[He’s] one of the most effective science popularizers of all time, awarded recognition by both scientific and literary societies. His best-selling popular science books, like The Selfish Gene (1976) and The Blind Watchmaker (1986), have created vocabulary, examples, and arguments widely used in discourse about evolution. Passionately convinced that science rules out the supernatural, Dawkins has become an increasingly aggressive and outspoken foe of religion, using science to discredit religious beliefs.
How effective? How much of a public figure? How about his involvement with the mass transit ad campaign in London?
Richard Dawkins & the bus ad There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.**
Any thoughts regarding this particular case study of an Oracle of Science mixing it up in popular culture and the response to him? For example,
- How strong a statement is delivered by the ad?
- How would you respond to it’s assertion?
- Do you think the ad is strong enough for Dawkins?
- If you worked in mass transit, would you follow the lead of the Driver who refuses to drive the ‘No God’ bus?
- Would you refuse to ride mass transit carrying such a statement?
- What texts on your campus provide opportunities for dialogue, along the lines of those interviewed in Atheists hope (don’t pray) to bring ads to Toronto? For example, vision statement, school motto, quotes, Biblical texts, etc. Have you been involved in such dialogue?
More on Dawkins and other Oracles of Science over the course of the next several days.
*Earlier posts in this series: Introducing the “Oracles of Science” and Russia Licenses Faith Healers.
**Picture taken from Atheists Send a Message, on 800 British Buses.
