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Text Birthday Messages: Group C

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1. : Happy Birthday from New Zealand

Happy Birthday Richard,

As a 'Catholic child', attending Mass, the innate hypocrisy of Catholicism troubled me from a very early age. We were poor, yet had to put money in the collection plate; we could not afford a car, yet the priest had a shiny new one. This is how I saw it:

Sunday Mass

We congregate to contemplate
the reasons why we are.
We pray and plead
and then donate.
To buy the priest a car.

Thank you so much for 'The God Delusion'.

Lynn Beesley

2. Alan Miller: Happy Birthday from Norfolk, UK

To the tune of Tom Lehrer's "Oedipus Rex"

You once taught a girl called Tuppence Stone,
An ex-girlfriend, but now I'm not alone.
It's a link to you I share with Douglas A.
We're all now celebrating your birth DAY.

Terrible… I apologise… My God (!) that was awful. Poetry in rigor mortis.

Richard, I'm not a poet but Tuppence and I are still friends, Douglas Adams' communication with me regarding a film I edited (Garamba on the elephants of Zaďre) referenced in "Last Chance To See", still makes me smile. Above all, your work to rid this planet of the most heinous belief systems is inspiring. I have already written to Jonathan Miller pledging my support to promote his 'Brief History of Disbelief', an offer he gratefully acknowledged. Just keep doing what you are doing and while walking in the Middle East, keep your head down…

All respect to you and wonder at the reality of the 'verse.

Alan Miller
(alanmiller@mac.com)

3. Alun ap Rhisiart: Happy Birthday from Argyll

Hi Richard, long time no speak.

My wife, Helen, and I have been following your progress for a while now. Thank goodness we have you on our side!

Hope you have a really happy birthday! I'll be in touch by email sometime before long.

4. Alyson Miller: Happy Birthday from Mont Vernon, NH

My dad was a Fundamentalist preacher, so the word 'evolution' was worse than the f-word in terms of punishment. My little brother and I, as pre-teens, began sneaking Darwin out of the library and reading his works by flashlight beneath our covers. Soon, you followed. And E.O. Wilson, Stephen Jay Gould, and then back to the Leviticus and Genesis and the other books of the Bible just to make sure that we understood the dichotomy between the lines of thought. My brother grew up to be a pilot ferrying movie stars and famous athletes to their jet-setting destinations. I studied primates at Yerkes Regional Primate Center for 15 years and am now a science teacher, on your side of the debate. Both of us are total and complete atheists, without question.

Thank you for helping to make my life one of intellectual challenge and mystery. Your early works influenced me greatly, and I still feel relief that someone was 'out there' to guide me in my journey.

-Alyson Miller
Mont Vernon, NH.

5. Arash Iranmehr: Happy Birthday from Iran

Dear Professor Dawkins,

I'm writing this message from Iran. I wish you a happy and long life, because I think the world needs freethinkers like you. I really love your works and the works of some other atheists like Bertrand Russell.

I was born a Muslim, but I'm not a Muslim anymore. Foutuantely, I was able to find my way to a free and meaningful world, much better than the one which was showed to me by my parents.

I have to ask you to pay special attention to the situation of human beings in Iran. As you have already mentioned, religion in today's world has transformed to a tool for superpower to rule the world. It is a really dangerous thing.

By the way, I wanted to inform you of my interest in you interviews. I have downloaded many of your Audio and some of your Video interviews. I really enjoy them.

I hope I can meet you some day in the near future.

Good luck and long live.
Bye.

6. Autumn Wade: Happy Birthday from Lynchburg, VA

Happy Birthday! Your reading at RMWC in Lynchburg, VA inspired me to "come out" to those not in my inner circle of friends. Thank you and may you have many more wonderful years to come.

7. Barb Robbins: Happy Birthday from Hot Springs Village, AR

A good sized group of us formed a Skeptic discussion group here in the Bible Belt of Central Arkansas. Your book THE GOD DELUSION is our first focus for discussion.

We've met once and a local newspaper reporter attended and of course in his article mentioned your book along with more or less blasting us as a pretty odd group.

However old you are now, you are definitely Credible. *smile*
Happy Birthday!


8. Behroze: Happy Birthday from Toronto, Canada

Dear Dr Dawkins,

It is a privilege to be able to wish you a Happy Birthday. I hope there are many, many more birthdays in your future.

Thank you for being you and for all that you have done to raise people's awareness. I believe you are one of the greatest intellects alive today.

A little blurb about me. I was raised as a muslim but I started questioning "my" religion and other religions as early as age 8, if I recall correctly. The final piece of evidence that helped me see through the greatest hoax in my life was when I started the evolution unit of my Biology class in my senior year of High School. I have lived a positive, happy, productive, and guilt-free life ever since.

In a way I owe you along with many other great minds and great scientists a debt of gratitude for contributing to my knowledge and then understanding over the years. We will make the world a better place as long as people like you lead the way.

Keep up the great work and all the best.

Behroze

9. Belle Lane: Happy Birthday from Perth, Western Australia

Dear Richard

Happy birthday.

I bought myself a copy of the "God Delusion" for Christmas - an appropriate gift for an atheist. It revitalised my atheism and has given me a greater contextual analysis of many current issues we are facing in Australia.

I am a barrister working in the area of family law, so spend my time dealing with conflict and very often with religious conflict in families. I thought that your point about "Muslim children" and "christian children" was invaluable. We have had a recent case of children being left in the Bretheren when parents have separated and the excommunicated parent having no contact with the children because of the strain it has put on the children by them breaking the rule against associating with non bretheren.

If I am ever made a judge - watch out! Those kids will be out of those cults faster than you can say APPEAL.

I am also interested in lobbying our government to ensure that science is taught at all school and that importance is placed on reason. We are in quite a fortunate position of not having gone quite down the US line but there is a courting of religious organizations such as the Bretheren by our current prime minister. I am committed to ensuring the secular nature of our democracy and working towards a more transparent democratic process at that.

I am really pleased to hear of the rise of atheist movements in the United States. It raises the issue here aswell.

I have continued reading with interest along the same theme.
It has reinvigorated my interest in science.

I wish you all the best for your coming year and thankyou for your thoughts and wisdom.

best wishes

Belle Lane

10. Beth E. Baker: Happy Birthday from Southwest Wisconsin, U.S.A.

Dear Richard Dawkins:

HIPPO BIRDIE, TWO EWES!
HIPPO BIRDIE, TWO EWES!
HIPPO BIRDIE, HIPPO BIRDIE,
HIPPO**BIRDIE**TWO** EWES!!!

All Best Wishes for joy, love and lucidity to you in this new year of life -- and always.

Sincerely,

Beth E. Baker

p.s. the very silly birthday song (one has to imagine the music ;O))
given above is _exactly_ the same as I perform, over the phone or in person, for all my dearest friends and family on their birthdays. How amazing that they continue to forbear the low humour; but it is my most sincere expression of goodwill, and so I share it with you as well.

11. Bill Isham: Happy Birthday from Albuquerque, NM, USA

You've no idea how despondent I was feeling -- as an atheist surrounded by magical thinkers -- when your book and website made me feel less lonely. Thank you for that, and Happy Birthday! Bill Isham

12. Bob Philbin: Happy Birthday from Camp Hill, PA


Professor Dawkins,

Best wishes for many more Birthdays!

You latest book and last visit to the United States has had a real impact on the 'faith-reason' debate in this country and moved many moderate thinkers toward the self-realization that there can be no logical position called, "moderate irrationalism."

Many non-scientist Americans fully appreciate you work and thank you for it.

Very best regards,

Bob Philbin
Camp Hill, PA
rphilbin@hersheyphilbin.com

13. Cathe Jones: Happy Birthday from Las Vegas

Hello Richard
You helped make Godless Grief a successful book, at least to those who read it, and me who wrote it. And you are able to 'preach' reality to those who were unwilling to hear it from anyone else before.

I think you've given US the birthday gifts. For this, thanks my darlin', and I'm sure we'll chat again soon. Until then, my husband Mike wants to let you know he will gladly play a private concert anytime you would like. (his new piano is sitting, and I'll cook up a feast) We can't wait to have you in town again.

Cathe and Mike "Jonesy" Jones

14. Caynen Wills: Happy Birthday from Colorado

Thank you Mr. Dawkins! I am a junior at a high school in Pueblo West, Colorado and an open atheist. These do not mix optimally; however, you and your work have been invaluable as inspiration in my fight against irrationality and my defense of science.

I'm sure this information will far from surprise you but I was a fundamentalist Christian only a few years ago. Out of curiosity, I embarked on a mission to understand how God revealed himself through nature. This led me to read books like Lee Strobel's "The Case for a Creator" and Gary Schwartz's "God Experiments". I first became familiar with your name while on amazon.com searching for books of that nature, and while searching I stumbled upon "The Blind Watchmaker". I was sincerely frightened after reading the information available about the book and assumed a state of intense abhorrence concerning the name Richard Dawkins. Now, only a short time after, you have come to be one of the individuals most admired by myself.

Happy Birthday,

Caynen Wills

15. Cheryl Rychkov: Happy Birthday from Lynchburg, VA

Thank you for making one evening in Lynchburg, VA a great deal brighter! We free thinkers (sadly, mostly closeted) in "Jerryland" will be forever grateful to you. We are trying to form a Freethinkers Society here, thanks to the great atheist connections we discovered due to your visit.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday, filled with laughter and love, and many MANY happy returns of the occasion to you.

Kindest regards and thanks,

Cheryl Rychkov
RMWC '05

16. Debra: Happy Birthday from North Carolina

Dear Richard,

Happy WE (Womb Emancipation) Day!!

You are one of my heros, as I have stated on my MySpace site. (myspace.com/winsomeink) There's no question susceptible of doubt in my mind, that you are an incredibly brilliant man and phenomenal human being. I own nearly all of your books, and plan on buying and reading the rest of your work soon. I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of your books, particularly The God Delusion. I bought it within 24 hours of seeing it on your website and have read it twice.

I have the videos of your lectures, documentaries and interviews saved as my favorites on youtube, and share them with friends. If only the world was comprised of rational intelligent people like you and Sam Harris, it would be a perfect world!

I greatly admire you. Thank you Richard for trying to educate and enlighten the people all over the world, in hopes of persuading them to avail themselves of a rational epistemology.

Enjoy your special day!


Debra

17. Dorothy Pearce: Happy Birthday from Santa Barbara

Dear Richard,
I realize that I can't marry you. So, could I adopt you?

18. Dr Philip Rice: Happy Birthday from St George's Hospital, London

Many happy re-runs Richard.

And thanks for making realise what life is all about, and for giving it real meaning.

Phil Rice

Ex-Catholic and Altar Boy.

19. Ed Smith: Happy Birthday from Texas

I wish you a happy birthday and may you have many, many more. I am 73 and live in the bible belt of the US. I appreciate your work trying to enlighten people regarding god belief and evolution. You certainly are a very strong minded man to take on these primitive thinkers. I just came from my excercise class and was telling about the Al Gore film on global warming when one of the senior ladies ask if I really believed in that hooey. I said I did and she said that she would pray for me because I needed enlightenment. Only one other person in the class accepted global warming as a fact. I decided not to even ask them about evolution. Again let me wish you a happy birthday and how thankful I am that you are on my side. ed

20. Ed Wardak: Happy Birthday from Philadelphia, PA

Richard -

Happy Birthday - and many more! Thanks for all you've given to science.

In keeping with the poetry-themed birthday wishes you granted to PZ Meyers earlier in the month, I penciled a haiku:


a slave to science
is a liberator of truth
and a friend to us all


21. Elliott Bignell: Happy Birthday from Switzerland

Dear Dr. Dawkins,

Happy Birthday, and thank you for your tireless work on behalf of science and humanism. Thank you especially for the idea of the biomorphs all those years ago, which has evolved into evolutionary ClipArt in my own software.

I have a free license for you by way of thanks, should you be interested. It's the HeadCase Mind Mapper at http://www.loanedgenius.com Just enter the following numbers.

Product ID: 369545290013
Release Key: C4F72539B1F3

Best wishes...

Elliott Bignell
HeadCase Architect

22. Eric Golding: Happy Birthday from York UK

Happy birthday mate

Hope you have one or two beers from "Gods" County Yorkshire.
Pity you were not born on the 25th December then us atheists could have some fun at midnight Mass

Best Wishes Eric

23. Eric Wiebe: Happy Birthday from Winnipeg, Canada

Happy Birthday Mr. Dawkins!

Like many, I was tricked into a fundamentalist christian belief at about the age 3. The 'un-tricking' has been long, stressful, full of conflict and hurt. In the middle of all this, your book the God Delusion has been as source of intellectual and even emotional strength. Thanks for the hard work, the brilliant thoughts, the clear and rational prose, and for "reaching out," to borrow a phrase.

Have a great day!

-eric from canada

24. Frank: Happy Birthday from Kansas

Great to see you here in Kansas, but I couldn't get past the handlers to ask you about the AUDIO version (your book had newly been published at that time)... This is very important to me, since I have no time to read anymore, but can listen all day at my foundry work.

I had to search all over for the cd version, finally found it for sale in Britain, and was so happy to see it be so comprehensive and thorough! I wish it was easier to find for the sake of others -many others- in my same situation... I bought the hard copy to lend to my more conventional reader friends.

I have listened to it in entirely many many times, and still enjoy it
-it was so well done. Richard is a great reader, and the woman as a second reader really helped break it up and keep it fresh.

Thanks for your great present Richard. Your knowledge and great courage has bolstered my/our own beliefs.

Now that you have set the record straight I hope you'll get more opportunity especially through your foundation to dwell more on the last chapter's concepts... that seems to me to be the best way to further things once religion's role has been conceded -to show the beauty of what is real via science... to show there are mysteries enough there, and that Truth with a capital 'T' is not the sole (if at all) province of the religious.

Happiest of birthdays, we all celebrate with you!



25. Frank Walker: Happy Birthday from Kansas

Best wishes from the Kansas prairie where the second coming is still a big deal but where your ideas are heard. It will take time. I appreciate your courage.

Frank

26. Fredd Gaoseb: Happy Birthday from Namibia

As a devout and practicing Christian (two months ago) I stumbled across your book (The God Delusion)in a Johannesburg bookshop and I have become a sceptic ever since.
Its been a habit to read any book / leaflet that has anything to say about God. Yours was by far the best buy! It was so enlightening and emancipating, the God Delusion has since replaced the bible at my bedside. Not only that, it has also led me to other many interseting likeminded books, websites and people. Thanks.

If God had anything to do with it, your message wouldn't get to me since, to begin with you wouldn't even been born at all!!
Keep up the good work and good luck on your birthday, enjoy it... with the knowledge that you have another convert!

Fredd

27. FXR: Happy Birthday from Ireland

Happy Birthday Richard from Ireland. Thank you for your undoubted courage in writing the most important book of the last two thousand years. Hopefully you have begun the first phase of a new enlightenment where the darkness of religious thinking will be consigned to the dust bin of history.

And not by eastern windows only,
When daylight comes, comes in the light,
In front the sun climbs slow, how slowly,
But westward, look, the land is bright

From: Say Not the Struggle Nought Availeth

By Arthur Hugh Clough 1819 - 1861

28. Gregory J. Antus: Happy Birthday from Lorain, Ohio

Dear Mr. Dawkins:
A very happy birthday to you!Thank you for reminding people that they can be too accomodating; standing up and demanding your right to speak is a duty many of us neglect.

Gregory J. Antus

29. happylrnr@hotmail.com: Happy Birthday

To view your birthday message, click on the link below:
http://www.bluemountain.com/view.pd?i=164689217&m=1032&rr=y&source=bma994

30. Harv Damschen: Happy Birthday from Roseburg, Oregon

I'm a retired fighter pilot and avid Harley rider astounded at the human propensity to accept fantasy and legend over fact and reason. You are a clear voice in the background babble of bullshit. Although our paths may never cross personally, I consider you an esteemed colleague and friend. In the vernacular of my profession, "Press, Lead...I've got your six covered!" Happy birthday Richard!

Harv Damschen
Roseburg, Oregon
USA
fox2fox3@aol.com

31. Hudson Henley: Happy Birthday from Dallas, TX, USA

Happy Birthday from the Bible Belt. I sit here in Dallas, Texas surrounded by suburbs filled with people who have never read any passage of the Bible other than what their pastor tells them to parrot in church, but they are all believers. They all supported Bush's War in Iraq, loathe abortion for its "baby-killing", support the death penalty, etc. It largely comes from a deep-seated belief in scripture, but they have no idea that Jesus said one must hate his parents to love him, etc. What we need is more direct confrontation with the dogmatists, and I thank you for doing your share.

Hudson Henley

32. Imtiaz Sikandar: Happy Birthday from Karachi, Pakistan

Long Live Dawkins! :) I am a cultural muslim and here in the Pakistani society, words like reason and humanism are alien. Secularism and evolution are considered sacreligious. Dawkins gave me the intellectual ammunition and courage i needed to counter the so-called moderates here (for 27 years of my life since birth, I was the so-called moderate myself. After a very trying and painful transformation, with great help from Dawkins, today, im a secular humanist, religious naturalist, futurist and anti-religion (will be turning exactly 33 this March 21 :).

His books speak in such a clear tone and language to the thinking minds that inspires one to discover more and infuses an entirely new way of looking at the world we live in..

Best wishes / imtiaz

33. James Layton: Happy Birthday from Virginia, USA

A heartfelt birthday wish to you Richard!
I personally want to thank you for your forthrightness and your wit - both of which I have enjoyed in each of your books. I thank you for validating for me, the fact that, I was not totally inappropriate as a youth when I empirically rejected the religious "brainwashing" by my well intentioned mother. I understand that religion can be very important to certain individuals. Agnostically, I remain the outcast of a very religious family. But again thanks to you and those like you, who are brave enough to "walk their talk", I feel that the "truth" as best as one can understand it is more important than what others may think about us. In generations to come as the worldview becomes more and more secular, I think that your writings will be considered one of the strongest determinants in forging this ultimate, and in my opinion, necessary outcome.
Sincerely,
James E. Layton, M.D.

34. James Sylvester: Happy Birthday from Takoma Park, Md.

A Very Happy Birthday!! You and Sam have validated my beliefs and made me feel a little less alone.
Sincerely,
Jim Sylvester

35. Jill E. Iversen: Happy Birthday from Slingerlands, NY, USA

Your book "The Selfish Gene" inspired me to have children, and your book, "The God Delusion" solidified my determination to teach them to be critical thinkers! I look very forward to continueing to delve into your other works....Thank You and Happy Birthday!

36. Joe Pemberton: Happy Birthday from NW Washington State

Happy Birthday!! One might assume that your delight from informing so many people of scientific facts, some of which can shake certain "belief systems", would be enough cause for thanks and celebration. Nevertheless, let me add that you have touched me, and many others now, through your writing and speaking. The old addage: "Each one teach one" certainly applies here. Many thanks to you. Know without question that your information is being disseminated by me to many.

Thank Goodness for you.

Joe Pemberton
(atty. of 25 years in Washington State, USA)

37. John & Nicol Smith: Happy Birthday

Best wishes on your birthday from the front lines in the bible belt of the south - Birmingham, Alabama USA! Darwin's speed my friend!

38. JOHN OHARA: Happy Birthday from Hawthorne, FL., USA

Dear Mr. Dawkins:

I am so very pleased to have this wonderful opportunity to wish you the happiest of birthdays -- with many more to come!

The impact you've had by way of stimulating reason and critical thought around the globe is surely a phenomenon. And I think it is one of such great value to the future of humanity that it's as yet impossible to measure.

I'm sure that future generations will be at least as envious of my having had the great privilege to live during your time, as I have long been of those who witnessed the days of our "Great Agnostic" American, Col. Robert G. Ingersoll.

It would be my greatest thrill and pleasure to one day shake your hand, sir.

With Profound Admiration,

John W. O'Hara, Jr.
Hawthorne, FL., USA

39. John Plummer: Happy Birthday from Vancouver, Canada.

Hello Richard: Happy Birthday to you!

I manage SMART society, that's Sensible Minds Against Religious Teaching (one of the "local groups" on your website).

Lately I have been writing to Charles Adler, arguably Canada's best radio talk-show personality, and asking him to give you a spot on his show. He told me last week that you would be on "soon" so I look forward to that.

Thank you Richard for being such an inspirational ambassador for reason and logic. I am enjoying being with you in the "crusade against the stupidity that led to the first Crusade!!!"

John Plummer
Vancouver, Canada.

40. Karl Walls: Happy Birthday from Michigan

Hey Professor Dawkins, happy birthday. Thank you for your book. It really opened my eyes and made me unafraid to speak or think what I truly feel inside. Before reading your book I was just in between the issue of religion, never taking a stand about what I felt was right or wrong, but just going along with it. Your book inspired me to use logic and understanding to find answers. I went to church with my girlfriend last Christmas after reading your book. Usually I try and force myself to accept what the preacher is telling me but this time I felt relieved and at peace because I knew that I did not have to pretend to believe in something that I don't. I am an unafraid Atheist.
Happy birthday and thank you again,
Karl Walls

41. Keith R Dearborn: Happy Birthday from Colorado Mts.

Dear Richard,
May you live to celebrate many more birthdays!

I am 77 years and have been a Minister of Music in many churches. I did this to supplement my income but always had a negative cell in my body saying ..you don't really believe do you? Finally you came along with the God Delusion and I found my way. I lost my wife of almost fifty years three years ago and she too never really believed in the god myth. I spread her ashes on a beautiful configuration of rocks in my front yard which faces Pike's Peak. As I sang "Always" (sung at our wedding) a Golden Eagle just happened to fly over. I read "Don't Stand By My Grave and Weep" as the twenty people and my two sons (Who spread the ashes) said goodbye. You released me from a life time of confusion and have allowed me to live every day of my twilight years to the fullest. I have become a Bright and am not hisitant to tell my friends what my spiritual reference is. Thank you Dear Friend! Keith R Dearborn, Assoc. Professor Emeritus, Music Education (Ret).

42. Kim R. Hammel: Happy Birthday from Arlington, MA, USA

Happy Birthday Dr Dawkins!

Having come from the American Midwest, I believe your message is more important than even you may be aware of. During a post-talk Q&A session, you once expressed surprise when a student mentioned she felt angry at her parents for raising her in a religious context. You asked if others felt that way and received some applause in response.

Just estimate how many hours that girl, myself and millions of others have wasted sitting in church pews or attending bible study as a child!

Some people complain about all the hours people waste attending professional sporting events. Yet in America, more people attend church services every single Sunday than attend all sporting events (amateur and professional) accross the nation, in a whole year! That astonishes me.

I'm still pressured into sitting through Christmas Eve church services with my family in Dallas, Texas. Last year, the theme of the 2 hour sermon in the Dallas mega-church was, "Light illuminates." I would have been excited had he wanted to discuss some new principles of quantum mechanics, but no: "God is light." So I'm left wondering if He's a wave or a particle. And if faith will let me observe Him, would I collapse His wave function?

More seriously, to learn (with minimal study) that religion is the greatest lie ever perpetuated on Mankind frankly makes me extremely angry. I'm angry at grown men and women who have wasted so much time and money and have squandered so many lives in it's pursuit.

It is truly a breath of fresh air to hear an esteemed scientist announce his Atheism proudly and to flatly state that any school who constructs a museum where dinosaurs walk side by side with Man should have it's accreditation taken away!

Thank you again. Keep up the good fight, and have a great birthday!

--Kim R. Hammel
Arlington, MA, USA

43. Kirsten Dehner: Happy Birthday from Mexico

Dear Richard,

Happy Birthday, with many more to come! I live in a country oppressed by Catholicism and all that that stands for. Reading you is like turning on the light in a world governed by superstition and fear. Thank you for your liberated teachings, and the affirmation of what is best about this journey we call "being human". May you continue to light the way.

Sincerely,
Kirsten Dehner

44. Leslie: Happy Birthday from Houston, TX

Happy Birthday Mr. Dawkins!! You are such a bad ass!!! have a great birthday!!! you saved my life with your books!!! THANKS!!
Love, Leslie

45. Luis Cayetano: Happy Birthday from warofthewaves.blogspot.com

I hope you have a wonderful birthday sir. You've been an enduring inspiration to me.

I feel sad to have never met you. Always know that there are people who have been touched and inspired by your message, and they will endeavour to expound the worldview you have opened up to them. I am one of those people, and I thank you deeply. We will prevail. The future belongs to the clear minded and rational.

If I were a billionaire, your birthday present would be the Extended Phenotypics Institute, opened in your honour by a Nobel Prize winning scientist against the backdrop of Vivaldi's Spring. But alas, I'm just a poor student. Still, I hope you and I both live to see that glorious day. Until then, happy birthday!

46. Lynda: Happy Birthday from New Zealand

One of your supporters living on a small island in the Pacific wishes you all the best for your birthday.

I have my name down for "The God Delusion" at my local library and am 186th in the queue...just to give you an idea of how popular it is over here. :)

Looking forward to your next visit to Aotearoa, and Auckland in particular.

Have a wonderful birthday!!
Lynda.

47. Lynn-James: Happy Birthday from Kansas

Dearest Philosopher,

You have saved my life!! Atheism has been my greatest internal conflict!!! I am now free and my chains are broken!!
I know you aren't the soft and cheesy type, but I'm just gonna give you and others like you (sam harris) credit for a large part of my personal sense of peace and enlightenment. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and that this letter can give you encouragement to face the ignorant crowds of believerbots in order to help more people like me free their mind and live outside of the police-state universe religions imply to their followers. And I'm not a bad person with secret bad deeds to commit I just never seemed good enough to myself as a christian and I realize my self-worth now and live within the natural process of things, not hoping for miracles to pull me out of bad situations, which I regarded as faith exercises, and I realize now those were situations which naturally should teach me to adapt by myself. I realize that faith in anything but one's ability to adapt is somewhat vain and faith in a supernatural being who's sole purpose is for me to "believe" he will grant me everywish on the condition that I believe really hard is absolutely R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!! And I have confidence to doubt because other people bravely live the same rational way. Good luck this year with all of your work and may your work be good and prosperous through your many years which have not come yet!!

Happy Birthday!

Lynn-James Darley

48. Marguerite Rhodes: Happy Birthday from Washington, D.C.

I enjoyed your presentation at Politics and Prose and bought your book. We nontheistic humanistic religious naturalists need to join forces with those of you who are more aggressively atheistic and make disbelief in the supernatural politically acceptable, if not correct. At 76, I am a woman appalled at a regression into some other century in this schizophrenic country in which I live. Bless you and Sam Harris and others who have the courage and the wisdom to speak out clearly and beautifully!

49. Mario Di Maggio: Happy Birthday from Birmingham

Dear Richard

17 years ago (when I did not celebrate birthdays) my girlfriend borrowed a library copy of the "The Blind Watchmaker" for me. Secretly I was really angry with her, as I had tried to read it once before, but did not progress beyond the first few pages - locked as I was in disagreement with you.

Happily, today I believe "The God Delusion" to be the most important book of the last 100 years.

It's been a long, hard fight (documented here for the benefit of others: www.real.dimaggio.org), yet finally I'm safely on the side of reason, hope, and true humanity!

Thank you, and a very happy birthday!


Mario Di Maggio

50. Mark Jones: Happy Birthday from Tucson, AZ

Dear Dr. Dawkins,

A bit of birthday whimsy:

Eloquent and erudite,
Forthright without apology,
'Gainst the tyranny of the ignorant
Fights he the good fight
Wielding common sense, humor,
and just the right amount of biology.

Happy birthday and many happy returns.

Mark Jones

51. Mark L Kolodziej: Happy Birthday from Oak Park, IL, USA

Dear Mr. Dawkins,

Today, I thought about you. A couple of Bible bangers came to my door; as usual, they tried to appear unassuming. I looked at them, smiled, and said, "Ladies, you are in the wrong neighborbood. This is an educated community. We read Richard Dawkins."

Thank you for The God Delusion, your web site, and, above all, your willingness to make your message a political one.

Sincerely,

Mark L. Kolodziej

52. Michael Kidd: Happy Birthday from Launceston, Tasmania

Hello Professor Dawkins,

My name is Michael Kidd, and I am a PhD student in philosophy and a part-time employee in a local bookshop, where one of my co-workers and I cheerily recommend "The God Delusion" to all and sundry, which has helped it become our biggest seller over the last 3 months. I have been hooked on your work ever since I read "The Blind Watchmaker" in my teens and am pleased to wish you a very, very happy birthday.

P.S. Not that I consider myself a "groupie", but I thought you may appreciate knowing that a friend of mine and I also won a national radio competition a few years ago with a piece of electronic music called "epidemic" which samples (legally of course) a discussion of yours where you liken the spread of the fad of turning one's baseball cap backwards to a smallpox epidemic.

Thank you for your good work, we appreciate it very much.


Best,

Michael Kidd

53. Mike: Happy Birthday from Southampton

If I had been asked, twenty years ago, to list my heroes, they would probably all have been musicians, with a sprinkling of philosophers and authors. These days, half of them would be scientists, and you, Professor Dawkins are on the list, along with Sagan, Feynman, Newton, Darwin and many others (in no particular order: I'm not keen on paticular orders).

Richard, it's really thanks to my dad that I know about you: a primary school teacher, and always a keen naturalist, he had several of your books on the shelf - and one by one, I read them. In the last ten years, I've grown more and more concerned about the primitive belief systems that we as a species seem unable to shake off, and when The God Delusion came out last year, I at last felt that I wasn't alone in my frustrations.

Thank you for speaking all our minds to a world that needed to hear it, and I wish you a very happy birthday. I hope you spend it with your family: you deserve some "time off" after all you've done!

54. Mitch Abelman: Happy Birthday from Colorado Springs, CO USA

Richard, Thank you for supporting and defending atheists worldwide. It was an immense pleasure to meet and talk with you when you came to Colorado Springs, CO in the summer of 2005. Keep up the great work.
Mitch Abelman

55. Nikki: Happy Birthday from Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Richard, as an activist atheist, head of the Rational Response Squad Chapter of Massachusetts, and member of the American Atheist's Boston Atheist Organization, I would like to thank you for giving such an intellectual and logical voice to the atheist population. Thank you.

56. Pat Duffy: Happy Birthday from Illinois, USA

Happy 66th Birthday from a bastion of religious fundamentalism here in the southernmost part of the midwestern United States - where the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers meet. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there are those of us here, and thoughout my country, who sincerely appreciate the work you, and others like Sam Harris and and Daniel Dennett, do on behalf of moving people toward a rational and logical view of the universe, without the need for magic, superstition, and the inherent evils promulgated by the various tenets of theism. We all realize the pace of this progress appears to make a glacier's creep seem like a Formula 1 race car. Nevertheless, I am convinced it is necessary for our continued survival as an evolving species. Keep up the good work, and as I heard on my 1st day of law school, "Illegitimis nil carborundum."

Pat

57. Paul Young: Happy Birthday from Lower Hutt - New Zealand

Dear Richard

I really "touched down" on you and your wonderful view of the world, universe and life around mid 2006 and am now immersed in the cause for rationality, science and the demise of all religion.

I'm working my way through all of the great books (and web resources) by you, Sam Harris, Dan Dennett and others of your kind and my life has changed "miraculously". I'm now understanding my place in this wonderful universe and river of life here on Earth.

Richard, thanks so much for the profound effect you're having on my life and happiness.

Have a happy birthday and let it be just the next of many, many more.

The world depends on you, your many wonderful rational allies and the emerging juggernaut of Rationalists, Humanists, Atheists and the like who are rising up and saying loudly "No More!".

Happy Birthday Richard!

Kind regards

Paul Young
New Zealand

58. Peter: Happy Birthday from New Zealand

Richard,

I was an atheist long before I read The God Delusion; however, I was not a very good atheist. In discussions with religious people I was always very accepting, very understanding. I even said things like "I respect your point of view, and understand where you're coming from...". In other words, I allowed religion the space it does not deserve, the space it currently takes up – and, indeed, demands – in the world today. It was you, though, that opened me to what being an atheist really means: it isn't merely an intellectual standpoint, it is a moral imperative.

You have taught me how, when debating on the topic of religion, to remain polite and considerate – yet to never, ever, accept or give space to the absurdities, the intellectual dishonesties, and above all the immoralities so often shown by believers.

You have not only enlightened me on the topic of religion, however. It was Douglas Adams (whom I have always been a great admirer of), with his fascination and dedication to the natural world, who fostered my world (or should I say universe?) view. His midnight trips up jungle rivers, attempts to highlight the awful threat of extinction, brought home the staggering importance of understanding nature. Your captivating words on biology have caused this view to flourish; it now defines who I am, what I am – and why I am.

It can, at times, be difficult to feel there is much hope for humanity. But there are certain people who, unfailingly, bring a smile to my face, a cheerful gust of optimism through my mind. Douglas was one; you are another.


Here's to you Richard –

Wherever you are, in whatever company, you will never celebrate alone.



Peter
(17)
Wellington, New Zealand

59. Phil Doubet: Happy Birthday from Peoria, IL. USA

Richard,


You are my sunshine.


Thanks for everything that you do.


Sincerely,

Phil Doubet
(Faith & Values Columnist with the Peoria Journal Star, and author of "My Pryor Year")

60. Praveen Gopinath: Happy Birthday from India

To my Guru,

I am greatly overwhelmed wishing you Happy Birthday.

I found it worth living in this world because of people like you and Carl Sagan. In my worst days, I sit down and read a book by you. It calms me, elates me, and take me to another dimension. I thank you profoundly for your contributions to mankind.

Thank You Sir, and may u live another 100 years

61. Proctor Burress: Happy Birthday from Lexington, KY

Dear Dr. Dawkins,

Happy Birthday and many, many more!

The Humanist group here in Lexington recently viewed both parts of your recent DVD. It was well received.

Some faint of heart seemed to think the case you presented was somewhat strong. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The truth is that many of us, raised in a Christian context, have not nourished our non-theist insights and have all to often lived in
fear, both socially and in the world of work, of being "discovered" given our non-orthodox views.

Thanks for continuing to make the case as regards what relgion has stooped to accomplish.

My family and I lived in Tadworth a while back and were delighted to have Ms Juno Alexander look after our two children for a short while.

I would like to extend a warm affectionate greeting to Juno hoping she is in good health just as we wish the same for you!

Warm regards,

Proctor S. Burress, M.A.
Colonel, Kentucky

62. Robert Morgart: Happy Birthday from Santa Fe, NM

A very Happy Birthday to you. All I have to say is "Thank God for Richard Dawkins"--------OK , just kidding but we are all fortunate that you are working to make the planet a more rational and intelligent place . Our very survival is at stake. As a professor at West Point told a class there recently, : IF the Russians and Chinese had been religious fundamentalists, it is likely that we would be living (if we were lucky) in a post-nuclear world". I used The Selfish Gene in my classes when I was a professor 30 years ago (=/-). Been reading everything since! You are a living treasure and you are greatly appreciated. Tante Cose'

63. Robert Brockett: Happy Birthday from Morris, IL

Dear Dr. Dawkins:

A very Happy Birthday to you, sir. Your's is a household name in my household. May you continue to reap from all the good you have sown. And may the Michael Behe's of the world always tremble at the mention of your name.

Lux et veritas floreant.

Yours,

Robert L. Brockett
Morris, IL
USA

64. Steven Paul Leiva: Happy Birthday from Los Anrgeles

Dear Professor Dawkins:

From "The Selfish Gene" to "The God Delusion" your words, your thoughts, your worldview, your gentleness of voice, yet fierceness of expression, have all fortified the Enlightenment, and made me a very Bright boy, indeed.

You have been "accused" of preaching to the choir. Well it is the choir that needed to be preached to first. For the choir has been singing oh so softly and with very little harmony. My birthday wish for you is a full-voiced choir shaking the rafters!


65. Suzanne Stavinoha: Happy Birthday from Dallas, Texas

Happy Birthday to Richard from the heart of Evangelical Republicanville! Your books -- and Sam's -- are my anchors of reason and hope in a city filled with mega-churches and those awaiting the Rapture. Seriously. You're doing a wonderful, necessary and much appreciated thing in shaking some sense into this world, and I thank you!

66. Thomas Brand: Happy Birthday from St Albans

Keep up the good work! Happy birthday.

Tom Brand
p.s. my ancestor is Thomas Paine, in his absence I will congratulate you on his behalf too!

67. Todd Shackelford: Happy Birthday from Florida

Happy Birthday Richard! You are a tremdous inspiration--personal and profession.

Very best,

Todd Shackelford


*********************************************************************
Todd K. Shackelford, Ph.D.
Editor, Evolutionary Psychology
http://www.epjournal.net/

Associate Editor, Journal of Personality
http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0022-3506

Associate Editor, Personality and Individual Differences
www.elsevier.com/locate/paid

Associate Editor, Human Ethology Bulletin
http://evolution.anthro.univie.ac.at/ishe/about%20us/bulletin/index.html

Associate Professor of Psychology
Chair, Evolutionary Psychology Area

Florida Atlantic University
Department of Psychology
2912 College Avenue
Davie, Florida 33314

E-mail: tshackel@fau.edu
Office: 954-236-1179
Fax: 954-236-1099
Web: www.ToddKShackelford.com

68. Tom J. Lawson: Happy Birthday from Langley, British Columbia, Canada

An ode to Dawkins on his birthday:

Years upon a man
are like the surf upon the sand
the grains may shift, the shells may drift
but so goes the evolving land

yet look how the lighthouse staves
the crashing waves
a sharper shelf reveals itself
and many a vessel is saved

keep the lanterns lit, my friend
it's a foggy sea of thought we're in
'tis a brighter beacon all are seekin
and a dock at journey's end


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RICHARD!

69. Waldon Johnson: Happy Birthday from Bellevue, Nebraska

I just finished "The God Delusion" and Sam Harris' book on the end of faith. You and he are saying things that have needed to be said for a long time. Keep up the fight and have the happiest of birthdays. this wishes goes along with the hope that you have many, many more.

70. Will Harryman: Happy Birthday from Stevenson, WA USA

Richard,

I wrote you an email just after finishing the God Delusion. I ranted against my fundmentalism upbringing and all the things evil and involve religion. Since that time I have slowly been freeing myself for all the tenicles that have wrapped themselves up around my brian. But I must say the peace I feel and the freedom to see the world as it is, without being defensive and protecting the religious right, is outstanding.

I owe this all to you and your willingness to give an interview on the Stephen Colbert show on Comedy Central. It was the right message at the right time for me.

I have since been reading Sam Harris, Bertrand Russell, and of course your other books. Of course I now read the Bible to help with the detox process. Having access to open thought and innocently asking questions of myself about why I act and feel the way that I do in the absence of "sin".

Anyway I'm rambling.......Someday I hope to meet you and shake your hand and thank you in person for your part in freeing me of my fears and hatered.

SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FRIEND and may you continue spreading the hope for those trapped in their relgion.

Will Harryman