What is the point of chapter 5? https://debatingchristianity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=220760#p220760 This chapter discusses some of the (nonrandom) causes of variations. “I have hitherto sometimes spoken as if the variations so common and multiform in organic beings under domestication, and in a lesser degree in those in a state of nature had been due to chance. This, of …
What is Darwin’s point in chapter 4? https://debatingchristianity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=219381#p219381 In the longest chapter of the book, chapter 4, Darwin introduces the concept of Natural Selection. “This preservation of favourable variations and the rejection of injurious variations, I call Natural Selection.” “Natural selection can act only by the preservation and accumulation of infinitesimally small inherited modifications, each …
What is Darwin’s point in chapter 3? How well does it support his theory? https://debatingchristianity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=217209#p217209 His point, which is key to his theory, is that there is a competition among life and that those with advantages will over time dominate others. “Owing to this struggle for life, any variation, however slight and from whatever cause …
What is Darwin’s point in chapter 2? How well does this support his theory of natural selection? https://debatingchristianity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=214532#p214532 Darwin’s point is that from the species level on down, there is evidence of variation among plants and animals. This points to descent with modification in nature. “These differences blend into each other in an insensible series; …
Let’s start the book debate. I’ll throw out some initial questions. If you would like to add some more, feel free to add them. What is Darwin’s point of chapter 1? Does well does he support his case? Since we don’t have a thread for the introduction, any comments about it can be included here. …
Dawkins states on page 353, “majority of atheists I know disguise their atheism behind a pious facade. They do not believe in anything supernatural themselves, but retain a vague soft spot for irrational beliefs.” From your experience, would you agree with this statement? McCulloch’s question: Even with all of its flaws, does religion serve a …
Is it a form of child abuse to label children as possessors of beliefs when they are too young to have thought about it? Should the Bible be a part of public education? McCulloch’s question: Is the indoctrination of children into religious beliefs morally justified? https://debatingchristianity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=123475#p123475 twobitsmedia wrote: otseng wrote: Should the Bible be a …
Read more “Chapter 9 – Childhood, abuse and the escape from religion”
What does Dawkins say is wrong with religion? Does this claim make religion false? McCulloch’s questions: Is religion itself bad or just certain instances of religion? Are non-believers justified in being hostile to religion? https://debatingchristianity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=120902#p120902 otseng wrote:What does Dawkins say is wrong with religion? One of the main critiques of religion that Dawkins has is …
Read more “Chapter 8 – What’s Wrong With Religion? Why Be So Hostile?”
McCulloch’s questions: Is there is a moral Zeitgeist that continually evolves in society, often in opposition to religious morality? Do believers really use the Bible as a source of their moral values? https://debatingchristianity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=117859#p117859 Is there is a moral Zeitgeist that continually evolves in society, often in opposition to religious morality? Generally speaking, no, morality does …
Read more “Chapter 7 – The ‘Good’ Book and the Moral Zeitgeist”
McCulloch’s question: Does our morality have a Darwinian explanation? An additional question: What is meant by “good” and “moral sense”? https://debatingchristianity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=115484#p115484 QED wrote:You name a moral (or lack thereof) and I’ll bet we can explain it within a Darwininan framework. OK, I’ll name one example … Enron. QED wrote:This implies an absolute moral reference for …
Read more “Chapter 6 – The Roots of Morality: Why Are We Good?”