Religion and Reason Debate

Reza Aslan and Sam Harris debated the future of religion and its role in society, moderated by Jonathan Kirsch. Topics included whether the Bible provides timeless prescriptions for daily life or if its inclusion of practices such as slavery preclude its ability to act as such a guide; the concept of the Koran as a perfect and immutable document; and whether Osama bin Laden’s grievances with the United States are purely theological, or also social and political. The participants also discussed contemporary trends in Islam including whether or not Muslims are unique in their religious fervor. They responded to audience members' questions.

Reza Aslan is the author of No God but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam, published by Random House. Sam Harris is the author of Letter to a Christian Nation, published by Knopf and The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason, published by W.W. Norton and Company. Jonathan Kirsch is the author of [A History of t close