81: Sam Harris is Wrong, Salman Rushdie Post-9/11, Interview with Lauren Lane

By Christopher Thielen on October 8, 2012

Tom, Mike, and Chris discuss Sam Harris’ recent lack of rationale, Salman Rushdie’s comment that his book ‘Satanic Verses’ wouldn’t be published in a post-9/11 world, and Tom interviews Lauren Lane of Skepticon regarding their upcoming conference.

81: Sam Harris is Wrong, Salman Rushdie Post-9/11, Interview with Lauren Lane [ 49 min 29 s ] Play in Popup | Download

81: Sam Harris is Wrong, Salman Rushdie Post-9/11, Interview with Lauren Lane [ 49 min 29 s ] Download

Discussion

Alan

Salman Rushdie’s comment has a ring of truth for a couple of reasons.

Moral:
It is one thing to put yourself in danger by an exercise of free speech. It is quite another when the exercise might lead to the riots and death on the other side of the world.

Association:
Some of the loudest critics of Islam such as Terry Jones and Nakoula Basseley Nakoula are pretty despicable people. No matter how thoughtful and well researched you book is, there will be quotes that can be taken out of context and used to paint you with the hate speech label.

Self-censorship is censorship, but you have to wander if good Christians like Terry and Nakoula have a concious.

Matt

I think the commentators should have read (at least) the excerpts of
The Satanic Verses that caused the Fatwa, and watched The Innocence
Of Muslims. How can you have a topic in a podcast when no one has seen
Or read the material concerned. This section of the discussion was mind numbing and frustrating
Conjecture. You weren’t even certain what decade the s verses was released.
Do your homework guys, it wouldn’t have taken 15 minutes!

Tom Beasley

Matt, I’ve attempted to watch Innocence of Muslims but I find it extremely irritating to watch. Should I have stomached the myriad of problems with the film in order to fulfill a higher journalistic integrity? Yes, I probably should have. I agree with you and I apologize for not being more informed on the material. I have read the relevant Satanic Verses from years ago and we should have read some of the relevant excerpts or at the very least detailed a more thorough explanation of what the objectionable material was. I am sorry for the lack of detail in this specific discussion and I appreciate your feedback — in the future, as I feel I do on most subjects, I will apply more diligence in providing the listeners with more useful information rather than superficial discussion. We felt we should at least mention the topics for some listeners who have not encountered the information, but your points are valid and well received. Thank you for listening and we appreciate and read all of our feedback.