Richard Dawkins: Atheist 'Ready to Convert to Religion If Evidence Backs It Up'

By Julie Brown Patton
Richard Dawkins
Well-known atheist and best-selling author Richard Dawkins said in an online exchange with Reddit readers he would convert to a religion if someone could present evidence of it.  Reuters

Atheist author and evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins recently mentioned in an interview with readers on social networking site Reddit he could be ready to convert to a religion if shown evidence for why he should believe in such an option. However, Dawkins stated no one has been able to do that so far.

The self-proclaimed ethologist, who said he is willing to listen to evidence for religion, wrote on Reddit, "I have never seen a compelling argument for religion. If I ever saw one I'd convert."

Dawkins is celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of his most famous books, "The Selfish Gene." He also is famous for his 2006 anti-religion bestseller called "The God Delusion."

In a recent interview with BBC News, Dawkins said he won't be writing such books anymore. "I've stepped back. I haven't written any more books along those lines. The God Delusion is a one-off. Not one that I'm ashamed of; I'm very proud of it. But it's a one-off," he said.

When asked on Reddit what he believes to be the most dangerous religion in the world today, the atheist author said that Islam has overtaken Christianity in that regard. "Anyone who believes that what is written in a holy book is true even if the evidence is against it, is dangerous. Christianity used to be the most dangerous religion. Now Islam is."

"Of course that doesn't mean more than a small minority of the world's Muslims. But it only takes a few if their beliefs are sufficiently strong, fanatical and unshakeable."

Dawkins has been challenged by some prominent evangelicals, such as Creation Museum CEO Ken Ham, who argues atheism is itself a religion, reports Christian Post. In 2015, Ham said atheists "know God exists - the evidence is within them and all around them. But because of their sin nature, they don't want God. They are at war with God."

Dawkins wrote on Reddit: "There is no atheist religion."

One Reddit reader asked Dawkins if he is afraid of eternal non-existence. His response:  "Think of death as a general anesthetic to spare you from eternity."

Another reader asked if there was a question from debaters referring to God that has given him pause. In one word, he response was, "No."

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