The BeliefNet Debate of Sam Harris and Andrew Sullivan

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tom Sarbeck on February 12, 2012 at 3:32am

A debate as useful for Andrew and Sam as a bicycle for a fish.

Except, I suppose, it provides some exercise for a few billion synapses in their brains.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James M. Martin on February 12, 2012 at 9:51am

"Lake of Fire"?!  Oh, boy, that sounds so dreadful. I must stop lying.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dee Neely on February 12, 2012 at 12:00pm

So far this is my favorite:

The fact that the current pope freely uses terms like “reason” and “truth” does not at all guarantee that he is on good terms with the former, or would recognize the latter if it bit him.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Schwab on February 16, 2012 at 12:39pm

Mr Martin,

I love Sam Harris's writings- I read that debate several weeks ago and it is really good stuff. I also wanted to mention that I have been thumbing through a book called "Seven Reasons you can Trust the Bible" by Erwin Lutzer (my Christian wife wastes her money on some of this stuff), who is a prominent Christian apologist. Mr Harris is a favorite whipping boy of his as well. It is, predictably, a book full of fallacious argruments, false and already dis-proven notions about science as understood by Bible believers, and out right lies about known,scientific facts such as evolution (calling it "impossible" and increasingly disbelieved by many scientists). But he especially tries to throw Mr Harris under the bus in several chapters. It is pretty funny, really.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James M. Martin on February 17, 2012 at 9:48pm

Supposedly intelligent people disbelieve evolution.  I got to know Lou Reed (famous as leader of the Velvet Underground, a very influencial rock group) over a bottle of scotch in a hotel room one night and he thought evolution ridiculous.  I am unsure why; if I learned, I have forgotten.  I can think of a lot more than seven reasons why you CAN'T trust the Bible, but that might not have figured into Lou's equation. Might it have something to do with his admiration for the poet, Delmore Schwartz?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on February 17, 2012 at 10:21pm

Interesting story -- thanks for the debate link.

• ▶ Reply