Religion, Politics and the End of the World (4/9)

Sam Harris and Chris Hedges engage in a debate over the role that religion and politics play in Islamic extremism.

Credit: Truthdig
http://www.truthdig.com/

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Sam
• Harris
• Truthdig
• religion
• Chris
• Hedges
• politics
• iraq
• Islam
• Muslim
• atheists
• atheism
• Christianity
• debate
• Robert
• Scheer

[nosensetoitatall]

Hedges seems to confuse religion with his own apparent deism.

[tpr007]

How on earth did Chris Hedges get so much exposure? He doesn't even seem particularly intelligent.

[runalongnowhoney]

Ancient Greek civilization was much more influential than old testament religions in finding a path to individual liberty and democratic order.

[yayforspooky]

The whole time Hedges was talking, I was thinking exactly what the moderator says to him when they both finish their opening statements. I would like to know more about him.

[MichaelTheOliver]

You're 100% right. Hedges is talking about deism. He should realize there's a clear distinction.

[woodbell67]

I see why Harris finds Hedges sanctimonious. If I were a glib apologist for U.S. hegemony I wouldn't feel comfortable being called on it either. Callow shill.

[woodbell67]

@DaToNyOyO Original to you because you haven't heard that line of reasoning before doesn't make it original. If you were to present an argument full of attributed quotes I'd get a sense of history: how long has this question been pondered by eminent philosophers, theologians, politicians etc. You claim it would be better not to, but I couldn't disagree more. Knowledge is hard-won by generations of thinkers. I am grateful to them. I suggest: CHRIS HEDGES: "HOPE" SPEECH (UNEDITED)

[DaToNyOyO]

@woodbell67 Well, it certainly came easy to you to mention giants.

Maybe Sam isn't original, but he's certainly original to me. His point about the fundamentals of religions that claim to be peaceful leading to violence being contradictory when compared to fundamental Jainism was extremely poignant.

In this video, as others, he took the time to pre-prepare and memorise his points; or he did it on the fly. Either way it's far more convincing than using pre-written down words from others mouths.

[woodbell67]

@DaToNyOyO If giving an appropriate quote were easy, I'd do it all the time, therefore I don't agree with your statement. How is it "easy" ?

Could you give me one example (time would suffice) of one of Sam's

original thoughts? BTW, nice rhetorical question, I liked that.

[DaToNyOyO]

@woodbell67

To give an "appropriate quote" is easy, but who cares about familiarity with background subjects from people who add nothing but noise? Anyone can read and be familiar, to think for yourself is more difficult and as such far more impressive. Sam Harris has original thoughts and projects them clearly.

There are plenty of new found observations and wisdom, even on matters sociological. Knew knowledge and wisdom comes daily.

And why would I try and answer a rhetorical question?

[woodbell67]

@DaToNyOyO Hopefully not vacuously. If you vacuously quoted someone, you'd probably be vacuous. To give an appropriate quote, you'd be demonstrating your familiarity with the background of the subject. On matters sociological, I'd say there's precious little "knew found" (sic) knowledge and wisdom. There's a great storehouse of useful observations dating back thousands of years. The written word, good fellow. BTW Sam Harris is in your opinion a "living giant"? Don't answer. Bye.

[DaToNyOyO]

@woodbell67 So you'd rather hear me vacuously regurgitate some other man's musings than think, feel and derive my own?

That's how knowledge stays still.

Gladly it's not how the world spins and real thinkers will overturn your precious "timely quotes" with new quotes. Stronger quotes, based on knew found knowledge and wisdom.

Hedges may well stand on the shoulders of dead giants, but he is facing a living giant in person and finds himself coming up.. short.