Thanks for all the links, many directly responding, others taking the conversation in new and interesting ways. Here's one view (from a comments section):
"So sophisticated Christians like Sullivan try to minimize that doctrinal element [of Christianity], and make it a small part of the religion, and pretend that the faith required to believe it is somehow different from the faith required to believe the larger and more baroque doctrines taught by fundamentalists. But no matter how small and moderate-seeming and fluid and guarded he makes it, he can't eliminate it while remaining Christian, and he can't make it rational. Which puts him in a tough spot in this debate."
I've been remiss in not posting more pro-Harris emails and links. Maybe that helps. Here's one from a "post-modern Catholic". Here's another email on those lines:
I have noticed that Harris and you have really been answering and presenting different kinds of reasoning. Harris keeps harping back to the truth of stuff, whereas although
you talk about "a different kind of truth," your main points really get back to how much meaning religion has for people. In both cases, I think that you two are very honest in what you believe – but you keep giving each other answers that don't apply to the questions you think you are asking.
Having a different discussion about "Truth and Meaning" and how the two are different – and where and why each of you find meaning in your lives might be more helpful. Ask Sam why his life is meaningful and where that Meaning comes from. I'm sure he has an answer – and it will most probably be different than yours – but perhaps not so different.
I, personally, as an atheist, find meaning in my own possibility and will to act in this world. I have the opportunity to interact with others and to create things. I have the chance to leave this world a bit better than when I came into it… for my children and for the rest of humanity. I don't do this because a particular flying spaghetti monster ordained that I do it and will punish me with his noodly appendage if I don't. I do it because I have the power and I believe that it is better for me if I help those around me. What else would give my life more meaning than that?
But why is that more meaningful than flying a plane into the World Trade Center?
The Dish 