There are certain things in Islam where if you do not believe, takes you outside the fold of the religion... such as believing in the prophets, angels, the book. Don't know if believing Jesus was crucified takes one outside the fold of Islam though. It probably just means you need to study your religion more closely. But don't take my word for it.
Yeah, I also read that and thought...here we go again. That's a big part of the problem with the current interpretation of Islam of many. "Either you agree with everything I tell you to agree with...or you are an 'infidel'". Even then, he could be accused of having some sort of bias, because atheists often want to prove the flaws in the "logic" of religions.
By 'not practicing any religion', I obviously meant someone objective without convictions on the presence/absence of God/s or the validity/BS of religion. Someone who can't answer the question: Is there a God? I would be more inclined to believe such a person's research-based conclusions.
Personally, I agree. I am just saying that one could basically accuse ANY person of bias. Nobody can really objectively and without convictions say whether God exists or not.
Yeah, I understand. Just felt like clarifying. Bringing the thread back on course: In this case? I'm assuming this guy is one of those people who can't decisively answer "Is there a God" and that the thing to deride in this interview is the lady who keeps attacking him with the same comment. The guy gave his answer, move on already and civilly get more information from him about his work. This is also why I understand his response of "I have a PhD" at this time - a good researcher understands all sides of a topic and then gives his educated opinion, which I presume is what Reza Aslan thinks he has done with enough credibility based on his luminous background of Harvard & UCSB. (I may be completely wrong about Reza Aslan, but I don't have that information at this time) This somewhat reminds me of It's Always Sunny: Science is a LIAR!... sometimes <object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/22bo6CKJcJM?hl=en_US&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/22bo6CKJcJM?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object> Except Reza Aslan doesn't have science to back him up, just his degrees that improve his credibility of doing solid research.
Yeap. Perceived bias (who doesn't have some) is exactly that - in your head. Best to look at the work while putting YOUR OWN bias toward the author background in check. Argue on the fact and quality of the work, not about the author's religious background. Bad starting point for the interview (and apparently very common altitude toward him as he seem ready and well prepared for that attack line of thoughts).
Funny video! (D&D ?) This is not an attack on Christianity: "My mother is a Christian, my wife is a Christian, my brother in law is an Evangelical Pastor". This is what I call a "wolf in sheep's clothing"!.... (p.s.) I THINK I heard he might have a PhD or something... ....... ....... .......
lol!! Great job. Glad he kept his composure and came prepared for typical Fox News BS. Unfortunate that he had to repeat that he's a PhD so many times, but she essentially forced him to do it by repeatedly framing the conversation as "Muslim calling Christianity a lie". Had he let it go just ONE TIME, she would have ran with it. Also, it was pretty obvious she didn't read the book. It's quite telling that she didn't mention anything from the book - she only mentioned quotes from one side of the argument by people who made sensationalist and baseless criticisms towards a scholar of religion. Side note: you don't have to believe any particular thing, except for some sort of connection between God and Muhammad, to consider YOURSELF a Muslim. No one is ever going to be considered a Muslim by everyone else.
Coming from Fox news, it's not surprise. Plus I'm sure he's had plenty of attacks of this nature. Probably autopiloting it.
Since we're on board the train to D&D...I fail to see how this is all that unique. I will however admit that the muslim reaction to this sentiment is typically more violent.
Has anyone read his book "No God but God"? Seems like a good intro to Islam geared towards the West. The way the interview was going, he was in a catch 22. He had to assert that his perspective was that of a scholar and that he has expertise in the area, not just some random Muslim who decided to write a book on Christ. It made him sound arrogant, perhaps, but I think it was necessary.
I watched this a couple days ago. It was posted on FB by a former professor of mine, who sincerely believes that academicians are never given the respect they deserve. Further, that they are some sort of disenfranchised minority who needs to be shown "support" or whatever. That is, of course, ridiculous, but seems to be a sentiment held by some who have never worked outside of a university. So to the extent that he emphasized his degrees so much, I rolled my eyes. But the interviewer was an ass. A dumb ass. Once she realized how ass-like she was being, she should have changed her course. Instead, she kept reading more quotes saying that the author can't possibly be worth reading.
If the reporter really wanted to be an ass (but more informed) she could have just said that his PhD was in sociology and that he only has an MA in religious studies. And he is a professor of creative writing. Ooh...burn!
Hatchet job interview by someone woefully unprepared to interview the guy. Read the book or something before you interview someone on his book.
You guys should read his reddit IamA...he talks about his beliefs regarding the various religions. He's definitely very knowledgeable and interesting. The Fox news lady was a complete idiot. I like how she was claiming that he avoids saying that he's a muslim...and his response is "I said that on page 2". Therefore, at most, she read the first page of his book. Nice job, lady.
