The problem with Reza Aslan is that his view of Islam, and religion in general, is such a corny, liberal, Westernized, secular, dumbed-down version of it that it's completely foreign to the majority of people in the world. Most Muslims would be horrified at the thought of marrying someone outside the religion, let alone entertaining their children's ideas that they're Jewish or Buddha, but that doesn't even occur to Mr. Aslan, who lives in a rainbow-colored world of diversity. That's great for him, but most people do not and will not see religion the way he does, and his solution to solving religious conflict - Let's hold hands and listen to each other! - is just not realistic.
3
Aslan is a charming, educated modern Muslim man - a sharp contrast to the stereotypes shown on the nightly news. And it is the very reason he seems to unnerve so many. I haven't even read the article yet, but judging by the salt in some of these comments, I don't think I'm the only one.
1
I grew up in a very conservative, very white rural community. As a kid, The Cosby show helped me realize that black families were just like my family. Later as a young twenty-something Will & Grace helped me realize that gay people had the same dating struggles that I was experiencing. Now Modern Family has done a great job of normalizing a multicultural blended family. Blackish and The George Lopez show are also great examples of shows that introduce us to people we may not meet in our everyday lives but allow us to see what our similarities are.
I think television absolutely helps end culture misunderstandings and racism. Having a show that introduces us to people of other religions can only help us move forward towards becoming a multicultural country.
Not all white people are racist but too many have preconceived biases that they may not even be aware of. Education, even if that happens through comedy is the only way to unite us.
I'm blessed now to have a dear friend who is both black and Muslim. I also have gay friends. I have one cousin who is married to a black woman and another who's husband is hispanic. I don't know that these relationships would have happened without seeing that they were possible first on television.
I think television absolutely helps end culture misunderstandings and racism. Having a show that introduces us to people of other religions can only help us move forward towards becoming a multicultural country.
Not all white people are racist but too many have preconceived biases that they may not even be aware of. Education, even if that happens through comedy is the only way to unite us.
I'm blessed now to have a dear friend who is both black and Muslim. I also have gay friends. I have one cousin who is married to a black woman and another who's husband is hispanic. I don't know that these relationships would have happened without seeing that they were possible first on television.
7
What is he smoking? "You can very likely live your whole life in America and not lay eyes on a Muslim or Jew?" And, "there was tremendous anti-Iranian sentiment in America"? Mr. Aslan is terribly disconnected.
5
Reza is the type of person who reasons about the "faults" of Islam by showing the "faults" of other religion, including Buddhism and now Hinduism. The argument goes something like this: You think that you can label Islam by the behavior of a few, then let me show you some really bad dudes from other religions. The argument is more in line with a schoolyard brawl. Yes, it is probably a bad idea to label a whole billion group of people based on the actions of a few but would you really blame the labeling? Just think about it. Most of the Terrorist based violence over the last two decades has come mainly from Muslims nations and related to Koran based interpretations of Jihad and dying for the cause of Jihad. Muslim nations tend to pass and execute the most backward of punishments for even the most simplest of crimes. All in the name of the Koran or the interpretation of the Koran. It is nice to be PC, but when your life would depend on it, PC goes out the window. Given the magnitude of the terrorist actions it only makes sense for nations and people to be cautious. Lets be honest if a Rabbi, a Jesuit, a Hindu priest, a buddhist monk and an Imam entered a plane you were flying in and you could only frisk one of them. Who would you frisk?
Now don't be a liar!
Now don't be a liar!
8
Really? In one massacre in Gujrat in 2003 alone, your vile Hindu Nationalist PM Narendra Modi massacred over 2000 Muslim men, women, and children-,many doused with gasoline and burned alive while the local police looked on as Human Rights Watch documented-take a good look in the mirror.
2
He's an opportunist and a self-promoter. He shouldn't be taken seriously.
8
Loving the comments, it seems most Americans cannot separate differences between race, class, ethnicity and religion. That makes sense, because except for class everything else is imaginary!
Race is a social, not biological construct. If it were truly biological then scientists could prove that it exists. To insist otherwise is to say one person is different from another because of silly stuff like their skin or eye color.
Race is like breeds in dogs. All breeds of dogs are the same species and they can interbreed, whether they are small or large breeds.
Nations are also imaginary, based on arbitrary lines that are not visible and that can change at any time. Like one's skin and eye color one's nationality is an accident of birth.
Ethnicity is even sillier, it is having one imaginary nationality except you are now physically located in a different imaginary nation.
Religion is similarly imaginary, there is no way to prove God exists. God's rules are arbitrary, depending on other imaginary factors like one's race, nationality and ethnicity.
The only thing that exists is class, because that is a function of one's financial status. While it is true that money is also an imaginary construct what it can buy is not and is easily measured.
The GOP is good at the "divide and conquer" strategy. By getting people to believe in these imaginary concepts and as a result and treat others differently the rich can rob the poor blind.
Class exists but inequality does not have to.
Race is a social, not biological construct. If it were truly biological then scientists could prove that it exists. To insist otherwise is to say one person is different from another because of silly stuff like their skin or eye color.
Race is like breeds in dogs. All breeds of dogs are the same species and they can interbreed, whether they are small or large breeds.
Nations are also imaginary, based on arbitrary lines that are not visible and that can change at any time. Like one's skin and eye color one's nationality is an accident of birth.
Ethnicity is even sillier, it is having one imaginary nationality except you are now physically located in a different imaginary nation.
Religion is similarly imaginary, there is no way to prove God exists. God's rules are arbitrary, depending on other imaginary factors like one's race, nationality and ethnicity.
The only thing that exists is class, because that is a function of one's financial status. While it is true that money is also an imaginary construct what it can buy is not and is easily measured.
The GOP is good at the "divide and conquer" strategy. By getting people to believe in these imaginary concepts and as a result and treat others differently the rich can rob the poor blind.
Class exists but inequality does not have to.
4
Fascinating, Ben. While I agree race is a social construct, I'd still have to add it to your list with class.
1
What's the big deal about Hindu Cannibalism? Ritualized cannibalism is the central sacrament of Christianity.
2
Muslim is not a race.
8
Aslan looks white to me. Just because one is Muslim or Mexican (neither of which is a race) does not automatically mean one is nonwhite. Muslims and Mexicans can be of any race.
5
Reza is hyper-intelligent, thoughtful, and hot. Beats listening to "scholars" on Fox, who have published zero peer reviewed papers or books that weren't print on demand.
6
The day Reza conflated criticism of ideas in Islam to racism and religious bigotry, I realized I could never again take him seriously.
9
Is this an attempt at rehabbing his image after a disastrous Hindu segment where he interviewed coprophagous cannibals, ate human brains with them, and got into an argument with their leader? I think he's going to need a little more image rehab before solving the world's problems through TV....lol
8
He seems to have taken the first step of moving beyond religion. Hopefully he has the strength to eventually embrace the void and move beyond the irrational god concept entirely.
.
He is correct that muslims and jews on tv will help end ignorance, but how does extreme traditions do this? We need more secular muslims and jews on tv to convince the middle that we can all be americans.
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He is correct that muslims and jews on tv will help end ignorance, but how does extreme traditions do this? We need more secular muslims and jews on tv to convince the middle that we can all be americans.
5
"You can love Jesus but still be racist" is particularly funny in that Jesus was a Jew, a Semite, perhaps THE semite of all semites. Thank you, Dr. Aslan, for your expertise, your wisdom, and for sharing them with us.
3
I think Moses was the Semite of all Semites.
2
Reza, I was profoundly disappointed in your answer about the Hindu sect. Don't you think good television (read, sensationalism) can conflict with education? Whatever profound conclusion you may have ultimately reached about Hinduism people will continue to focus on the sensationalist aspect. This is precisely how you feel that people misunderstand Islam. You should retract your answer which I read to be at best dismissive and at worst arrogant.
6
" If bigotry is a result of fear and not ignorance, then to me that [TV] becomes the medium through which to dispel fear of the other." And you do this by presenting an obscure and in-no-way-representative sect of Hindus who engage in cannibalism???
6
Aslan is the person who is fueling hatred and bigotry, not combating it. His piece on Hinduism was abhorrent and the entire premise of the show from the beginning is based on false stereotypes about caste, reincarnation, etc. Hinduism is based on the understanding that we are all spiritual in essence, equal by nature, and that our true nature is to love and be of service to God and all living beings.
6
I am sure Reza Aslan knows what he was peddling was the untruth. Hiding behind that sweet little naive outlook of simply seeking a 'sensible' faith, he ignored the realities and the actual practice of millions of Hindus. It has been a few decades since castes dictated the socio-economic status of people. Caste is increasingly discarded in marriage, choice of profession, wealth acquisition or political power. With affirmative action in the form of reservations and vote bank politics any vestiges of caste hierarchies is on a steep decline. Most Hindus probably believe in a form of karmic theory that states that if you commit sins (physical, mental) you will reap its effects either in this birth or next. Very few would believe that your "caste" in the next birth will be determined by your karma of this life. The sharpest criticism of the practices of Hindus seems to be the focus of the religion on divinity to the exclusion of service to fellow humans' suffering. In my mind, that remains an open question. The recent shift is the willingness to cut a check rather than to tend to the suffering.
4
No matter how you slice or dice the consumption of human brains – any central nervous system body parts from any animal – and the potential risks from Prions, it was a terribly foolish move to take part in that aspect of the ceremony.
The risk of prion diseases is very real and without cure. Does not make sense that he did this, or that he was unaware, but perhaps he was.
Having met Aslan, heard him speak, and spoken with him one to one, I was surprised that he did this. He is a thoughtful, intelligent, and articulate man, but this decision was completely foolish.
The risk of prion diseases is very real and without cure. Does not make sense that he did this, or that he was unaware, but perhaps he was.
Having met Aslan, heard him speak, and spoken with him one to one, I was surprised that he did this. He is a thoughtful, intelligent, and articulate man, but this decision was completely foolish.
6
Reza Aslan, among other things, has called atheism equivalent to religious fundamentalism. "I know you are but what am I." That's not quite as scathing as he maythink it is. He's a religion apologist with a twist of sophistry, an occupation that relies heavily on dishonesty.
14
Reza does not have an accurate depiction of our nation or solid grasp of mathematics. His quote, "You could very likely be born, raised, grow old and die in America without ever once setting eyes upon a Muslim or a Jew" is nearly impossible. We each meet hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people in our lifetime. It is nearly impossible not to have met someone who is in the single digits of our population, even when they are not evenly distributed. His hyperbole here and seeming sensationalism based on the article do not make is show compelling or intellectually honest.
12
How would Reza Aslan like if someone made a special about Islam that mostly showed Jihadists and terrorists? He is no different than Muslims who hate all infidels. The CNN series is not educational, it is religious bigotry.
28
Your post is religious bigotry.
1
How is his new show religious bigotry?
1
Reza, you are ready, ripe to dwell into Nonduality. Go forth and become knowledgeable. https://www.scienceandnonduality.com/contributors/rupert-spira/
8
Some politicians believe that if you are not white and a Christian you are not American. The native Americans are neither - they are mostly ignored - may be this person should look at their beliefs and air them as they are the true Americans. May be the younger whites will see the light. Blacks and Latinos have group representation making demands but there seems to be none for native Americans. May be this type of exposure will help people understand how to live peacefully with mother nature.
13
>The native Americans are neither
You are clearly misinformed... as an enrolled Citizen of the Cherokee Nation who recently returned from the Cherokee National Holiday in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, I can assure you that the vast majority of folks there were Christian.
Not saying it's right or wrong (and I personally am not a Christian), but the fact is that most Native Americans that I am directly aware of are Christian; and this does not conflict with their spiritual native customs and beliefs.
You are clearly misinformed... as an enrolled Citizen of the Cherokee Nation who recently returned from the Cherokee National Holiday in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, I can assure you that the vast majority of folks there were Christian.
Not saying it's right or wrong (and I personally am not a Christian), but the fact is that most Native Americans that I am directly aware of are Christian; and this does not conflict with their spiritual native customs and beliefs.
4
I really love the series although I do see a pattern of the show looking for sensationalist or extremist views of religion. The important point of the series as I see it - is that humans have an innate ability to latch onto just about any belief - especially on those they are raised with - and that lives can be impacted in both positive and negative ways as a result. It is something to be aware of us children are raised and as government leaders tweet. Another great series on religion was "Belief" which was produced by Oparah -- you can google it.
5
"Apparently because you didn’t want people to know that you were from Iran, you used to tell people you were Mexican. Yeah, that tells you how little I knew about America. I didn’t realize you guys don’t like Mexicans either."
Too funny. I told everyone I was Greek. Opa!
Too funny. I told everyone I was Greek. Opa!
22
Being brown, you look like many people. My brown daughter has been mistaken for Hispanic. My brown niece was mistaken as an Indonesian in Indonesia, a Hawaiian in Hawaii and a Mexican in LA. My Brazilian friends tell me my brown family can easily pass off as Brazilian because they have such a range of hues from white to black and everything in between.
1
We did away with TV 10 years ago. Don't own one. The only TV I ever 'stare' at is the silent one at my local pub. That's always sports, in which I have absolutely no interest – except for curling. It's an absolute waste of time I've never missed. A hollow distraction. Religion on TV has to be worse than watching golf on TV.
I watch the "yule log" on my 'wide screen' every night in winter – a.k.a. "the fireplace". Beautiful. Engaging. Mesmerizing. Transformational!
After quitting I rediscovered my wife, my home, meals at the table, cooking, my 3 Dogs, conversation, music, silence, reading.
"I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book." ~ GROUCHO MARX
Haven't watched a movie on any medium since October 2004. Talk about "fake"!
Phones for necessities only. No 'social' media.
I don't drive – never have never needed to. I'm 72. I walk or take public transport.
I THINK!
Religion I did away with even earlier. I am happiest without.
"Religion - A daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the Unknowable." ~ AMBROSE BIERCE, The Devil's Dictionary
Never heard of Mr. Aslan and, judging from what I read here, I'm not interested. I'm curious as to when he'll recycle his beliefs again. He seems confused – possibly from the toxic mix of TV and religion.
“Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer.” ~ W.C. FIELDS
– with a shot of bourbon to chase.
I watch the "yule log" on my 'wide screen' every night in winter – a.k.a. "the fireplace". Beautiful. Engaging. Mesmerizing. Transformational!
After quitting I rediscovered my wife, my home, meals at the table, cooking, my 3 Dogs, conversation, music, silence, reading.
"I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book." ~ GROUCHO MARX
Haven't watched a movie on any medium since October 2004. Talk about "fake"!
Phones for necessities only. No 'social' media.
I don't drive – never have never needed to. I'm 72. I walk or take public transport.
I THINK!
Religion I did away with even earlier. I am happiest without.
"Religion - A daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the Unknowable." ~ AMBROSE BIERCE, The Devil's Dictionary
Never heard of Mr. Aslan and, judging from what I read here, I'm not interested. I'm curious as to when he'll recycle his beliefs again. He seems confused – possibly from the toxic mix of TV and religion.
“Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer.” ~ W.C. FIELDS
– with a shot of bourbon to chase.
23
Who cares about your tv viewing habits? Your comment has nothing to do with Reza Aslan. If you were perhaps open minded enough to be curious, you might find something to enlighten you in this series.
2
I do care and enjoy it.
Thank you Robert.
Thank you Robert.
2
Bravo, Reza Aslan !
The statements in your NYTimes interview reminded me of:
"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man/woman, ...... I fine tuned my beliefs.
My gods are now in Nature & in the awesomeness of my island trees, rocks, cranberry bogs, myriad of wave shapes coming ashore, changing weather & seasons and the prey/predator cycle.
The statements in your NYTimes interview reminded me of:
"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man/woman, ...... I fine tuned my beliefs.
My gods are now in Nature & in the awesomeness of my island trees, rocks, cranberry bogs, myriad of wave shapes coming ashore, changing weather & seasons and the prey/predator cycle.
8
Nice little puff piece for Aslan's new TV show. But if he's going for nuance in discussing religions, he's off to a rocky start by stating that one can "love Jesus and still be a racist." That would be inaccurate. Racists, if they don't hate Jesus, hate what Jesus stood for...the outsider and the downtrodden. Racists would trip over the very first line of the Sermon on the Mount. A more nuanced exposition might be that Jesus can love racists and still be Jesus, but his followers can't love Jesus and still be racists.
38
Disagree. Plenty of racists love Jesus and consider themselves to be Christians. They just don't understand what Jesus stood for, so of course their belief that they are Christians is wrong.
4
Equilibrist, do you not realize that your attempt at verbal--what... cuteness? legerdemain?--left you in essential agreement with Victor, namely, that racism and true Christianity cannot mix?
4
Persepolis writer Marjane Satrapi has some good insight upon that subject.