Sam Harris - University Synagogue - Part (1-11)

[shieldsff]

Also, if I may venture a correction of Harris: Jesus is right the Law will not pass away because the law is constant & eternal- LOVE GOD & UR fellow man as URself, Also,Paul NOWHERE in Romans advocates for the death/murder of homosexuals. Rather, he offers an assessment of unrestrained homosexual practices as one example of rampant sin & evidence of the result of moral decline by people & societies which willfully repress (intentionally restrict) the knowledge & natural revelations of God.

[SGTRVN1]

Hey numbnut, you gave an atheist a platform to say you're full of shit. and like JJ Altizer, God is Dead.

[johneamer]

What a small audience!

[averylbrooks]

@johneamer

This was right after he wrote his first book. For how well known he was and the fact he was willing to give his talk in a synagogue I think shows why he has become so well known.

[TKStoddart]

I cannot believe there is a single empty seat in the house. :)

Thanks for posting.

[vladbcom]

right of the bet.. don't people realize just how ridiculous they look wearing various kinds of silly religious paraphernalia, like that cap on his head?

[StephenWebb1980]

Sounds like he has a presupposition that people behave the way they do because of belief [justified or not] as opposed to justified facts and knowledge, or previous experience. I suppose his definition of knowledge is 'justified true belief' - with that, I don't agree. A person doesn't have to believe in something in order for it to be true, or factual.

[Pomme843]

@StephenWebb1980 ??? Why would his definition of the word "knowledge" be 'justified true belief', and what does that have to do with whether somebody needs to believe in something in order for it to be true?

[adraim69]

Dogma makes us all sad pandas.

[averylbrooks]

@adraim69

:)

[HToothrot]

@0d12m23 they also go to synagogue to self-medicate on Sam Harris's Athiesm?

[MsMultnomah]

Dogma makes me sad too Irrational thought never solves a problem or comes up with a solution.

[anomnomnom1]

I'd like to see a mosque confident enough to do this. I'm a hard atheist, but the organizers of this do get a lot of credit for doing this in my mind.

[twarks144]

google Doe's Account, mindblowing

[cowboyweightlifter]

Sam Harris is a brave man.

[glorp896]

@cowboyweightlifter

Madalyn Murray O'Hair was FAR braver, as both a woman and during the period she fought religion in america...

[sunbeamcatcher]

This book of Harris is superb!

[TedDGPoulos]

It's time to consider the question of the underlying law of nature.

Without even having identified it, think of the astounding inferences and implications of the underlying law of nature.

The existence of a single, underlying law ... of nature! Not of merely physics or chemistry or psychology or biology or astronomy, etc.).

It's time to ask the question and identify the answer firsthand.

What is the underlying law of nature? Google it as a start.

No other knowledge will unite us (all).

[GreatBigBore]

I've seen many versions of this speech by Harris. This one is by far the most eloquent and beautiful. His discussion of transcendent experience across religious boundaries is one of the most moving things I've ever heard. His answers to the questions after his speech show him to be a wonderful example of the ethical and spiritual heights that can be attained by the entirely rational mindset.

[EdVidz]

He is an eloquent guy in this vid. A closet Unitarian perhaps? He's lecturing like a minister without the constraints of what he considers G-D.

[jacob353]

2:03 for sam harris

[tegan71969]

Sam Harris, to me, is the epitome of rational thought. He nails it every time. He's hard to argue against because his points are so solid.

I'm looking forward to some new material from him in the future. Dawkings is getting old, there has to be someone to step-up and take his place as the purveyor of rational thought over illogical religion.

[PrimeParadox]

@tegan71969 Same is pretty old too.

[tegan71969]

@PrimeParadox Sam is in his early 40's (which is not old by any means) whereas Richard is now in his mid 70's. Sam has more than enough time be the spokesperson for rational thought over the next few decades.

[stramster1]

@tegan71969 Re Dawkins is getting old..... there's life in the old boy yet. ☺

[OrthodoxDarwinist]

@tegan71969

Sam Harris is one of the biggest hypocrites around.

According to him, terrorism is bad (but if Zionist Jews do it it's OK).

This guy is not an atheist in the true sense of the word at all. His allegiance is clearly with Zion.

Notice how he is happy to criticize Islam and Christianity endlessly, but not the slightest peep about Judaism (whose teachings are arguably even more depraved)...?

[tamu77095]

@OrthodoxDarwinist he openly criticizes all faiths, especially Judaism and even Buddhism and Hinduism. More so Islam and Christianity because his target audience is usually america (80 percent christian/catholic). Islam because he thinks its a great threat since they recently became a nuclear power and one of their sole dogma's is to kill the infidel (similar to some of the bible's teachings)

[OrthodoxDarwinist]

@tamu77095

I have never heard him say a word about Judaism?

Ever heard him criticize the racism of the Talmud or the Shulchan Aruch? Of course not.

[tamu77095]

@OrthodoxDarwinist It's not my fault your lazy

[lizichell2]

@OrthodoxDarwinist probably because jews arent trying to destroy the world such as Islam and Christianity are with their end of world dogma, racism, homophobia, threat of hellfire and all the rest.

[OrthodoxDarwinist]

@lizichell2

Well Israel is without any doubt the biggest threat the world currently faces to peace.... not to mention their ethnic cleansing of 80% (many millions) of indigenous Palestinians.... or have you been living under rock?

[Babaldira]

Thanks for sharing this speach...

[Kwhit99]

Just before 7:00 minutes the camera scans back and you see the backs of the audience. Maybe is bad picture quality but I didn't see many of those little hats that jews wear in a synagogue (don't know what they're called).

[jackdav34]

They're called yamukahs .

[seanw25]

yamikas, or kipas

[Khamila1]

I find myself becoming increasingly bored with "new" Sam Harris talks.... He is my favorite speaker of all "The Four Horsemen", but I never seem to hear new material. Its the same talk that always starts with a favorite line of mine. "Now, I'm not trying to be deliberately provocative, I'm simply worried"

[morganbath]

Not exactly like religion is coming up with new material for him to develop new counter material to :)

[Khamila1]

lol.. a very good point you have there :P

[fctchk]

He could branch out and take down scientology, christian science, astrology and meditation/enlightenment gurus etc. Except that he seems to have a soft spot for the gurus.

[Whyisthat101]

@fctchk This 'softspot' for the guru's your talking about is only so because he doesn't doubt the existence of spiritual experiences.

[fctchk]

Then he's coming perilously close to doing what he accuses religions of doing: claiming the visions of and the halos above their favorite saints as real but those of competing faiths as bogus.

[Whyisthat101]

@fctchk I anticipated your answer, you have misinterpreted what i'm telling you, religion is diffferent from spirituality the same way christianity is different from bhuddism. Spiritual teachings gain the student spiritual experiences such as enlightenment rather than have them take onboard unrefined faith.

[fctchk]

Harris followed "His Holiness" the Dolly Llama around for 2 years.

This Llama is a reincarnation of Llamas descended from the Chenrezig a deity who in the form of a monkey sired the original Tibetans. He is also the earthly manifestation of Chenrezig who is visualized with eleven heads, and a thousand arms. Spaghetti monster anyone?

The Llama is found with help of visions from a sacred lake guarded by a female spirit.

Ground control to Sam Harris... Ground control to Sam Harris.

[Whyisthat101]

So your trying to say Sam harris follows dogma but fights against it, well no, any experience he has in a dogmatic or spiritual folowing is just that, experience.

[fctchk]

I went on to describe the woo surrounding llamas in the (now clearly futile) hope that you would see how uncannily reminiscent it is of woo found in other religions. Or, did Sam find some inexplicable monkey genes in his llamas DNA?

And, slapping on a name change from "religion" to "spirituality", as corporate malefactors do with their companies, won't do.

Let me anticipate your next gambit, straight out of the Christian Apologetics Handbook: "Oh but the woo, that's just allegorical".

[Whyisthat101]

I never related dogma to spirituality infact i had seperated the two, your anticipation wasn't very accurate because i never intended to head down that path of reason, Sam harris is a science based debater, so in knowing that, he was probably trying to find a dogmatic experience so as to empirically observe it's effects. Remember science is about confirming a hypothesis. Thank you.

[RustyPancreas]

You entirely misunderstand everything Harris espouses when he talks.

[fctchk]

Mr. Harris rails against beliefs held on the basis of insufficient, absent or contrary evidence.

Well and good.

Meanwhile, however, where is the evidence for what is preached by Far East "Enlightenment Gurus®" who Mr. Harris appears to exempt from his otherwise oh so rational rigour ?!?

What's good for the goose....

[RustyPancreas]

He is not holding these people exempt from belief without evidence. All he is saying is that he does not downplay "mystical or spiritual" experiences.

There is a neurobiological basis for the feeling of a 'oneness' with your surroundings that is felt during meditation. He is not saying that there is a magical or immaterial basis for the spirituality of eastern religions.

Basically, he doesn't back up eastern religion. He is a proponent of the pursuit of spiritual experiences.

[fctchk]

There's a neurobiological basis for what you feel when you stub your toe.

The point i made -which still stands and none of Sam's Sycophants, in all of their indignation at their hero being called out, have addressed let alone countered - is that he treats with kid gloves "His Holiness" the Dalai Lama - who claims to be:

1.holy

2.reincarnated

3.descended from, and the earthly manifestation of, a monkey deity who sired the original Tibetans.

Sam has a monkey on his back. Its name is Dalai.

[RustyPancreas]

What I meant by that comment was this; while in a meditative state, there are significant changes in neuro as well as body physiology. Harris, and I for that matter, find it interesting that there are amazing biological consequences when people experience 'rapture' or 'loss of self' during meditation.

As to your point - I'm sure he holds the Dalai Lama in high regard because of this reason. Although, he surely doesn't believe or patronize the claim that he is anything more than a mere human.

[fctchk]

"I'm sure he holds the Dalai Lama in high regard because of this reason."

Because of what reason? Could you kindly specify.

[RustyPancreas]

Harris is an advocate of the Lama's means of living; by that I mean introspection and the pursuit of 'spiritual' experience. He has an appreciation for the Lama in that regard.

What I'm trying to get at is this; Harris doesn't dismiss all of the Abrahamic religions and then hypocritically go off to worship Buddha. He is rightfully claiming that there is substance to this way of living, and you can practice it without believing anything on insufficient evidence.

[TedDGPoulos]

@RustyPancreas

I suspect we're both fundamentally on the same page. I would like to examine with you, however, an item in your post of 5 days ago.

Isn't a 'neurobiological basis' simply complex-speak for the common process of thought?

The public may be getting a false idea that thought is less substantive than neurobiology, i.e., that neurobiology is fundamental to thought.

The truth is, thought is fundamental to neurobiology, and by forgetting this people are liable to be confused.

[RustyPancreas]

By 'neurological basis' I mean that there are fMRI studies that show that specific brain regions are activated during 'mystical' experiences. Buddhists and experts in meditation can exploit these regions to the fullest extent, in turn deactivating areas of the brain that are responsible for a 'sense of self'. So the mantra 'becoming one with everything' is likely a valid expression of what is felt during intense meditation.

[RustyPancreas]

As to your comment on thought; I'm assuming that you are talking about a philosophical vs. scientific means of interpreting brain phenomena. I agree that thought is fundamental, but I do feel that a purely logical method of understanding the brain is extremely limited in that it lacks the objectivity of the scientific method. On the other hand, logic is free to explore ideas that can't be tested empirically, like consciousness or the 'mind/brain' problem.

[TedDGPoulos]

@RustyPancreas

I think you've hit the nail on the head with your mention of the "philosophical vs. scientific" means of understanding human behaviour.

You see, until now, there's been no known means of connecting philosophical constructs with the scientific method.

This challenge has now been overcome by the little-known discovery and understanding of the underlying law of nature.

Without this law, certain intrinsic principles may not be formulated, exposing the cause of the old problem.

[RustyPancreas]

What do you mean "the underlying law of nature"?

[TedDGPoulos]

@RustyPancreas

Google it.

It comes up at the top of the page.

The brief overview will answer many basic questions.

Keep in mind, "Without this law, certain intrinsic principles may not be formulated, exposing the cause of the old problem."

Specifically, the principles of thought, intelligence, logic and communication.

The formulation of these principles, for the first time in history, lifts them out of obscurity and into the light of empirical, testable, scientifically agreeable fact.

[RustyPancreas]

Well, I googled it, and I noticed that it's your website.... Nowhere does it mention what the fundamental law "of nature" is. Honestly, it's completely ambiguous. Something tells me that this may be some wacko pseudoscience....

[TedDGPoulos]

@fctchk

First, as a point of order, for those of us who have viewed only part one of this talk, Harris has not directly addressed what you are referring. So I must assume you are privy to subsequents parts of his talk.

Now to your points. Harris indeed distinguishes between various religions but he exempts none of responsibility, contrary to your statement.

My point now is this. Insufficient or absent evidence is but a warm up for the main point Harris is making today.

Regards.

[fctchk]

I was referring to all Mr. Harris' available recordings. Hoping that someone would point me toward a recording where he could be heard intoning the DL's monkey deity in the same breath as his favourite -the talking snake.

So far, all i get is Samboys here and elsewhere frenetically proclaiming the obvious in defence of their hero (and mine): Sam doesn't believe it.

Of course he doesn't. However, why's he on the DL about the DL? Is it because he doesn't want to be seen ridiculing a friend?

[fctchk]

Or is it because he wants to avoid making Buddhism (quite an attractive refuge indeed from the depravations of standard issue monotheisms) look bad by bringing up its fairy tale aspect, which is every bit as silly as what is claimed by the monotheisms? Thats the discussion I was hoping to advance or have rendered moot by someone pointing out a recording of Mr. Harris where he can be heard critical of the supernatural features of Buddhism.

[TedDGPoulos]

@fctchk

One thing that took me momentarily by surprise is the date of this talk.

It may be that Sam has evolved or made some gaffes since the time of recording, in which case we'd pay tribute to him and forgive him, respectively.

No doubt we don't always agree with friends, so he may well be saving face with the DL, who I believe is a man he considers a friend.

Who knows, the DL, too, may have evolved and, or gaffed! In which case we can likewise pay tribute to and forgive him.

[TedDGPoulos]

@fctchk

Something else...

We may as well all get used to paying tribute to and forgiving those who evolve in their thinking and make gaffes from time to time.

After all, there's a lot of change taking place and a lot of refreshed thinking going on in the minds of perhaps hundreds of millions of people due to Sam's efforts, Dawkins' efforts, Hitchens' efforts, our own efforts and those of many others who are kind enough to shine light on the challenges of our time.

: )

[kaeBR]

The fact that this was recorded in 2005 might have something to do with it.

And there's the fact that Sam unlike say, Hitchens, isn't really a public figure, so he doesn't have much need of reframing or adjusting his arguments all the time to avoid sounding like he's repeating himself - most of the people hearing him are hearing him for the first time.

[Midsten]

Watch his debate with David Wolpe.

[Khamila1]

And Rabii Boteghghghghgh was a good one too :p

[tomaz2007]

lol

[beebobox]

think of it as a book, and he's reading from it, and then he answers questions after the reading.

there are a limited amount of people at each reading, so he reads the same book, as he travels around giving his lectures.

it just so happens that people record those lectures, and put on youtube, and you have watched a few of them.

that's sorta like you following him around, and watching him read 1 chapter from his book, as he travels around to advertise and sell his book.

[Khamila1]

omg... I get it now. It's like Ive been following my favorite band on tour... Im a "groupie"... >.>

[beebobox]

welcome to the club :D

[JadeiteGracie]

If god exists I think it would turn out that "god" is, for all intents purposes, the infinitely energetic structured fractal substrate of the vacuum. God is a word I find to be best replaced with the vacuum of space. The vacuum permeates everything and all things are manifested from the vacuum. In more recent discoveries it has been found to have an infinite energy density and to be embedded with a fractal structure. imo, the "god" of the ancient dogmatic books imo does not exist.

[ParadigmaticShift]

"infinitely energetic structured fractal substrate of the vacuum." "In more recent discoveries it has been found to have an infinite energy density" ---- You my friend, are full of shit.......

[JadeiteGracie]

nicly put, you are good at communicating in a concise manner i see. is there a chance you could try and frame more descriptively what it is about my statement that smells so bad?

[LothairApoclyane]

I've been considering this idea of the void as infinite energy lately too. What recent discoveries are you referring to?

[JadeiteGracie]

Some of the most substantive peer reviewed work published that clearly puts together the theory of the universe having infinite energy density and that establishes that all dynamic systems in the universe have a singularity/black w'hole at their center is Nassim Haramein's - The Schwarzschild Proton, this paper solves the issue of the hypothesized mysterious 'made up' strong force/color force. It does this by establishing that your dealing with gravity in close vicinity to a black hole.

[Gungfuwarrior]

Sam Harris is God.

[TAXtheAtheist]

Sam Harris is a shyster.

Much in the likeness of fellow secular jew, Bernie Madoff, Sam runs a 'spiritual ponzi scheme'. The vehicles of delivery differ in nature, but the end result is the same: the end user/consumer is left with a black hole of emptyness & empty pocketbooks, whilst the con artist laughs all the way to his fat bloated bank account.

[Gungfuwarrior]

Really? The two books he wrote will leave you broke? Both together are only about 35 bucks. Where is this 'spiritual ponzi scheme' you talk about? He didn't leave ME with a black hole of emptyness. In fact, quite the opposite.

Your name is stupid.

[rhyfelur]

Your analogy is idiotic. Even if he were just in it for the money it would in no way resemble a ponzi scheme. You might want to read up on it before you copy/paste this stupid remark many more times. (yes I noticed)

[TAXtheAtheist]

Just trying to get the message out what a fraud Sam Harris is...

Anyway, no, Sam's book sale will not bankrupt anybody financially. However, it will bankrupt one in a spiritual manner. Sam is a total snake oil salesman selling his proverbial elixers.

[rhyfelur]

So..since you can't refute his claims, you attack his motives? That is a sure sign of a weak argument. You can't possibly know his motives, unless you know him personally, so your assertion holds no weight with me. I find nothing in his material, mannerism, or reputation to indicate that he is not sincere in what he is saying. Also, my spiritual "wellness" is not dependant on the existence of a magic sky-daddy.

[BeforeTheNoose]

Sam is cool. His debate with Wolpe is one of the best atheist vs theist debates i've seen. The Elvis bit pretty was awesome.

[Narwal88]

BeforetheNoose:

I agree completely. What I like about it is that, unlike other theists, Wolpe is very smart, educated, respectful and (in his own way) skeptical and moderate. Far from a raving religious nut.

[BeforeTheNoose]

@Narwal

Yes i agree i quite liked Wolpe, and in fact could probably get on with him quite well if i ever met him, even though we obviously have disagreeing beliefs.

The other theist who i quite like is Douglas Wilson, who debates Hitchens a few times. Him and Hitchens seem to get on well and although i find Wilsons arguments coming short he seems intelligent and he's funny.

[TheRealBladeRunner]

Harris got the opening just right...

[tuntitommosille]

I'm surprised Sam was invited to talk at a jewish institution. Then again, Sam likes to whip muslims so maybe enemy of the enemy is a friend in this case.

[taz0k2]

Actually, I think some churches and synagogues are more than happy to invite their "enemies".

A lot of theist vs atheist debates have been located in churches and synagogues.

Strange how they can still keep the religiosity intact afterwards...

[averylbrooks]

"...Strange how they can still keep the religiosity intact afterwards... "

Personally I'm not so sure religion in general is intact after all the open debates. But as always I could be inaccurate, only time will tell.

[taz0k2]

averylbrooks(1):

"Personally I'm not so sure religion in general is intact after all the open debates."

Yeah, I share your optimism. I really hope that they are too naive for their own best =P

[nigerlover18]

I can't imagine one lecture will ever be enough to trump a lifetime of indoctrination.

[THEREIZNOGOD]

yes, very strange. strange religiosity is still around in this day and age

[BaileysBeads]

It's an illusion to think you can convince all people by logic. Sure you can win the the more rational people to your side and I certainly hope that's the majority.

But I think it would help to understand the 'religiots', these people devoted entire life to their sky daddy and on come we telling that it was all in vain. Surely that's got to hurt, they rather keep their pathologic lies up then drop their religion.

[THEREIZNOGOD]

i won't convince the world that chocolate is good, i won't convince them to like coca cola, showering, pizza, NOT sagging pants, going to school, etc, etc. very true

but when the religious threaten to take over the world to please a god they've not met and to control everyone's thinking, those of us who know better will speak.

i was catholic and when i realized it was no good, i dropped religion like an empty coffee cup in a trash can

[BaileysBeads]

Indeed, that's why it's important to keep up the high standards of rationality, make then the norm and watch religious authority wriggle in an attempt to make their belief rational.

[LordChimpKing]

@tuntitommosille  The fact that he's ethnically Jewish may have something to do with it.

[lgc90]

Can you please post a direct link to the video on the c-span site? Thanks. Great post!

[averylbrooks]

I put the full link to the video in the description.

[lgc90]

Ah, missed it there at the bottom. Thank you!

[averylbrooks]

No problem at all.