Sam Harris Interviewed by O'Donnell
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November 16, 2010 on MSNBC. The Last Word, with Lawrence O'Donnell.
Nov 18, 2010 2:13 AM
Re: Sam Harris Interviewed by O'Donnell
The worst thing about Christians is that most of them never live the way Jesus lived. The best thing about Muslims is that most of them never live the way Mohammad lived.
By: poonhound
Re: Sam Harris Interviewed by O'Donnell
The first part? Pretty damn accurate, IMO. Jesus, at least in terms of the fictional character in the Bible, was opposed to pretty much everything today's conservative Christians stand for. He was nonviolent, never really forced his beliefs on other people (even though he preached to those who would listen), never mentioned anything about abortion, was against capital punishment (stoning at the time), did not advocate a strong military (failed to become the military leader the zealots wanted), never married yet traveled around with 12 other guys and supposedly never had sex (gay?), did not care much for family (told his 12 disciples to forget their families and follow him), was a pacifist, and was generally an intelligent, easy-going kind of guy.
Seriously, does Jesus remind you of any conservative Christian you know?
The second part? Not so much. The biggest problem in much of the Islamic world is that they have not progressed much socially. Some Islamic countries have modern technology, but most of the attitudes are essentially the same as ones held hundreds of years ago.
Seriously, does Jesus remind you of any conservative Christian you know?
The second part? Not so much. The biggest problem in much of the Islamic world is that they have not progressed much socially. Some Islamic countries have modern technology, but most of the attitudes are essentially the same as ones held hundreds of years ago.
By: chronomitch
Re: Sam Harris Interviewed by O'Donnell
""Then [the Jews] surrendered, and the Apostle confined them in Medina in the quarter of d. al-Harith, a woman of B. al-Najjar. Then the Apostle went out to the market of Medina (which is still its market today) and dug trenches in it. Then he sent for them and struck off their heads in those trenches as they were brought out to him in batches. Among them was the enemy of Allah Huyayy b. Akhtab and Ka`b b. Asad their chief. There were 600 or 700 in all, though some put the figure as high as 800 or 900. As they were being taken out in batches to the apostle they asked Ka`b what he thought would be done with them. He replied, 'Will you never understand? Don't you see that the summoner never stops and those who are taken away do not return? By Allah it is death!' This went on until the Apostle made an end of them. Huyayy was brought out wearing a flowered robe in which he had made holes about the size of the finger-tips in every part so that it should not be taken from him as spoil, with his hands bound to his neck by a rope. When he saw the apostle he said, 'By God, I do not blame myself for opposing you, but he who forsakes God will be forsaken.' Then he went to the men and said, 'God's command is right. A book and a decree, and massacre have been written against the Sons of Israel.' Then he sat down and his head was struck off.""
-Ibn Ishaq, "Sirat Rasul Allah"
-Ibn Ishaq, "Sirat Rasul Allah"
By: poonhound
Re: Sam Harris Interviewed by O'Donnell
ADDENDUM: Here is another verse from Islamic scripture that is related to the event decribed above:
""Narrated Atiyyah al-Qurazi: I was among the captives of Banu Qurayzah. They (the Companions) examined us, and those who had begun to grow hair (pubes) were killed, and those who had not were not killed. I was among those who had not grown hair."" - Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 38, Number 4390:
For more interesting history referenced to sacred and revered Islamic scripture, go here:
http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Pages/WWMD.htm
""Narrated Atiyyah al-Qurazi: I was among the captives of Banu Qurayzah. They (the Companions) examined us, and those who had begun to grow hair (pubes) were killed, and those who had not were not killed. I was among those who had not grown hair."" - Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 38, Number 4390:
For more interesting history referenced to sacred and revered Islamic scripture, go here:
http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Pages/WWMD.htm
By: poonhound
Re: Sam Harris Interviewed by O'Donnell
Jesus is allegedly (the gentlest part of) God (-> boundless capacity for mercy, capable of doing magic...). Mohammad was a very zealous 'prophet' of the alleged one and only God.
I'm not sure whether it's even remotely interesting to investigate the extent to which your statement is accurate, as the answer wouldn't have any real significance. Alas, the childishness and laziness take their toll. Apples and oranges ....
Both muslims and christians kill in the name of their (full) gods, not in the name of their prophets, godly parts or saints. Same Blood God, different bait.
"The worst thing abouit muslims is when they act with disregard for their fellow (wo)man. The same can be said about all others."
I'm not sure whether it's even remotely interesting to investigate the extent to which your statement is accurate, as the answer wouldn't have any real significance. Alas, the childishness and laziness take their toll. Apples and oranges ....
Both muslims and christians kill in the name of their (full) gods, not in the name of their prophets, godly parts or saints. Same Blood God, different bait.
"The worst thing abouit muslims is when they act with disregard for their fellow (wo)man. The same can be said about all others."
By: wadadde
Re: Sam Harris Interviewed by O'Donnell
""I'm not sure whether it's even remotely interesting to investigate the extent to which your statement is accurate""
This is precisely the point Sam Harris is making. Your childishness and laziness is part of the reason; however, the real reason people don't bother to investigate Islam is because they are afraid Sam Harris might actually be right, and the paradigm so desperately clung to by western intelectuals - that swarthy aboriginies of thirld world countries must always be innocent "noble savages" exploited by villainous white people and jews - begins to fall apart.
""The worst thing abouit muslims is when they act with disregard for their fellow (wo)man.""
Mohammad disregarded his fellow (wo)man so agrediously, that he could only be described as a rapist and mass-murderer if we judged his actions by the standards of a modern decent society. Jesus, on the other hand, never disregarded his fellow man. Even Richard Dawkins would concede that point.
This is precisely the point Sam Harris is making. Your childishness and laziness is part of the reason; however, the real reason people don't bother to investigate Islam is because they are afraid Sam Harris might actually be right, and the paradigm so desperately clung to by western intelectuals - that swarthy aboriginies of thirld world countries must always be innocent "noble savages" exploited by villainous white people and jews - begins to fall apart.
""The worst thing abouit muslims is when they act with disregard for their fellow (wo)man.""
Mohammad disregarded his fellow (wo)man so agrediously, that he could only be described as a rapist and mass-murderer if we judged his actions by the standards of a modern decent society. Jesus, on the other hand, never disregarded his fellow man. Even Richard Dawkins would concede that point.
By: poonhound
Re: Sam Harris Interviewed by O'Donnell
I just said that this cock-measuring contest is irrelevant (read my initial response more carefully), but you insist on expanding on it. No one said anything about purity of simpler people. You brought that into the 'discussion' as well. Now, let's by all means dedicate ourselves to objectively measuring the harmfulness of every type of religious teaching or observance. All I'm hearing from your end are demagogic statements.
By: wadadde
