Posted on 10/08/2005 5:29:47 AM PDT by Crackingham
Citizens of the world should be concerned about religious extremism whether it’s in Iran or America, says author Salman Rushdie, who was once marked for death by Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini.
Rushdie compared the emergence of religion into public life in Kansas with similar movements across the world in a lecture Thursday at the Lied Center.
“I would really love never to mention that word again: religion,” Rushdie said. “But now it seems to be coming right at us all. I don’t just mean radical Islam, by the way. I believe we have some problems right here.”
Rushdie received a standing ovation after the lecture, in which he revealed his thoughts on writing and receiving death threats and also blasted religion, intelligent design and the best-selling book “The Da Vinci Code.”
SNIP
Rushdie told the crowd that religion has much potential to do harm in the world today.
“It’s a pretty bad time for us who don’t believe that superstition should rule the world,” he said.
When asked how rationalism could win the fight against religion, Rushdie said with ridicule, argument and battle. When he was young, the 58-year-old said, he and others thought they’d won the battle. So they turned their heads.
We were “so busy having fun that all the uncool people took over the world,” he said.
And this superstition needs to be pushed back in the cupboard where it belongs, he said. Rushdie also blasted intelligent design proponents.
“I never had any doubts about evolution theory,” he said. “I gather there are parts of Kansas where the big bang did not take place.”
Yeah, but it is a fact that he cheated on his wife, and withheld child support, that isn't gossip.
I mean, since Mr. Terry is all about morality, shouldn't his morals be held up to the spotlight as well? He has said some monsterous things and done some terrible things, I judge him by his actions, just like I judge Ted Kennedy by his actions.
You can't just ignore things because you believe the same way he does, that would be hypocrisy.
If you want the curriculum of the science classroom to be strictly "science", why do you want your belief in the consensus science that perpetuates the "Theory of Evolution" to be part of the curriculum?
I can tell he has no clue about the U.S.A.
Christianity has been involved in our public life, our culture, our law, all of life itself, the the the Pilgrims settled. Rushdie is obviously unfamiliar with Amercan history.
You are misusing the word "belief". The ID and Creationists have only their religious beliefs that run their thinking about the subject. Science and the scientific method doesn't work on preconcieved beliefs, that is why it is a theory.
But, it is vastly superior than saying that the Earth is 5000 years old, and that every animal was herded onto an ark and somehow figured out how to swim home and find food and such.
You want to teach creationism and ID, do it in a religion class in a religious school, its your choice not to have your child attend a public school.
Its that simple. If you want to teach your kids that The Flintstones is real, go ahead, just don't use my tax money to do it.
Indeed. Well put.
With all your evidence of religious extremists so far, I think you are up to about 8 or 9 people. That is one convincing pile of evidence.
I think the larger threat is from those who hate the Bible and agree with the moral left and the democrat party (they should really be called the "Bible-rejecing Socialist Party run by the ACLU").
That mob of leftists lie about our Constitution, they call for the death of our own leaders, especially those who stand against immorality, and do their best to intimidate and destroy anyone who speaks out against their dogma.
You bring up Pat Robertson as if he might be some extreme internal threat, that is a joke. Robertson should have used better discretion, (although Hugo Chavez is an anti-American thug) but this can hardly to be compared to the vile speech of the leftists in America.
The failure to make this connection only shows how ignorant, blind, and far-left that Rushdie really is; and so is anyone who thought he wasn't just full of hot gas when he tried to equate evangelical Christians with Muslim murderers.
I gather there are parts of England where they think evolution started with a big bang. Proof positive that you can have a fatwa on your head and still be an A-hole instead of a hero.
Understanding his train of logic is the least of your problems, junior. Getting in touch with planet earth and taking a glance at its twentieth century history should be a much more urgent priority.
And yet, he found the time to autograph your kneepads...
Since we’ve chosen to put education in the charge of government indoctrination centers (we do have an alternative private school option, still - for a little while - maybe), all you need do is muster a majority to be in agreement with you, and you will have your way.
That's your contribution to this thread, sewer rat?
Oh, cue the dramatic music, please. I went to private school, Catholic, K-12, they taught religion in the religion classes, and science in the science classes. We didn't get any creationist nonsense in any of our classes, thank God for that!
How much polictical power do Randall Terry and Pat Robertson have. Zero. But they are allowed to speak their mind. Or would you suggest that not be allowed?
you can say that again. Rushdi's moral relativist jerk.
Has he ever heard of the word RECONCILIATION between public life and God?
By the way he formulates a cult of repent towards his ideas, which is religion and one of the worst forms of worships. HYPOCRITE.
One thing that can't be argued is how this world would be better off without religion.
The immeausrable good that has been done through the ages with God fearing men and women can never really be meausured.
The impact of Christianity bearing goodness on this world must certainly outweigh, by the score, any negative problems that may have also occurred.
You should be used to receiving the back of the hand by now, masochist...
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