[MD] Dawkins a Materialist (is watching?)

[ARLO J BENSINGER JR]

[Arlo previously]
You are arguing from (surprise) a dichotomous position. Either a God did it, or
it was all an "oops". I've already offered a third. Design emerges from Quality
interactions. There are no turtles at all.

[Platt]
Where did "Quality interactions" come from? Oh yes, now I remember. We go lucky.

[Arlo]
Oh no, Platt. They come from God.

[Platt]
Why a drive towards "betterness." What's the source? Where did the source come
from?

[Arlo]
Why God, of course, Platt. Didn't you read LILA? Pirsig is quite clear that the
drive towards betterness comes from God.

[Platt]
You've already admitted it's just luck.

[Arlo]
Oh no, Platt. My bad. I meant to say we are here because of God. 

[Platt]
And atheists are not an ongoing force in this country today? Really Arlo, I do
expect better from you.

[Arlo]
As I specifically said (why are we back to distortions, Platt?), literalists on
both ends, Chairmans and Popes, are the problems. I condemn both equally. Why
don't you? Oh, right. You are a theist. So only the "atheist" is wrong to exert
control. For the theist, it is his God-given right. Nothing new there.

[Arlo had asked]
So what you are saying is, it is better for religion to dominate society than
Intellect?

[Platt]
Now it comes out. You, the secular humanist, guide your behavior, and force
others to follow your lead, because you are a guided by intellect.  Where have
I head that  before? Oh, now I remember. Karl Marx. Are you saying it is better
for a politburo to dominate society than religion?

[Arlo]
Spare me last year's rhetorical fear tactics and answer the question. Is it
better for religion to dominate society than Intellect?