Richard Dawkins Role Model Essay
Richard Dawkins Richard Dawkins is an Oxford biologist and well respected speaker who believes there is no such thing as God or anything supernatural. He adopted the theory of natural selection as an "adequate explanation for the beauty and complexity of life" (Dawkins, 2009, p. 23). Richard Dawkins’ feelings about family, social issues and the nature of God is represented in his worldview. I will compare and contrast the values and actions of Richard Dawkins with my own. Richard Dawkins worldview is evident in his look at the family unit. His Atheism didn’t develop overnight. He was raised as a Christian but never was quite satisfied with its explanations (Dawkins, 2009). When he was nine he first learned from his mother that "Christianity wasn't the only religion and that they all contradicted each other" (Stewart, 2013, p. 2). Dawkins believes that influencing a child’s beliefs to follow that of the parents is a form of child abuse. They should be encouraged from the time they are very young to start thinking and making religious type decisions for themselves (Dawkins, 2009). Richard Dawkins doesn't believe that morals need to have anything to do with religion, nor do we learn good ethics and morals from the Bible (Dawkins, 2006). He also believes in the use of birth control and that religion is wrong thinking it can dictate this. Overpopulation has resulted in much poverty and Dawkins believes that religion is to blame for this (Dawkins 2009). My family values resemble his in that I try to be a good example to my son about doing the right and honest thing and working hard at whatever I do. It is important to help our children be successful but humble in life, keep a high moral standard, and be compassionate to those around them, however I believe the Bible has set this moral standard and it was solidified with Jesus’ kind example. I do agree with the use of birth control as there is so much irresponsibility with unplanned childbirth, and we