Making Sense with Sam Harris

How to talk to a Christian

18 snips
Nov 12, 2013
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INSIGHT

Suffering Reveals Theodicy Problem

  • Sam Harris argues that massive child suffering exposes a god who is either impotent or evil.
  • He highlights the scale: millions of children die yearly while many pray for help that never arrives.
INSIGHT

Cultural Luck Decides Salvation

  • Harris notes religious fate can condemn billions through cultural accident rather than moral failure.
  • He calls this outcome unjust: people born into different theologies face eternal punishment for mere cultural happenstance.
INSIGHT

Mystery Excuse Is Incoherent

  • Harris criticizes appeals to divine mystery as inconsistent with how believers claim to know God's goodness.
  • He shows believers cite personal blessings as proof of goodness while excusing massive suffering as 'mysterious.'
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