it's amazing for two reasons: one, this guy's exceptional composure under attempted hatchet job, and two, the fox news' interviewer's also exceptional composure in delivering a script she obviously had no agency to stray from in any degree.
Some commentary just in case you can't get through the whole thing, or whatever.
quote:"I wrote a historical book using my 20 years of academic research." "But you're a Muslim." "Yes, but I wrote the book because I'm interested in Jesus." "But you're a Muslim." "The book has nothing to do with Islam." "But you're a Muslim."
quote:Akin to saying "I have a PhD in oceanography, I study the ocean." "But you live on the land" "Yes, but my area of study is the ocean." "But why would you study the ocean, when you live on the land?"
quote:Lol she literally said "That's like a democrat writing about how Reagan was a bad republican" this is a counterpoint that actually works in their heads
quote:The irony is that Reza, a Muslim, believes in something Islam heavily states did not happen - that Jesus was crucified.
I wanted to give her some credit until about the last two or three minutes, then it really went off the rails.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
This guy was on the Daily Show as well and got himself a 3 part interview with Jon Oliver, who actually read the book (and fanned over him a bit).
It's worth watching because Reza repeats verbatim some of the same stuff he barely slipped out in the Fox interview (I guess those lines are his elevator pitch. To be fair (barely) to Fox, it takes two minutes into the second interview with Oliver for the Muslim thing to come up so no, TV viewers would not have learned that. It's a good example of why Daily Show viewers come out better than fox viewers.
But the real reason it's worth watching is that you are going to end the video wanting this guy's book.
Also, Jesus the Bird Stand.
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His patience in that interview makes me want to read his book, and I really couldn't care less about Jesus.
Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008
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quote:Originally posted by AchillesHeel: His patience in that interview makes me want to read his book, and I really couldn't care less about Jesus.
If patience makes you want to read a book, you should be all about reading what Jesus had to say, just sayin'.
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My interpretation is that if patience is a virtue that makes you want to read what someone has to say, then not caring about what Jesus has to say seems a bit incongruous.
Posts: 95 | Registered: Aug 2011
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Blade, you are coming from the opinion that he was a lot of things, some supernatural. I'm not. But an academic who has the patience and orating proficiency to handle such a ridiculous situation without getting angry or laughing at Fox for being so bad at being so bad, impresses me. It leads me to believe that he would bring that same sober and capable approach to his work, which is commendable regardless of subject.
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quote:Originally posted by AchillesHeel: Blade, you are coming from the opinion that he was a lot of things, some supernatural. I'm not. But an academic who has the patience and orating proficiency to handle such a ridiculous situation without getting angry or laughing at Fox for being so bad at being so bad, impresses me. It leads me to believe that he would bring that same sober and capable approach to his work, which is commendable regardless of subject.
I made no mention of Jesus' supernatural capabilities. Only that if you are moved by stories about patience then Jesus rises above the minimal standard of couldn't care less.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Achilles wants to read Reza Aslan's book because he's a patient guy.
Jesus was a patient guy therefore Achilles should want to read his book.
Of course you could break it down and claim that Jesus didn't actually write the bible but I think you're taking a simple bout of humor too far at that point. Just chuckle and move on.
Posts: 362 | Registered: Nov 2008
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quote:Only that if you are moved by stories about patience...
There was no story about patience. This was a direct observation of a person exhibiting remarkable patience. If I saw Jesus showing remarkable composure while under fire by a Fox News personality, I'd probably want to read his book too. But he hasn't yet appeared in such an interview or written a book.
ETA: If that was a joke as stilesbn has suggested, then nevermind. I read it as an attempt to point out an actual contradiction.
Posts: 3275 | Registered: May 2007
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Well, you just dramatically shifted the terms of this discussion from a left/right analysis and critique of modern American news media to a debate over which is better, Islam or Christianity.
Sort of like dropping the puck on the ice and instead of winning the faceoff, you kick a field goal.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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They only actually play for like 30% of a football game. I hope you like your announcers, they're active a lot more than the actual players.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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Obama
unregistered
posted
Football is good for the tactics and strategy. I love hockey, but the only thing that compares to the seconds leading up to the snap of a game deciding football play is the pitch on a 3-2 count of a big baseball game in the bottom of the ninth.
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quote:Originally posted by Darth_Mauve: If a Muslim writes a book about Jesus--that does not flatter Jesus, Fox News throws a fit.
If a Christian writes a book about Mohammed--that does not flatter Mohammed, riots, deaths, and death threats run rampant.
I am not saying which, if either, is correct--but in my book--this is a win for Christianity.
It paints Jesus in an extraordinarily positive light, actually. The author seems to be a big fan. (I'm about halfway through)
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