Richard Dawkins: The Controversy Between Science And Religion
Over the years we have seen the evolution of science and how it was grown to be what is considered science today. In all that growth, there have always been controversial aspects of science, which are still disputed today. One large controversy that still stands today is the theory of evolution is the idea of religion and the story of creation. These two concepts can be either seen as two opposing sides or two separate entities that have nothing to do with the other. Either way, the theory of evolution and religion have yet to see eye to eye. With every controversy there will be people standing on both ends of the spectrum. On the side of evolution with no belief in religion or God is Richard Dawkins. On the other end of the spectrum are people who take the literal interpretation of the bible. There are also some people who believe in a combination of religion and evolution, Stephen Gould. Over the years, people gave gained popularity for their ideas within the field of science and religion.
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Richard Dawkins took the side of evolution.
Although his family was originally from England, Dawkins was born on March 26,1941 in Nairobi, Kenya (Dickerson 1999). This was because his father had been deployed there for World War II (Dickerson 1999). While spending his early childhood in Kenya on the front of the war, Dawkins was influenced by all he had seen and witnessed, which played an important part his future studies. At a young age Dawkins took an interest in animals (Dickerson 1999). He would watch the way animals moved, their behavior, the similarities and differences between several animal species (Dickerson 1999). His interest in animals would lead his to study zoology. Dawkins attended Oxford University and in 1966 he received his doctorate degree in zoology (Dickerson
1999). A few years after the end of World War II, 1949, Dawkins and his family returned to England (Dickerson 1999). Dawkins was raised an Anglican (Dickerson 1999). Anglicanism is a religion with similar beliefs as Christianity and was formed from those how separated from the Church of England (Church History). The word Anglican means of England referring to its ties with the Church of England (Church History). Even with this religion upbringing, Dawkins soon came to doubt everything he had been taught in church (Knapton 2014). He could not bring himself to agree that there was one God or designer who was able to create everything we have today (Dawkins 2014). At this point in his life he began to learn about evolution and believed this was a better solution to the unanswered question. The question is simple, what started the world, as we know it? Although this maybe a simple question it has still to be answered today and may never be answer. Dawkins believes that theory of evolution is the answer to this question (Dawkins 2014). Dawkins has many people who appose his ideas about evolution, which is evident based on all the hate main he receives. Before getting into the opposing arguments, it is important to understand Dawkins contributions to science and how he came to his beliefs. As stated earlier Dawkins was risen up to be an Anglican. He came to the conclusion that religion was unable to support its story (Dickerson 1999). Dawkins turned towards science to find the answers he was looking for and he believed he had found them within evolution. After discover Darwin’s work on the theory of evolutions, Dawkins believed that evolution and religion were two competing forces with only one winner in the end (Dawkins). Dawkins expanded on the concepts behind evolution. He wanted to explain how evolutions worked with complete separation of the ideas of the church (Dawkins). Dawkins wrote several books expressing his opinions of science and religion. Two of the most notable books are The Selfish Gene (1976) and The God Delusion (2006) (Dickerson 1999). Each of these books portrays a different aspect of Dawkins thoughts behind evolution and religion. Dawkins wrote his first book in 1976 and it was called the Selfish Gene. This book was Dawkins ideas about how evolution worked. He believed that evolution did not occur at the species level, but instead at the molecular level (Dickerson 1999). Through this book he expressed his ideas about the genes changing. Dawkins considered this to be evolution at the gene level (Dickerson 1999). Dawkins had an idea that individual genes were fighting to survive and changing to ensure their own survival. This does not necessarily mean what is best for the gene is the best for the entire organism, but it often can be best for both. Therefore Dawkins believes genes are selfish and change to save themselves and does not have the over arching mission to save the larger organism. At a semi young age, Dawkins decided there was no point in believing in God or being part a religious group. In 2006 he published a book called “The God Delusion” which was his beliefs about how religion can be damaging to individuals (Dickerson 1999). In the book, Dawkins talks how people believe that God is this supernatural entity, who was able to create all matters of life (Gage 2008). However, he believes that if someone has this belief or one similar to it they are simply delusional. Dawkins also stated that he believed religion would cause more harm in the lives of people as a whole.
The argument Dawkins makes to back up his theory that religion is harmful to everyone is that religion takes away people’s basic human rights. Dawkins calls out church for looking down upon those who are in the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus) as sinners and do not expect them for who they are as a person (Dawkins). Although some churches are still strict in their beliefs not all churches turn their backs on the LGBTQ+ community. There are churches that take the sand that all God’s children are created special and everyone is tempted by sins daily, which is not reason the cast someone out (Believe Out Loud). Furthermore, many countries around the world have a freedom of religion. In these countries people can choose which religion they want to be a part of or simply choose not to be affiliated with any church or religion. In addition these countries are not out to prosecute those who do not fallow their same religion. There are some who believe their religion to be one hundred percent correct and every other religion is incorrect, but this also happens in science. There are plenty of cases where a scientist will go after another scientist because of their beliefs in the science field. It is unfair to judge every religion or every scientist by the extremist of each group. All in all, people are able to put their faith wherever they personally see fit. Society as a whole is not forcing religion or science onto everyone.
Richard Dawkins took the side of evolution.
Although his family was originally from England, Dawkins was born on March 26,1941 in Nairobi, Kenya (Dickerson 1999). This was because his father had been deployed there for World War II (Dickerson 1999). While spending his early childhood in Kenya on the front of the war, Dawkins was influenced by all he had seen and witnessed, which played an important part his future studies. At a young age Dawkins took an interest in animals (Dickerson 1999). He would watch the way animals moved, their behavior, the similarities and differences between several animal species (Dickerson 1999). His interest in animals would lead his to study zoology. Dawkins attended Oxford University and in 1966 he received his doctorate degree in zoology (Dickerson
1999). A few years after the end of World War II, 1949, Dawkins and his family returned to England (Dickerson 1999). Dawkins was raised an Anglican (Dickerson 1999). Anglicanism is a religion with similar beliefs as Christianity and was formed from those how separated from the Church of England (Church History). The word Anglican means of England referring to its ties with the Church of England (Church History). Even with this religion upbringing, Dawkins soon came to doubt everything he had been taught in church (Knapton 2014). He could not bring himself to agree that there was one God or designer who was able to create everything we have today (Dawkins 2014). At this point in his life he began to learn about evolution and believed this was a better solution to the unanswered question. The question is simple, what started the world, as we know it? Although this maybe a simple question it has still to be answered today and may never be answer. Dawkins believes that theory of evolution is the answer to this question (Dawkins 2014). Dawkins has many people who appose his ideas about evolution, which is evident based on all the hate main he receives. Before getting into the opposing arguments, it is important to understand Dawkins contributions to science and how he came to his beliefs. As stated earlier Dawkins was risen up to be an Anglican. He came to the conclusion that religion was unable to support its story (Dickerson 1999). Dawkins turned towards science to find the answers he was looking for and he believed he had found them within evolution. After discover Darwin’s work on the theory of evolutions, Dawkins believed that evolution and religion were two competing forces with only one winner in the end (Dawkins). Dawkins expanded on the concepts behind evolution. He wanted to explain how evolutions worked with complete separation of the ideas of the church (Dawkins). Dawkins wrote several books expressing his opinions of science and religion. Two of the most notable books are The Selfish Gene (1976) and The God Delusion (2006) (Dickerson 1999). Each of these books portrays a different aspect of Dawkins thoughts behind evolution and religion. Dawkins wrote his first book in 1976 and it was called the Selfish Gene. This book was Dawkins ideas about how evolution worked. He believed that evolution did not occur at the species level, but instead at the molecular level (Dickerson 1999). Through this book he expressed his ideas about the genes changing. Dawkins considered this to be evolution at the gene level (Dickerson 1999). Dawkins had an idea that individual genes were fighting to survive and changing to ensure their own survival. This does not necessarily mean what is best for the gene is the best for the entire organism, but it often can be best for both. Therefore Dawkins believes genes are selfish and change to save themselves and does not have the over arching mission to save the larger organism. At a semi young age, Dawkins decided there was no point in believing in God or being part a religious group. In 2006 he published a book called “The God Delusion” which was his beliefs about how religion can be damaging to individuals (Dickerson 1999). In the book, Dawkins talks how people believe that God is this supernatural entity, who was able to create all matters of life (Gage 2008). However, he believes that if someone has this belief or one similar to it they are simply delusional. Dawkins also stated that he believed religion would cause more harm in the lives of people as a whole.
The argument Dawkins makes to back up his theory that religion is harmful to everyone is that religion takes away people’s basic human rights. Dawkins calls out church for looking down upon those who are in the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus) as sinners and do not expect them for who they are as a person (Dawkins). Although some churches are still strict in their beliefs not all churches turn their backs on the LGBTQ+ community. There are churches that take the sand that all God’s children are created special and everyone is tempted by sins daily, which is not reason the cast someone out (Believe Out Loud). Furthermore, many countries around the world have a freedom of religion. In these countries people can choose which religion they want to be a part of or simply choose not to be affiliated with any church or religion. In addition these countries are not out to prosecute those who do not fallow their same religion. There are some who believe their religion to be one hundred percent correct and every other religion is incorrect, but this also happens in science. There are plenty of cases where a scientist will go after another scientist because of their beliefs in the science field. It is unfair to judge every religion or every scientist by the extremist of each group. All in all, people are able to put their faith wherever they personally see fit. Society as a whole is not forcing religion or science onto everyone.