http://ia.rediff.com/news/2006/dec/12inter.htm
2006-12-26 04:08:38 · 16 answers · asked by enlight100 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Even though he is widely despised among religious circles, he is one of the most eloquent, patient, and courteous authors I've ever seen approach the subject.
His pleasant and caring way of arguing against religion does nothing to detract from the power of his arguments however. The man's simple logic is infallible, and cannot be refuted.
And THAT is why the religious people hate him so much.
Seriously, you should watch him debate some time. He's all over TV these days, and the internet. You should see the theologians blubbering and sputtering, attacking his character, and trying to dodge around his words. None of them will ever directly address his arguments... because they know they simply cannot.
2006-12-26 04:20:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am reading his End of Faith right now. Honestly, I am dissapointed. He studied philosophy at Stanford so I had higher expectations for his ability to frame an argument than has offered. Usually when I read a book I expect to disagree with, I keep a pen in hand to mark things I find poorly argued, factual errors, or items I simply find probematic. In Harris' case, I find so many problems on so many levels, I just take note of what I find he has argued well or stated in a lucid way. This is rare. I chose to read him over Dawkins because he has a better education in philosophy of religion (rather that just evolutionar biology), but the only thing that makes End of Faith different from pamplets from the old French Enlightenments is the contstant reference to 9/11.
If you or anyone wants to discss Harris' work in detail, freel free to email me.
2006-12-26 04:27:54 · answer #2 · answered by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sam Harris is a breath of freash air for the causes of reason and truth. he is a very smart person and is not afraid to say what he thinks. his two books End of Faith and Letter to a christian nation are both very good reads.
"Letter" is really just an answer to the mail he recieved after writing End of faith. I hope he keeps it up. you can see Sam speaking at the Beyond belief conferance on line . i will leave the link.
2006-12-26 04:22:40 · answer #3 · answered by Randy T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he is pretty smart. I disagree with him on his beliefs but he is articulate and explains it very well. Harris isn't just a crackpot who started talking crap, he studied at Standford and has examined other religions. Many people don't like him because he is atheist but this country was founded on free speech and religious freedom. He has the right to believe or not to believe.
2006-12-26 04:15:32 · answer #4 · answered by cynical 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Interesting article. I've read a few random articles he's written, and honestly...I like him *far* better than the exalted Dawkins. Dawkins works through science, but Harris works through humanity--and is able to express his points to far more people because of it. Instead of just proving his point, he's actually quite concerned about people and their lives.
2006-12-26 04:12:26 · answer #5 · answered by angk 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
at least by what I've heard of him I agree with Angk, watched the videos of his side of the discussions in that beyond belief panel or whatever it was, and he seems FAR more open minded to religion, and far more... sane and humane than Dawkins and the like.
at least from the relatively little I've heard, he seems more honestly agnostic than your "GOD ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT EXIST AND YOUR A MORON IF YOU THINK HE DOES!!!" variety of atheist like dawkins.
he also looks alot like Seth Green in appearance...
2006-12-26 04:29:14 · answer #6 · answered by RW 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Brilliant. One of the few people who is more eloquent than Richard Dawkins in his disdain for the Christian religion.
2006-12-26 04:17:53 · answer #7 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So what if hees atheist, hes still human, stop building walls between yourselves yourselves and people of other faith,
Their diffrent but equal. being of another faith does NOT make them less of a person,
If anything, saying that they are makes the accuser one.
2006-12-26 04:13:54 · answer #8 · answered by DrewM 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just got two of his books for Christmas. I haven't read them yet though. I read an interview by him though and agree with his points.
2006-12-26 04:29:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I read what he wrote on Islam - he's just ignorant -regurgitating lying rubbish from other non-Muslim writers like Bernard Lewis
2006-12-26 04:14:28 · answer #10 · answered by jewish n proud 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋