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About this quote

What does it mean?
We should openly discuss how unreasonable many religious beliefs are.
In plain terms
We need to talk plainly about how silly most religious beliefs are.
What can you take from it?
Speak openly about religious absurdity.

Where it applies

  • public debate
  • interfaith dialogue
  • personal conviction

Putting it to work

  • critique religious dogma
  • encourage honest discussion
  • challenge unexamined beliefs

Questions to consider

  • How do you discuss sensitive beliefs openly?
  • What counts as absurd in belief?

Another view

Calling beliefs absurd may alienate believers rather than engage them.

More from Sam Harris

  1. Faith is rather like a rhinoceros, in fact: it won't do much in the way of real work for you, and yet at close quarters it will make spectacular claims upon yo…

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  2. The idea that any one of our religions represents the infallible word of the One True God requires an encyclopedic ignorance of history, mythology, and art eve…

    Permalink to quote #22
  3. We must find our way to a time when faith, without evidence, disgraces anyone who would claim it.[2]

    Permalink to quote #19

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