Debate on Religion and Reason: Sam Harris vs. Reza Aslan
Posted on Feb 5th, 2007
by 
~C4Chaos
~C4Chaos
(Crossposted from www.c4chaos.com)
Yesterday I've watched the debate between Sam Harris and Reza Aslan on C-SPAN:BookTV.
"Does the Bible provide timeless prescriptions for our daily lives? Or does its inclusion of practices such as slavery preclude its ability to act as such a guide? Are Osama bin Laden's grievances with the United States purely theological, or also social and political? Reza Aslan, author of "No god but God," and Sam Harris, author of "Letter to a Christian Nation," take up these questions in this debate at the Los Angeles Public Library. The event also includes discussion on contemporary trends in Islam - including whether or not Muslims are unique in their religious fervor - and debate over the concept of the Koran as a perfect and immutable document. The debate is moderated by Jonathan Kirsch, author of "A History of the End of the World."
I think Sam has met his intellectual match. But man, it was really hard to pick sides because both Sam and Reza are arguing over important pieces of partial truths (e.g. Islamic Reformation) and they have more in common than they have differences! So I think picking sides is a moot point. I think it's better to watch the debate, take in as much as we can, identify the parts which trigger any resistance in us and ask why, then take a long walk while eating our favorite ice cream.
Access: Public
booktv
September 2008 
take in as much as we can, identify the parts which trigger any resistance in us and ask why..
Fabulous. You are a being of my heart, dear C4.
Yep, that Reza Aslan is definitely someone to keep an eye on. Thanks for this, ~C!
ANY idea for those of us who arrived late at this Forum….where we might get a hold of the video feed?
Even if I don't get a chance to watch it, I am heartened by the idea/notion that A Debate is/has actually taking/taken Place!
: - )
Thank you ~C4 ….in my mind, I've upgraded you to ~C5… ;-)
the video is here. you need Real Player to watch it.
here are some video snippets on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXDoEm47q60
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LqE2pLOQCg
as you will see, Reza Aslan is a good match for Sam Harris! :)
LOL on ~C5 ;)
~C
Thanks ~C4!
I agree that Reza and Sam are a great pairing…. And I just wanted to offer another “debate” that sheds a wonderful light on this subject….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3EgKz3G88c
Enjoy!
; - )