“Science coverage could be improved by the recognition that science is timeless, and therefore science stories should not need to be pegged to an item in the news.”
Science
“I am one of those scientists who feels that it is no longer enough just to get on and do science. We have to devote a significant proportion of our time and resources to defending it from deliberate attack from organised ignorance.”
ScienceAll Quotes by Richard Dawkins
“Design can never be an ultimate explanation for anything. It can only be a proximate explanation. A plane or a car is explained by a designer but that's because the designer himself, the engineer, is explained by natural selection.”
Car“There may be fairies at the bottom of the garden. There is no evidence for it, but you can't prove that there aren't any, so shouldn't we be agnostic with respect to fairies?”
Respect“Nothing is wrong with peace and love. It is all the more regrettable that so many of Christ's followers seem to disagree.”
Peace“At least the fundamentalists haven't tried to dilute their message. Their faith is exposed for what it is for all to see.”
Faith“It would be intolerant if I advocated the banning of religion, but of course I never have.”
Religion“We are all atheists about most of the gods that societies have ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further.”
God“I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world.”
Religion“If children understand that beliefs should be substantiated with evidence, as opposed to tradition, authority, revelation or faith, they will automatically work out for themselves that they are atheists.”
Faith“Religion is about turning untested belief into unshakable truth through the power of institutions and the passage of time.”
Power“Isn't it sad to go to your grave without ever wondering why you were born? Who, with such a thought, would not spring from bed, eager to resume discovering the world and rejoicing to be part of it?”
Sad“I love romantic poetry.”
Poetry“Of course in science there are things that are open to doubt and things need to be discussed. But among the things that science does know, evolution is about as certain as anything we know.”
Science“By all means let's be open-minded, but not so open-minded that our brains drop out.”
Funny“Many of us saw religion as harmless nonsense. Beliefs might lack all supporting evidence but, we thought, if people needed a crutch for consolation, where's the harm? September 11th changed all that.”
Religion“The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference.”
Design“I suppose if you look back to your early childhood you accept everything people tell you, and that includes a heavy dose of irrationality - you're told about tooth fairies and Father Christmas and things.”
Christmas“One of the things that is wrong with religion is that it teaches us to be satisfied with answers which are not really answers at all.”
Religion“Personally, I rather look forward to a computer program winning the world chess championship. Humanity needs a lesson in humility.”
Computers“I'm not one of those who wants to purge our society of our Christian history.”
History