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View Full Version : Reza Aslan/Sam Harris Debate

Det_Nosnip
09-29-2008, 02:15 PM
Found this on youtube...definitetly worth checking out. Both men (3, technically) make really good points and present themselves in very sophisticated, respectful ways. I really like Aslan's point about religion in a vaccum but Harris' counter was pretty good as well.

What are your thoughts on the points raised?

Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5og-hyD3A7A

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAN6IFNPkbI

Part 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXm8-Fq1H40

Part 4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoFdkZhvM08

Part 5:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag8RyjQb3VA
Akira
09-29-2008, 03:37 PM
Very interesting. I am pretty predisposed to supporting Aslan, and I think that his view of violent jihad as a social and political issue masked as a religious one is extremely poignant. I wish more people would think like that.
That said, I though Harris also did a good job.

Great debate. I wish there was more.
Det_Nosnip
09-29-2008, 03:50 PM
Yeah, I'd agree. Who'd have thought to find something interesting on C-Span? :p

I like Harris more than most of the vocal atheists/anti religionists like Richard Dawkins & co. (although I do respect Dawkins).
gregulus
09-29-2008, 05:26 PM
I liked Reza Aslan openly telling Sam Harris that his blanket statements are incorrect.
Akira
09-29-2008, 05:39 PM
Yeah, I'd agree. Who'd have thought to find something interesting on C-Span? :p

I like Harris more than most of the vocal atheists/anti religionists like Richard Dawkins & co. (although I do respect Dawkins).

What I liked about Harris is that while he was saying some pretty brutal things about Islam, he didn't come off as an Islamophobe to me.
Also, I have to rep my anti-religion brethren. :p

I really liked Aslan though. When I get some free time I'll definitely pick up No god but God.
Det_Nosnip
09-29-2008, 06:12 PM
Yeah, you definitetly should. It is IMO probably the best book on Islam written in English (I say that like I've read anything in ANOTHER language lol). It's actually fairly readable, too...apparently one of his hobbies is fiction writing, so he's very good at writing in a way that doesn't sound dry and boring like 99% of nonfiction books.