Freethought & Rationalism Archive

BruceWane · 01-07-2006, 06:03 PM

Sam Harris speaking on his book, "The End Of Faith".

Should be interesting.........

G Zuss · 01-07-2006, 06:11 PM

watching right now, thanks

repoman · 01-07-2006, 06:48 PM

So far, he hasn't pulled any punches. Very intense.

dettus · 01-07-2006, 09:48 PM

weekends on cspan2 is about books?

i hope someone has a link to this soon.

mga · 01-08-2006, 05:52 AM

i watched the last 30 minutes, thanks to the OP's informing us here.

altho i liked what he had to say, when he was answering questions, he got off topic too much. the one question asked was "how does someone talk to children about atheism?" and he really didn't answer that question. i found that talking to young kids about the non-existance of "god" is rather hard because kids have been programmed to believe in santa, the easter bunny, etc etc including "god". it was hard enough for them to give up on any santa, but to give up on "god"??? unspeakable! it's hard with adults, let alone children, and the social response to you talking to kids about there not being a god is like you are some kind of villian.

so, how does an atheist talk about "god" to young kids when asked? or should you just let them out grow it like they do every other make-believe fairy tale character?

travc · 01-08-2006, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mga

so, how does an atheist talk about "god" to young kids when asked? or should you just let them out grow it like they do every other make-believe fairy tale character?

Not too hard, just explain the meaning of the word "faith". However, younger kids typically can't grasp the concept of unknown much less unknowable, so a a little waiting for "grow" is required.

Brian63 · 01-08-2006, 10:58 AM

This is not about politics, but religion. To GRD we go.

Brian
PD mod

Tenshu · 01-08-2006, 11:46 AM

:/ there's some crazy woman on now who claims fascism can only exist in a left state.

Tenshu · 01-08-2006, 11:49 AM

Holy shit... now there's a question to the crazy woman saying: 'well now the liberals are saying Iraq doesn't make sense, but a few years ago they all voted unanimously *for* the war'.

AAAAAAAARGHHHHH.... historical revisionism anyone?!

Respect for my US co-IIDB'ers who have to put up with this every day. I feel it burn even after only having watched it 5 minutes.

capsaicin67 · 01-08-2006, 01:28 PM

I'd say that so long as kids are not encouraged to believe in lies from the outset, and have the concepts of "make believe" and "reality" clearly delineated as core tents of their tribe, then god simply falls under make believe for adults. Explain that just as some kids believe in Santa, some adults believe in God for the same reasons. And that there is a difference between wanting something to be true, and it being true. No matter how attractive and beautiful the desire may be in our fantasies.

And spend more time celebrating what is beautiful and true in life together as a family. So they do not fall prey to the fasle dichotomy that others will spring on them later that without god there is no beauty or hope or celebration.

01-07-2006, 06:03 PM	#1
BruceWane Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,042	HEADS UP! CSPAN2 starting RIGHT NOW... Sam Harris speaking on his book, "The End Of Faith". Should be interesting.........

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01-07-2006, 06:11 PM	#2
G Zuss Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 70	watching right now, thanks

01-07-2006, 06:48 PM	#3
repoman Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,280	So far, he hasn't pulled any punches. Very intense.

01-07-2006, 09:48 PM	#4
dettus Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: where apologists for religion are deservedly derid Posts: 6,298	weekends on cspan2 is about books? i hope someone has a link to this soon.

01-08-2006, 05:52 AM	#5
mga Banned Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: rochester- ny Karl Rove fan club Posts: 13,165	i watched the last 30 minutes, thanks to the OP's informing us here. altho i liked what he had to say, when he was answering questions, he got off topic too much. the one question asked was "how does someone talk to children about atheism?" and he really didn't answer that question. i found that talking to young kids about the non-existance of "god" is rather hard because kids have been programmed to believe in santa, the easter bunny, etc etc including "god". it was hard enough for them to give up on any santa, but to give up on "god"??? unspeakable! it's hard with adults, let alone children, and the social response to you talking to kids about there not being a god is like you are some kind of villian. so, how does an atheist talk about "god" to young kids when asked? or should you just let them out grow it like they do every other make-believe fairy tale character?

01-08-2006, 10:58 AM	#7
Brian63 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: My own little fantasy world Posts: 8,911	This is not about politics, but religion. To GRD we go. Brian PD mod

01-08-2006, 11:46 AM	#8
Tenshu Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 332	:/ there's some crazy woman on now who claims fascism can only exist in a left state.

01-08-2006, 11:49 AM	#9
Tenshu Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 332	Holy shit... now there's a question to the crazy woman saying: 'well now the liberals are saying Iraq doesn't make sense, but a few years ago they all voted unanimously for the war'. AAAAAAAARGHHHHH.... historical revisionism anyone?! Respect for my US co-IIDB'ers who have to put up with this every day. I feel it burn even after only having watched it 5 minutes.

01-08-2006, 01:28 PM	#10
capsaicin67 Contributor Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gold coast plain, sea, scrubland, mountain range. Posts: 20,955	I'd say that so long as kids are not encouraged to believe in lies from the outset, and have the concepts of "make believe" and "reality" clearly delineated as core tents of their tribe, then god simply falls under make believe for adults. Explain that just as some kids believe in Santa, some adults believe in God for the same reasons. And that there is a difference between wanting something to be true, and it being true. No matter how attractive and beautiful the desire may be in our fantasies. And spend more time celebrating what is beautiful and true in life together as a family. So they do not fall prey to the fasle dichotomy that others will spring on them later that without god there is no beauty or hope or celebration.

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