(May 8, 2016 at 10:57 am)abaris Wrote:

(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.

I'm not as appalled by missionaries as you are in general, but Dawkins could certainly also be accused of talking from the ivory tower. I think his saving grace as an atheist missionary is his great enthusiasm as a naturalist, which I find pretty contagious, and which seems to come first for him.

(May 8, 2016 at 12:46 pm)Alex K Wrote: I'm not as appalled by missionaries as you are in general, but Dawkins could certainly also be accused of talking from the ivory tower.  I think his saving grace as an atheist missionary is his great enthusiasm as a naturalist, which I find pretty contagious, and which seems to come first for him.

It's probably not the best comparison, but Harris is the Chomeini of atheism whereas Dawkins comes over as Francis. It's the tone that makes the music. Dawkins displays humor. Harris doesn't.

And I wouldn't use the term appalled. Rather revolted, disgusted maybe.