Doe God exist? Sam Harris and David Wolpe

Michael C

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Michael C
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An good debate at the American Jewish University between Sam Harris and Rabbi David Wolpe:

http://www.ajula.edu/Content/ContentUnit.asp?CID=1766&u=7037&t=0

I haven't seen it all yet, but the first 40 minutes were excellent. Both speakers are likeable and polite enough to actually listen to what the other person is saying. It's a pleasure to listen to Sam Harris replying so eloquently to Wolpe's versions of the usual arguments (ad populum, Hitler card, "religion and science don't mix"...) and just making so much sense.

Highly recommended.
 
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Well after the first two minutes........at least the "Rabbi" has the nose to fit the job!

I am watching the whole vid.....so soes the "Scientist"

Damn Jooooozzzzzz

p.s. maybe I judge my religionists by Nasal capacities?

2 B continued
 
OK, why did the "Rabbi" reference the Pope? :confused:

ETA: I have had many "spiritual" experiences, and she said, "Oh God, Oh God, do it to me".......

ETA: just got me a bagel, with Elk meat, cheese, and Dijon.......long video

ETA: i love Bertrand Russell, time for a pot o' tea......

nice clip, and Harris impressed me.....

GNA (good night all)
 
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XBoxWarrior said:
Well after the first two minutes........at least the "Rabbi" has the nose to fit the job!

I am watching the whole vid.....so soes the "Scientist"

Damn Jooooozzzzzz

p.s. maybe I judge my religionists by Nasal capacities?

2 B continued
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WTF? Please tell me this is just some ill-conceived attempt at humor whooshing me. You don't really think like this, do you?
 
[the] Hitler card
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It's interesting he'd pull this out. Assume it's true and relevant. Should one believe in God because Hitler didn't and you don't wanna be like Hitler, do ya?

If that argument is acceptable, so, too, should be the argument that God, as described in the Bible, is far worse than Hitler ever was, both in "actual" acts of the past, and in the prophesied destination for humanity, torture for ever and ever, of almost everyone who ever lived.

In that case, you have an even stronger argument not to believe in God, from God's own mouth, so to speak.

If'n you accept the Hitler agrument, that is.
 
I picked up on all of Harris's points because like most folks here, I'm well versed in the various arguments concerning religion, but I don't think he made a point as clear as he did when he used the "Elvis is still alive" analogy to refute Wolpe's "I experience it" take on why anyone would believe in god. It was humorous and the audience obviously got the meaning.
 
I sat through the whole video last night, and I'm glad I did. I think both sides conducted themselves in a polite and decent manner, and while I don't agree with Rabbi David Wolpe, I can still afford him more respect than I do the majority of apologists. It was nice to see that the audience was able to pick up on the analogies Harris used to refute Wolpe's arguments, and there were some funny moments.

It's quite ironic that Wolpe tried to pull out the Hitler card, since Sam Harris explains the role Christianity played in the Holocaust in great detail in "The End of Faith."
 
Silentknight said:
It's quite ironic that Wolpe tried to pull out the Hitler card, since Sam Harris explains the role Christianity played in the Holocaust in great detail in "The End of Faith."
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That's the problem with debates.
It's not about who has the best, most complete up to date argument which addresses the best, most complete up to date counterargument.

It's about who can present the most entertaining/logical argument at that given moment. It doesn't matter that the arguments that the rabbi brought out had already been throughly debunked a number of times. Each time he states it, it is as though it is a brand new claim.

I thought it funny when the person asked what the "third" theist argument was. And when Harris gave it, the rabbi said, "that's good"...
 
Here's a quote I liked from Sam Harris:
"We will find, for instance, that honor killing is a bad strategy, if you want to raise compassionate men. We know that already, but at some point we will know this biochemically."
 
I can't decide if Wolpe actually believes the things he says or if he is just trying to put forth arguments to make it appear he has something to contribute.

Harris was smart to remove the theist -vs- atheist fallacy and replace it with the real issue of religion -vs- science/reason.

Harris did a good job of keeping his annoyance under control. I think he made a fantastic point when with his remarks about mormonism and yet no one seemed to grasp the implications of it. They all laughed at what he was saying and didn't even notice what he said about their religious beliefs.

Good debate and I like that it is posted on the American Jewish University website.
 
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