I don't remember how I stumbled upon this book but it is making for an interesting read. Sam Harris takes on the role of the rational voice in addressing the predominant Christian base of our country. He makes some interesting points and certainly presents an unpopular view (attacking all of religious faith) which I find refreshing in this instance. Here's a snippet:
"Religion raises the stakes of human conflict much higher than tribalism, racism, or politics ever can, as it is the only form of in-group/out-group thinking that casts the differences between people in terms of eternal rewards and punishments. One of the enduring pathologies of human culture is the tendency to raise children to fear and demonize other human beings on the basis of religious faith."
"Religion raises the stakes of human conflict much higher than tribalism, racism, or politics ever can, as it is the only form of in-group/out-group thinking that casts the differences between people in terms of eternal rewards and punishments. One of the enduring pathologies of human culture is the tendency to raise children to fear and demonize other human beings on the basis of religious faith."
2 comments:
I have so many scattered thoughts regarding this posting and topic. There are many things that scare me when it comes to religion and the world…the whole “my God is the one true God” which to some degree really means “my God is better than your God”, and wow, how juvenile is that? Then there’s how people, of whatever faith but for argument’s sake we’ll say Christians, who are hell bent (pun intended!) on converting everyone to Christianity. Can they not see the similarity to the current Muslim situation? How about the fact that there is such a short distance from where we are now with our secular government and its separation of church and state, down a murky, incremental path with small losses of freedom ending at some religious ideology. (Does that sound anything like “The Handmaid’s Tale?) People think it couldn’t happen here. I hope they are right.
There was a commentary by Lou Dobbs on cnn.com yesterday stating that “the separation between church and state in this country is narrowing. And it is the church, not the state that is encroaching.”
One excerpt worth noting: “Conservative evangelical leader James Dobson recently said actor and former Sen. Fred Thompson wasn't Christian enough to be president. He instead chose to commend Newt Gingrich, who has been married three times and recently admitted to an extramarital affair.” Why can’t people see the hypocrisy in themselves?
Yes Tamara you bring up some excellent points. Harris continually comes back to the comparison between christianity and islam and how their viewpoints are similar in that they exclude all others.
I daresay that religious intolerance is most freely practiced by those who consider themselves most holy. The church and state are interwoven to a degree many are not willing to admit. I don't know if you remember but a few months back an atheist was voted into office in California. This of course made the headlines. (If he doesn't believe in God then he must be of the devil!!) I'll try to find the link and post it.
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