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 need to do what we can to help this. Richard Dawkins' beliefs about social issues are based on his disdain for organized religion. He claims that organized religion is responsible for much violence and many wars (Dawkins, 2009). Everyone thinks they are fulfilling God’s will when they attack another people. Dawkins claims that “morality and sexuality is not contingent upon the existence of God, but rather the process of natural selection”. He presents the theory that people are actually born gay due to a chromosome and feels that science may be able to determine if a child will be gay before they are born, but also feel that upbringings may have a significant affect as well (Musgrave, 2012). I feel that God made everyone a certain way, even though the bible says that a man shall not lay with a man, God will be the one to judge that, not me. Richard Dawkins' beliefs about the nature of God is the premise behind his worldview. He is a profound atheist. He does not believe in a supernatural being and God does not exist. Dawkins claims that the existence of God leaves too many unanswered questions and leaves it up to science to explain. "The laws of physics have conspired to make the collisions of atoms produce plants, kangaroos, insects- and us" (Ashford, 2012, p. 28). When he came across Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection, all of Dawkins' unanswered questions came together. According to Dawkins, this is how the world came to be. I do not believe in natural selection, I believe in the Creation and I try to lead a life that would be pleasing unto God. Richard Dawkins is definitely a potential role model for any number of people as he retains high values and a high moral standard. He is successful and driven to discover the core of his own belief system and what he believes as his purpose is here on this earth. Dawkins is a very respected leader and innovator in the scientific community. His scientific explanation of life and the earth is very simple and straightforward, making it very attractive to a number of people. I think another reason why Richard Dawkins theory attracts so many, is that it's easy to justify one's actions when there is no God to one day answer to. There is a lot less guilt involved with our day to day decisions. Richard Dawkins is very revered in the atheistic community. His theory is not at all one that I share. His reasoning leaves such a cold feeling in my heart that can only be comforted by faith in god and the knowledge of the afterlife. Family is how we first gain a worldview and as we grow, it forms into our own. I believe religion is a valid component to wars and violence, but all of this was prophesied about in the Bible. Religion helps to guide us through social issues and questions we might have. Lastly, the nature of God is that he exists and is a loving and true God. He created the heavens and the earth and has laid out a plan for us to return to Him.

Ashford, J. (2012). Oxford debate rumbles on. Reform Magazine, 27-28.
Dawkins, R. (2009). Foreign Policy, (176), 49.
Dawkins, R. (2006). The God Delusion. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Musgrave, C. (2012). Richard Dawkins: The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution. Science & Education, 21(1), 135-140. doi:10.1007/s11191-010-9296-1
Stewart, I. (2013). Evolution in the head. New Statesman, 142(5179), 44-46.