Comments on: Christmas Eve with Sam Harris http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2006/12/24/christmas-eve-with-sam-harris/ by Hemant Mehta Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:33:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Michael http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2006/12/24/christmas-eve-with-sam-harris/#comment-2299 Michael Mon, 25 Dec 2006 13:36:41 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2006/12/24/christmas-eve-with-sam-harris/#comment-2299 Susan, you used "christian" and "open minded" in the same sentence. Isn't there a rule against that? Susan, you used “christian” and “open minded” in the same sentence. Isn’t there a rule against that?

]]> By: Richard Wade http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2006/12/24/christmas-eve-with-sam-harris/#comment-2239 Richard Wade Mon, 25 Dec 2006 07:25:23 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2006/12/24/christmas-eve-with-sam-harris/#comment-2239 Susan, I hope you're right. The open-minded Christians who would finish the article are not the ones we suffer under. There are some incorrigable bigots who will never relinquish hate, but I'd like to reach those who have prejudice, but can be mitigated. Here, we see the differences between Sam's overall goal of moving humanity beyond religion entirely, and my desire to help atheists gain social and political acceptance in the nearer future. I used to bash people over the head with the truth. Many bruises later I'm trying to learn finesse. At the very start of this long, long quest we may be at slightly cross purposes. I wouldn't want to stop Sam; I just don't want him to increase the chances that you or I get beat up by Clem and Bubba, the Defenders of the Faith. Susan, I hope you’re right. The open-minded Christians who would finish the article are not the ones we suffer under. There are some incorrigable bigots who will never relinquish hate, but I’d like to reach those who have prejudice, but can be mitigated. Here, we see the differences between Sam’s overall goal of moving humanity beyond religion entirely, and my desire to help atheists gain social and political acceptance in the nearer future. I used to bash people over the head with the truth. Many bruises later I’m trying to learn finesse. At the very start of this long, long quest we may be at slightly cross purposes. I wouldn’t want to stop Sam; I just don’t want him to increase the chances that you or I get beat up by Clem and Bubba, the Defenders of the Faith.

]]> By: Susan http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2006/12/24/christmas-eve-with-sam-harris/#comment-2225 Susan Mon, 25 Dec 2006 02:52:18 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2006/12/24/christmas-eve-with-sam-harris/#comment-2225 I think it's an excellent article, and one I hope people will read with an open mind. I agree that Sam was quite critical of Christianity and Islam in certain parts, but I have the impression that he was doing so more to make his point and show a contrast than to attack. I do feel, however, that a Christian open-minded enough to have started the article would be able to look past the critical bits. All in all, well done! I think it’s an excellent article, and one I hope people will read with an open mind. I agree that Sam was quite critical of Christianity and Islam in certain parts, but I have the impression that he was doing so more to make his point and show a contrast than to attack. I do feel, however, that a Christian open-minded enough to have started the article would be able to look past the critical bits. All in all, well done!

]]> By: Richard Wade http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2006/12/24/christmas-eve-with-sam-harris/#comment-2220 Richard Wade Mon, 25 Dec 2006 00:05:42 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2006/12/24/christmas-eve-with-sam-harris/#comment-2220 Sam sent me the article last night. I was very glad he was attempting to debunk these myths, and in the affirmative part he did a good job. But I was disappointed that he used almost all ten points to "dis" Christianity and Islam more than just illuminate the 10 truths. But that's Sam, and I wish he could resist poking someone in the eye when trying to help them see. I doubt that many Christians would have finished the article because of the attacks, and they are the people we need to reach, if we want to extinguish these prejudices and stereotypes. If you want to reform a bigot, you don't start by calling him an asshole. Sam sent me the article last night. I was very glad he was attempting to debunk these myths, and in the affirmative part he did a good job. But I was disappointed that he used almost all ten points to “dis” Christianity and Islam more than just illuminate the 10 truths. But that’s Sam, and I wish he could resist poking someone in the eye when trying to help them see.

I doubt that many Christians would have finished the article because of the attacks, and they are the people we need to reach, if we want to extinguish these prejudices and stereotypes.
If you want to reform a bigot, you don’t start by calling him an asshole.

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