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Sam Harris, fundamentalists, moderates, hypocrites

Sam Harris argues that religion is fundamentally fundamentalist, and that any person who seems to have reconciled religion with modernity is actually ignorant of what his or her religion entails--something that can be know only when scripture is interpreted literally.  Professor Tyler Roberts points out in his rebuttal that fundamentalism is actually a modern thing, in which some religious persons copy the modern quest for a clear and distinct source of foundation, be that foundation the written word of God or pronouncements by the hierarchy.

I would also point out that Harris himself might not be following his own advice.  If he were to follow atheism to its logical conclusion, then his materialism would cause him to reject freedom of the will, human rights, the ability of the mind to know mathematical and scientific truths, etc.  I don't know Harris's position on freedom, but if a scientific outlook on the world holds no room for religion, then materialism would be true, in which case the modern understanding of individual freedom and rights flies out the window.

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