Dawkins: I'm a cultural Christian

Scientist Richard Dawkins, an atheist known worldwide for arguing against the existence of God, has described himself as a "cultural Christian". He told the BBC's Have Your Say that he did not want to "purge" the UK of its Christian heritage. The comments came after Tory MP Mark Pritchard accused "politically correct" people of undermining Christmas. Professor Dawkins, author of the God Delusion, added that he liked "singing Carols along with everybody else".

On Have Your Say, Mr Pritchard told Prof Dawkins there was an "increasing feeling" that "many of the main Christian festivals are being sidelined and marginalised, sometimes by stealth, sometimes openly". This, he argued, would allow groups such as the British National Party, to utilise Christian imagery for their own ends.

Prof Dawkins, who has frequently spoken out against creationism and religious fundamentalism, replied: "I'm not one of those who wants to stop Christian traditions. This is historically a Christian country. I'm a cultural Christian in the same way many of my friends call themselves cultural Jews or cultural Muslims. So, yes, I like singing carols along with everybody else. I'm not one of those who wants to purge our society of our Christian history. If there's any threat these sorts of things, I think you will find it comes from rival religions and not from atheists."

Last week, Mr Pritchard called a parliamentary debate on "Christianophobia". The MP for The Wrekin, Shropshire, complained that Christian heritage was being undermined by secular officials and public figures. During that debate, community cohesion minister Parmjit Dhanda told MPs that Christianity had had a "significant impact" in securing people's rights and freedoms. He added: "I fully recognise the full historical and cultural significance [of Christianity] in our country.

And the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Trevor Phillips, said schools were wrong if they thought celebrating Christmas excluded children who were not Christian. He said: "Christmas and the celebration of Christmas in this country, though it is a religious festival, is one in which people who are of no religion - or other religions - can share."

Rainbow City

Rainbow City

I

There is a land
A beautiful city where peace and harmony
Are at hand.
Glowing colours
Sweet aromas
A tranquil setting.

II

My fears
My tears and sadness too
Are soothed away as I enter
The calmness of
“Rainbow City”

III

The sun shines brightly
The birds sing sweetly
And make melody
Amongst themselves.

IV

How did I come to this place?
Are there others who come here too?
Yes I seem to recognize that face,
Is it a memory or is it you?

V

Anyone can come here
Whoever you are,
I’ll tell you the Way,
Its not very far.

VI

If you go to seek refuge
Comfort and help,
A stillness of body, mind
And soul,
From the busy days looming ahead,
Or the busiest day
That’s just come your way.

VII

To enter Rainbow city,
Just sit and relax
In a favourite room
With only a favourite hot drink.
Do this when there is no-one around
To bug, pester or hound.
Let al cares and thoughts just drift away,
And focus your attention on the joy that will stay,
In your heart for the rest of the day.

VIII

As you see the city and the delights within
Thank the One who made it for you.
His name is Jesus, you know who I mean,
If you look hard enough He is to be seen.
Search for Him in that city of gems
And when you see Him

Face to face,
Its time for you
Not to return to this place
But to stay with the One you has called you
To be with Him
In “Rainbow City”

IX. Throne Room

I try to spend my day
In thoughts
And with prayers to my Father
Often I say

“LORD, canst thou hear me?”

Then in my mind I see Him.
All beauty to behold
His radiance too bright for me,
And holiness so bold.
I see my Father sitting there,
Upon His lofty golden throne,
And angels there surround Him
All righteousness and fair.

Then I see a hole appear through the crystal floor
And shafts of light dart through
Golden and gleaming upon His face.
Then these words do follow –

“LORD, canst thou hear me?”

My Fathers’ heart is love
And He sees the needs from above,
So I see Him send His angels down
Following the shafts of prayer
From the saints
To comfort and to hold me
In my time of need.

Poison or Cure? Religious Belief in the Modern World

Oct 11th, 2007

Georgetown University and Ethics and Public Policy Center - Washington, D.C.

Poison or Cure? Religious Belief in the Modern World

A debate, dialogue, and discussion with Christopher Hitchens and Alister McGrath.

The Ethics and Public Policy Center and the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University host a debate between writer Christopher Hitchens and Oxford University professor Alister McGrath on the role of religious belief in the modern world.