Text Birthday Messages: Group D

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601. Dave Kingsbury: Happy Birthday from Nottingham

Happy Birthday, Richard!

Haven't yet read your book but will do so soon. It's good to know people like you and Sam Harris are keeping up the fight against all forms of irrationality!

602. Dave Miesen: Happy Birthday

Richard,

Thanks for opening my eyes to reality.

603. Dave P Dinh: Happy Birthday from San Ramon, CA

keep up the good work!

604. Dave Peters: Happy Birthday from Kansas, USA

Dr Dawkins,
First and foremost happy birthday.

I'd also like to say thank you for the hours of enjoyment I've had reading your many books.

Dave Peters
Spring Hill, Kansas

605. Dave Powell: Happy Birthday from Lisburn, Northern Ireland

Happy Birthday, thank you for all your work. You are an inspiration to us all.

606. Dave Ward: Happy Birthday from Virginia, US

Best wishes, belated as they are.

Thank you for sharing your wisdom with the rest of us.

607. David: Happy Birthday from Portland, Oregon

Hello Richard Dawkins,

Happy Birthday to you. Thanks for your work.

David Morgan
boredom books

608. David: Happy Birthday from Redondo Beach, CA

Thank you for all your efforts. It means more to many of us, than perhaps we can say.

We are all born athiests, thank you for helping to bring me back full circle.

609. David: Happy Birthday from athens, ga

Thank you so much for all the great work you have done. Happy Birthday. I wish you many more.

610. David: Happy Birthday from Chicago, IL

Happy Wonderful Birthday Richard!
Keep up the great work - NEVER STOP (please).
We need many more brave people like you.

Take Good Care.

611. David & Brenda Perrott Williamson: Happy Birthday from Hattiesburg, Mississippi

We hope you have a really wonderful birthday and many, many more!

David and Brenda Perrott Williamson
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

612. David (Ozzy) Osborn: Happy Birthday from Dublin

I've been an antheist since I was 8, so I haven't had the pleasure of being converted by you, but you do inspire me to be unapologetic. I suppose it all began when I skipped mandatory study time in boarding school to watch "The root of all evil". At the time, I only recogonised your name because it was on the covers of a number of my mothers' science books. That show convinced me that I should take a more active role in opposing religion.
Happy birthday!

613. David Anderson: Happy Birthday

Professor Dawkins,

You have been blessed with a great brain, and led a productive and privilege life. Congratulations on reaching 66 years old.

The days you have remaining are now far dwarfed by those that are gone. Soon, you will no longer be able to hide behind the vacuous excuses for rebellion against your maker. I urge you to stop the madness, and seek the Lord whilst you can.

Kind regards,
David

614. David Apimerika: Happy Birthday from New Plymouth, New Zealand

Happy Birthday Richard!

Yes, it must be odd to receive a birthday message from some stranger half way around the world. But there you go.

But, to be honest, I find great inspiration in your books, in the way you conduct yourself (in interviews etc), and in your strength and courage to stand up to the religious idealogies of the world.

I believe in everyone thing you've written and spoken about - and not through faith! I've quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) observed the world, read the books and reasoned in my head, the how and what and when of the world's history and likely progression. A natural explanation just makes *sense* after all of that.

Anyway, hope you have a cracker day on the 26th, and get lots of presents (not just a copy of your book though, I hope! Or even a copy of a Bible or Koran!!).

David Apimerika :-)

PS We had an absolutely fantastic WOMAD festival (http://www.womand.co.nz) here last weekend. Why don't you think about having your birthday here in New Zealand next year and staying to experience WOMAD New Zealand-style yourself?

615. David Aston: Happy Birthday from New Zealand

Dear Richard,

Firstly, let me thank you for your science writing: it has informed and illuminated my world.
Secondly, your book `The God Delusion` has proven to be a turning point in my middle years. Imagine indeed if above us only sky!

Thank you,

David Aston.

616. David Baca: Happy Birthday from Tokyo, Japan

Happy returns Professor Dawkins

Will Rogers, American humorist and essayist and someone who I think you would enjoy reading, once said "I was born because it was a habit in those days. People didn't know any different." The same can be said about so many of my fellow Americans today. They persist to believe blindly in the paranormal, the psychics and the mythologies of their gods without a second thought, without a doubt and with not one titttle of regard for the non religious and coherent version of events that scientists and thinkers like yourself have expalined and talked about so convincingly.

I thank you for the tremendous effort on behalf of those who want to see an end to religious wars and the removal of political leaders who do nothing but whip up hysteria and hypocrisy the world in the name of God and democracy.

And may we hear more from you in regard to your debate with Dr Collins?

Have a good one

David P. Baca
Tokyo, Japan

617. David Blessing: Happy Birthday from The bible belt

Hello Richard:
I want to wish you happy birthday. I love your books.
Keep piling it on the non thinking religious nuts.
Dave Blessing

618. David Byberg: Happy Birthday from Barbados

Dear Mr. Dawkins,

I've often lamented the fact that being born in 1970 left me without many modern day heroes or many causes worth fighting for. I had the good fortune of meeting one such hero in the person of Nelson Mandela. And in the past few years I have found the cause of reason/skepticism/clear thinking thanks to people like the good folks at Skepticality, Sam Harris and yourself. I now count you and Sam Harris among my personal Heroes and I'm convinced that our movement will be one of the most significant of the 21st century.

Happy Birthday and Many, many, many happy returns.

God Bless you. (you know what I mean ;-)

Dave Byberg

619. David Clark: Happy Birthday from South Africa

Happy Birthday!

Thanks for all the great work you've done in bringing the wonder of the biological world to the public, exposing the weakness of religion, and highlighting the importance of taking a more active role in promoting our understanding of nature through the lens of science.

Your metaphors, quotes, references and observations have provided much needed intellectual support for many of us who have been hesitant in confronting unsubstantiated world views simply out of a lack of a clear way to proceed against such an elusive target.

Hope you have a great day, and thanks for all the books.

620. David Cohen: Happy Birthday from Austin, Texas

Richard,

I wish you a very happy birthday, and many, many more years to help us all see and hear with clarity and honesty the world as it is.

Thanks, and keep it up.
David Cohen

621. David Cooper: Happy Birthday from Melbourne Au

Thank you Richard for your contribution to sanity and human development.

David

622. David Dovey: Happy Birthday from Perth

Happy Birthday Dr Dawkins!

For all of our sakes, keep pushing towards the goal of a rational society, keep leading the charge, we're all right behind you...

I say with all honesty that The God Delusion was the most important book I have ever bought, and it has opened up so many doors for me. I wish the entire world would read it, and I'm doing my part to make sure as many people as possible do. This is a message that needs to be heard.

Thankyou,

David Anthony Dovey.

623. David Driscoll: Happy Birthday from Atlanta GA

Happy Birthday Dr. Dawkins! You are my greatest inspiration and I hope we all can continue to spread the word of rational thinking.

624. David Edmiston: Happy Birthday from St. Louis

Happy birthday first and foremost! I personally hope you will live to be at least 100. Maybe nanothechnology and computational speeds will increase so fast that your "mind" can be downloaded for future musings about science and evolution. But alas, I think predictions are a tad to optimistic. The only thing that will be unfortunate to you and many other atheist around the world including me, will be that it can safely be said that belief in a theist god will not wither away like a fig leaf within our lifetimes. Now that is a prediction we can believe with a high probability of happening, unlike the prophesized "End Times" so proudly professed in the Bible. Even though you stress that we are lucky to be at a moment in space-time where science is flourishing and new knowledge of the world is bubbling up and spilling over in such increasing amounts that it can drive one mad in trying to take it all in,I believe epistomologically speaking that there is no shore to reach with a guiding wind. Knowledge of this quirky world will continue to accumulate with no horizon in sight. I believe this is a very majestic. Why would one like to be complacent and have all mystery and wonderment sucked out of your brain like a vacuum cleaner? That is precisely what religion does.I believe beyond a doubt the highest good should be to uncover mysteries with a determination of a stroke victim learning to walk and speak again. What amazes me is the lack of enthusiasm that seems incarnate in most humans. I have learned from the great philosophers that such everday assumptions we have of the world are still very nebulous indeed. For instance, what is the ontological status of numbers? language? symbols? Of course consciousness is a huge thorn in the flesh that seems to be getting infected. Mortality is negative in one respect. It keeps your allotted amount of time on this wispy orb so limited! Maybe extra terrestial life that would appear god like to us will uplift us to the next stage in cosmic evolution. For now it is written only in the science fiction novels of David Brin and his Uplift stories, and of course Arthur C. Clarke in Childhoods End. I should end this because I know your time is limited. I had suggested in a previous email that you should write a science fiction or just plain fiction novel of a world without religion concieved by you. It would sell like hotcakes!
Once again, Happy Birthday.

David Edmiston.

625. David Elliott: Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Mister Dawkins.

You are one year closer to the nervous and brain activities ending and you cellular structure breaking down into basic elements. Your soul would be one year closer to becoming one with a deity, but since there's probably not such a thing as an immortal soul -- or a deity -- you may be disappointed. So enjoy tomorrow.

626. David Enzel: Happy Birthday from Chevy Chase, Maryland

Happy Birthday Richard! You've really made me see life in a new way.

627. David Gu: Happy Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD!
I love your books! You're awesome!

An atheist high school student who also loves biology,
David Gu

628. David Harris: Happy Birthday from Hollywood, CA

Professor Dawkins,

Your work inspires true skepticism where it is needed most. Thank you and Happy Birthday!

David Harris
Internet Analyst

629. David Hollander: Happy Birthday from Indiana, USA

Thank you for all that you do for we skeptics. Have a happy birthday, and many more!

630. David Hughes: Happy Birthday from Belgium-Chile

Dear Richard,

We wish you a very happy birthday and we did enjoy your last book.
We have had a very tough job trying to "convert" our Chilean Opus Dei Friends.
I am an old Oriel man .

David

631. David J Forbes: Happy Birthday from Abu Dhabi

Richard:

Many happy returns on your birthday!

Living as I do in a part of the world where the social landscape is utterly disfigured by people who quite sincerely "live their religion", I would simply exhort you: please don't stop. You would have every right to point out that you have done far more than anyone else currently living to stem the resurgent tide of unreason, and have put yourself in harm's way by so doing; you would be quite entitled to suggest that it is time for others to take up the cudgels...and yet, with the greatest respect to Messrs Dennett, Harris et al, we don't have anyone else who can write like you, who is as media-friendly as you, and who has your scientific credentials.

I sincerely believe that you are a hero to very many millions of people - but in far too many many cases, you are the object of an adulation which cannot speak its name. I do not believe that any truly intelligent individual believes in the God of Heaven and Hell, but the pressures to pretend otherwise, even in "advanced" societies, can be crushing...you, through your writings in particular, provide a unique pressure release valve. PLEASE DON'T STOP.

Enjoy your day off though!

Best Wishes Dave Forbes

632. David J Kyte: Happy Birthday from Birmingham, Uk

many Happy Returns Richard.

Thank you so mych for givinh seculariam and atheism much needed focus, impetus and courage.
personally your ideas and writings have been invigourating

Go well and Prosper!

David J Kyte

633. David J. Child: Happy Birthday from Encinitas, California, U.S.A.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Dawkins!
I wish you an enjoyable day, evening; and many more to come.
Also, may I take this opportunity to thank you for writing your books.
I am enjoying a number of them.
LONG LIVE SCIENCE and FREETHINKING!
David

634. David Joerger: Happy Birthday

I never knew things like this existed.....thank you for your books and effort to enlighten the world. I hope you have an amazing birthday, with many more to come.

635. David Kaplan: Happy Birthday from 703-768-0155

Dr. Dawkins,
I am a 72 year old mathematican (foundations of mathematics, MA '58, UC, Berkeley) who read and enjoyed "The Selfish Gene" when you first wrote it. I am an agnostic for logical reasons; I tend towards aetheist for reasons of probability.

By the way, I became an agnostic (although I couldn't spell it) at the age of four when I discovered that while Santa Claus didn't appear that night, my parents with gifts did.

If you want to talk, I will not holding my breath until you call but you can reach me at (703)768-0155; email me at david.kaplan@verizon.net or write me at 2451 Windbreak Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22306.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I hope that I did not damage you with the capitol letters.

David Kaplan

636. David Kaplan: Happy Birthday from Alexandria, VA

Dr. Dawkins,

I am a 72 year old mathematican (foundations of mathematics, MA '58, UC, Berkeley) who read and enjoyed "The Selfish Gene" when you first wrote it. I am an agnostic for logical reasons; I tend towards aetheist for reasons of probability.

By the way, I became an agnostic (although I couldn't spell it) at the age of four when I discovered that while Santa Claus didn't appear that night, my parents with gifts did.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

I hope that I did not damage you with the capitol letters.

Sincerely,
David Kaplan

637. David Kennedy: Happy Birthday from Boston, Ma. US

Happy Birthday Dr. Dawkins:

Please keep up the good work that you and other like minded people are doing. As an American, I can only say that living here with the oppression of the religious establishment pervading american life, the atheist challange to that dogma is a breath of fresh air.

Again, best wishes and many more fruitful years.

638. David Koepsell: Happy Birthday from new haven, CT

Happy Birthday, Richard! Hope all is well. You are proof that evolution is working, and it has been a pleasure to know you.
best,
David

639. David Langsworthy: Happy Birthday from Stafford

Happy Birthday Richard!

640. David Lipps: Happy Birthday from Alabama, USA

Hey Dr. Dawkins,

I'll bet you'll get a ton of these little emails today but I just wanted to say that I appreciate all your hard work. It makes me able to be proud to be an atheist. Happy Birthday! I hope you're able to relax today.

Within reason,
David

641. David Livingstone Smith: Happy Birthday from Maine, USA

Richard

Happy birthday from all of us at the New England Institute.

Warmest Regards
David

642. David M Law: Happy Birthday from Manchester

Richard

Many thanks for crystallising my thoughts about religion and science. Have a lovely day, and keep up the good work!

Best Regards

Dave Law

643. David Martin: Happy Birthday from Seattle, WA USA

Dear Richard,

You've unknowingly done a lot for me and I want to say "thanks". Hopefully I'll meet you someday at a lecture or something to shake your hand, but until then this will suffice.

Happy Birthday and thanks for being a positive influence on my life.

Warm Regards,

David Martin

644. David McCarthy: Happy Birthday from Sydney, Australia

All the best Richard, from one whose life was irrevocably changed upon reading "The Selfish Gene". Clarity!

645. David McDonald: Happy Birthday from Busselton WA Australia

Happy birthday to Richard!
Your wisdom is inspirational.
Greaty appreciated.
Sincerely,
David McDonad

646. David McNorton: Happy Birthday from York

Thank you so very much for your wonderful and inspirational writings. The God Delusion finally gave me a complete tool kit for rational opposition to the irrational dogma of religion.

Have a really great and fun day. Happy birthday Richard.

647. David McRitchie: Happy Birthday from Toronto, Canada

Thank you for your inspirational written works, both as a biologist and as an atheist and your tireless efforts in support of atheism.

Wishing you a very happy birthday.

648. David Michael: Happy Birthday from Western Australia

Richard

I hope you have a great birthday!

Thank you for all that you have done and I hope you continue to spread the word of the good book (TGD)

I hope you find the time for an Australian Tour soon!

Cheers!

David

649. David Nathan: Happy Birthday from Phoenix, AZ

Thank you for THE GOD DELUSION.

And happy birthday.

650. David Newman: Happy Birthday from Bath, England

Happy birthday, Mr. D,
Thanks for being instrumental in being a strong part of keeping Britain sane in the face of relentlessly fundamentalist and tiresomely moderate religious adversity.
And on a personal note, thanks for instilling in me the confidence and knowledge to finally shake my Christian upbringing, something that has never sat comfortably. It has amazed me since that my parents accepted their religious fate so readily and am left wondering why more people don't question such matters.
David

651. David Nicholls: Happy Birthday from Limerick, Ireland

Hello Richard,

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your great work in enlightening the world on the folly of religion.

I was raised a catholic, but through education, I gradually came to realise that religion just didn't make any sense. I went through a prolonged phase of calling myself agnostic, simply because that seemed rational to me at the time. I also felt it was somehow arrogant to deny God, simply because I felt that I was so much in the minority with my beliefs. I didn't want to be the person driving down the motorway complaining about all the other cars going the wrong way.

It was through reading your books that I came to understand how so many people could simply be wrong. Your writings gave me the tools to explain to others why belief in God just makes no sense.

I was delighted when you wrote the God delusion as it is about time someone attempted to educate the masses. Hopefully the massive publicity your book has gained will help more and more people to see the light and perhaps one day we will have the motorway to ourselves.

Wishing you a very happy birthday.

Best Regards,
David

652. David Owen: Happy Birthday from Nantwich, Cheshire

Belated birthday greetings!!

Fancy a pint?

653. David Pabian: Happy Birthday from Los Angeles

Happy Birthday, Sir! May you long continue to bring enlightenment to Earth in these very Very Dark Days. We have nothing left but the Light of Reason — I continue to strive toward it, inspired by your work.

Happy Birthday!!

David Patrick Pabian

654. David Parry: Happy Birthday from Plymouth, UK.

Happy Birthday Mr. Dawkins,

Your books and essays have been a real inspiration to my academic career and have kept me on-board and in context for the largest amount of evolution-based lectures and coursework. The brilliant way your books are written have brought to life interesting, yet otherwise 2-Dimensional concepts. If I ever struggle to get my head around a concept I look for a reference to it in one of your books, if I can't do that I go for a WWDT? (What Would Dawkins Think?) approach.

I have found your latest book, the God Delusion, a sensationally good read, and the accompanying videos of your tour humorous and insightful.

Happy 66th and lets hope for another 66 years of sermons from the Reverend Dawkins.

655. David Peecook: Happy Birthday from Brighton, MI

Dear Richard,

Happy Birthday! I hope you have a great day, and many more birthdays to come!

I just finished "The God Delusion", it is a fantastic book. My son is majoring in "Evolutionary Biology" at the University of Michigan - he of course highly recommended the book. Thank you for all your excellent work, best wishes going forward.

Sincere Regards, David Peecook (Brighton, MI)

656. David Pellow: Happy Birthday from Victoria BC, Canada

Happy Birthday Mr.Dawkins!!,
Your books have been instrumental in my struggle to extricate myself from the grip of religion with all its horrors and half-baked explanations. The real irony for me is that without religion I experience more "religious" feelings for life than with! That is without price, thank you so much for your awesome ability to convey with such clarity the precious insights that can at last make sense of this life.
Write On !!
David Pellow

657. David Pike: Happy Birthday from Oregon

Happy Birthday Sir.

I have The Selfish Gene, The Ancestor's Tale, The Blind Watchmaker, and River Out of Eden. I have thus far read Selfish Gene and Blind Watchmaker. I am right now reading Summer for the Gods by Edward Larson.

I do so much appreciate your writing and your work.

Again. Happy Birthday.

David Pike

658. David Quigley: Happy Birthday from Charlotte, NC

Happy Birthday, Professor Dawkins! Your work in both evolution and on the atheist front is truly an inspiration. I wish you the a great birthday with lots of cake! Keep injecting the world with the logic and reason that it needs.

659. David R Allen: Happy Birthday from Adelaide Australia

Love your work.

660. David RICE: Happy Birthday from Los Angeles, California

For most of my life, I have been an atheist. Over the last twelve years, I felt that I had to moderate my position because I didn't guve proper consideration to the idea that there was a an explanation for reality beyond my understadnig, not to mention my concern that I couldn't communicate with people of faith unless I expressed humility in my position. What you and David Mills have shown me that I don't have to apologize for what I have suspected all along: The universe doesn't need a supernatural explanation. I don't begtrudge friends and family members there belief in a higher power, but I don't have to apologize for my lack of belief in one, and I have you and David Mills to thank for that. I wish you well on your upcoming birthday, and I hope that you words will continue to persuade others to critically think about how the world works and their place in it.

661. David Richard da Luz: Happy Birthday from Brazil

Happy birthday, Richard!
I am from Brazil and I'm your fan, I read several of your works.
Continue publishing the Evolution and the Science.
Happiness.

662. David Robb: Happy Birthday from PA, USA

Mr. Dawkins:

Happy birthday sir! I am now reading The God Delusion and it is excellent! Don't forget that you have many fans!

663. David Roberts: Happy Birthday from Tropic UT.

Happy Birthday
And thank you for your courage, and giving me the courage to live my life as I see fit.

David Roberts

664. David Robertson: Happy Birthday from Dundee, Scotland

Dear Professor Dawkins,

Congratulations on your birthday. You are wearing well and I hope and pray that you will have many years of life left. I look forward to you being as effective a Christian apologist in your latter years as you have been an atheist one in your earlier!

All the best

David A. Robertson

665. David Schweitzer: Happy Birthday from Tacoma, WA

Thank you for your courage. We need your insights now more that ever. You give me hope for the future, but I also feel sad for generations past for their lack of a realistic worldview. It was becoming difficult for me to communicate with many people in my life (most of whom I love), but with the help you give me I can effectively state my position with eloquence. Happy birthday Richard.

666. David Smith: Happy Birthday from Akron, OH, USA

I know this is a little late, but I figured I'd send a message anyways. Happy belated birthday! I hope everything went well for you.

P.S. Perhaps next time you go on a lecture/booksigning tour throughout America, you'd be willing to stop by Akron? :p Wishful thinking I suppose. Keep up the great work!

667. David Storm: Happy Birthday from Albany, NY

Happy Birthday Richard Dawkins!

668. David Stout: Happy Birthday from USA

Richard,
Your book was such an inspiration to me. Thank you for that. Have a wonderful birthday.
-Dave

669. David Tamayo: Happy Birthday from Alexandria, Virginia USA

Feliz Cumpleaños! Dr. Dawkins, thank you for the outstanding job you've taken upon yourself in promoting Truth. It was thanks to you that I saw life in a whole different light - a better, much more enjoyable life. I wish you the best health and many more years of life. Happy Birthday!

670. David Vernon: Happy Birthday from Canberra, Australia

Dear Richard,

Happy Birthday to a man who is shining a light on the ridiculous, the stupid and the foolish, but who does it with understanding and compassion. I admire your clear thinking, your intelligent arguments and your passion.

May you have many many birthdays to come.

With best wishes,

David Vernon
Canberra, Australia

671. David W: Happy Birthday from San Diego, CA

Happy Birthday Dr. Dawkins!

This is wishing you a very happy birthday! Your presence on this planet has been very fruitful, indeed, let us hope for many more years to come. Speaking for myself, your books have helped me understand my part in the greater picture. Your humor, subtle though it is, comes shining through so bright I find myself laughing out loud (especially your fondness for my country's soon-to-be former president). Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights - you have done so much in so little time - please take very good care of yourself, there is still much work left to be done.

Please enjoy your special day, Dr. Dawkins, and know that you will always be welcome in my home were you to find yourself in San Diego. I have an excellent humus recipe that I believe you'll like. Just give me a days notice, that's all I ask. :-)

Your sincere friend -

David W. in San Diego, CA

672. David Welch: Happy Birthday from Johannesburg

Hi Richard,

Happy Birthday, and many more of them!

I don't normally write fan letters (or birthday greetings to people I don't know, come to think of it) but would just like to thank you for opening my eyes to the way evolution really works, and for all the work you have done to make the world a safer and more rational place. I wish you ever more success in your endeavours and will continue (in my own small way) to support them.

All the best,
David

673. David Williams: Happy Birthday from Perth, Western Australia

Hi Richard,

Have a most excellent birthday! I look forward to making your acquaintance in the fullness of time. Should you ever visit the city of Perth in Western Australia perhaps we can share a glass of our most excellent wines. Wishing you good health, and long life.

With your outstanding example we can make this a better world.

Best wishes, Dave

674. David Wonfor: Happy Birthday from Carlisle, United Kingdom

It is no exaggeration to say that reading 'The Blind Watchmaker' changed my life in several profound and meaningful ways. Like most people, I thought I understood evolution. Survival of the fittest, natural selection – what could be simpler? I had no doubts as to its validity as a scientific theory, but at the same time, had I encountered a creationist armed with their seemingly logical criticisms of evolution, I would've been easily bamboozled. I certainly wouldn't have made much of an ambassador of the theory I thought I espoused. Likewise with my atheism. I was lucky enough to be raised in a household free from religious indoctrination (though my Mum is a Christian, albeit of the most wooly variety). I have never really believed in God, but I would have been at pains to explain why. That, coupled with the fact that so many people in the world do believe, had always left slight doubts in my mind.

All this changed after 'The Blind Watchmaker'. What previously I had felt to be right, I now knew to be so. Not only that, it deepened my reverence for the natural world and its improbable beauty and diversity. I can distinctly remember walking around in the days following the reading of your book, looking at all the life around me, feeling genuinely overwhelmed by (to borrow Louis MacNeice's phrase) 'the drunkenness of things being various'. The rational, scientific explanation for the origin of life seems to me so mysterious, so magical, so awe-inspiring, that it makes any religious explanation seem, well, parochial, and all-too human (to borrow Nietzsche's phrase).

After 'The Blind Watchmaker' I became a happier, more confident, more assured person. Since then I have read several of your books and I follow your controversial career closely. I think we need people like you, precisely because we (as in atheists) are in the minority. We are often characterized by the religious as extremists. If by extremist you mean someone who is on the fringes of human thought, then perhaps (given the sheer numbers of believers) we are. This is not the same thing, of course, as being wrong. The original abolitionists were characterized as extremists. The suffragettes likewise were considered extremists. People who are religious often say, "There must be more than this". I ask what more they want. Look around you: from the magisterial complexity of a rose bush, to the bizarro world of quantum mechanics, to the sheer vastness of the universe – is it not more than enough?

Happy birthday professor Dawkins. Thank you for making me a happier person. I owe you a dept that is impossible to pay back with mere words, though I hope this goes some way towards expressing that.

675. David Wright: Happy Birthday from Lancaster, England

Happy Birthday, Richard Dawkins!

I was christened C of E, and the week of my confirmation I asked my mother if I really needed to believe the things I was saying, and she said that I couldn't help it if I didn't.

Over time I was totally baffled. I was pretty sure that the God thing was made up, and I could sort of see that through the other Gods and various myths I'd been taught about that there was no real difference.

The big question for me was "what made us!?"

Your books have given me some very satisfying and verifiable answers to that very important question, freeing my inquisitive little mind for other pursuits. No single individual person I've never met has provided me with such pleasure and satisfaction in my own life.

So, you know... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

May there be many more.

David Wright

Superkings

http://www.superkings.org
http://www.myspace.com/superkingstheband

676. David Zoll: Happy Birthday from Baltimore, Maryland

Happy Birthday Mr. Dawkins, and thank you for teaching us the wisdom of one mans' most important activites: keep asking quetions!!

677. DAVIS ABBOTT: Happy Birthday from Wallingford CT

Happy Birthday
AND.........Have dozens more to come !!!!
Sincerely,
Davis Abbott

678. dawn: Happy Birthday from san diego

Happy Birthday! Thank you for taking on the religious right and for advancing the cause and loggic of reasonable critical thought about religion and science. Thank you for your courage and concision.

679. Dean: Happy Birthday from Washington State

Your contributions are invaluable. People like you allow me to retain some small quantity of hope that we might turn this theological train-wreck around someday.

680. Dean & Stella Johnson: Happy Birthday from Simsbury, CT, USA

Sir Richard (or you should be):

Thank you for all you have done and are doing to bring some common sense to this globe. We would "worship" you, but then that's been the problem down through the ages, hasn't it.

Your coming forward really has helped those of us who share your feelings to know we are NOT a tiny minority. And hopefully it will make all others question their beliefs, even slightly.

Best of the birthdays,

Dean & Stella Johnson

681. Dean Blower: Happy Birthday from Brisbane, Australia

Happy Birthday Richard! Please continue your oustanding work towards a new age of reason and intellect. "The God Delusion" is a masterful expose of the pseudo-science and superstitions that besiege us. I have enjoyed all your books so far and I recall "Climbing Mount Improbable" with great fondness. I ask myself, did I always have a passion to study Evolutionary Biology or did your writings stimulate that gene to be expressed? I have been enjoying my first year at University studying Biology.

Please allow me to briefly relate my own encounter with the universe of Intelligent Design. Recently, I was stopped in a mall by a group of Creationists. I adequately countered each of their arguments with my understanding of current science. But far from being swayed by my counters I found that they just launched into the next pseudo-scientific argument without pause for thought. My observation was that they were just regurgitating a list of vacuous anti-evolutionary and anti-science teachings and that they would not be swayed for a second by counter punches of current exhaustive scientific theory. The next day I searched the internet for their arguments and found many sites with the exact same teachings and instructions on how to use them to persuade the unsuspecting. After reading this propaganda I was infuriated with the misrepresentation of science that supports the Intelligent Design movement. I sent a "shame" email to a prominent "academic" who had many I.D. presentations posted on the internet for free replication and distribution. The response my email elicited was surprisingly open, but as we exchanged views the closed and fixated nature of his opinions became evident. He was obsessed with the inaccuracies and inadequacies of Dawin's theories and other very dated science (Miller-Urey & Haeckel) which is now openly acknowledged to be embryonic, and in some cases, flawed. I proposed that he see those as very early signposts leading to but now supporting current Phylogenetic evidence, Anatomical Homologies, and Molecular Homologies.

I wrote:

"You seem to use Darwin's words and conclusions as the definitive arguments for Evolution. They are not accepted as such in the Biol texts I study. Just as Newton described gravity in terms of mechanics and Albert Einstein re-defined it in terms of Quantum Mechanics so the research into Evolution has moved on from Darwin's day. It's about time I mentioned the other dirty "D" word. Richard Dawkins re-defined evolution with his "Selfish Gene" analogy. And if you wish to joust with Evolution you need to work over Dawkin's theories far more than Darwin's."

His reply:

"You make a good point about not taking Darwin's words verbatim because modern science has disproved some of his ideas and many evolutionary scientists have moved onto neo-Darwinism. Unfortunately I do not give Dawkins much credibility. He is very opinionated, even going so far as calling those of us who do not accept Evolution as a fact "stupid". That is not a very useful or accurate scientific statement. He has recently written a book called "The God Delusion" - I bought it and do intend to read it, but it does not get very good reviews because of his lack of objectivity. I also intend to read other Dawkin books when I get the time so I can better understand and respond to his arguments. You may be using some biology textbooks that do not show Haeckel's embryos, but many American biology textbooks still do. See Jonathan Wells' book on "Icons of Evolution." We don't need to go into it here, but homology is not an argument for Evolution. A Designer can create two different living species with similar forearms that are used for similar or even different purposes. It does not require Evolution to have two living species with similar characteristics."

I think his response speaks for itself. I now completely understand what we are up against. And, if you didn't say it, I will. They ARE stupid!

Many happy returns and best wishes.

Dean

682. Dean Fraser: Happy Birthday from Honolulu

Thanks for making it to the islands a few weeks ago...Happy Birthday and MANY happy returns!

683. Dean Roberts: Happy Birthday from Canada

Happy Birthday Richard,

I wanted to send you an interesting picture, but seeing as I'm running out of time I will have to settle for just sending you words.

I have been an atheist for a while now, but until your book, I didn't have enough scientific knowledge to back up my beliefs. Your book gave me the arguments I needed to say to myself, yes your beliefs are correct.

You have opened my eyes, and the eyes of my friends, whom I have encouraged to read your book. Since "The God Delusion" I have read the 30th anniversary addition of "The Selfish Gene" and "Unweaving the Rainbow" I have also watched almost every YouTube clip with you in it.

I think you have taken on a great challenge in this world, but I think you are well up to the task. You (and others like you) have burst the protective bubble that has surrounded religion to this day. Finally people are looking critically at religion, and saying I don't have to respect your beliefs, simply because you believe them. Unfortunately the very religious are too far gone to read your book with an open mind, but it's the new generation that will benefit from it. I think that religion is on the way out, just a few more generations, a few leaps forward in the understanding of our universe (which will, undoubtedly, come from science), and we will have a new secular society. We will then have to deal with new challenges, but I think we are well prepared for any that may come our way.

Please continue what you are doing, the world needs more people like you to take on the fanatics produced by our lack of understanding, and scatter brained past.

I lift my glass, and say "Happy Birthday. Here's to many more. Cheers!"

684. Deb mcNew: Happy Birthday from U.S.

Hope your birthday was a wonderful day for you. Thank you so much for sharing your insights into science and society with the world. Your writings have provoked many an interesting discussion among my colleagues.

685. Deb Russel: Happy Birthday from NYC

Hey there Richard:

Yes it's true - inspirational and brilliant people get older too : ) But they get wiser too. So a message to the non-wise: Watch out deluded god-fearing people! Richard Dawkins is still getting smarter! Have a great birthday, although any day in your shoes has to be better than for Ted Haggard these days HA!

Thanks for making such great arguments and never losing your cool even with the most infuriating, closed minded people. I think of your perserverance in the fight to enlighten when I get bogged down just trying to get my colleagues around here to at least understand that Einstein was an athiest and not religious. I am getting my PhD in Biology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Yeshiva) and there are posters everywhere with the religious quotes. ARGHHH. Even my fiance, though not religious himself, said then why would Einstein give his name and money to a religious university? Unfortunately, I do not have the answer to that one...yet.

Best wishes for another great year, nature-willing and I wish you the best with future projects - perhaps a new feature length documentary? (Hint Hint). So take care and remember to encourage smart, non-religious people to have more kids or at least donate progeny making materials,

Devoted to Reason and Science,

Deb

686. Debbi: Happy Birthday from Tucson, Arizona

Happy Birthday, Richard! We reethinkers don't worship gods of idols, but we sure appreciate you! I love hearing you take on the god-pushers, in a serious setting or on Comedy Central!

We got to see and hear Sam Harris last year at the FFRF convention. I hope you will be the next clear-thinker we see there.
Enjoy!

Debbi, Avery, and our non-theist cat, Mona

687. Debbie: Happy Birthday from Fort Mill, South Carolina

Dear Professor,

Thank you so much for opening my eyes to the rest of the universe and all its wonder through your marvelous books and talks, giving me the courage to walk away from religion and enjoy the world we have. You've become my "hero" :) Though it's your birthday, I feel like it was I who received a present.

Happy birthday, Professor Dawkins, and may you have many more!

Debbie Delorme,
Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

688. Debbie: Happy Birthday from California

Prof. Dawkin,

You are a true inspiration. Please keep up the good work. Because of you, I finally have the confidence to truly be myself and voice my beliefs to people without feeling like I am offending them. Have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Debbie

689. debbie lee: Happy Birthday from arcadia, CA

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SIGNING MY GOD DELUSION BOOK!!! you have soo much balls to go against christian america! please keep up your work! i think people are now realizing there are more athiests out there and that athiests shouldnt be scared to admit they dont agree with someones religion and that we have the right to stand up for what we believe in no matter how much others say we're evil or going to hell. thank you and again HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

690. Debbie Neill: Happy Birthday from Tempe, AZ

Happy Birthday!! You've been an inspiration to me!!! I admire your willingness to take on the religious community. I've enjoyed reading all of your books!!

691. deborah: Happy Birthday from rural norfok

Happy Birthday Richard Dawkins!!

I am a 57 year old Basketmaker from Norfolk, called Deborah, and as the answer to the universe is 42 my email address is debasket42@aol,com. I was thrown out of my pre prep school in 1958 aged 8, for refusing to pray!! I am in the middle of the God Delusion and loving it all, well said.
Best wishes for a Very Happy Birthday. Debs Booth.

692. Deborah Vatcher MD: Happy Birthday from Plainville, MA

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!

693. Deborah Warcken: Happy Birthday from Carmel, CA

Thank you for _The God Delusion_. I tell people it is the best book I read last year!

I hope you have a very happy birthday, and many, many more.

694. Debra Coplan: Happy Birthday from La Jolla

Dear Richard

Just a note to say Happy Birthday! Thanks so much for representing us believers in science and not myth---Don't keep up the faith!---Debbie Coplan

695. Debra Ferrel: Happy Birthday

Thank goodness for your intellect and courage. Because of you, many of we frustrated atheists are rallying together and will begin to make a difference. I applaud you and send sincere good wishes on your birthday.

696. Debra Shapiro, MD: Happy Birthday from Burlingame, California

Dear Professor Dawkins,
I want to wish you a wonderful birthday and a very happy and healthy year. I loved your last book, The God Delusion, and have gotten my friends and family members to read it. I hope all your birthday wishes come true (do we athiests believe in birthday wishes?) HA HA
Sincerely,
Debra Shapiro,MD
ObGyn

697. Dejan Cosovic: Happy Birthday from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

While I may not celebrate Christmas, I sure plan to celebrate your birthday Mr. Dawkins! You see sir, I was born in Croatia during the time when it was part of Yugoslavia and I moved during those horrific civil wars. It was a time when nationalism and religion, two of the most dangerous forces I have ever seen at work, became intertwined. If you were Croatian you were a Catholic, if you were a Serbian you were Orthodox. Period, no questions asked. At this time people who were once openly atheist, agnostic or just secular in general began attending church as it was expected...it created that terrible frame of mind that there was no other choice. My father, a Serb married my mother who was a Croat and my father's family did not approve. Thankfully, both my parents understood the remarkable danger of human stupidity and stayed atheists. Unfortunately, I did not have the wisdom to follow in their footsteps. Since my parents were never open about their beliefs and did their best to keep them hidden without lying, I never really learned anything about atheism from them. That's when you and the community you've helped build and shape immensely stepped in.

After over a year of research, scientists and philosophers such as yourself shattered my faith, something I once cursed you for, but now am incredibly thankful for. Where I live now, in Canada, it is incredibly difficult to meet people from our culture without attending church, something my parents refuse to do. Your call for an united atheist community really touched me as, due to my origin, such things were originally unfathomable. I recently attempted to start a secular club at my school and my grandmother, also an atheist, warned me not to do so; it might be dangerous. My mom finds my openness about my beliefs somewhat disturbing, and this is what you have set out to change. Thanks to you, Mr. Dawkins I'm going to answer that call for an atheist community, I'm going to be proud about my beliefs and I'll continue fighting strong for them and for the world you have envisioned for us.

You have given me a massive part of my life back, and for that, I don't even have the words to express my thanks and appreciation.

Happy birthday Mr. Dawkins, and keep fighting the good fight, the fight that keeps us strong and united.

698. Denis O'Sullivan: Happy Birthday from 7 Sunset Road, Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046

Richard

This type of thing does nogt normally appeal to me but I am halfway through the god delusion and and enjoying the logic therein so much that it seemed appropriate to tell you.

Very best wishes on the occasion of your Birthday and may you have many more productive years writing books such as this.

Congratulations and kindest regards,

Denis

699. Denis R. Gaudette: Happy Birthday from Canada

I wish you a long journey in this world.We need you!
Happy Birthday
Denis

700. denis wilson: Happy Birthday from carrickfergus

Thanks richard for - the god delusion-it has changed my life for the better-please come to northern ireland,you can stay at our house!!
Have a good un.

Cheers

Denis

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