Word: argumentative
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Harris draws upon a wide variety of examples, from the atrocities committed by the medieval Catholic Church to recent suicide terrorists, to show the dangers of religion. This part of Harris’ argument is compelling, and he reasons convincingly that religion has caused much pain and violence in the world...
Stalin and Mao are likewise cited as evidence that “the most monstrous crimes against humanity have invariably been inspired by unjustified belief,” based on the argument that communism is essentially a political religion. In making these points Harris ignores his earlier condemnation of faith. He can never decide if it is religion or faith he is attacking and many of the contradictions in the book arise from his ellipsis of the two without any clear definition...
Though Harris makes some noteworthy points, his argument is not new and often dismisses complications. “The End of Faith” should be read as only one facet of a complex, multi-layered debate, not as the vehicle of truth that Mr. Harris seems to think...
Giving legacy applicants an extra glance—effectively what Harvard’s current practices amount to—has clear benefits in terms of alumni giving and involvement. The argument that one’s legacy status should not be considered at all, creating some newfangled meritocracy, is too idealistic. It also assumes too much about the goodwill of donors and Harvard’s ability to withstand a reduction in alumni donations...
...world, President Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed that India should get access to U.S. civil nuclear technology and fuel, in return for opening its civilian nuclear facilities to inspection - India's nuclear weapons site would remain off-limits. In effect, the U.S. had accepted India's argument that its military and civilian nuclear programs should be treated separately. Last weekend's vote clears the way for Bush and Manhmohan to negotiate a final agreement...