How did you first become to know (of) Dawkins?

[Bubalus]

I worked in the same Dept as RD during the mid 70s in Oxford.

That's soooo cool!

To my eternal shame, I thought he was a "bit of a nerd" at the time, not only was he extremely dedicated to his research work, but he was also doing better work in my field as well (computing).

My excuse is that he is about 10 years older and I had only just started.

[ficklefiend]

I really don't know. I think probably something in relation to selfish genes. I know I was aware of his name before TGD became so popular, I had the book sitting around for ages before I read it because I didn't really know what it's purpose was and how much I'd enjoy it.

[RobertS]

I was reading The Mind's I by Douglas Hofstadter and Daniel Dennet when I came across his section and I thought it was great. Not much later I read Climbing Mount Improbable and I loved his writing ever since. All this was right around the turn of the century.

[sprite]

I can't remember precisely but I do know that back then (late 70s) Richard was 'a bad guy' re. the supposed 'right-wing' politics association. Completely wrong, I know now.

My views turned round completely when I actually started to read his books and was absolutely captivated by his writing. There has always been something about his writing that has been particularly insightful for me. As I read and questions come to mind I can bet that these questions will be answered almost immediately.

So I suppose I have 'come to know' Richard twice, the second time through actually reading him, and if there has been one person of whom my opinion took a 180 degree turnaround it has been Richard Dawkins.

[CemDogan]

I think it was 1 month ago that l have heard about Richard Dawkins .. One of my friend called Bulent suggested me to read his GOD DELUSİON book so l took it and read all.. woaw.. it was turkish version but unfortunetely it was banned in Turkey for anyone to read but l got it and read all... what all he wrote was very logical and was so good points then he made me think over and over about that God then l got a big fight with my thoughts and the things l thought for years and finally l chose the scient not religion ... so l m really greateful to read his book and to learn his thoughts if l could little bit.. atleast l m so thanful for him to change my stucked thoughts since my childhood .. but oddly enough after reading his book ( god delusion ) l have believed to GOD more and more than l believed before... and now l have a GOD called RİCHARD DAWKİNS ... GOD OF THE SCİENCE , GOD OF THE LİGHT, GOD OF THE GODLESSES LİKE I AM

[Fallible]

Welcome, CemDogan.

[JohnJ]

I was just browsing the web on atheism an stumbled upon his book (The god delusion).

Some months later i bought the book and it turned out to really be worth the price. I recommend all of yuo who haven't read, to do so

[SnowLeopard86]

I saw his presence in a slice of toast and was drawn here.

[Teria2355]

The God Delusion stared at me from a bookshelf while I was standing in the cash queue in my local supermarket.

[lordpasternack]

l have believed to GOD more and more than l believed before... and now l have a GOD called RİCHARD DAWKİNS ... GOD OF THE SCİENCE , GOD OF THE LİGHT, GOD OF THE GODLESSES LİKE I AM

Your little story about how much you got from The God Delusion is very nice - but I really don't think Dawkins would appreciate being worshipped as a deity.

[InYourFaceNewYorker]

First I saw that interview with him and Francis Collins in '06 in "Time." I remember thinking, "Who is this guy, and how can he speak with such certainty as to whether there is or isn't a god?" (Yes, I know that I was misunderstanding) But then I thought Francis Collins was putting too much stock in his faith. Then, a couple months later, that infamous episode of South Park came out. I remember sort of recognizing the name "Richard Dawkins" at this point. But it was really when-- in a conversation with TheAmazingAtheist on YouTube in early '07-- The Blind Watchmaker was recommended to me that I became very aware. I ordered it, read it, jumped off the fence of agnosticism, and the rest is history!

[TheLilacPilgrim]

In high school, my Biology teacher recommended The Blind Watchmaker to my class when he was teaching us about evolution. (He was supposed to teach us about Genesis, too, it being a Catholic school, but on that subject he said 'I'm supposed to tell you that I'm talking nonsense and that God made all of us but that's utter bullsh*t.' )

I didn't get The Blind Watchmaker. I was still trying to hold my belief in God together, mainly because my teachers had quite successfully scared me into submission. In the same year, however, I decided after a lot of research that I was an atheist, though I never actually told my family (all strongly Roman Catholic). I think I just thought they'd figure it out on their own, which they have now.

It was only in the last couple of years that I got reintroduced to Dawkins. At first, I actually found him annoying. But my sister had The God Delusion, which I've sort of read little bits from, so I've not finished it yet. Then just within the last month or so I went out and bought The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker and The Greatest Show on Earth. Then I decided I might as well buy The Extended Phenotype if I'm reading The Selfish Gene Basically he doesn't annoy me as much as he used to

[lordpasternack]

I ordered it, read it, jumped off the fence of agnosticism, and the rest is history!

You're no longer agnostic? So you think that the existence of a deity is known or knowable?

[vforscience]

On Stephen Colbert when the God Delusion came out, I think, it might have been The Daily Show. Then I went to Barnes & Noble and picked up the book.

[InYourFaceNewYorker]

I ordered it, read it, jumped off the fence of agnosticism, and the rest is history!

You're no longer agnostic? So you think that the existence of a deity is known or knowable?

I'm agnostic in the same way that Richard is agnostic... Before I was literally in the middle, waffling back and forth. But now I think the existence of God is just as likely as the existence of fairies. :D

Julie

[mark1961]

Galactor mentioned Feynman. He was I think Science's greatest Philosopher and certainly the most reluctant to admit it. My own personal favourite quote of his is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6ck3rO_m3A

I'm a fan of RD but RF was the boss. They both certainly show and showed the joy in how it feels to wonder at the Universe. They both communicate the fundamental truth in admitting you don't know about something but OTOH pointing out that another who claims to know is so utterly wrong.

I claim that as a fairly basic Scientific methodology and in terms of the heart a not uncommon experience amongst Scientists. These men however excel at communicating this to the general public.

On a personal note I'd like to say this:

That accepting Scientifically won knowledge as the truth with the fundamental limitations all that implies makes you a better person. More able to deal with whatever life brings you. Safe and humble in the sight of knowing what you do. This is what I see as the major implication in these people's works.

That's about as religious as I get. There is an irony here I think. I admit to "seeing" scientific knowledge on an emotional level in much the same way as others "see" religious doctrine and claim it as reason. I don't admit to thinking this is wrong in my case.

The reader might have noticed I haven't answered the question. Auntie Beeb is the answer I present. The BBC introduced me to them from an early age.

[Aurlito]

Someone claimed that I'm stupid, and recommended me to read God Delusion. downloaded it, and a translation, and read it thoroughly. I'm currently reading The Blind Watchmaker.

[natselrox]

I'm a fan of RD but RF was the boss.

[Chant]

I first heard about Dawkins when a friend of mine told me of the documentary "The Root of all evil?" I remember him telling me that it was about this professor who criticised religion and was very harsh. A couple of my other friends told me that this professor was being downright unreasonable, shrill and all the usual stuff.

So I sat down and watched the documentary. My first thought was...Was that it? Shrill? Unreasonable? Well, honestly, I've said alot worse things about religion that Dawkins has and if he is shrill and unreasonable I'd hate to think about what I am.

So anyway, that was my first encounter with Richard Dawkins.

[InYourFaceNewYorker]

I first heard about Dawkins when a friend of mine told me of the documentary "The Root of all evil?" I remember him telling me that it was about this professor who criticised religion and was very harsh. A couple of my other friends told me that this professor was being downright unreasonable, shrill and all the usual stuff.

So I sat down and watched the documentary. My first thought was...Was that it? Shrill? Unreasonable? Well, honestly, I've said alot worse things about religion that Dawkins has and if he is shrill and unreasonable I'd hate to think about what I am.

So anyway, that was my first encounter with Richard Dawkins.

When I was first reading The Blind Watchmaker and The God Delusion I told an agnostic friend of mine about how TBW made me an atheist. She said something to the effect of, "I can't stand hearing Richard Dawkins speak. It's so condescending of him to take people's beliefs-- which make sense-- and tell people that they're delusional for having them." I forget exactly what I said, but today I would have said, "You think it makes sense to believe that God sacrificed himself to himself to atone for all sins that ever were committed and ever would be committed?"

In The Root of All Evil I think it was poor judgment for Dawkins to say to the Rabbi, "Why should children be the victim of your belief system?" (I forget exactly what was said) But that was just one time. We can't all be perfect.

[Chant]

I first heard about Dawkins when a friend of mine told me of the documentary "The Root of all evil?" I remember him telling me that it was about this professor who criticised religion and was very harsh. A couple of my other friends told me that this professor was being downright unreasonable, shrill and all the usual stuff.

So I sat down and watched the documentary. My first thought was...Was that it? Shrill? Unreasonable? Well, honestly, I've said alot worse things about religion that Dawkins has and if he is shrill and unreasonable I'd hate to think about what I am.

So anyway, that was my first encounter with Richard Dawkins.

When I was first reading The Blind Watchmaker and The God Delusion I told an agnostic friend of mine about how TBW made me an atheist. She said something to the effect of, "I can't stand hearing Richard Dawkins speak. It's so condescending of him to take people's beliefs-- which make sense-- and tell people that they're delusional for having them." I forget exactly what I said, but today I would have said, "You think it makes sense to believe that God sacrificed himself to himself to atone for all sins that ever were committed and ever would be committed?"

In The Root of All Evil I think it was poor judgment for Dawkins to say to the Rabbi, "Why should children be the victim of your belief system?" (I forget exactly what was said) But that was just one time. We can't all be perfect.

I agree. There probably are a few things that Dawkins shouldn't have said. But does he come across as shrill or unreasonable? Absolutely not. I know this is not actual evidence of anything, but I'll repeat; If Dawkins is shrill, unreasonable and perhaps even condescending then I would hate think about what I would be. Because I consider myself to be a perfectly reasonable man, and I am alot worse than Dawkins.

So, my first encounter was, despite bad reviews, quite good.

[Tomasino747]

My friend mentioned him in a conversation we were having about alternative medicine, recalling his article debunking the 'magical energies' of crystals, which was featured in 'A Devil's Chaplain'. Like others, i was drawn to his refreshing no-nonsense approach. Incidentally, i'm not certain but that might have been the first Dawkins 'book' i read (inverted commas because it was a collection rather than a standalone piece of work).

After that i discovered my parents had a few of his books. I read the Selfish Gene, still my favourite work of his, and loved it. Ive since read TGD and am right now working through River out of Eden, having already listened to it as an audio book.

[Cosmo_7]

I came to know him by being introduced to his book: The God Delusion. It was my brother who wanted me to read it, and of course I didn't need any persuation at all. It's a magnificant book and should be read by everyone!

After reading it I thought to myself, this guy is really getting the facts out there, it's explanatory enough. Now I'm planning to read all of his books.

[Tero1111]

I don't actually remember. I had seen the books on the shelves and I think it was a book where RD just had one article among a number.

I had bought first Your Inner Fish and only then was inspired to get Ancestor's Tale. The God Delusion was much later. I had a a bit of a tough time with Selfish Gene, though I had the newest version with a little on extended phenotype, which was a highlight of that book.