(May 6, 2016 at 10:45 am)NaughtyButNice Wrote: I read The God Delusion a few years ago and enjoyed it. We definitely agree on a lot, but he does seem a bit smug in interviews.

He's mellowed down quite a bit in terms of smugness, but boy was he really smug back in his prime days ...

(May 8, 2016 at 5:38 am)Irrational Wrote: He's mellowed down quite a bit in terms of smugness, but boy was he really smug back in his prime days ...

But at least, as opposed to other atheist figureheads, namely Harris, he's able to display a sense of humour. It's entertaining listening to him. Which is about all I can say, since, as I said before, I didn't read a single line he penned down. His scientific works would be beyond my understanding anyway, since - as I readily admit - I'm an idiot when it comes to natural sciences. And the God Delusion doesn't interest me, since I'm not interested in atheism being explained to me. I'm not interested in atheism at all, period.

(May 8, 2016 at 5:52 am)abaris Wrote:

(May 8, 2016 at 5:38 am)Irrational Wrote: He's mellowed down quite a bit in terms of smugness, but boy was he really smug back in his prime days ...

But at least, as opposed to other atheist figureheads, namely Harris, he's able to display a sense of humour. It's entertaining listening to him. Which is about all I can say, since, as I said before, I didn't read a single line he penned down. His scientific works would be beyond my understanding anyway, since - as I readily admit - I'm an idiot when it comes to natural sciences. And the God Delusion doesn't interest me, since I'm not interested in atheism being explained to me. I'm not interested in atheism at all, period.

Look into reading his popular science books, they're quite accessible and well written.

Honestly, I don't know anything about him other than what I've read on here.

I think Sam Harris definitely has a sense of humor. He's not particularly funny but that's different to not having a sense of humor.

-Hammy

(May 8, 2016 at 9:44 am)Alasdair Ham Wrote: I think Sam Harris definitely has a sense of humor.

Based on what? I mean, everyone has a sense of humor. At least the vast majority of people. But based on his public persona?

(May 8, 2016 at 10:12 am)abaris Wrote:

(May 8, 2016 at 9:44 am)Alasdair Ham Wrote: I think Sam Harris definitely has a sense of humor.

Based on what? I mean, everyone has a sense of humor. At least the vast majority of people. But based on his public persona?

Well, he has a calm demeanour at least. He's not as entertaining as Hitchens was obviously. But persona-wise, I have no problem with him. Some of his views, on the other hand, are quite iffy ...

(May 8, 2016 at 10:14 am)Irrational Wrote: Some of his views, on the other hand, are quite iffy ...

Since, as I said before, I'm not the least bit interested in atheist missionaries, that's my issues with him. I only view and judge him based on what you call iffy. The few instances when I watched some documentary where he got interviewed I didn't have problems with what he said. But these were on historical topics, not political or religious.

I never quite warmed to Sam Harris. It's something about him that I find a bit off-putting without knowing why... I think I can relate more to the way Dawkins sees the world on average, flawed as he might be as a person...

(May 8, 2016 at 10:50 am)Alex K Wrote: I never quite warmed to Sam Harris. It's something about him that I find a bit off-putting without knowing why...

It's quite easy. He's just your wayward missionary from the atheist side. Always talking from the Ivory tower, always claiming to be in posession of the one and only truth. With some dubious political views on the side.

That is an offputting character. Regardless of the message.