The Correlation Between Intelligence and Faith: Richard Dawkins on Militant Atheism
From TED is a talk by Richard Dawkins, who urges all atheists to openly state their position — and to fight the incursion of the church into politics and science. It is a fiery, funny, and powerful talk that freethinkers will enjoy.
He says that religion is corrosive to science because it teaches people to be satisfied with trivial, supernatural and blind explanations that do not allow them to see the wonder and beauty of the universe. Conversely, he says that science is corrosive to religion.
Dawkins speaks about the "One Nation Under God" slogan that is bounced around by both Republicans and Democrats, and that Bush did not believe that atheists were patriotic because they did not believe the U.S. is a nation "under God."
There are approximately 30 million non-religious or secular citizens in the United States, yet they are politically ignored. If they were to mobilize, non-believers and secular persons would have significant political influence.
Dawkins also mentions that of 42 studies carried out since 1927, all but four found an inverse connection between religion and intelligence — that is, the higher the intelligence and education, the less likely people are to be religious. Of scientists, a very low percent are religious.
American political opportunities are loaded against people who are intelligent and honest. Dawkins suggests that there be a consciousness raising coming out campaign for American atheists so that people can understand that non-believers are decent people.
Dawkins suggests that mainstream American is not ready to accept the term "atheists," so perhaps there is a better term to use. He says that "non-theist" might be the best word because the religious do not have as much hysterical phobia about it.
Oxford professor Richard Dawkins has helped steer evolutionary science into the 21st century, and his concept of the "meme" contextualized the spread of ideas in the information age.
Related posts:
- God and the New Atheism – A Critical Response to Dawkins Harris and Hitchens
- Richard Dawkins on Ardi, Mormons and Muslims
- Discussions with Richard Dawkins – Episode One – The Four Horseman
- Dawkins on Extremism, Haiti, Politics and More
- Answering the New Atheism Dismantling Dawkins Case Against God
- God is No Delusion A Refutation of Richard Dawkins
- Answering the New Atheism – Dismantling Dawkins Case Against God
- The Tie Between Intelligence and Religious Faith
- Dawkins Interviewed on Al Jazeera
- Dawkins on Religion in the Classroom
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