I’ve recently been reading The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. One criticism of Dawkins is that he doesn’t recognize enough of the good that religion does for society.
For example, here is an example of the good religion does that, as far as I know, is completely omitted from The God Delusion:
“Cleaning the toilet to attract luck” published this month is the latest in a series of books advising readers on how to attract good fortune using a brush and an array of cleaning fluids.
[…]
The books are inspired by Buddhist teachings and feng shui, a traditional Chinese belief that people’s fortunes are determined by their surroundings.
How can Richard Dawkins simply ignore the vast benefit to society that clean toilets provide? Isn’t a holy war now and then a small price to pay for a sparkling, sanitary crapper?
Dawkins fans might retort that this particular article was published well after The God Delusion went to press. Well, that’s no excuse.
The idea that a clean toilet can bring good fortune, or even make you more beautiful, has existed in Japan for many years, according to Yuka Soma of Makino Publishing in Tokyo, editor of one of the toilet books.
Such clear, unmistakable benefit from religion. It amazes me that Dawkins is unable to see it!***
***For the humor impaired, take a close look at the category where this post is filed. Got it? Good.
Thanks to quork, a commenter over at Pharyngula for the link.