Sam Harris, author of The End of Faith and one of the most outspoken critics of organized religion, is also a regular meditator.
His advocacy of consciousness-expanding practices stripped of their religious trappings makes him an ideal representative of the demographic cohort called the "nones" — a diverse group of "spiritual but not religious" Americans 30 million strong and growing, who describe their religious affiliation as "none of the above."
In his interview with USC's News21 fellows, Harris highlights his arguments against organized religion:
• What does it mean to be a spiritual nonbeliever
• The public-relations problems that accompany the word "atheist"
• The connection between violence and politicized religion
• His hopes that scientific truth may some day replace supernaturalism as the foundation of human culture.
Controversy has often accompanied Harris as his commentary on organized religion identifies the negative potential in blind faith and the danger of joining what he calls "Iron Age" ideas with nuclear technologies.
The most dangerous thing about religious beliefs, he says, is that they are not open to discussion or challenge — they are the views that remain "off the table in the conversation."
Harris explains that atheism is not a good term because it requires defining oneself in opposition to an arbitrary group. He also touches on the potential to improve human happiness through training, without relying in any way on religious beliefs.
Question: Why do you so strongly oppose mixing religion and politics?
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Comments
Anonymous, 2007-07-26 22:08:23 -- Flag for review
karen, 2007-09-12 00:59:45 -- Flag for review
Hi! I loved your description of an atheist as being one who is in opposition to an arbitrary group.Having read much about Christianity, I know it to evolve from astrotheology, so I think I'll stick with what I can see-the sun, the moon, the stars, earth, the Milky Way, certain planets etc. Those I know exist and can be readily proven on any day of the week. Religion on the other hand, is all based on myth and and astrotheology. Faith? The belief in things unseen? I do not think so. There is even no history of Christ written during his time by noted historians of his time, and the episytles are frauds! I could go on but I will not. Thanks for your works.
Sincerely,'Karen
Anti-Allergic Drugs, 2008-02-20 10:04:59 -- Flag for review
This interview was really interesting according to me. The guy had a lot of interesting things to say!
Reuben A. Foster, 2008-08-19 10:19:12 -- Flag for review
ummmm...no
Human emotions are trainable to a certain extent however emotions are not the basis of religions like Christianity, which stresses the undeniable power of prayer. Which I have actually SEEN work, multiple times. I would dare any one person to explain to me how all of these "random coincidences" just happened. And the philosophical idea that you can be spiritual and yet not believe in anything confuses me. To someone who has actually seen the after-effects of prayer this concept sounds like nothing more than an excuse to be in a sense "devoted" to nobody but yourself. It also further enforces the fact that "you" the spiritual atheist, cannot come to terms with the fact that someone, other then yourself is in complete control. Or is it that you can't understand faith...so you choose to denounce it's existence. Honestly all this sounds like to me is a group of people who are willing to do anything other then accept the fact that God can't be fake. And that over 90% of the US may not totally agree..but know He is real as well. I could go on...and i will. My grandmother had brain tumors, in her forty's. Her family, church and friends prayed for her for a week and the next time she went to the doctor he told her the tumor had disappeared. The hospital wanted to do studies on her. The doctor refused to believe that it was, quite frankly a miracle. Which is also known as the affects of prayer. Oh by the way she's turning 75 soon. Now i have over ten cases like this..one even involving me. And countless others of different varieties. Can you still say they were all coincidences?