Sam Harris

Another addition to the digital library—

POLITICALLY DIRECT (W/ DAVID BENDER)
Air America Radio
Is There A God? Ask Sam Harris: 866 303-2270
November 28, 2006
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Thomas Jefferson, a man who, because of his religious beliefs – or lack thereof—couldn’t get elected dog catcher if he were running for office today, put it this way: "Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear."My guest tonight is a man who Jefferson would have loved.  Sam Harris is the author of two extraordinary books, The End of Faith: Religion, Terror and the Future of Reason and his most recent book, Letter to A Christian Nation.  He’s joining us for the hour and later in the program we will be taking some of your calls at 866 303 2270.  This should be interesting…

Here’s a posting I did of the interview on another forum, copied here:
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Sam warns that the evangelical fundamentalists are not on the fringe now, but in the mainstream and their beliefs influence foreign policy. He mentions Christians United for Israel, headed by pastor John Hagee. A nuclear holocaust with Iran, many believe, will bring about the apocalypse.

Unfortunetly, it would be extremely difficult for an atheist or a secularist to be elected to the presidency or such a high office, especially in the bible belt. Harris goes on to say that such fundamentalist beliefs need to be challenged for the sake of our future concerning medicine, science, education, and technology. The right wing turn the tables on secularists and say that they are the ones not living in reality. If topics such as astrology and Elvis still being alive can be challenged, then religious beliefs should be challenged too, especially if such beliefs affect our way of life.

Many believers cherry pick the bible because it is so full of barbarism that they need to in order to proselytize. Even the respect we accord to fundamentalism can get us into trouble with our advancement as a species. The holy books are “engines of intolerance.” Sam asked a caller, who said he believed that the bible comes from god, if he believed and agreed with slavery. The caller said that Jesus did away with the old laws of the Old Testament, but Sam pointed out that it still doesn’t explain the New Testament assertion that slaves should obey their masters. Gay marriage is the new wedge issue, as slavery was in the 1800’s.