The Bright Line Between Good and Evil (Episode

Sam Harris speaks about the ongoing war in Gaza, the global rise of antisemitism, and the enduring problem of jihadism.
November 7, 2023
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[@markb8468]

Anyone who thinks the Jihadists won't come for Christians or Buddhists or athiests after they're done with Israel is not listening to what they themselves are saying.

[@Mike-hn4uu]

hence why i keep buying more ammo

[@quininde]

Despite the high profile lunatic kids on campus today (great majority NOT Muslim) American muslim community is quite moderate. Maybe the most moderate in the world? In other words not many Jihadists at all. But yeah there have been Catholic church burnings in Pakistan recently and the destruction of Buddhist monuments by the Taliban a while back. They also destroyed priceless ancient art from their own country too so really anything not Islamic can be fair game by jihadists.

[@himanv]

They already target Christians in South Sudan, Nigeria, and many other places. And they target Hindus everywhere. Leftists think they will be spared or treated well when Islamists take over. And yet history proves otherwise: Shah's Iran was liberal, and liberal women were fans of Khomeini-- yet they were promptly put behind the veil when the revolution happened.

[@provocativechicken4375]

Very True. They are coming for your rights. Islam is an authoritarian religious dogma where women are treated as 2nd class citizens.

[@menajee94]

yuppp

[@SuspectUsual]

*"If you read the Quran, you are Muslim!* *If you understand the Quran, you are Ex-Muslim!"*

[@AhmedElmanzalawi]

I understand the Quran that is why I am an Ex-atheist! Although I still love Sam Harris.

[@magicbuns4868]

Most Muslims can't read the Qu'ran... It's read to them by Imam's and the like.

[@calad6482]

Could say the same about the Bible bro

[@MrHeHim]

​@@magicbuns4868 A Lamp in the Dark is a very detailed film (although some errors, and getting old now) about the Catholic church and it's control by not allowing the average person to read the Bible. So far as to keep only Latin copy's as to not have anyone "corrupt the word". This is how the crusades were justified, etc. The enlightenment was partially triggered by the Bible finally being translated into the common language, English, most importantly corrected from mis-translations in the Latin books and translated from source material.

[@La0bouchere]

@@calad6482 If you did, you'd be right twice instead of once, congrats

[@georgelime5902]

Couldn't agree with you more on this topic Sam, as an iranian refugee nothing makes me more furious than the leftist apologist who never had to live under sharia law.

[@rcomid]

As a Muslim born Iranian, I am so glad Sam Harris made this podcast to shed the light on what Islam and Jihadism is really about.

[@drlangattx3dotnet]

Thanks for the comment.

[@Tofuu1311]

Please leave this cult

[@hughoxford8735]

Iranians are great people. Hope you get the democratic government you deserve

[@everythingandmore5537]

There are Muslim crusaders / Jihadist but they are less than 0.1% population of the population. They only become prominent if there is a cause. In Palestine there is a cause and a cry, From the River to the Sea Palestine will be free. So Jihadism popularity is a temporary phenomenon and disappears when there is no more cause.

[@cragjones1799]

​@@everythingandmore5537 and the 9 separate radical islamic insurgencies going on in africa alone? Not including the muslim theocracy in Sudan which has been trying to eradicate the indigenous people of sw Sudan for more than a generation.

[@saifdes]

Your understanding of Jihad ideology is quite impressive. I’m saying that as an ex-Muslim whose mother language is Arabic! I can just imagine the incredible amount of research you did to come to these conclusions. If the west doesn’t take this problem seriously, the price will be paid painfully.

[@blazedsamurai9684]

Hi, you may already know but he wrote a book on the topic with Majid Nawaz, he’s an ex radical. Very interesting read if you were interested.

[@5150cappie]

Thank you and please keep contributing your heart and voice; Blessings.

[@pdcdesign9632]

Most atheists have more knowledge about religious texts than true believers 😮. That's how you become atheist 😅

[@chuksamajor3020]

I commend you. Few people have the strength to leave any of the Abrahamic religions. Have you read read the Quran and the Bible? I ask because when I read them, I didn’t get the impression that one was worse than the other.

[@kmonster420]

You must be the new guy. Welcome!

[@Ilusha08]

I am so, so happy that you are on our side. The world's reaction to this war has made me feel like that character in Kafka's "The Trial" and here you come along and communicate the common sense so effortlessly.

[@ivans3806]

I'm shocked and amazed by the way Sam puts ideas into words! How profoundly correct he is when explaining the thinking process of modern secular westerner - and the absolute incompatibility of values and beliefs held by them vs the radical islamist groups... Long listen, but highly recommended!

[@kebeleteeek4227]

Of course cecularism compatibles with everythings (communism .. apartheid .. atheism ..materialism ..racism .. capitalism ... etc .. ) ... except with Islam

[@ivans3806]

@@kebeleteeek4227 not sure what you mean by that. Most secular people I know, don't care for others practicing their religion - the problem comes when religious people try to push their beliefs. Take halal/kosher food for example: a religious person won't eat pork? Fine! But should they prevent selling pork products in the local supermarket - this is a problem.

[@afanasymarinov2236]

Sam is a champion of clarity and common sense. Everyone should hear this.

[@RenegadeContext]

People won't listen. They see his name and don't bother to. It's really sad

[@raiden000]

@@RenegadeContext People are more and more convinced that we need to turn the world upside down and shake the corruption out of it, and any voice, no matter how reasonable, that would speak up against that goal must be part of the corruption.

[@sanders555]

I'm a person

[@resonance10]

@@RenegadeContext Because he's a bloviating idiot who happens to believe he's smarter than everyone else. He's also a liar and hypocrite.

[@theonetruetim]

he used to be... time for another silent retreat. The End is Now. Eschatological manipulations are far past at hand. Follow Sam's money.... (sad)

[@justins.5222]

A solo Sam Harris podcast is the best podcast you can listen to. Absolutely drilled down on a very important topic.

[@justins.5222]

@@Phat88Tony you’re high. He’s a debate monster have some pride man don’t say dumb shit like this on KZbin

[@cragjones1799]

@@Phat88Tony Sam has debated countless religious experts and done quite well. Its not hard debating someone who thinks myths are real. Their radar is completely broken regarding rational thought.. Hitchens made all religions look bad, including Islam. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o37VkquemZ6Nb7M

[@corylohanlon]

​@@Phat88Tonythen please present the arguments that would clearly point out his errors.

[@corylohanlon]

Go Browns :)

[@Phat88Tony]

@@corylohanlon the dude left twitter cause of mean trump tweets yet you think he can handle the truth? LOL

[@pachamama3350]

Thanks for making this freely available without your paywall Sam. You are a legend in our time. A lone reasoned amd compassionate soul amongst the darkness and utter confusion of the modern world. May you and your close ones stay safe and keep you your invaluable work on this and all other topics you cover. Thank you for being you!

[@genejames321]

Wow! So important to hear this, Mr Harris imo is one of the most important intellectuals this century. Thank you.

[@garetcrossman6626]

🤣

[@alexgoldhaber1786]

As an ex-Muslim I was taught to hate 'infidels'. I remember my mom & grandmother coming back from marketplace cheering at the news of 9/11. I memorized the whole Quran by the age of 10-11. A book that commands men to sometimes whip/beat their wives to discipline them, cut off hands of thieves, kill apostates, wage wars on surrounding infidels, etc.. A despicable deplorable disgusting book at least to me as I got older.

[@josephnapoli8233]

wow you are first person in history to have memorized the Quran! nice job!

[@Bil491]

As an fellow Muslim it’s the same story. I used to love Islam because I had an imaginative perception of Islam and god. But I start to realize the nonsense as time passed. One of the movements I remember from my childhood is that I was watching Harry Potter and someone said they are all going to hell and burn there for eternity. i asked why ? They are not bad people and why would god throw this young boy in the fire isn’t it painful and why should be the punishment so brutal ? they did nothing to deserve that. And the reply I was given is that just because they don’t believe in our god they gonna root in hell. It just left me in shock

[@William1w1]

@@josephnapoli8233 OP wasn't bragging. It was just a way of showing how strictly religious his or her upbringing was.

[@casualviewing1096]

Sorry you had to go through that, I’m glad you and others managed to find your way out. There is still hope for the world, but we need to move beyond religion first.

[@bigm317]

Woooow 🤣🤣🤣🤣 keep lying about Islam is Muslims know what we believe and it’s not that

[@silvastomp]

I'm so glad we have someone like Sam Harris.

[@twelvecatsinatrenchcoat]

I regularly think about how much better the world would be right now if Christopher Hitchens were here. Imagine the things he'd be saying. He'd be going at it in every direction right now.

[@chemicalimbalance7030]

Love Hitch

[@silvastomp]

@@twelvecatsinatrenchcoat he's greatly missed.

[@jamescarr4662]

See my reply at the top. What is wrong with you?

[@tonywilson4713]

Up to point. *He is 100% RIGHT* about the Jihadists - NOBODY can live with them and its about time the Muslim world dealt with this problem instead of funding it. *He is 100% WRONG* that ALL the people protesting Israel at the moment are suffering moral ambiguity. Some no doubt are, but most recognise that the belligerent bombing campaign that has included 4,000 children being killed *IS WRONG.* If Sam thinks protesting the slaughter of 4,000 children is wrong then the person suffering moral ambiguity is Sam Harris. On the Hamas tunnel system. That's not an original idea either. Its the same strategy the Vietnamese Communists used against America in the Vietnam War. They could not control the sky overhead so they went underground and attacked by stealth. Even that wasn't here idea. Its been practised for centuries to hide soldiers in covered pits. Sam is also (and I think deliberately) leaving out certain facts. 1) Suicide bombing IS NOT a purely Jihadist tactic. It was notably used by the Japanese in World War 2, but also by the Chinese against the Japanese in World War 2. Its been used by others with no links to Islam. Go look up "Suicide Attack" on Wikipedia and look at the Pre-1980 history. 2) *Hamas was foundered and funded by Bibi Netanyahu* so that Yasar Arafat's Fatah would have an opposition and it would keep the Palestinians divided.

[@MohammedSaleh-ze9bz]

The best rational guy in the world, my love from Jordan 🇯🇴

[@JessieVegaPhoto]

Thank you Sam for your unshakeable commitment to truth and clarity.

[@A1K300]

Truth and clarity? He has a narrow minded and rudimentary understanding of the issue.

[@Wildminecraftwolf]

@@A1K300 cool story, you want to back it up with actual evidence?

[@A1K300]

@@Wildminecraftwolf sure, when the OP and Sam do you clown

[@Wildminecraftwolf]

@@A1K300 yea nice dodge of the question XD

[@A1K300]

​@@Wildminecraftwolf If by "dodging the question" you mean that you actually thought that you could ever bait me into doing any work for someone like you, whose stupidity, hypocrisy and double standards are on full display, then you're even more of a clown than I thought.

[@Daniel-qy9mb]

Thank you for publicly releasing this podcast. It’s helpful in straightening up all the info I’m being exposed to right now.

[@KnoTasItSeams]

Sam is truly fighting the good fight for truth and knowledge. The world is getting crazy, and I feel like he’s one of the few sane people who have a voice.

[@billj4525]

Yeah, and a lot of the insane people will look to criticize Sam. I see a lot of people who aren't all there criticizing Sam.

[@remylebeau_]

Criticizing the far-right government of Israel. its erroneous decision over the years and the strategies of the IDF is not support for Hamas, i shouldn't even need to say this.@@billj4525

[@feedme8991]

Sam gives only one side of the truth though - lies by omission all the time. Like here he'd never tell you that the Israel/Palestine thing is ultimately over private property rights and not religion or even sovereignty over the land in question. Though religion may have entered the picture on the Palestinian side some 15-20 years ago - there were like 0 "Jihadis" attacking Israel before that and prior the conflict was secular and private property-based in nature. And in fact, opposite is true - it is the Jewish claims to land in the Palestine had been religion-based entirely and of like 2000+ year vintage holy books... while the Palestinian claims are rather fresh and based on proper legal documents. Oh, and let us gloss over the fact that no Palestinian was ever asked/consented to the state of Israel appearing on their land: the British king, some French politician and some random guy from Mecca decided something and signed some paper - and that was generally that... You see, before creation of Israel Jewish people owned appx 20% of properties in Palestine. And everything else was legally owned by the Palestinians - with all the legal documents from the British Mandate and such. In fact, Muslims basically have a religious commandment from Mohammed directly to be very scrupulous about documenting property transactions via written contracts and deeds (Mohammed was a merchant originally). So most the Palestinians today, say like the ones stuck in Gaza or assorted refugee camps all over the place do have proper documents to actual property in Israel - property often well existing today/still standing houses... occupied by Jewish people... and no restitutions/compensation on the horizon. And if anything, Israel is still actively continuing the private property expropriations to this day in the West Bank. Now, what Israel did early on is confiscate all that property under very dubious pretenses like "them Palestinians ran away (from our tanks) - finders keepers" or "some other non-Palestinian Arabs attacked us there fore the property rights of these Palestinians are null and void or whatever". And with no legal recourse to get proper compensation or restitution. And it is abundantly and unequivocally clear even from the most basic Western jurisprudence... that you don't just get to confiscate private property. And in fact the sort of thing is a crime based on international law to do if you are confiscating private property as the result of a military action after you've occupied a territoty. And all the "Peace plans" that had been proposed - never addressed that key issue. Basically, it is like someone kicks in the door of your 5 bedroom home, kicks you into 1 of the rooms occupying other 4... and hands you a paper to sigh that you are happy with that arrangement and waive your wights for all eternity to the rest of your house - oh and you don't get to use the bathroom and the living room... great. But Sam forgets to mention that, doesn't he?

[@sulljoh1]

@@feedme8991 I haven't read all of Sam's stuff - but I'm sure he attacked Israeli religious justifications and right wing craziness. He attacked settlement expansion several times.

[@davidanieland]

@@feedme8991 15-20 years? So around 2003-2008? That's when religion entered the Palestinian picture? Yikes. I'll let that be what it is. Beyond that, your comment reads like the criticism of someone who didn't listen to his argument. You may not agree with him, but it's certainly not a good faith interpretation to claim that he forgot to mention such things. Throughout the 59 minutes he tried explaining that the analysis of geo-political conflict distracts from the deeply rooted viral ideas that drive Hamas and Jihadists. Not because Israel has done no wrong, but rather because the threat cannot be resolved by political agreements as other conflicts can be. Here are some of Sam's words from this podcast: “In the case of Israel, many people imagine that the ghoulish history of Palestinian terrorism simply indicates how profound the injustice has been on the Israeli side. Now, there are many things to be said in criticism of Israel. In particular, its expansion of settlements on contested land. But Israel's behavior is not what explains the suicidal and genocidal inclinations of a group like Hamas. The Islamic doctrines of Marom and Jihad do. These are religious beliefs sincerely held. They’re beliefs about the moral structure of the universe and they explain how normal people, even good ones, can commit horrific acts of violence against innocent civilians on purpose-not as collateral damage-and still consider themselves good. When you believe that life in this world has no value apart from deciding who goes to hell and who goes to Paradise, it becomes possible to feel perfectly at ease killing non-combatants or even using your own women and children as human shields, because you know that any Muslims who get killed will go straight to paradise for eternity. If you don't understand that jihadists sincerely believe these things, you don't understand the problem that Israel faces. The problem isn't merely Palestinian nationalism or resource competition or any other normal terrestrial grievance. In fact, the problem isn't even hatred-though there's enough of that to go around. The problem is religious certainty. It really is possible to be critical of Israel and to be committed to the political rights of the Palestinian people without being confused about the reality of Islamic religious fanaticism or the threat that it poses, not just to Israel, but to open societies everywhere.”

[@scipdiddly]

I don't know how you do it, Sam, but you have delivered a devastatingly accurate response to this humanitarian disaster. Anyone should be listening to this the world over. A masterpiece.

[@constructenglish1]

Agreed, it is absolutely brilliant.

[@diogomonteiro4359]

Surprised by the overwhelming positive comments. It shows that Sam is a deep first principles thinker that doesn’t parrot any party lines, but instead speaks the truth to the best of his abilities. Well done 👏👏

[@benhallo1553]

First principles great idea

[@brianacharles9009]

no I think comments are being deleted and censored and shadow banned. That's why it seems so supportive

[@JewTube001]

people think sam is very stupid. i think he's lot of audience over the years. generally he's considered to have 'fell off'. most of his recent fans are just zionists and anti-muslims.

[@sxztube]

Sam deletes negative comments

[@imeldapearce]

What is shadow banned?

[@Kas25]

Sam is one of the most important thinkers of our time.

[@DylanJones94]

The reading out of the transcript from the telephone call of the Hamas member to his family was almost unbearable for me. I'm not being hyperbolic when I say that it made me feel like vomiting. To be able to hear someone glorifying murder like that and then compare it morally to the war that Israel is prosecuting is impossible.

[@bigm317]

Imagine what the children of Gaza are going through not knowing if they will make it through the night shaking and if they do another day feeling hungry 😩

[@DylanJones94]

@@bigm317 I can imagine how horrible that would be for sure. It’s still different than Hamas though. If Israeli soldiers were calling their families to celebrate how they killed those children on purpose then I would of course be equally appalled.

[@bigm317]

@@DylanJones94 that child is how hamas is created ‼️‼️‼️ Gaza has one of highest orphan population in the world there parents and friends was taken by planes from that way

[@amrahmed7856]

I don't know where to mock or pity people like you. Either it's willful ignorance, or a genuine belief that Israel and Israeli society is somehow humane and moral (Israel is bitterly racist, and in some ways genocidal) that drives you to almost celebrate Palestinian deaths. These attitudes are even worse than religious dogma, because it's the rationalization of atrocities (as opposed to blind belief) that is truly evil.

[@EyeOfTheTiger777]

​@@bigm317Not true, many Gazans loathe Hamas. Just because someone's relative dies in a war it doesn't mean you become a Jihadi terrorist all of a sudden. Stop taking agency away from Palestinians, they're not simple robots.

[@eitanfattal5600]

Thank you Sam. As a Jew, I’ve been despondent over the rise of anti-Semitism in the US and the west. I cannot express how fortunate we are to have a public intellectual of your stature to speak on this issue.

[@theinngu5560]

As a non Jew, I have been shocked and horrified …many people are confused and seem to have lost their moral compass or narrow their view for various reasons and have blocked out the bigger picture but I really can’t understand how people can be so nasty …please stay safe and know that many support you Love from U.K.

[@OlYables]

For many people, their position in this conflict can be boiled down to simple arithmetic. "Hamas killed 1,400 in their attack? Yes, that's bad. But Israel killed over 10,000 in response? That's WAY worse!"

[@davidlamb7524]

Islamophobia is a loaded term used to silence any criticism of actions taken by Muslims or of the religion. Anti-semitism is also conflated with criticism of Israel or negative actions by Jews. We should be free to criticise as we see fit. I think more people do as you suggest and support the Palestinian cause but sympathise with Israeli victims, oppose jihadists and criticise Islam.

[@TheCowthryn]

As a non Jew I'm equally horrified. Sending much love to the Jewish people and I pray for Israel daily. We will all get through this together.

[@karmaforall18]

Everyone should share this video. Sam is right, people just don't understand what is really happening

[@amaryllisequistra]

Some of us do understand!! And it’s been really hard for us to understand wtf everyone else is thinking when they support this demented terrorist organisation… I am not the brightest bunny in the basket, so why can i -and those like me - see through identity politics, when so many can’t…. I am genuinely curious about why some of us are vaccinated against bs, and most aren’t…

[@Liddy-lr5uy]

​@@amaryllisequistraCould you please give a definition of terrorist?

[@rosinante1016]

Brilliant work Sam. The worlds gone mad.

[@ionevnknonymor]

“Gaza is only an “open air prison” because its democratically elected government is a jihadist organisation that is eager to martyr all Palestinians for the pleasure of killing Jews. A rational government in Gaza that cared about the faith of its citizens, could have made something beautiful out of that strip of land on the Mediterranean, or at least not awful.” ... it's just not true. Israel funded Hamas to suppress Arafat's influence and keep Palestine divided, as a preventative measure against Palestinian unification and statehood. Arafat was a non-extremist who was unequivocally more rational and diplomatic than Hamas. Many of the tens of thousands of protestors in Israel who want Netanyahu out, want him out for this very reason. Not only has he been known to be incompetent in other ways but the Israeli public are quite aware of his shoddy dealings with extremist groups, which should be of no surprise considering how snuggly the IDF and Mossad are with American intelligence (reference to U.S. financing of extremist factions all across the world).

[@Quetzalcoatl_86]

100%

[@philipskalla4312]

I agree, but I am surprised by his confession that he had been naive about the threat of global anti-Semitism prior to October 7. The visceral nature of Jew-hatred on social media has been scaring the life out of me for years.

[@IvanB-tq4fl]

This is the best commentary I've heard on this issue. Coming from a place of genuinely wanting to understand the situation and the context in which it is happening.

[@benjaminz2523]

Genuinely wanting to understand. Really? Is it so mysterious? Israel colonized, displaced, enslaved & slaughtered millions of indigenous people who, as a response to Israels actions, have imploded & been driven insane with hatred. Its not motherf**ing rocket science.

[@5150cappie]

Thank you, Sam. I don’t know of anyone better to frame this narrative of insanity into a cohesive picture.

[@SDRDS96169]

Indeed, as well as Douglas Murray, check him out and his latest appearances on podcasts spread out, if you haven’t yet, Sam Harris and Douglas Murray are the best on putting into words precisely what everyone is thinking. Bless them 🙏🏼❤️

[@5150cappie]

Thanks, Sandra. Harris is one of my go-to heroes and I will check out your recommendations; Try Beau of the Fifth Column for rational political insight. Blessings😊@@SDRDS96169

[@tonywilson4713]

Up to point. *He is 100% RIGHT* about the Jihadists - NOBODY can live with them and its about time the Muslim world dealt with this problem instead of funding it. *He is 100% WRONG* that ALL the people protesting Israel at the moment are suffering moral ambiguity. Some no doubt are, but most recognise that the belligerent bombing campaign that has included 4,000 children being killed *IS WRONG.* If Sam thinks protesting the slaughter of 4,000 children is wrong then the person suffering moral ambiguity is Sam Harris. On the Hamas tunnel system. That's not an original idea either. Its the same strategy the Vietnamese Communists used against America in the Vietnam War. They could not control the sky overhead so they went underground and attacked by stealth. Even that wasn't here idea. Its been practised for centuries to hide soldiers in covered pits. Sam is also (and I think deliberately) leaving out certain facts. 1) Suicide bombing IS NOT a purely Jihadist tactic. It was notably used by the Japanese in World War 2, but also by the Chinese against the Japanese in World War 2. Its been used by others with no links to Islam. Go look up "Suicide Attack" on Wikipedia and look at the Pre-1980 history. 2) *Hamas was foundered and funded by Bibi Netanyahu* so that Yasar Arafat's Fatah would have an opposition and it would keep the Palestinians divided.

[@Tony-lz5hx]

@@SDRDS96169couldn’t agree more.

[@andrewm4767]

So what is the point? Hamas kills for bad reasons and Israel kills for good reasons?

[@bluej6127]

When the podcast ended, I cried . 😢. Sam , thank you . 🙏. If this podcast won't bring humans to a sense of reality, I don't know then what would. Thanks again Sam ❤

[@AdventureArtGaming]

If there is one thing I wish would be blasted on all channels, all countries, all radios, just everywhere, it would be this episode. So perfectly put. Also #338 "the sin of moral equivalence" was excellent. Thank thank thank you Sam!

[@kebeleteeek4227]

If Sam is really a genuine truth .. it will propagate by itself .. like Islam does .. but sadly it's not ..

[@DaveDevourerOfPineapple]

The double standard pointed out with White Supremacists is ABSOLUTELY spot on. Bullseye to the extreme. I thank my lucky stars that Sam is with us, speaking this crystalline truth.

[@kxv210]

@@saviormoney. What?

[@TotallyJoel]

​@@saviormoney.Over 100 comments in this channel, all criticizing sam, either you are a bot or mentally unwell. Hate watching to a new level

[@bigm317]

As a Muslim I agree with sam on literally 99% of things accept this topic , he’s completely wrong it has nothing to do with Islam ,it’s the bad people who misinterpret the words for there selfish reasons most of the things these groups do is a clear sin literally look it up , we are not a death cult that’s ridiculous if we was there would be nobody to practice it 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@WickedHole]

@@satan6548 Sam deletes comments? On what, his Twitter that he deleted months ago?

[@AvenueEmpire]

KZbin auto deletes comments all the time. I've had several of mine taken down when I've commented on anything "controversial", even if I'm not supporting the controversy. It's concerning.

[@Ska-zl9fy]

As Muslim I thank you Sam for helping us reform our religion

[@scrollop]

Judging by what Sam said about the Koran - all true, I imagine - I'm not sure he thinks Islam can be reformed if the koran is still seen as a lode stone.

[@donharris8846]

@@scrollopHe’s trolling

[@scrollop]

@@donharris8846 Perhaps, perhaps not. It's a strange world.

[@NorthernSpartan]

So basically you´re making a new religion? interesting

[@jamesryan82]

You're not a Muslim.

[@chrisjones446]

Undoubetdly one of the most important narratives of our time, about our time. Thank you.

[@amiwettstein1639]

The sense that you’re putting out into the world is actually blowing my mind. Sometimes I wonder if I’m the crazy one. Thank you for stating all the reasons I am not so articulately and thoroughly.

[@stephenphillips3883]

If there is a single podcast that everyone should listen to right now, it's this, a masterpiece of reason and clarity. Sam back in top form here and it's wonderful to hear.

[@alansmith4655]

It was garbage 😂

[@Superknullisch]

​@alansmith4655 Aah! I see we are dealing with a true intellectual here.. (Observe irony). Because making blunt statements of 100 % pure, unsupported, irrational opinion, simply just place yourself in the public appearance category of, the village idi*t. Had you not been an idi*t, you would've understood this, and thus, not posted your garbage comment (pun intended).

[@xe666]

​@@alansmith4655Cope

[@warpath8453]

​@@alansmith4655completely wrecked him.... moving along

[@elmoblatch9787]

@@alansmith4655 That's because you did not listen to it and you WON'T listen to it.

[@karlmarx9632]

This clarity is what is missing from much of the online debate at the moment. Thank you Sam for your wisdom.

[@davestier6247]

​@@BricksAndSparrowswell, I guess now I'll have to discount this Marx guy. Shame, I bet he had some great ideas.

[@HyperNormalised]

thank you karl marx

[@roysherwin9348]

Glad to hear karlmarx9632's perspective on this.

[@ReapersBeware]

Yeah 55 likes to the Father of countless atrocities in his name. How anyone could take you seriously is beyond me at least. It just makes zero sense

[@emerraldx]

users names alone are 1/2 the bane of social media, don’t even read them anymore 🤷‍♀️

[@nicosiv]

I've been waiting for this podcast from Sam. His humanity and sensibility is just what world needs on this grim subject. For me it comes as a personal balm, since I've been made sick by the callous response to the unspeakable horror that happened to Israel. Sam Harris should really win a Nobel Peace Prize.

[@philipskalla4312]

I didn't realise that he has been receiving death threats for the past 20 years, just like his friend Ayaan Hirsi Ali.

[@151080mar]

I wish UN, all politicians and people who have a power to make a difference tune-up to your podcast. Thank you Sam!

[@deeky1239]

The UN has a heavy bias against Israel.

[@samstevens1982]

This episode needs to be pumped on every news station in the world. It would propel humanity light years ahead in one sitting. Good stuff Sam.

[@constructenglish1]

So true. It is so so brilliant.

[@ionevnknonymor]

“Gaza is only an “open air prison” because its democratically elected government is a jihadist organisation that is eager to martyr all Palestinians for the pleasure of killing Jews. A rational government in Gaza that cared about the faith of its citizens, could have made something beautiful out of that strip of land on the Mediterranean, or at least not awful.” ... it's just not true. Israel funded Hamas to suppress Arafat's influence and keep Palestine divided, as a preventative measure against Palestinian unification and statehood. Arafat was a non-extremist who was unequivocally more rational and diplomatic than Hamas. Many of the tens of thousands of protestors in Israel who want Netanyahu out, want him out for this very reason. Not only has he been known to be incompetent in other ways but the Israeli public are quite aware of his shoddy dealings with extremist groups, which should be of no surprise considering how snuggly the IDF and Mossad are with American intelligence (reference to U.S. financing of extremist factions all across the world).

[@anjannayak7360]

17:38 "atleast they got half what they wanted". Man Sam's dark humour is on next level.

[@MonkeyBall2453]

Lots of Jihadi apologists / sympathizers in these comments. 👀👀👀

[@nefaristo]

The being forcefully reminded of how successful jihadist PR is in the western world is the most depressing thought at hand today for me.

[@Jams1187]

The entire country should listen to this. And then conduct a reality check.

[@joeymorris4589]

That last sentence hits hard. Everyone needs to let that sink in deeply.

[@revtheory]

Sam, you and Douglas Murray are the only North Stars in this pool of insanity. Thank you for organizing this information.

[@kebeleteeek4227]

LOL ....

[@SpammoJohnson]

Get a load of this nerd

[@henryviii8808]

Murray is stupid as hell and kind of Soft Fascist in his ideology

[@DarkestApe]

Sam, why don't you do an interview with Chris Hedges and prove you are not biased?

[@Lord_Nordan]

I'm beginning to think that Sam should run for president. Not because I think he should be president, but because he could add so much value to our public discourse on such a large stage.

[@Valet101]

If Sam run for president my whole family will vote for him 😂

[@helenemasour9256]

Americans would never ever vote for a person that intelligent

[@thorchristianstenbaek522]

Sounds like the best timeline to me

[@helenemasour9256]

@@thorchristianstenbaek522 Meaning?

[@junimeme5626]

That would be a huge leap. Americans should first try to have a non-criminal president. The bar is very low at the moment.

[@SignorAde]

Possibly the strongest PSA episode of this podcast since "Can We Come Back From The Brink?"

[@Jams1187]

100%

[@nic1208]

Absolutely. I wish everyone would listen to this

[@shanehirschman5241]

Ditto. 100%

[@ben5154]

He doesn’t think Musk is an antisemite at this point? Ffs Sam 🤦‍♂️

[@HMZ047]

It brings me such great pleasure to see that people like Sam could be possible. It's easy enough for someone like me (born and brought up in the Muslim faith) to see through the confusion about Islam and discern its glaring problems while maintaining my assessment as fair and balanced and also while being completely confident about not incurring any bigotry on my part. In short, it's easy to be morally confident when pointing at the shortcomings of your own side. It's hard (for good people) to see the faults in the ways of others and not doubt themselves about their convictions against those evil ways. Sam is precisely doing that because he is that fucking well-read and endowed with clear thought. I including some of the smartest people I know, I think aren't capable of this. Men like Sam are beacons of hope for men like me, my anchor to sanity, a brief pause of confusion and inaction in an overwhelmingly complex existence.

[@Claudia-es8jv]

Beautifully put.

[@sibanought]

@HMZ047 You say that it's easy for someone like you, brought up in the Muslim faith, to see it's glaring problems. As someone raised in a secular family, my impression is that it's extremely difficult and challenging for anyone raised in a religious family and culture to be able to put aside a lifetime of instilled dogma, and critique their beliefs objectively. And that doing so requires exceptional intelligence, courage, and integrity. Especially in the case of something as oppressive as Islam. And anyone who does has my utmost respect.

[@HMZ047]

@@sibanought You're right, such a situation does require exceptional courage and integrity. But in my case i never bought it into the indoctrination as early as i can remember(for some unknown reason). One of the correlations that pops out to me about me being an atheist and every person in my life being devout muslim, is that i was quicker at learning english than them. I was exposed at a very early age to the western way of looking at things.

[@sibanought]

​@@HMZ047In this sea of madness and horror, it's people like you who are a beacon of hope for me !! Thank you my friend.

[@HMZ047]

@@sibanought thank you to you too, for talking to me about this. The loneliness in this regard in my life often gets unbearable. I love people in my life but they're so far gone, they're unreachable, in their worldview. It's suffocating. And speaking my mind here like this, is a rare opportunity and so exhilirating.

[@TheLacedaemonian300]

Sam, thank you. With all my heart, thank you for this. It's felt like hell recently for so many. It's the same hate in a different flavor.

[@bubblecast]

It is very disturbing that so many, even amongst those I know, are supporting the clearly wrong side on this issue. Good to hear your clarity on this.

[@theman83744]

Sam, you are an important voice of reason. The only ways to not hear your words and agree are the inability to think or the lack of will to listen. Thanks

[@caratjie]

By far my favourite episode, thank you for sharing your wisdom! I hope your insights reach as far as possible. Wishing peace for all during these dark times.

[@davidpenn1123]

I’ve been a fan of Sam’s since the End of Faith. Desperately needed to hear his voice of clarity amidst this world of confusion.

[@jamesb6857]

Did you, though? Did you really? lol

[@Natalie-dw9jy]

Same here

[@everythingandmore5537]

Sam is an atheist. An example of an atheist was Stalin. Sam is a fan of Stalin. Stalin killed all Jihadist in the Soviet union. He also killed 25 million Russian Christians, Muslims because they believe in God and refuse to become Atheist like Sam. Sam loves Stalin. Just ask him. He will say it.

[@jmc5335]

That's the time Harris blamed Jews for this.

[@everythingandmore5537]

@@jmc5335 When Lenin came to power most of his cabinet were Jews.

[@Repackrider84]

I’ve listened or watched hundreds of Sam’s podcasts or lectures and they are usually all topic or “time in history” relevant, but this is in the top 5 best of all time for sure!

[@shbloeb]

Agreed!

[@colinrosati9403]

Sam also forgot to mention the extremism in other religions ex Christianity with there doomsday prepers. Also forgot to mention the extremism in zhionism. Sams arguments loose a lot of credability here. The situation in Gaza should not be reduced to the problem is extreme Jihadism. Hamas is has politically motives against occupation of Palestine. Actually to make this situation about Jihadism show Sam is just furthering his agenda about why he doesn’t like Jihadism…. It’s a pretty gross academic toss to ignore all the history of Palestine

[@Nuttymike]

Even without getting into the weeds and tit for tat history of the Israel-Palestine conflict. If you are unable to see the evilness in Israel killing over 11,000 civilians and counting, forcing over a million people out of their homes, halting food, water, and electricity into a starving civilian population and committing acts over and over and over again that are considered war crimes by international organizations then you are either a total idiot or without a moral bone in your body.

[@Moreta1redstar]

Outstanding. Articulates all the thoughts I tried to explain to family on 8 October, but much better than I did. I just stumbled across this pod cast by accident; now I'm going to start listening to the rest. Thank you so much.

[@arishillermusic]

Love the analogy to Christianphobia as a non thing. Thank you, Sam for your moral clarity.

[@clarke.hutton2562]

Hatred and/or oppression of Christians is very real in many, perhaps even most Muslim countries, or (the growing number of) countries, that are affected by Muslim extremism.

[@TheZoltanChronicles]

"We all live in Israel now, its just that most of us haven't realized it yet."

[@nicholasbain2835]

Sam does his best work articulating important but often controversial viewpoints on topics most people consider too radioactive or taboo to discuss. This was a masterpiece explaining the existential problem of Jihad in an environment where the waters are often muddied and honest conversation is close to impossible to have. Thank you, Sam.

[@richh4876]

Keep up the good work Sam. I wish more people were able to listen to this with an open mind.

[@charogalura]

The best commentary on this issue. Thanks so much for your work, Sam!

[@novascheller5957]

Wow! I learned so much…. Thank you Sam for your clarity and lucidity….

[@lirazdemasure936]

Wow Sam this one is defiantly one of your best episodes. Thank you so much.

[@hester234]

Wow, this episode hits hard. Wonder if you could get Hamed Abdel-Samad (former member of the muslim brotherhood, now one of our finest (and truly liberal) German critics of Islam) or Ahmad Mansour (once almost Jihadist, now psychologist who fights against Islamic extremism since many years) on your podcast. Would be really interesting to listen to such a conversation.

[@Inge-99]

Just read one of his books. Would be indeed a good interview candidate.

[@elmoblatch9787]

Sam is the indispensable public intellectual. His thoughtful clarity is spot-on. This is an impressive commentary.

[@cinikcynic3087]

I have followed Sam for a good part of a decade. I can't believe he thinks taking a side means waking up...

[@motorhead48067]

@@saviormoney.Lovely cynicism that you’re displaying but my experience listening to Sam Harris has been that he is actually sufficiently clear, sane, and persuasive to uproot prior biases and replace them with more sound “biases.”

[@Tony-lz5hx]

@@cinikcynic3087 taking sides? We’re always making choices (taking sides) and this episode informs those who may not know the correct side to take from an ethical, safe and logical standpoint.

[@Tony-lz5hx]

@@cynic5267 as opposed to?

[@saifdes]

⁠@@saviormoney. Every human who thinks will come to conclusions, which means they will be biased to their conclusions, that’s normal. The problem is who can explain their conclusions logically, and who can change them if they turned out not right.

[@YourFathersDad]

Not even possible to conceive a better statement on the matter

[@dianas2766]

Thank you for your clarity and your moral certitude. This is one for the ages!

[@danparish1344]

I just feel bad for the children that are born in Gaza, growing up their whole life within a few square miles. How do we give these children a chance to be something in life?

[@cruscifer]

The US and Israel do not care about the children in Gaza. The only immediate chance is Biden forcing Israel saying we are cutting all money until you stop bombing, but that's not gonna happen cause Israel has the US congress bought and paid for. The rest of the world does not support this war, it's only the US, Israel, and several small extreme fascist governments like Guatemala. Every time the UN tries to stop this sort of thing the US vetos the motion to protect Israel. What Sam wont tell you is that western liberal Christian democracy (USA) that is so much better than Islam is the only thing preventing the stop of burying Gazan children in piles of rubble. Sam wont tell you that the Israeli government is currently run by fascists, only about how bad Islamic Jihad is. Well duh. We cant really change that. To give the children a chance you have to hold the US and Israel accountable and force them to stop, you don't make hour long podcasts about how bad Islam is.

[@domsnow6418]

Trully a tragedy 😢

[@jackdelph]

Sam, your framing of this issue is brilliant. Thank you for everything you do.

[@calad6482]

yes, he is a very efficient propagandist

[@josephmayfield945]

@@calad6482”duuuuhhhh.”

[@warpath8453]

​@calad6482 Well, you're closer to the truth than the people who say he's clueless or a pseudo intellectual.

[@calad6482]

@@warpath8453 I have listened quite a bit to Sam Harris, I just think his takes on Israel and Islam is incredibely one sided and very unfair to muslims. Arabs is generally Islam fundamentalists in about the same rate as Americans is christian fundamentalists. You cant paint a whole people as the problem, that will only make things worse. His criticism on Israel is also very soft. Why does he never mention Netanyahous propping up of Hamas and how he needs this conflict to grab power. Netanyahou is a convicted fellon, but as long as he is primeminister he wont go to jail.

[@alibabaschultz352]

@@calad6482 You obviously have not studied Jihadism much, compared to Harris who has studied it extensively.

[@justinkoontz3727]

The classic shredding of irrational thinking and ideological perspectives returns - absolutely fantastic.

[@alkamista4308]

I agree with almost everything Sam Harris says on Jihadism. I do feel he dumbs down the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by over-indexing it on Jihadism. While Jihadism is a component of it, there are so many other nuanced facets to it. For a more a more balanced and broader analysis of this conflict (from both perspectives), I would recommend Ezra Klein's conversations with Amjad Iraqi and Yossi Klein Halevi (two podcasts done as a pair).

[@biZPapacrom]

It's remarkable how coherent and thoughtful Sam's comment section is. Refreshing. And, in my estimation, reflective of the message being delivered. Thanks, all.

[@GsQChess]

Thank you for this. It was a pleasure to hear an argument that is not based upon emotion, unlike what most others are doing.

[@andreisopon4615]

Im pretty sure 100k people in London didn't protest in support of Hamas, I'm sure the vast majority were there in support of Palestine.

[@g1975com]

The point is, there was no protest whatsoever against the idea of jihad, not after the 7th October and not after any Jihad savage attacks through history.

[@antoinettejoubert]

Thank you for trying to bring some sanity into a crazy world! I admire the clarity and objectiveness of your discourse and am a long time follower of your work!

[@rodm7959]

A BIG THANKS Sam for all you do.

[@aidanallen8090]

Brilliantly and provocatively articulated. I can picture Hitch smiling proudly in your audience.

[@QwertyKeyboarduk]

Hitch would support sams view on extremism, but you should listen to his views on Israeli occupation whilst you're at it.

[@darksg1295]

@@QwertyKeyboardukThey have the same view. Hitchens was about as moderate as you can be on this issue.

[@QwertyKeyboarduk]

@@darksg1295 if that's the case please point me towards a talk of sam where he points towards a messianic group of settlers that want to STEAL more land and kick ALL the arabs out to bring about the 2nd coming of the Messiah. Religious fundementalist ideology if there ever was one.

[@aidanallen8090]

@QwertyKeyboarduk Thanks, I am well versed in Hitchens’ view on Israel. The salient point to make here (the point that Sam makes) is that Christopher was nonetheless not confused about Jihadism.

[@QwertyKeyboarduk]

@@aidanallen8090 that I've stated myself. However their views are not reflective of what jihad actually entails except for what the extremists themselves advocate. In that world view both sam and the likes of ISIS have something in common in how they interpret the topic and understand its application .

[@alexinomus]

This is brilliant. Sam you are the first who has bolls to speak, but you are not last. Many will join and speak openly.

[@darylperlman9558]

The world needs to hear this NOW

[@liamf5311]

Sam you are my guide in this darkness and life. Thank you

[@zpRaon]

Thank you, Sam. The world is so confused.

[@sravasaksitam]

Don't know if I agree with him on this, but I can definitely agree that the world is confused.

[@Jaylade]

What do you disagree on?@@sravasaksitam

[@twelvecatsinatrenchcoat]

The line he said about "these are people for whom words are violence, and yet..." I can't even write the rest because the things they see as worthy of celebration are not allowed to be typed here. That was just🤌

[@JewTube001]

adding to the confusion

[@sandrasmith515]

I was one who instinctively aligned with Palestinians and their suffering, trusting the interpretation of it being due to oppression by Israel. I also considered the election of Hamas to be a desperate attempt to be represented and protected. Sam will usually clarify topics like this for me so I can learn a more accurate perspective and convert my judgment, which in this case, has happened. Now, couldn't Sam be more useful as our next president?

[@Japplesnap]

In today's world, an athiest could never be president.

[@SaharRachamim]

WOW, Sam. Thank you for putting my chaotic streams of thoughts into a waltz of logic and clarity.

[@garygraves9629]

Listen, and let the scales fall from your eyes. Thank you, Sam Harris.

[@JH-ji6cj]

Yeah, right, I'm SO sure Ben Affleck is listening, lol. Not

[@billj4525]

@@JH-ji6cj He likely is actually. He follows Sam, you realize that right?

[@JH-ji6cj]

@billj4525 yeah, sure he does. You're his agent too, obviously, lol

[@JewTube001]

@@billj4525 sam doesnt even have a twitter to follow. he deleted it.

[@Jams1187]

"There (was) a cease fire on Oct 6th. And Hamas broke it!" fucking bingo

[@dmitryspivak4586]

Thank you, Sam. Possibly the most powerful podcast of yours to date (of the ones I've listened to, at least).

[@AlonElishkov]

So many gems of moral clarity spread across this hour. Thanks Sam 💪

[@jake3028]

We need a podcast with Gad Saad and Sam Harris.

[@CR1981-]

Sam has the highest sanity to noise ratio of any living public intellectual.

[@pdcdesign9632]

I'm going to borrow that sanity/noise analogy 😮

[@TomWoodfin]

This was really cutting and concise. Thanks for such clarity.

[@AC-gv1nq]

Israel tried to have citizens evacuate. Hamas didn't let them leave. Only option was ground invasion. Now Israel has the North and South separated and have created corridors for citizens to evacuate while protecting them. There is footage

[@afathersday8807]

It is sad that the people who most need to hear this very likely won’t.

[@skonther0ck]

Are you blind, or mute, or paralytic? Share.

[@bjkarana]

Thanks, Sam. I remember coming across your writings and debates for the first time around 2010, and it's like we've gone back 13 years to, again, attempting to inform the willfully ignorant Left on the realities of radical Islamism.

[@DhooomKetu]

Solo podcast really makes much sense on such a serious issue

[@yousefb6741]

I would love to see a debate between Sam Harris and Norman finkelstein on this topic

[@caoldavies1740]

So would I, but you’ll never see it. Nor will he talk to Ilan Poppe or any other opposing voice on this topic because Sam argues on this from the view of exclusive classroom philosophy and completely ignores empirical statistics and data. It’s one of his great flaws.

[@notrealnic]

Me too, but it would be the equivalent of watching a year 12 physics student debate Einstein lol. I have no problem with people that want to live in an echo chamber, but to publish a ‘discussion’ with this lack of nuance is revolting and disingenuous.

[@user-rc4zi2bm3o]

Thank you Sam ❤❤❤ we are so lucky to have a rational thinker like yourself, despite the risks you take to talk about these things, you have no fear to stand up for what is true. We can all learn from Sam and his fearlessness to fight global Jihadism and this sick and sadist pervasion of a religion which hasn’t yet clashed with the enlightenment

[@rafaelmoshe]

Excellent episode. Thorough, articulate and informative as always

[@inferno33222]

Great breakdown of the situation, always appreciated.

[@melange78]

One of the most clear headed voices right now.

[@whatup]

Rolled a 20 in communication and then fully maxed out his stats on word-smithery. Incredible framing. Subbed to subscriber content because of this.