Saturday, September 23, 2006

 

Richard Dawkins 'Foundation for Reason and Science' Website Opens

Richard Dawkins God Delusion Selfish Gene Blind Watchmaker Climbing Mount Improbable (Evolution Research: John Latter / Jorolat)The Richard Dawkins 'Foundation for Reason and Science - A Clear Thinking Oasis' website is now open.

Among the current entry page attractions are a 12 minute video ('Our Mission') and the article "Richard Dawkins explains his latest book":

I wanted to write The God Delusion (Amazon: UK | US) six years ago. American friends counselled against, and my New York literary agent was horrified. Perhaps in Britain you could sell a book that criticized religion, he said. But in the US, don't even think about it. He hated to admit it, for he was an atheist like most American intellectuals, but religion was off limits to ridicule. You had to respect religion even if you didn't subscribe to it. Wendy Kaminer was exaggerating only slightly when she remarked that making fun of religion is as risky as burning a flag in an American Legion Hall. Concentrate on science, my American friends advised. Hands off religion. Let the grandeur of science speak for itself, and religion will die a natural death by ignominious comparison. I gave way and wrote The Ancestor's Tale instead (Amazon UK | US).

I don't regret that decision, for The Ancestor's Tale is the nearest approach to a proud magnum opus that I am likely to achieve, and I could not wish it undone. But how different the cultural landscape looks today.

The rest of the article can be read here - UPDATE: I emailed the website because this link had stopped working and they said "Unfortunately we had to take it down temporarily. It will be back up after October 11." Come back then I guess!

See "The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (Upcoming New York Academy of Sciences Event)"

and "Extracts from Richard Dawkins' new book 'The God Delusion' (+Video)"

Books on Creationism from the Science and Evolution Bookshop: UK | US

Books on Intelligent Design from the Science and Evolution Bookshop: UK | US

Books on 'Science and Religion' from the Science and Evolution Bookshop: UK | US

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