Root of All Evil - Episode 2 (1/5)

In this two-part documentary, Oxford Professor Richard Dawkins examines how religious faith is gaining ground in the face of rational, scientific truth. The program takes you to some of the world's religious hot-spots, both in America and the Middle East. Dawkins meets with religious leaders and their followers, as well as scientists and sceptics to examine the power of religion. Interviews with former Pastor Ted Haggard, the novelist Ian McEwan, the former Bishop of Oxford, and others offer valuable insights into the global impact and consequences of faith in the 21st century.

Along with his million-copy best-seller The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins' Root of All Evil? has helped inspire people of reason worldwide to say "Enough is enough!" Our modern world is the product of a long march from ignorance and fear to the Enlightenment and beyond, always guided by the power of science and reason. To now abandon our endeavour toward progress and knowledge for faith and superstition puts humanity in peril.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Richard
• Dawkins
• Atheism
• Agnosticism
• Religion
• Science
• Reason

[filip8546]

Richard Dawkins should be the president of USA.

[neurallydegenerated]

@ytrewQwerty He's trying to enlighten them. 'Freeing' them in a way. Pretty noble of him, but it's a damn frustrating goal.

[MadBasstid]

@MrGidderz yup, I've heard the same. My boss is Egyptian and he is very concerned, it is a real problem. I assume it will get worse before it gets better. We'll see. As atheists we cannot indulge in the comfort of prayer, but we can take action, at least in small ways, like reaching out to our peers. I'm hoping to attend the Reason Rally this year, although finances are an obstacle.

[MrGidderz]

@MadBasstid I realise this, though there have been cases where businesses have felt threatened by the authorities since the revolution for selling alcohol and having men and women on the same beach. A recent BBC report showed that genital mutilation is widespread in Egypt though most of it is in the countryside. It is possible that the religious crazies will kill of their own industry which will push greater poverty and anger which inevitably will be blamed on the West

[MadBasstid]

@MrGidderz yes, but I think one can have some hope that this is a temporary setback, and the positive aspect of it is that they were elected, they didn't take over using terrorism and force, and they do not completely control everything. I don't think the Egyptian people will stand for radical changes that will effect their tourism industry, which if I remember correctly is the number one source of income, at least not forever.

[MrGidderz]

@MadBasstid 'there are those who start revolutions and those who gain from them' the liberals started it but the Islamic parties have won from it

[MadBasstid]

@MrGidderz Actually, I think we may be seeing the beginning of the end for strict Islamic control. IE: Despite there currently being a dominance of Islamic extremists in Egyptian govt, the Egypt spring showed people that they could topple a dictatorship without relying on Al Queda -style groups. There is only so much oppression that people will put up with, particularly when they can see evidence against their beliefs and other people with more freedom. We'll see, though.

[MrGidderz]

@MadBasstid well perhaps more importantly is that his legacy will survive - possibly. The 21st century is the deciding point between religion and atheism. Atheism is growing but so is Islam, this century will be the choice between advancing the human race or regressing to outdated religions 

[MadBasstid]

@MrGidderz haha yes I know! Well, he did pass the genes on and more importantly the knowledge, so in a much more tangible way than any fictional afterlife, he does live on. He was truly one in 7 billion.

[MrGidderz]

@MadBasstid well he has a brother but he is more of the anti -Hitch as a conservative christian though he is a well known journalist too

[MadBasstid]

@MrGidderz aw, now I'm all sad- there will never be another Hitch!