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IS RELIGION DANGEROUS?

Program 06-06-11-A

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Is religion dangerous? Sam Harris thinks so. Harris is one of America’s most vocal critics of religion. He blames the violent verses in the Koran and the Bible for inciting religious conflict around the world. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, we’ll talk with Sam Harris about the dangers of religion. And get a response from renowned religious historian Karen Armstrong. She says the core message of the major religions is the Golden Rule. We’ll also talk with an American Muslim who’s a stand-up comedian.

SEGMENT 1:

Sam Harris is the author of the best-selling book, "The End of Faith," and a firm atheist. He tells Steve Paulson religious certainty is not only irrational, it's dangerous. He says believing in Allah or Jesus or the God of Abraham makes no more sense than believing in Zeus. Talk about a guest who doesn't pull any punches! You can read more about this interview, and view an extended transcript, on Salon.com.

SEGMENT 2:

Karen Armstrong is the author of nearly 20 books on religion. Her latest is "The Great Transformation" which charts the origins of many of the world' great religions in the so-called "Axial Age." Armstrong tells Steve Paulson that traditions from Confucianism to Judaism emerged as responses to the rampant violence of their time. And she says our own time has a lot in common with that age. Also, Azhar Usman is a comedian who's appearing on the "Allah Made Me Funny! Official Muslim Comedy Tour." He tells Jim Fleming how he makes humor out of our stereotypes about Muslims, especially on airplanes. And we hear some of his humor.

SEGMENT 3:

Nancy Klein Maguire has written a book called "An Infinity of Little Hours," which tells the story of the Carthusian order of monks. The Carthusians believe in complete withdrawal from the world. They are the most austere monastic order in Christendom and attract a remarkable sort of individual to their order. Maguire tells Anne Strainchamps about the ones she got to know.

CD copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 06-06-11-A.

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Books:

• Karen Armstrong, The Great Transformation (Knopf)
• Sam Harris, The End of Faith (Norton)
• Nancy Klein Maguire, An Infinity of Little Hours (Public Affairs)

Music:

• After the Return:
  Anouar Brahem w/ "Les ailes du Bourak"
  on "Le pas du chat noir"
  ECM Records
• After Harris:
  Howlin' Wolf w/ "I Ain't Superstitious"
  on "Howlin' Wolf: His Best"
  Chess Records
• After Armstrong:
  Matisyahu w/ "Exaltation"
  on "Shake off the Dust....Arise"
  Joub Records
• After Usman:
  Anouar Brahem w/ "De tout ton coeur"
  on "Le pas du chat noir"
• After Maguire:
  Tallis Scholars w/ "Gloria"
  on "Palestrina Masses"
  Gimell Records
  

Distribution dates:

week of 02/22/2009 - hour 2 week of 06/11/2006 - hour 1

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Questions and comments can be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org

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