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Famed author takes on Kansas: Rushdie bemoans role of religion in public life
Lawrence Journal-World ^ | 10/7/5 | Sophia Maines

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.”


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy; US: Kansas
KEYWORDS: antitheist; chirstianity; creationism; crevolist; evolution; intelligentdesign; religion; rushdie; secularists
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1 posted on 10/08/2005 5:29:48 AM PDT by Crackingham
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To: Crackingham

Maybe the Muslims were right about him after all.


2 posted on 10/08/2005 5:31:48 AM PDT by mlc9852
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To: mlc9852
Have you ever read his books?
I got through the first page of his infamous book. I can't even remember its name.
It was in the "stream of consciousness" mode -- and his consciousness is convoluted, nonsensical and BORING.

Why would ANYone listen to him? And NOW he's spouting the same ole secularist screed.
The Muslims WERE right abut him.

3 posted on 10/08/2005 5:39:48 AM PDT by starfish923 (It's never right to do wrong. Socrates)
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To: mlc9852

After reading this, I tend to agree with you.


4 posted on 10/08/2005 5:40:31 AM PDT by alice_in_bubbaland
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To: starfish923
Perhaps Rushdie will join the ever-growing horde that would kill people for their religion, making him the world's worst hyporcite. I mean it...I'll bet there are millions who would love to see our football stadiums converted to killing fields.
5 posted on 10/08/2005 5:42:52 AM PDT by KStorm (The lib idea of national security is thus: which fox do we want to guard us hens?)
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Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

To: Crackingham
"(Citizens of the world) should be concerned about religious extremism"

Personally don't have any among my friends...WHOLE bunch of AMERICAN CITIZENS tho!!!

7 posted on 10/08/2005 5:49:30 AM PDT by litehaus
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To: Crackingham
Well, Salman buddy...

When Kansans start blowing up people worldwide, I'll start worrying about it.

I guess no one is immune from a bout with irrationality from time to time.

8 posted on 10/08/2005 5:53:38 AM PDT by Publius6961 (Liberal level playing field: If the Islamics win we are their slaves..if we win they are our equals.)
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To: ElipticalAmigo
...secularists killing people because they are religous.

As somewhat of a secularist myself, I would rather reserve that action for drug pushers, molestors, rapists, pimps and other liberal filth...

9 posted on 10/08/2005 5:55:19 AM PDT by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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To: Crackingham; DaveLoneRanger; little jeremiah
We were “so busy having fun that all the uncool people took over the world,” he said.

A leftist speaks, and reveals just how stark his stripes really are.

10 posted on 10/08/2005 5:57:04 AM PDT by gobucks (http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/classics/students/Ribeiro/Laocoon.htm)
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To: Crackingham

An arcane brain speaks of a bane on the plain....insane?
Kansas University, evolving into Berzerkeley on the plain.


11 posted on 10/08/2005 6:01:38 AM PDT by RedWireNut
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To: ElipticalAmigo
"I see religious people killing those who don't believe what they do far more likely then secularists killing people because they are religous."

Oh, really?
Perhaps you can enlighten us on the religious leanings of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Saddam, etc.

12 posted on 10/08/2005 6:02:51 AM PDT by labette (Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.)
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To: ElipticalAmigo
I see religious people killing those who don't believe what they do far more likely then secularists killing people because they are religous.

You are aware of the histories of secularist societies like the former Soview Union, Cuba, China, and North Korea, right?


If you want a Google GMail account, FReepmail me.
They're going fast!

13 posted on 10/08/2005 6:02:54 AM PDT by rdb3 (What's the use when the god of confusion keeps on telling the same lie?)
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To: labette
You beat me by 3 seconds.


If you want a Google GMail account, FReepmail me.
They're going fast!

14 posted on 10/08/2005 6:03:42 AM PDT by rdb3 (What's the use when the god of confusion keeps on telling the same lie?)
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To: Crackingham

What a maroon.


15 posted on 10/08/2005 6:04:50 AM PDT by Tax-chick (When bad things happen, conservatives get over it!)
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To: mlc9852
Maybe the Muslims were right about him after all.

Where is the Inquisition when we need it?

16 posted on 10/08/2005 6:05:35 AM PDT by A. Pole (For today's Democrats abortion and "gay marriage" are more important that the whole New Deal legacy.)
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Comment #17 Removed by Moderator

To: mlc9852

Which religion do you nominate to run the world?


18 posted on 10/08/2005 6:08:54 AM PDT by Rudder
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To: ElipticalAmigo
I see religious people killing those who don't believe what they do far more likely then secularists killing people because they are religious.

The biggest mass killing ever was done by secularists in XX century. Once they get to the power they show their true colors. And there were minor shows of secularist tolerance in Mexico, Turkey and France at the beginning of XX century.

19 posted on 10/08/2005 6:09:04 AM PDT by A. Pole (For today's Democrats abortion and "gay marriage" are more important that the whole New Deal legacy.)
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To: mlc9852

How dare he expose the secrit Mussulman/Reconstructist alliance!


20 posted on 10/08/2005 6:10:05 AM PDT by Oztrich Boy (Paging Nehemiah Scudder:the Crazy Years are peaking. America is ready for you.)
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