EVALUATION OF AN ARTICLE
This essay aims to respond to "No stopping religion's misguided missile" article by Richard Dawkins. The article first appeared in The Guardian and has since been reprinted in many newspapers worldwide. The core thesis of Dawkin's argument relates to the potential danger arising from religion. He warns that "to fill a world with religion, or religions of the Abrahamic kind, is like littering the streets with loaded guns". The article is a readable essay about an important topic, challenging readers to think about the events of September 11 which according to the author, stem from religious beliefs. Dawkin's article is clearly written with the main points well-structured within the article. Although the article is written in an interesting manner and engages readers, the main argument is clearly flawed since some of the premises are deemed unacceptable and at times, offer insuffient grounds for the conclusion. The term "religion" as used by Dawkin is somewhat ambiguous, as in some instances, it appears to refer to religious fanatacism and the events of September 11. However it is also used as a broad term within the article, warning against the potential dangers of religion as a whole.
In concluding sentence, Dawkin uses an analogy to warn of the dangers of religion however this analogy is faulty and does not provide enough support for this claim that "to fill a world with religion or religions of the Abrahamic kind is like littering the streets with loaded guns". Thus it is not religion that is dangerous, it is religious fanaticism taken to the extreme. The article is so strong against religion, warning of the potential dangers religion causes. By Dawkin's straw man distortion of religious beliefs in the afterlife, "other universe is a paradisical escape from the tribulations of the real world", the argument is clearly flawed. Thus, it is evident, the article is unbalanced since it is predominantly one-sided. Something like a large civilian airline". Clearly, no religion teaches the devaluing of life, quite the opposite, promoting peace, harmany and tolerance. Dawkins fails to take into account how religion and religious beliefs impact positively both on individuals and as society as a whole. Dawkin's makes broad, sweeping generalizations to all religions, though no distinction is made between fanaticism and religion in general. He logically describes that while "pigeons are cheap and disposable as onboard guiding systems" there would be no escaping the US-bound missile being intercepted. However these were religious beliefs taken to the extreme- fanatasism.
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Acceptance Essays
