we should observe just how deeply implausible the Koranic paradise is. - Sam Harris

Remaining open to the powers of conversation — to new evidence and better arguments — is not only essential for rationality. It is essential for love.

Unfortunately, expressing such criticism places the nonbeliever at the margins of society. By merely being in touch with reality, he appears shamefully out of touch with the fantasy life of his neighbors.

Well, let’s make it simpler. Let’s say we found a culture on an island somewhere that was removing the eyeballs of every third child. Would you then agree that we had found a culture that was not perfectly maximizing human well-being?