Final Posting on "The God Delusion" by Dawkins - Chapter 10

In his final chapter, Richard deals with religion as a source for consolation and inspiration.  He begins by comparing faith and belief in God with having an imaginary childhood friend.  Why shouldn’t he?  He believes that those who have faith are somehow defective.  Like a childhood fear still held tight, belief in God lingers into adulthood – a frail and weak crutch, upon which the mentally infirm lean hard.  Of course, if you talk to those who have been comforted by God, you realize nothing is further from the truth.  The consolation they speak of – the one they experienced, and the one the Scripture speaks of - they have from God for a time and a purpose that, while meeting the present need in a deeply personal way, far exceeds themselves (as Scripture says in 2Cor 1:3-11).  But this comfort is given only to those who both need it and seek it while in their deepest need – certainly not all who know the Lord even do that (perhaps thankfully, most have only rare occasions when they do need it).

Moving to the subject of inspiration, Dawkins points out the ridiculously small scope of our perception when silhouetted against reality.  Dawkins does a good job at pointing out the absurd vastness of the universe, the temporary nature of humanity and the disturbing vagueness of reality – but (as my preaching tutor often said to me), “So what?”.  If the hugeness of the universe is fully beyond my grasp, now and forever, then so what?  If all that is goes on forever without me, so what?  If reality is so much more than I could ever hope to see, so what?  How does knowing that help me?   I do not doubt it is interesting.  Actually, as a man who reads much in the fields of science I can say I find it all very interesting.  But if it has no practical implication for me, you or any of us in our lifetime, can it be truly inspirational? 

Ultimately this a nice review of high school astronomy and post-graduate physics, but I do not think it truly inspires.  For me at least, inspiration must include not only a possibility beyond our immediate present (for instance, the possibility to see beyond the visible spectrum), but also motivation (to do something about it) and at least the hope of an achievable timeframe.  Otherwise it is not inspiration but merely an idea – perhaps a good idea – a very interesting idea – even a noteworthy idea, but nothing more.  Is it not more inspirational to have the knowledge that if you pray you can move spiritual forces in opposition, or would you rather have the knowledge that you cannot perceive the world the way a neutrino does? 

Christianity does more than point out the vastness of creation, the eternity of God and the reality of the spiritual realm.  It reveals the immediate practical implications and show us what to do about them. It opens our eyes to the fact that we CAN and (for those who trust in God) WILL see time roll away.  To the fact that we DO belong, ARE loved and CAN make a difference.   Those things (destiny, intimacy and meaning) are things that matter – to both us and those we care about.   Unfortunately, Richard Dawkins ultimately does not address any of them to any degree of satisfaction.  

Praise God, He does. 

END.