RoryRory, I completely agree with the sentiments in your first post. I read the book last year and it was like a weight off. I realised I couldn't have half a foot in both camps... finally I didn't feel ashamed of being an 'atheist' and felt I could embrace it! Atheist pride indeed.

In terms of the content and tone, well it's some time since I read it but I do recall feeling quite exhausted and battered by his arguments during the first half. It's like he methodically breaks down every possible argument or doubt you could have and puts it to rest. The arguments did grate here and there but overall they were consistent with my thoughts about the social, anthropological, psychological, cultural political etc aspects of organised religion.

But then the second half of the book was much more reassuring, it seeks to reassure us that there is 'something' other than organised religion around which we can model our moral compass.

There is so much pressure to respect religious beliefs, and as a whole (at least in the circles I move in) people are very respectful. For example, someone in the group at work may be talking about their child being christened, or their visit to the see Pope at Randwick, or their husband who's studying to be a Minister, and people would be interested and ask questions. Nobody would ever scoff and say, "you're mad, it's all a fairy story!". (Actually I lie, I did once say almost that very thing, never again!!!!!!!!!). However at the same time, it would seem disrespectful to these people's beliefs to discuss atheism or Richard Dawkins and I would never raise these issues in 'polite company'. I would feel ashamed or embarrassed, or think I would hurt people's feelings. Or perhaps I'm just not up for a debate!

Don't know if I'm making sense but I think my point is that we tiptoe around the issue of religion and atheism in 'polite company' and Dawkin's book helped me realise that there are plenty of others out there like me who feel the same way but don't talk about it. So if you do want to have a good old natter about these issues RoryRory, Richard Dawkins ' official website contains an extensive forum where you can discuss the book or current issues with respect to atheism.

Thanks for the thread