Francis Crick

Francis Harry Compton Crick (1916-2004) was, along with James Watson, co-discoverer of the structure of the molecule of heredity, the DNA molecule. The two won a Nobel Prize for that discovery in 1962. He went on from there to study neuroscience and to address the question of consciousness.

An early 1995 CNBC interview was prefaced by a quote from his then-released book indicating in no uncertain terms that he is a materialist. (what book was that? where is that CNBC interview?)

He had written a book Of Molecules and Men (1967, 2004), proposing that a separable soul likely does not exist, and that mind is a product of evolution. He deplored compulsory religious education, and in his book The Astonishing Hypothesis: The Scientific Search For The Soul (1995), he called himself an agnostic with "a strong inclination towards atheism", perhaps making him a weak atheist.

"Christianity may be ok between consenting adults in private but should not be taught to young children" (notes from Rickman-Godlee Lecture, UCL 1969).

"The simple fables of the religious of the world have come to seem like tales told to children". (Essay 'Why am I am humanist' Varsity Magazine 1966.)

"I do not respect Christian beliefs. I think they are ridiculous". (Letter to W.H.Thorpe 1966.)