Richard Dawkins: Why Religion Threatens Rational Thought 

It doesn't take much for a good person to do good things. It doesn't take much for a bad person to do bad things. But making a good person do bad things requires religion.

Dogmatic ideologies using fear mongering sadly exist both in religion and in politics. Tribalism is dangerously powerful because it amplifies emotion and bias. Critical thinking needs to be a required skill taught to everyone

Faith is indistinguishable from stupidity and a licence for liars and charlatans to exploit the fearful, desperate and vulnerable.

'Faith' is merely fear dressed up as virtue...

Religion doesn’t just convince people of irrational things, it convinces them that rational explanations are irrational. For example, the resurrection of christ Apologists argue one of the reasons the resurrection was real because the tomb was empty. Hears a rational explanation, the tomb was always empty or someone moved the body. However when you bring up this rational explanation to the apologists, they look at you like YOUR crazy To quote the hitch man “One MUST ask themselves this. What is more likely? That the laws of nature and physics were suspended and in a way YOU approve of? Or that you’re under a misapprehension?”

"The lowest form of ignorance is rabid condemnation without investigation." A Einstein

No one needs religion, you only need Honor.

Religion doesn't threaten rational thought...It simply abandons it....

This man must be protected at all costs.

Most awesome thing I have ever heard someone say. . . . . Faith is a Belief without Evidence !!!!

Huge respect for this brilliant mind🇿🇦

Blind faith is the abandonment of your own intellect

Reason is based on understanding how reality works. Religion is based on obedience to authority.

If there's evidence, faith is no longer necessary.

Philosophy and science are questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that CANNOT be questioned.

I am ex Muslim. Now I'm an atheist. Finally left the cult of sky daddy

There is believing a thing without evidence, or in the face of contravening evidence, and there is believing a thing on the basis of poor evidence. Science takes seriously this business of having a method for discerning poor evidence from secure evidence. Any faith system is not going to do that.

4:57 "... explaining complicated things in terms of the the interactions of their parts or of simpler things." i.e. showing that _seemingly_ complicated things are, in reality, simple. I use _seemingly_ rather than _apparent_ as there is a difference in usage of the latter between scientists and non scientists.

Richard Dawkins has pulled me out of the religious mud.

Religion says you can't be good, you are not good without religion. Hell exists in order to blackmail people to act a certain way. And it says that other people who don't believe and act like they do, are less and bad. Religion is absolutely abusive.

Mr.Dawkins is totally correct.A Great Man.

According to my values, on balance and in our modern world, religion’s harm far outweighs its good. 1. Faith enables manipulation by demagogues for their nefarious purposes: Religion requires faith, that is, belief without evidence. Such faith becomes available for co-option in different situations. It is epistemically indefensible, and a lazy way of thinking that lends itself to manipulation by demagogues pushing agendas that on greater reflection could be seen for what they are; perversions of justice, compassion, and human decency. 2. Faith replaces the role of chance with imaginary supernatural agency: Faith allows religious people to disregard the misfortunes of others, because they believe them to be undeserving, their gods or spirits having willed it so. It allows them to disregard the role of chance in life, and so believe the wealthy to be deserving. Such false beliefs lead to bad decisions, such as when theists vote against progressive social policies because they believe their good fortune is due to their god's blessing, and the less fortunate are undeserving, so they can’t be good people. 3. Religions discriminate against and oppress non-members: Various religions or sects validate discrimination or oppression against people who don’t share their beliefs, resulting in sectarian violence, even warfare. History shows that religious wars tend to be the deadliest. 4. Objective morality sourced from ancient texts is primitive and sometimes unethical: Religious people believe in objective morality, the source of which is to be found in the ancient text of their choice. However, the morality on display, at least in part, is necessarily primitive and rebarbative. Moral philosophy has moved on since then, making our world a better place, despite the efforts of religious adherents. Compare the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights with the Ten Commandments. The Bible condones slavery, so long as the master doesn’t beat his slave to death. 5. Supernatural beliefs, conflicting with reality, cause faulty decision making: Holding false beliefs that conflict with reality, relating to one or another of mankind’s many gods, is akin to being misinformed. This makes it more likely that decisions influenced by such beliefs will be erroneous. This is particularly true when religious dogma conflicts with scientific data and theories, such as creationism versus evolution by natural selection.

I understand when people say science is too difficult. The truths is science is not difficult it is fascinating. Growing up as a kid i was alway amazed at how the human body works, getting into medical school i realised that science is fact and religion is faith! I also realised that this scientific principles are actually easily comprehensible, this is partly because they are facts and can actually be proven. For example before getting into medical school, i wil watch complicated surgeries and wonder how the heck this guys know exactly what and when to do what they do, now, i will tell you now that it is as easy as it seems. Religion is simply the opium of the society and its followers have an overdose of it.

You can't debate or reason with someone that believes in the magic man in the sky. Their stupidity and ignorance is off the scale.

The level of atheism throughout the rest of the developed world refutes any argument that religion is somehow a moral necessity, Countries like Norway, Iceland, Australia, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Japan, the Netherlands, Denmark and the United Kingdom are among the least religious societies on Earth. According to the United Nations’ Human Development Report (2005) they are also the healthiest, as indicated by measures of life expectancy, adult literacy, per capita income, educational attainment, gender equality, homicide rate and infant mortality. Conversely, the 50 nations now ranked lowest in terms of human development are unwaveringly religious. Other analyses paint the same picture: The United States is unique among wealthy democracies in its level of religious literalism and opposition to evolutionary theory; it is also uniquely beleaguered by high rates of homicide, abortion, teen pregnancy, STD infection and infant mortality. The same comparison holds true within the United States itself: Southern and Midwestern states, characterized by the highest levels of religious superstition and hostility to evolutionary theory, are especially plagued by the above indicators of societal dysfunction, while the comparatively secular states of the Northeast conform to European norms. Of course, correlational data of this sort do not resolve questions of causality--belief in God may lead to societal dysfunction; societal dysfunction may foster a belief in God; each factor may enable the other; or both may spring from some deeper source of mischief. Leaving aside the issue of cause and effect, these facts prove that atheism is perfectly compatible with the basic aspirations of a civil society; they also prove, conclusively, that religious faith does nothing to ensure a society’s health.

Mathematics and scientific inquiry are important skills. But they are a subset of rational thought, not the whole. And rational thought itself is but a subset of existential reality. "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

Richard Dawkins is a gift to the human community. Religion is everybody's secret garden and Dawkins simply shows us that that is exactly where it should remain. We all believe in different things all day long and every night we see home-made movies in our minds about how we have interpreted things. Dreams show us what religion should be; our own private showing where in the morning when you wake up, only you have the memory of what was playing in your mind.

This coming from the guy who appreciates the traditions and churches of Christianity

That ending was perfect.

Having faith is having the ability to believe any claim that has zero evidence to support it. Then ignore, alter and invent as much reality as you feel you have to when encountering anything thar seriously challenges any belief held on faith --just to sustain your indoctrinated belief and then hold that ability to do so as a badge of honor.

Science is very difficult to understand. Modern science is so difficult that we take it on faith that its propositions are true.

I never understand why the universe needs an invisible creator formed like a human man!

On both sides, the exclusive factor is ego or if you prefer; narrative. Perspective versus perspective

I agree with you. I coined the phrases "The Religion makes you Dumb" and "The Religion is Geographical" It depends on where you was born. Think about it.

After years of studies, I have compiled all of the best evidence for God: Thanks for listening

Dawkins should know all about believing something without evidence.

Science teaches what it knows; religion teaches what it does not know.

Google- "illusory truth effect"

Religious beliefs are bull.. that's it.

Recent Supreme Court rulings confirm Mr. Dawkins claim.

My opinion of religion is generally not as harsh as the other commentors on this site. Tribalism is common among humans and is a natural/normal response to oppression. The Christian movement originated in Jewish Palestine ... a strip of land between Syria and Egypt with a population of roughly 500,000 people at the time of Jesus' birth. Christianity quickly took hold under the Roman's oppression and grew to what we know today. But at the same time as Christianity's early beginnings, just on the other side of Saudi Arabia's huge sands, was China with a population of 57 million children of God and to the south was India with a population of 75 million children of God. No one has ever explained why God ignored 130 million of his children of who's births he attended. Maybe it was because they were not white? Food for thought?

Every observation by the mighty Richard Dawkins is a winner. 🏆

Ten and one half minutes of accompanying Prof Dawkins through his own personal desert. And it's enough to make you dry, desiccated and incoherent...

(/--)/ This is an artistic proof of a created universe. When you paint a shadow it's the opposite color of the object that made the shadow. Nobody knew what the opposite color of white was so the artists avoided painting white on white. The opposite color of white is baby blue and baby pink. The first artist to figure it out was Norman Rockwell. I was the second artist to figure it out. I saw it in the corner of a white room. The lighting was perfect to see it.

Economics can not exist without humanity, humanity can exist without economics! There is no need to measure progress or regress, it is clearly visible!

Utter rubbish. I am a rational and scientific thinker. Read widely in science, mathematics, philosophy and theology. I take my faith in Christ seriously too.

God helps those that help themselves, making the existence of a god irrelevant and obsolete. So let’s just start helping ourselves, and each other. There is no need for a god to do so!

Science and religion address different questions but both should rely on evidence and rational thinking. Science gives numerical answers to well posed questions based on repeated observations and mathematical models. Science says nothing at all about meaning or purpose because those are metaphysical questions. Religion answers the metaphysical (why) type questions.

I hate when people say that god Can do anything to explain what they can't explain or do not know,for example the virgin birth or Lazarus being arisen from the dead After rottiny In his grave after however long And most people say saying god can do anything

The world would be a better place if Richard Dawkins stuck to talking about topics he knew something about.

This guy brings joy to my heart, tears to my eyes and hope for the future. Where can I send him some money? 😂 If Im dumb enough to send it, probably he would take it.

In the universe, things go from simple to complex

This video was extremely helpful to understand how "people" have got a chance to choose their "gender".

Hell for me is spending eternity with religious people

Evolutionary biologist Jerry A. Coyne says what is needed is "an education in facts," then a "de-education in faith."

In the beginning story, there is this talking snake, you see.. No. We don't see. And in the beginning god said... Who was there to know what he said? By your own story and your own account from your magical letters on a page...people weren't there to witness any of it. Well, you just have to believe... No. No buddy. I don't have to do shit and I don't believe you. Let alone believe your claims. I now trust you less... Oh you are the evil one! I am? For what, bothering to listen to you in the first place, and failing to believe any of your nonsense about talking snakes and magic words? What are my words? Less than magic? How are your words to me somehow magic? Well...the bible says... Oh brother. Over and over.

Religion is literally trusting another person to answer all questions and to never investigate nor question anything yourself. Religion not only encourages disownment of friend and family for not obeying, it often forces itself upon others like a twisted business deal.

Thank god for science!

The Bible states clearly that God created humans and humans have a brain that enables rational thought. That's my belief and I'm sticking to it.

>By postulating some easy explanation This is why atheism is NOT the default position unless by default position you mean following the null hypothesis

All religion's follow a text written by whom, by man, not an ethereal being, a man made concept, and for reasons varied.

This deserves more likes, such a wonderfully put-together and deeply moving video! I almost got teary-eyed when Richard spoke about contemplating the expansion of the universe, the quintet and Shakespeare!

Didn't the Communists used to say that religion is "the opiate of the masses?" I ask because it seems remarkably similar to Dawkins' argument.

"The religions, governments, and social groups failed to inculcate into the congregations and spheres of influence not to pollute, damage, or over-populate the biosphere. How would you react to your body being polluted and damaged?

Religion is a private thing and it shouldn't trouble anyone if someone practices his or her religion privately. Many do that but there are some who want to trumpet his or her religious practices and spread it wide and far. This is where the trouble emanates. There are a very vast population who can be swayed when a person speaks on religion and God. Its because a vast majority of people want instant solutions to their problems and they want to believe it can happen. A person without any problems or desires or ambitions would not get involved with religion or God.

Religion is the gateway drug to irrational beliefs. Once faith, belief without evidence, is accepted as a legitimate method of fixing belief the guardrails of rationality are eliminated, and believing anything is normalized. Which would be fine, except that beliefs motivate actions, often with dire consequences. We suffer immeasurably from that mental affliction. Perhaps we'll survive long enough to develop AI that saves us from our irrationality and cruelty, but it's also very possible that "there be dragons", and we will outsmart ourselves into extinction on that path as well. One way or the other, eventually no one gets out alive. We can only hope to reduce the suffering along our journey, and clearly religion is not a shield.

I like that "No"....

I applaud most comments on here - my brothers and sisters in empirical thought.

Violating the rights of the Lambs 📖 come with consequences and Our Heavenly Father got me training and concrete became light as a feather 🪶, weak created hard times.

Agreed. Look at reality in any government rulings in any nation in the past, present, or future! 👍👍

When people become extremely dogmatic then I somewhat agree. However I also have come to believe that dogmatism is also prevalent among some scientists. The further one goes in science and philosophy the less sure of oneself one becomes.

Tha hatred for Religion “Paralyzes rational thought “.

Why all of the clips from his interviews have been manipulated like that?

I have five words," bill Donahue hidden meanings church".

Actions can never be simply categorized into good or bad... this idea of categorizing actions simply into good and evil is the basis of every religion it seems... this is one of the main problems. The other main problem is that in religion, some people's imagination are given more priority even when they have no evidence to back up the theory they imagined.. The third main problem is that imagination takes precedence over observation when trying to describe reality... Imagination might provide a gateway to subjective reality, but subjective reality should only exist in very complex beings. Objective reality is the only thing that seems to exist in the universe otherwise..

We all practice faith. Every time you sit in a chair. You had faith it would support your weight. Do you examine the chair thoroughly each time you sit in it? Choosing to open up and develop a long term relationship practicing faith? In faith you believe the other person is committed, will stay committed, will be loyal etc.

Jesus’ “Kingdom of HEAVEN at hand” is the real SCIENTIFIC TEMPER . RAtionality is religious. Religion is rationalistic. But FAITH is the foundation of life (fruit of the tree of life/ progress/ scientific temper/ spirituality).

Human is a moral being and this edifice of morality stands on four major believes. Can you deny believing in the following? 1) Happiness and sadness 2) beauty and ugliness 3) Goodness and evil 4) Honor and Humiliation And man brings these believes with him in this world. Without these believes , a person cannot perform any task from sucking mother nipples to all others tasks in his life span (learning ABC to big scholars and philosophers etc). (Got from Hamiduddin Farahi)

What do you guys think about the bahai faith

Oh.... our famous atheist who once said he is a cultural christian :)

Exactly

Being present in the moment engaged in rational thinking to promote a caring human consciousness of unity..

Mankind does not do evil more completely and cheerfully than when it does in the name of religion , and that would be any religion.

I BELIEVE BISCUITS WILL MAKE MY CUP OF TEA TASTE BETTER

This is the case only if one has "mechanical faith" or "ideological faith", i.e. when one believes only because others around him have such faith or feels threatened bypunishment. But there is GENUINE fath. For example a person (lets say he is not a follower of any religion) who would not deliberately hurt another innocent man EVEN IF HE HAD ABSOLUTE GUARANTEE OF IMMUNITY that he can do so with impunity - such a perosn has GENUINE faith. THIS non-dogmatic faith is what in Christianity is calle: the Logos. In Buddhism: The Dhamma SUCH a faith not only does not threaten rational thought but enriches it. Arjuna J.

I consider Richard Dawkins as irrational since his arguments are not based on logical reason but instead on his own desires. Interpreting the evidence correctly is difficult and there are often multiple interpretations. For example Jews, Christians, and others have been arguing over the correct interpretation of Genesis 1 for thousands of years and yet Dawkins seems to believe one particular one is the correct one. If he is wrong then that premise collapses rendering his argument unsound. The same is true of fossil evidence or any other there is. I am not even sure which evolution model he endorses but many models have been falsified by relatively recent discoveries. This is often how both science and theology progresses.

Religion has two aspects, devotional and philosophical. The devotional is highly irrational, while the philosophical is highly rational and beyond the realm of science. Science is an incomplete description of reality.

Brilliant!

This kind of content only influence people who do not try to use their consciousness and depend on somebody else corrupt conscious. Example: Listen from 2:11 and 3:31..making no sense just trying to mock his opponent nothing else and trying to use Quran phrase “fingers in ears” to solder his argument (even not an argument). Reference for “fingers in ears) Quran 2:19

People have been murdered over cartoons. End of analysis." - Sam Harris

Preach!

Sometimes Religion make you do stupid things ... I am not condemning one who behaves stupidity in emotions of God ,it happens because of subconscious conditioning

God-realization can be attained by humans. Ramakrishna, Paramahansa Yogananda, Ramana Maharshi, Sivananda, Shivapuri Baba, Ananada Mayee Ma all attained to this level.

Correction: religion poison's the brains ability to come to the conclusions that Dawkins wants. He wants to do our thinking for us and then congratulate ourselves on what great thinkers we are.

What projection ! "I believe in evolution !" "I have faith in science !"

Real talk 🎯

Yes but is god so powerful that he can create a rock that he himself can not lift?

All things made have a maker. But according to this guy, it is rational to believe that everything came from nothing by accident. The universe is a effect that has no cause. Where the hell is logic here?

Totally agree with you

Don't confuse me with the facts, I made up my mind.