Re Patrick Watson's review of The God Delusion, by Richard Dawkins (There Is No God, Sayeth Dawkins -- Books, Oct. 14): Mr. Watson is wrong in suggesting that Dawkins is "hostile to the very idea of mystery." Dawkins, like any good scientist, adores a mystery.
Here's the difference: scientists don't view mystery as something to celebrate, then respectfully back away from. Wouldn't that be a bit intellectually retrogressive?
To an engaged, curious mind, a mystery is a challenge -- something to try to comprehend rationally, even if it takes several scientists' lifetimes to come even close. It's the religious mind, the mind of the magical thinker, that prefers to leave mystery alone.
Dawkins hopes, and it may be a faint hope, that the scientific approach is more in keeping with 21st century notions of inquiry.