Sam Harris Compares Wiccanism to Religion
Posted by Jim Newman on June 21st, 2012 – Comments Off – Posted in atheistsPost by Jim Newman
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Sam compares living in a Wiccan world to living in a Christian world to try to get Christians to see how they might react if they lived in a culture that was patently and obviously false to them. I think this is a good tactics. As it tries to get people to reverse their positions if only for a moment.
Interestingly, the cliche to walk in someone else’s shoes has the same weakness as do unto others. Scientific Mind has an article on this and notes you might not want to walk in the shoes of a jerk as the increased empathy may make you more likely to behave like a jerk. We use this saying not to create empathy but rather because we wish to make the specific point they should behave otherwise.
Of course Sam is trying to assert that religion is not immune from criticism. Indeed, if we can regulate smoking and drinking sugary big gulps why can’t we regulate the idiot aspects of religion or give them tax-free status?
Jim Newman, bright and well
www.frontiersofreason.com www.brightpride.com
