22 December 06
On Holiday
Nine days off! I’m thrilled we’re staying put, not trying to catch planes and deal with weather.
A book arrived today from my sister and brother-in-law, Sam Harris’ Letter to a Christian Nation. I didn’t wait till Christmas to open it, nor to read it.
I haven’t read The End of Faith, but I will now. It’s good to read an atheist with a good command of Christian scripture. What to do about the lamentable state of affairs in the United States is something that was explored in this year’s San Francisco Mime Troupe play, but, as Harris points out, “the fact that nearly half of the American population apparently believes [that the world is about to end and that its ending would be glorious, purely on the basis of religious dogma, should be considered a moral and intellectual emergency.”
Pica, is the religious dogma in the US as bad as Harris makes out? The book sounds interesting and something Geoff would really like to read. I’ve bought him the “Evolution of Morality” by Richard Joyce for Christmas. That looks a very interesting read also. Enjoy your nine days off! Happy holidays.
Very astute question, Jenny. And of course the answer is, no it’s not. The fact that Harris is allowed to put forth such drivel, should itself be considered a moral and intellectual emergency. S.W.