On My Shelf: The God Delusion

Ok, so I've been ranting non-stop about this book for almost a month now. But seriously, everyone needs to read this book. Believers, especially.

Controversial as it may be, this book sheds light on the true natures of religions, their pseudo scientific approach to the mysteries of the universe, their hypocritical sense of honour and most importantly, their hidden danger. Dawkins then continues to dissect why religion is present in every culture (his theory of religion being a misfired product of something more primal is intriguing) and then answers a question that atheists and believers ask all the time; do we really need religion to be good and happy?

There are plenty of authors who had written on atheism, but no one does it better than Dawkins. A professor he might be, but his choice of language makes it easy for science-illiterates (like yours truly) to understand what he's trying to convey. That, together with his unforgiving sense of humour definitely makes him one of the most approachable contemporary science writer out there.

To fully appreciate this book, you have to keep an open mind. I mean a REALLY open mind. It may hit some nerves on a majority of people in the world, but if you think of it deeply, what he says makes more sense than some thousand-year-old manuscript. It may be too heavy for some, but believe me, this book will change you.

Also, check out Dawkins discussion with three other prominent scientists, titled The Four Horsemen. The video is available here:

Part 1 Part 2

I am a Bright

What is a bright?

• A bright is a person who has a naturalistic worldview
• A bright's worldview is free of supernatural and mystical elements
• The ethics and actions of a bright are based on a naturalistic worldview

Is Your Worldview Naturalistic?

Think about your own worldview to decide if it is free of supernatural or mystical deities, forces, and entities. If you decide that you fit the description above, then you are, by definition, a bright!

On this website, you can simply say so and, by doing so, join with other brights from all over the world in an extraordinary effort to change the thinking of society—the Brights movement.

Reason and Purpose

Currently the naturalistic worldview is insufficiently expressed within most cultures, even politically/socially repressed. To be a Bright is to participate in a movement to address the situation. (Note: the upper case Bright signifies someone who fits the definition and registers on this Web site.)

There is a great diversity of persons who have a naturalistic worldview (free of supernatural and mystical elements). Some are members of existing organizations that foster a supernatural-free perspective. Far more individuals are not associated with any formal group or label. Under the broad umbrella of the naturalistic worldview, the constituency of Brights can undertake social and civic actions designed to influence a society otherwise permeated with supernaturalism.

The movement's three major aims are:

1. Promote the civic understanding and acknowledgment of the naturalistic worldview, which is free of supernatural and mystical elements.
2. Gain public recognition that persons who hold such a worldview can bring principled actions to bear on matters of civic importance.
3. Educate society toward accepting the full and equitable civic participation of all such individuals.

This excerpt is taken from The Brights website. For more information or join the network/movement, visit http://www.the-brights.net/