This thread seems to have drifted a long way, towards irrelevant particulars. But as far as I can see, no one has mentioned the crucial fact that Dawkins was opposing not religion but faith- the faith that makes people abandon critical reasoning and the search for evidence.

Others have pointed out (though they didn't seem to think of it that way) that faith has been found at various times in beliefs other than religious ones- fascism, communism, nationalism, patriotism, Manchester Unitedism- with identically destructive results.

So what Dawkins is saying, is not to have no- go areas in your mind that prevent rational assessment of your actions.

In fact, it is two convergent faiths- fundamentalist Christianity and social conservatism- that have caused the USA to involve itself with another coalition of faiths- fundamentalist Islam and revolutionary activism- in a war that is likely to severely damage the world.

We are about to witness what happens when an irresponsible force encounters an immoral object.