Humanist Heroes: Richard Dawkins by John Wayland
Professor Richard Dawkins is perhaps the single most prominent atheist. John Wayland introduces the evolutionary biologist and author of the best-selling The God Delusion.
Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins is my Humanist Hero because without him, I would have never had the confidence to say so. Richard Dawkins is a British ethologist, evolutionary biologist and popular science author. He is noted for his books, The Selfish Gene and The God Delusion. He has also made various documentaries.
Like so many young people, I was confused about the world. There seemed to be so many different conflicting attitudes and ideas. During my first year of my degree I came across Richard’s 1992 Christmas Lectures. It changed the way I looked at the world forever. Slowly and patiently, I read my way through his books, and watched his documentaries while carefully considering everything. Richard’s words and ideas fitted in with everything I knew deep down about the world. His championing of science, reason, and truth spurred me on to care as well, to encourage others to really look at the world, and consider the evidence.
Slowly, my academic self-confidence grew. Whenever I feel concerned or worried, I read one of Richard’s books. Many are quick to criticise him, but if they just listened to what he says, the honesty, integrity and truth of his words, whether in a book or video, I cannot see how anyone could fail to be moved by such words.
Richard Dawkins is my Humanist Hero because he makes me feel confident in my ability to say “I don’t believe in a God”, and has made it possible for thousands of people just like me, to declare aloud that we are not afraid, and that we will keep searching for the truth, with reason and understanding in the driving seat.
This post is part of a series written by members, friends and Distinguished Supporters of the British Humanist Association about their own “humanist heroes”.
You can find out more at www.humanism.org.uk/humanism/humanist-tradition/heroes
John Wayland is a psychology undergraduate, with a profound interest in evolutionary psychology, science, and Humanism.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah, Hallelujah!!
Hallelujah, Halle-le-e-lujah!!!
C.J. Wilton = moron
The author of this post doesn’t worship Dawkins you moron. He admires his achievements and if you read what he wrote, he says clearly he considered all the evidence. I bet the author is probably into the similar cirlce of people, Carl Sagan, David Attenborough, PZ Meyers, The Founding Fathers (basically anyone REAL who have actually done something great).
At least he doesn’t take his entire moral code and has a belief system based on the desert scribblings of some random people about a spaceman who impregnates a peasant LOLZ. Ah, I love religion – for the crazy! Virgin birth, water into wine; it’s like Harry Potter, but it causes genocide and bad folk music.
Sorry Cap;
I was in fact attempting humour. Clearly miscalculated. I love the Prof. and all of his writings (I happen to be watching a discussion between him and Aubrey Manning on DVD, as I write). But I must object to your accusation, I have never nor ever will be a Mormon. :0)
The moron comment was definitely uncalled for.
Thanks Sarah.
I’ve been called worse.
I love Dawkins for his bravery. He speaks out, as many humanists do, but louder and more aggressively than anyone else I know about. Bravo! I wish I was as brave…
PS I thought CJ was cheering because someone had written about Dawkins… I enjoyed the irony!
Thanks Sue;
the irony is exactly what I was going for, and you’re right the Prof. is brave and we love him for it.