Around 1000 people turned out for the British Humanist Association event at the Institute of Education in London last night to witness an armchair discussion between author and BHA vice-president Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers, American biology professor and the author of the blockbuster science blog Pharyngula.
This was a rare opportunity in the UK to see two leaders in their field pose questions to each other and informally discuss the topics about which they are so articulate and knowledgeable.
The audience were treated to a conversation that touched on a wide range of topics, from religion and atheism to science, cartoons and David Attenborough’s Life (which, we learned, was overdubbed by Oprah Winfrey in the US release!), the possible forms of extraterrestrial life, and challenges to the freedom of speech following the controversy of Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons in 2005. Myers went on to discuss the misconception that evolution is always progressive, and offered clear and insightful comment on the problems we face as a culture that promotes faith as a virtue and the risks involved when religion teach children that it is better to believe without evidence than with it.
Atmosphere of the audience was friendly and receptive and by the end of the evening a communal spirit had formed, making the lecture theatre seem like a much more intimate setting. When the conversation turned to what evidence the speakers would need to be able to believe in the existence of a god, we felt like conspirators as Myers suggested that if he were to discover something that seems like a god, the scientist in him would want to cut it up and do research to test it.
The question and answer session at the end was optimistic and led to a discussion with Dawkins being asked how to ensure that young children are able to fully understand the wonder of biology and how we can ensure that they learn about it and be inspired. The conversation which ensued emphasised that we should ensure that children are able to experience all subjects, find the things that they feel passionate about, and be led by their own curiosity.
The whole talk is available as a podcast via BHA partners The Pod Delusion and footage will be made available via the BHA YouTube channel.