i have always found dawkins particular flavor of atheism a far better approach than other prominent atheists.he is always respectful and even-handed (mostly) when dissecting the fallacies of creationism.
from R/S:
Prominent atheist Richard Dawkins lamented over the weekend that Republican presidential candidates were still denying that evolution was a fact.
“This fills me with despair,” Dawkins explained to CNN’s Fareed Zakaria. “This is not something you believe in or not. I mean, this is a fact. It is a fact. It’s just as much of a fact as the Earth goes around the Sun. You can’t not believe it unless you’re ignorant.”
The British biologist added that he did not believe that all of the Republican candidates were ignorant.
“I believe what they’re doing is they think that they’ve got to say that in order to appeal to their constituency,” he observed. “And if that’s true, it’s deeply depressing.”
Dawkins noted that Ben Carson’s belief in creationism was especially troubling because the candidate was a former neurosurgeon.
“You just told me all the Republican candidates except one don’t believe in evolution,” Dawkins pointed out to Zakaria. “I mean, that’s a disgrace. But for a very senior eminent distinguished doctor as he is to say that is even worse. Because of course, evolution is the bedrock of biology and biology is the bedrock of medicine.”
“He clearly doesn’t understand the fundamental theorem of his own subject,” he continued. “That is a terrible indictment.”
“It is a form of arrogance to say we know what God does. The only way to know anything is by looking at the evidence. In this particular case, the evidence is overwhelming… In the case of evolution, there is no doubt. It is a fact.”
11 Comments
brycewi19You know what really bothers me about this video is CNN's dumbing-down caption below Dawkins, simply stating what he JUST said.
It adds NOTHING to the conversation/interview.
CNN, stop doing this.
ChaosEngineOnly in the US is this newsworthy.
The rest of the developed world has moved on from this. Yeah, there are creationists in Europe or Australia, but they're considered fringe lunatics and treated with the scorn they so richly deserve.
mtaddsays...CNN is often displayed on screens in airports, food establishments, etc. with sound muted. Also, there are people who are deaf/hard of hearing that benefit from the caption.
You know what really bothers me about this video is CNN's dumbing-down caption below Dawkins, simply stating what he JUST said.
It adds NOTHING to the conversation/interview.
CNN, stop doing this.
bobknight33It is amazing that this denier ever gets a platform.
Such a fraud and a fool. Goes to show that there fools out there that believe his shit for brains logic, and gets rich in doing so.
ChaosEngineWell said bob, it's hard to believe Carson is so fucking stupid.
It is amazing that this denier ever gets a platform.
Such a fraud and a fool. Goes to show that there fools out there that believe his shit for brains logic, and gets rich in doing so.
AziraphaleI have to wonder what people like carson say when you present them with the actual facts and papers. This kind of willful blindness is some scary shit.
Fantomassensiblechuckle.gif
Well said bob, it's hard to believe Carson is so fucking stupid.
Jinxsays...Clearly it is important in a presidential race to be seen as religious, which is a shame. What I don't really fully understand is why they don't roll with the oft favoured fallacy of argument from middle ground. Religious peeps, you can pretty much have your cake and eat it here... as long as you're willing to drop the whole literal interpretation of Genesis you can just use Evolution as more "evidence" to the glory of God's creation! Surely only a divine being would be able create a universe in which life is its own watchmaker! etc etc. Hey presto, you've just positioned yourself between those two extremes as a voice of moderation and at least America would get a Rep Pres that doesn't seem to be waging a war on rational...well, just on being rational.
Wait. Unless the point is they all want to appear to be more extreme than the other guy in order to pander to the smallest minds in the room.
FlowersInHisHairPoliticians are so fucking scared of the losing the religiot vote it makes me sick. Look at them, cravenly pandering to turd-for-brain creationists, each candidate terrified that if they don't say they're a Christian 20,000 times between now and election day they haven't got a chance. Such cowardice. Why do such bad ideas as creationism get to figure on the world stage? Why should the leader of one of the most powerful countries in the world even consider the opinions of people who believe in cherubim and seraphim and gods and planets appearing out of the void by magic? Ignorance of the facts is one thing, but anyone who seriously believes that the world is 6000 years old and that every living thing was poofed into existence by a kind of wizard, after being exposed and eductated by the evidence, should be mocked off the podium.
Hypothesis: each and every candidate, educated as they are, fucking knows that evolution is true. So they lie to keep the votes of dumbfuck creationists. The stand at rallies and make speeches about their anti-evolution stance, lying over and over again but they fucking know. And you know what? The people who genuinely believe in creationism should be insulted that their candidates pay mere lip-service to their religious beliefs. The public ends up electing a liar and they either don't know because they're too weak-minded to work out they're being lied to (they are creationists, after all) or they don't care because it's the right lie; it's the lie they want to hear, and yeah, the guy's lying, but there's plenty of cognitive dissonance to go round. It's the lie that you can't get elected without telling.
PaybackHe takes another huge toke on the half-pound doobie he always has within five feet of him and just smiles at you until you wander off.
He's like the anti-deGrasse.
I have to wonder what people like carson say when you present them with the actual facts and papers. This kind of willful blindness is some scary shit.
NaMeCaFsays...America is seriously turning into Idiocracy.
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