Sam Harris - (IN CHURCH!) University Synagogue

Sam Harris - University Synagogue

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[AscendingParadigm]

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.

Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.

Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?

Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?

- Epicurus [341–270 B.C.]

[justjulie37]

I really enjoy listening to Sam. He is so articulate and can put things in a way that even the most moronic theist can understand.

[GLANL]

@kelbykross1 However, I've already sent 5 letters (!) to the church, for leaving the church. Which was the cause for a 'fierce discussion' it was actually a tyrade from my mother (discussions aren't based on fallacies). Things have now cooled down but there was a moment I thought I was going to be expelled. Anyhow search for "the reason project contradictions in the bible" It's illustration made me laugh :)

[GLANL]

@kelbykross1 My mother also said that she should inform my uncle who is pastor, that he should talk with me alone in a room and that he would be able to convert me within an hour. Above all I'm the only one in my family who goes (or went) to an university, and being called stupid with stupid reasons for not believing something stupid is quite insulting.

[GLANL]

@kelbykross1 Well, they know I have certain books from Dawkins,Harris and Hitchens ;). My father thinks I bought them merely to make a point (just partly, it looks great next to my physics textbooks). My little brother still has to say now and then that I'm just an atheist and therefore almost a lower lifeform. And my mother said I ashame her and the whole family, I'm radicalized for not believing, when she looks in my eyes I scare her .... and to be short I'm stupid

[kelbykross1]

@GLANL yeah, i see what you are talking about. I feel that believing in reality as it actually is or how much we can perceive at this point in time usually doesn't do it for religious as well. Maybe you can convince them you are doing religious studies and watch documentaries on the founding of religion. learn the documentary hypothesis!

oyc . yale . edu/religious-studies (remove the spaces)

/watch?v=lna_MLqWbDM

/watch?v=CfzslZ8tFNw

[GLANL]

@kelbykross1 My family's religious view is "ietsism" ("Somethingsism"). Which (really) would be the best fitting name. They're main argument is "you must believe in something..." and "you will eventually believe in something". My mom said "you can't leave the catholic church yet". I said:"so I'm obligated to have your believes?" Mom:"no, but you must attend church for 10 more years and then decide" It's impossible to defend atheism rationally to them. And I'm freaky deaky Dutch

[kelbykross1]

sorry sam, people i know still think seizures are demonic possession and that teenage hormones are signs satan taking our children. it is so hard to talk to these people!!!

Great talk!

[lunadogwoof]

@MrShysterme Excellent point!

[orbital92hotmail]

far out, most of this audience would be dead now

[MrShysterme]

@55:00 The rabbi just confirmed Sam's point. He is using god as a figure of speech to describe something human, while simultaneously somewhat legitimizing the use of the god belief to commit perverse acts. Why don't the liberals just use the term "power within humans to do good" or something precise and do away with the rest?