December 3, 2006
The new book by ethologist Richard Dawkins, "The God Delusion," states its goal at the outset: that religious readers be converted to atheism. Dawkins asks readers to imagine a world with no religion, while juxtaposing imagery of the World Trade Center as a symbol of the effect religion has on the world. Rev. Peter Luckey encourages listeners to read the book and to think critically about Dawkins' writing. He suggests that the book's premise is an unfair one-essentially comparing the worst of religion with the best of science, without recognizing the good religion has done (Martin Luther King, Jr. or Mother Theresa, for example) nor the evil perpetrated by science (eugenics or weapons of mass destruction, for example). Rev. Luckey suggests there is no need to choose between science and religion-for science and religion have the same goal of seeking truth, only by different means. Science seeks truth by asking 'What' and 'How,' while religion asks 'Why.' Ultimately, the truth answering the 'Why' is only revealed within the context of human experience, through intersections between joy and suffering, hope and tragedy, community and solitude. As Paul said "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."