As an atheist, I have to say that I feel comfortable with many of the arguments that Sam Harris sets forth in The End of Faith (I’m about 100 pages in). They are old friends that set me to questioning my most cherished, deeply entrenched assumptions. I used to attend the Church of Harris, and it feels good to go back on occasion for a visit. As Jonathan observed in his overview, Harris is preaching to the choir. Although his brimstone is aimed at moderate religionists, few are within striking range.
I’m particularly glad that Harris is poking sharp sticks at the sanctity of belief. He indicates that “criticizing a person’s faith is currently taboo in every corner of our culture” (p.13). Conservative religion regularly beats up on secularism (Pope Benedict’s recent, controversial speech is one example) and the rational/scientific worldview–as precious to me and as central to my ethics, my existential security and my view of the universe (and my place in it) as the Qu’ran is to many Muslims.
Traditional believers have every right to critique and attack my core beliefs. But it’s not fair for them–or tolerance advocates–to cry foul when the critique is returned. And I agree with him that religious moderates are responsible for reigning in the extremists within their traditions. Too often we let the extremists set the tone.
This is one reason why Harris’ fight is not my fight. Perhaps I am a moderate atheist. I see a need for skeptics and believers to enter into dialogue and to work towards common causes. Progressive Christians in the United States are just as eager as the atheists to maintain separation of church and state and to keep creationism our of our curriculum. I believe that we have much to learn from one another, and we’re more likely to do so if we’re not at each others’ throats. Harris acknowledges that “the deepest concerns of the faithful are [not] trivial or misguided” (p. 16). I would like to add that we skeptics share those ultimate concerns.
MindOnFire is an experiment in creating a space where skeptics can learn spirituality, and where believers can learn to value their doubts. I’d like to think that I practice a compassionate atheism.
10 responses so far ↓
1 Rich // Sep 28, 2006 at 9:08 pm
I’ve been having some fun talkin’ smack with some anti-evolution locals, and it’s been good stimulus for the old brain cells.
2 Jonathan // Sep 29, 2006 at 8:24 am
I for one have always loved a good discussion with someone who thinks differently than I, specifically about “religion” (there’s that word again) and faith-based worldviews. It really helps me understand what I believe from another person’s perspective.
One of my favorite writers, C.S. Lewis once said that for every book he reads that is in line with his worldview, he likes to read one that isn’t. We all need to examine our beliefs, and it’s good to find people who will examine them with us bringing to the table the tools of compassion and reason. Many atheist friends of mine who have come and gone in my life are like this, and have asked me many good hard questions about the Christian worldview, and I am indebted to them for helping me on my spiritual walk. When it comes to my wordview, I share John’s as well — a scientific/rational one (I believe in God in addition to this as well.)
But I’m not one to simply let others question my own beliefs — I’d rather take an active role in questioning/testing them myself. So far it’s stood the test of some awesome criticism, of which Harris is not the best. The hardest questions are ones that I asked myself. From others, so far I think Dan Barker has been the greatest atheist thinker I’ve run into. Who better to question what I believe than an ex-christian pastor and world famous writer and debator? Although the best I’ve heard with reason and logic, he still falls terribly short on good Bible exegesis.
John is right. Great faith THRIVES on doubt. How will it stand the test of reason if not? Otherwise its like a house of cards — pull one piece out and the entire thing falls apart soon afterwards. Like in Thomas’s case, I believe that God will provide the proof for you IF you want it.
When we pursue our future spouse that we have fallen in love with, do we not need to reasonably prove our love for them? When I was dating my wife, did I just give her an autobiography about me and then walk away? Of course not. In relationships, we need proof of love and trust for it to grow. If God is God, why would He not do the same and so much more for us?
3 Elise // Sep 29, 2006 at 10:30 pm
John, you are incredible at practicing compassionate athiesm!
I like to think that I practice compassionate faith in diety with a Christian worldview.
I think that the beauty of questioning, doubtful skepticism is that it keeps us slightly uncomfortable. In my general experience, people get dangerous when they are too comfortable - i.e., “I know I’m right and therefore I have arrived and can stop progressing and I can also utilize my rightness to judge your wrongness.” When we keep ourselves a little out of our comfort zone at all times, I think we have a better chance of being compassionate as we try to understand others and ourselves better.
4 Chris // Sep 30, 2006 at 3:40 pm
That is true. As a practicing, believing Latter Day Saint, I have found that contention usually is not a good thing. I have found that talking kindly and openly, along with listening the same way, does more then hitting someone upside the head with Bible as do many right wing Christians or with past General Authority quotes that were probably personal opinion by Ultra Conservative Mormons.
I find it interesting that among the Churches that claim to be God’s own, mine acknowledges a person’s right to their personal faith, and an injunction to not only respect other’s beliefs but to let them practice them according to their own dictates so long as they do not impinge on the rights of others.
5 Watt Mahoun // Oct 2, 2006 at 12:29 pm
I suspect that the degree of passion for Church/State separation is somehow connected to where a particular worldview sees itself in the popularity spectrum. For example, Mormons and atheists have traditionally been in the small minority and therefore stand to benefit greatly from Church/State separation.
But more recently, with the mainstreaming of Mormonism (an essentially fundamentalist tradition) and the rise of Christian fundamentalism as a dominant political force, many Mormons appear to imagine themselves among the majority. I think this has led to an increased degree of ease with intolerance and diminished Church/State separation.
Mormons appear to me to be no less susceptible than the next faith, when given the chance, to reigning what they perceive to be the truth upon others.
6 Matt Thurston // Oct 2, 2006 at 12:42 pm
Interesting article about Sam Harris in today’s (10/02/06) L.A. Times: http://www.calendarlive.com/books/cl-et-harrisoct02,0,456230.story?coll=cl-home-more-channels
The article is entitled, “Oh Dear God — it’s him again”
By the way, some of the clips of Harris at his website are interesting to watch.
7 Watt Mahoun // Oct 2, 2006 at 1:22 pm
Thanks Matt,
I just went over and read it. Not really the negative assessment that the title suggests. Like him or not, you have to give the man credit for raising the level of discourse above the safe/comfortable assumptions.
I especially enjoyed learning of his vision quest. His experience is so different from that advocated in GC as to raise some serious questions and doubts about the “narrowness” of the path.
8 Matt Thurston // Oct 3, 2006 at 12:42 pm
I agree, Watt. Based on the title, I thought it would be a hatchet job. I too was interested to learn of his mystical adventures in the Far East. Hope he writes about them some day.
What does GC stand for?
9 Watt Mahoun // Oct 4, 2006 at 4:32 pm
Oops, sorry. “General Conference”
I basically watched all of the video and several of the radio programs on Sam’s site. I was left with the impression (much stronger than the book) that this guy has a very timely and important message. Like a non-fictional “Samuel the Lamanite” I might only half-jokingly say.
10 John // Oct 4, 2006 at 10:58 pm
Thanks, Matt and Watt for the references. I added the article link to the “sticky post” which is not so sticky now–but there’s a link up top. I’m hoping to squeeze in the video tomorrow (my weeks crescendo in craziness up to my Wed evening class, then I get to relax a bit).