Assignment

There are three options. Choose one only. If you have an interest in writing about another issue as well, why not take that over to the regular discussion forum?

Option #1

"Historical" Religions

Importantly, Smith claims that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are each "historical" religions, in a way that Hinduism and Buddhism are not. What does he have in mind by "historical" if the idea is supposed to distinguish the Eastern and Western Religious traditions?

Option #2

Faith and Madness

Something you hear from critics of religion a lot is that faith really calls for a psychological explanation. Freud, you may recall, thought of faith as a kind of neurosis. Harris certainly doesn't follow Freud in the details, but does allege that faith is akin to madness. Why? What openings for response do you see to that charge?

Option #3

THE CHOSEN

One idea of Judaism that regularly draws fire is the idea of a "chosen people". Why is that such a hot-button? Smith is anxious to interpret that idea in a way that defuses it? How does he try to do that, and how successful would you say he is?