I hope he is awakened before it is too late and his imaginary friend has arranged for him a little nook or cranny in the bowels of Hell.

[bobdsmith]

Of course the fact that Dawkins would balk at a God that is more complex than His creation is silly...as if that would somehow be a problem.

Actually Dawkins was balking at ID which claims complexity is an indication of intelligent design. He was pointing out that the argument was not being applied to the designer, so essentially ID is based on theology and not science.

[clee1]

Jesus said to us "Go ye unto all the world, and preach My Gospel to every creature." This yutz has obviously "heard" the Gospel, and has just as obviously rejected it.

Therefore, under the heading of "Cast ye not pearls before swine.", I hope he NEVER gets it. God my have infinite patience and love for all his children; I do not. After an entire adult lifetime of mocking God and God-fearing people, I hope this guy never gets it - and I say this in full knowledge that one day I'll be judged for it.

[Paved Paradise]

Remember when you were in a state of unbelief. Some day his heart might be turned from stone to flesh but if not, we know the all-merciful, all-knowing and all-loving God will be just.