Growing up in the mid-west I was surrounded by religion and it never made any sense to me. The evidence that I saw and logical thought led me to question everything and think for myself.
Dawkin’s book The Selfish Gene explores the mechanism of evolution and in the massive volume explains how all life (including animals such as humans) have evolved for genes to be passed along. As Samuel Butler stated that a chicken is just an egg’s way of making another egg. The chicken exists only to reproduce and create another egg…not a chicken. So the childish query of “which came first the chicken or the egg” is answered.
I had had the opportunity to hear Dawkins 2 time prior to meeting him. Both times were in Los Angeles at the Alex Theater. At both those events it was an evening with Professor Dawkins and a guest having a discussion on stage on relevant topics – religion and how to get rid of it and evolution/science. After words the audience could ask a few questions. I enjoyed both of those events very much and did get books signed. This third time I attended a cocktail party prior to Professor Dawkins stage appearance. I was one of a handful and it was amazing to have the opportunity to talk one on one with Professor Dawkins!
Lee Chapman
