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Islamic Identity in the US: Reza Aslan

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Commonwealth Club of California

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Iranian Revolution? Aslan Says Don't Hold Your Breath

02 min 37 sec

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"If you are looking for a new revolution in Iran, you can stop holding your breath now because it's not going to happen," says religious scholar and author Reza Aslan. However, Aslan does predict dramatic political change on the horizon.

His advice to the United States? Stop isolating Iran.
Reza Aslan: The Cross and Flag Have Become Synonymous

03 min 28 sec

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Religious scholar and author Reza Aslan argues many Americans who claim to be Christian are actually declaring their nationality, not spirituality.

"The cross and the flag have bled into a single icon," says Aslan.
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01 hr 05 min 37 sec

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There are 19 comments on this program

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Previous FORAtv comments:

Page 2 of 2

Tungsten

Posted: 09.22.09, 03:18 PM

rkm and Athonora, Caity is correct. Islam and Muslim are essentially shorthand (or superclass) for Sunni, Shia, Druze, etc. just like Christianity and Christian are shorthand (or superclass) Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, etc. Not recognizing that kind of misses the point.

Caity

Posted: 09.11.09, 08:08 PM

What I believe Reza is saying is that people tend to genericize Islam as well, when it is in fact, a very diverse and far from monolithic faith. I'm absolutely sure he understands the differences among the many denominations of Christianity and would never consider it monolithic, so his point is that it's a shame that more people don't understand that Islam is just as nuanced.

Athanora

Posted: 09.11.09, 09:05 AM

I agree completely with the comment of RKM. Sorry, but I think this gentleman's presentation is a bit ridiculous.

Malcolm MacLeod,MD

Posted: 09.10.09, 05:22 PM

Very good and clear talk, Dr. Aslam. I do, however, find it a shame that religion has anyhing to do with nation image. Some of us have no religion, nor do we desire any. I'm a native born American, but I really consider myself more of a Scot. I enjoyed your lecture.

rkm

Posted: 09.10.09, 09:42 AM

He's wrong. Language and culture is what divides us, not religion. Religion divides groups of countries or continents. No christian has to go to church on a regular basis in order to satisfy Aslan's definition. By saying "christian", he is combining Catholic, Baptist, Mormon, Anglican, etc. all into one convenient group, christian. It took centuries for these sects to evolve and now he has genericized christianity. I don't agree and I'm not even a bible thumper...

MTGRAY

Posted: 09.10.09, 09:12 AM

Think about this 78% christ things is a false claim. when does any religious creatures ever tell the the truth. when he say's our history"excuse me" but american history does not belong to the newcomers such the 5 generation americans. this speaker is a nile and has nothing to offer!.

danthemango

Posted: 09.04.09, 11:36 PM

couldn't be any more true.

James Allen Holder

Posted: 09.04.09, 06:53 PM

I enjoyed this very much, but I have to quibble with a few things. Reza Aslan forgets that Muslim Americans are not the only "Other" in America- there are Latin Americans, GLBTQ Americans, Atheists, etc. Indeed, he is too willing to pass over the inherent and continuing racial problems in the United States. But again, over all very good.

sinbad66

Posted: 09.04.09, 05:32 AM

enjoyed! learned a little. thanks

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