Ann Barnhardt and Sam Harris: Cut From The Same Cloth

Watch Ann Barnhardt burn the 'Quran'. She claims that Islam is a religion of evil. She argues that Christians wouldn't feel bad if their Bible was burned, but would feel bad and therefore pray for those whose hearts are filled with evil and hatred. Yes, she would probably pray, but she went on to burn the Quran. So much for Christian forgiveness.

Sam Harris, the author of The End of Faith*, does not burn the Quran or the Bible, for he has a better idea. He does it philosophically. He argues that it is dangerous to uphold any beliefs that have no evidence or is hostile towards any empirical evidence that could prove once and for all the truth or falsity of such beliefs. These beliefs, if they were to be strictly followed, would entice fundamentalists to wage war - physically and mentally - against those who do not open their eyes and bow down to their superior beliefs. For as long as the people of faith insist on holding irrational and unreasonable tenets of faith, there would be no chance for understanding, dialogue, and good will among people.

If Sam Harris intended to change people's minds and hearts, especially those of the people of faith, then he's in for a surprise. It just won't work. It would work only on those who have already decided on their own to not believe in any or all the tenets of faith. Their numbers may or may not be growing. But, certainly, his criticisms of any religion would give the believers another reason for holding their ground.

I am reminded of a story of two different kind of truth sayers who took different approaches to teaching the people. Their story went this way: One of them went to the townspeople and told them outright that their beliefs and knowledge were very wrong. They killed him. The other person went to the townspeople, adapted to their ways, and respected their ways of doing things. Eventually, the people learned to trust, respect and even to love him. It was then that the people agreed to listen carefully and respectfully when he decided that it was time to teach them the right ways of living and doing.

If you intend to change people's lives, you first have to respect them, and follow up with genuine actions of respect and understanding.

But, I have you know that it's a tough act to follow.



*You can read the summary of 'The End of Faith". But I suggest that you read the book (pdf).

For Your Sake, Oppose Religion

The problem with organized religion is that it opposes all questioning of its revered belief-statements even if the questioner seeks for Truth. You see you can tell if the questioner is a truth seeker or someone who resents religion and therefore seeks its destruction. Which one are you?

Let us say that you are a truth seeker, then you ask questions the way an innocent child asks out of natural curiosity. No malice towards anyone. Just the burning desire to know the truth.

If a religion is to have any meaningful purpose, then it must serve the curiosity of an innocent child, who has no intention other than to seek the truth. His quest is spiritual, religious and philosophical.

Unfortunately, organized religion is anti-spiritual, anti-religious, and anti-philosophical. Organized religion relies heavily on submissive individuals, who will wage pyschological or physical war against those who are perceived as 'enemies'. The child is not yet an enemy. So, he must be indoctrinated before he does anymore harm with his innocent questions.

The innocence and the natural curiousity of a child, ironically, seeks a religion, an ethics that promotes both self development (of the spirit, the mind, and the body) and the recognition of a transcendence that is beyond the human ego.

That, for me, is true religion.