First of all, it should be pointed out that Sam Harris, probably one of the very first academics to openly point out the obvious dangers of Islam as an ideology and more importantly the fact that Islam as an ideology is the driver of horror around the world specifically, as a contrast to other religious ideologies.
Also Mr. Harris, who’s very interesting book, ‘End of Faith’ was one of the books that made Sam Harris one of the holy trinity of people responsible for the popularization of atheism along with Christopher Hitchens (RIP) and Richard Dawkins, probably the greatest writer on evolutionary theory ever.
This foreword does not mean to imply that anyone needs agree with these POV’s, only setting credentials. Sam Harris is a very interesting man and his lectures are always worthy food for thought in my opinion. Here is noted atheist Sam Harris speaking about pastor Terry jones where he clearly states that whatever else Mr. Jones may be, he is right about Islam.
From Sam Harris.Org
The Blog
Ethics | Self-Defense | Violence | January 2, 2013
The Riddle of the Gun
(Photo by Zorin Denu)
Fantasists and zealots can be found on both sides of the debate over guns in America. On the one hand, many gun-rights advocates reject even the most sensible restrictions on the sale of weapons to the public. On the other, proponents of stricter gun laws often seem unable to understand why a good person would ever want ready access to a loaded firearm. Between these two extremes we must find grounds for a rational discussion about the problem of gun violence.
Unlike most Americans, I stand on both sides of this debate. I understand the apprehension that many people feel toward “gun culture,” and I share their outrage over the political influence of the National Rifle Association. How is it that we live in a society in which one of the most compelling interests is gun ownership? Where is the science lobby? The safe food lobby? Where is the get-the-Chinese-lead-paint-out-of-our-kids’-toys lobby? When viewed from any other civilized society on earth, the primacy of guns in American life seems to be a symptom of collective psychosis.
Most of my friends do not own guns and never will. When asked to consider the possibility of keeping firearms for protection, they worry that the mere presence of them in their homes would put themselves and their families in danger. Can’t a gun go off by accident? Wouldn’t it be more likely to be used against them in an altercation with a criminal? I am surrounded by otherwise intelligent people who imagine that the ability to dial 911 is all the protection against violence a sane person ever needs.
But, unlike my friends, I own several guns and train with them regularly. Every month or two, I spend a full day shooting with a highly qualified instructor. This is an expensive and time-consuming habit, but I view it as part of my responsibility as a gun owner. It is true that my work as a writer has added to my security concerns somewhat, but my involvement with guns goes back decades. I have always wanted to be able to protect myself and my family, and I have never had any illusions about how quickly the police can respond when called. I have expressed my views on self-defense elsewhere. Suffice it to say, if a person enters your home for the purpose of harming you, you cannot reasonably expect the police to arrive in time to stop him. This is not the fault of the police—it is a problem of physics.
Click to continue:
Britain has an even worse violence rate than South Africa (file picture)
