The TV program Root of All Evil by the Oxford biologist, Richard Dawkins, is an attack on religion which requires a response.  Dawkins' TV program is based on his book The God Delusion.  Unlike his previous books, which were of a scientific genre, we now see Dawkins giving full vent to a personal ideology which ridicules faith in God, particularly the Christian God. 

A major weakness with Dawkins is that he seems unable to differentiate between the morality of a hate-filled religious extremist, and the morality of Mother Teresa.  He disturbs us with historical accounts of atrocities committed by religious zealots, but fails to analyse whether they were acting in accordance with what even a primary school child would agree to being in line with basic Christianity. 

Dawkins often attempts to discredit Christianity by ridiculing the God of the Old Testament.  This makes as much sense as theologians ridiculing science on the basis of the teaching of medieval scientists.  Dawkins fails to understand that Scriptural understanding, like scientific understanding, is progressive and is built up over time. 

Dawkins claims that no rational, scientific person should believe in God.  He is wrong.  One of the greatest evangelical statements of all time is creation itself.  It compels us to consider whether there might be a mind behind the system, a purpose in living or a future after dying.

Most Christians accept the truths within science and see no conflict with there also being a creator God.  Christians believe that science answers the questions of "how" and "when" whereas theology answers the questions "who" and "why".  Contrary to Dawkins' view, science and faith can exist happily together. 

Dawkins suggests that atheists would make better custodians of life on earth.  This needs to be challenged.  Pol Pot, Hitler and Stalin did not have better ethics than Jesus Christ.  Lenin's protracted use of brutality to stamp out Christianity did not enrich his nation.  Atheism is no innocent unsullied by atrocity.  Atheism can be very dark indeed.

Special attention is reserved by Dawkins for the practices of the Roman Catholic Church.  It must be acknowledged that Dawkins gains some traction in his exposure of some of the more bizarre Christian rituals, practices and beliefs which are not born of that which is central to Biblical teaching.  There is perhaps a warning here for all Christian denominations.  Whenever Christians have departed from a holistic, balanced understanding of the basic Scriptural principles, they are weakened in their religious integrity.

Dawkins limits himself to representing Christians in a caricature form that does not represent true Christianity.  He searches out the weird, the unbalanced, and the extremist and attacks them.  This is none other than cheap opportunism.  It is easy to make a straw image of your enemies and burn them.  Most Christians are not weird, unbalanced or extremist, but their testimony has been edited from Dawkins' program and lies on the cutting room floor. 

Dawkins fails in his duel with God.  He even fails in his duel with mankind.  Some might find Dawkins useful in the refinement of already established anti-Christian prejudices or might be swayed by his aggressive attack on religion in general.  However, most faithful people who live lives based on the central creed of loving God and their neighbour will probably stand firm.  They have witnessed too much of God in their own lives to do otherwise.

Dr Tim Hawkes is the headmaster of The King's School in Sydney and an acclaimed writer on educational issues.