Henry
1
Danielle Henry
Professor Andrea Branchi
PORE 323 – Politics, Philosophy and Religion
11 December 2017
Richard Dawkins: Religion vs. Science
Richard Dawkins, an ethnologist and an atheist well known for his criticism.
In the documentary, The Root of All Evil and his book, The God Delusion, he
exemplifies that religion and science do not work together. He believes that a
supernatural creator does not exist and that religious faith is a delusion. In the
documentary he explains that there is a huge change to our civilized values and
there is an “elephant” in the room and is called religion. Throughout the film,
Dawkins is determined to prove that religion is not true and we as people should
not trust it. He believes that science is the only answer and the 21st century should
be an age of reason.
Dawkins believes that there is a contradiction between science and religious
belief and faith is called the process of non-thinking. Dawkins explains that the idea
of a divine creator belittles the elegant reality of the universe. He believes that
Europe and American are guilty of religious extremism. He asked the question, why
should scientist not tiptoe into theology? He answers by saying, why not and
believes that religion is independent thought and dangerous. Unlike religion, science
can be proven evidence and can be backed up by multiple scientists.
In the first part of the documentary, Dawkins finds himself in a crowed filled
of Catholic people that are having a candle light vigil. He believes that religion leads
Henry
2
to terrorism and is concerned by religious people because they believe praying to
God we will resolve these issues. They all have the same delusions and are given
comfort in the fact they all believe in the same God. As he walks through the path of
people he emphasizes that reason must change.
As Dawkins enters into the place once where Jesus’ mother gave birth to him,
he finds that thousands of people set out on a pilgrimage to travel to this site
because they believe that by touching the “holy” water they will be healed. He
negatively says that they are more likely to catch more of a disease by the other
thousands of people that have visited the same site than be cured. He starts to
question some people outside the venue on how they feel once they have received
the holy water. Some describe they feel more faithful and have more trust in God
