Video: Ayaan Hirsi Ali addresses the Atheist Alliance International conference
posted at 1:55 pm on October 14, 2007 by Allahpundit
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A bit disappointing, especially if you’re expecting something in the Hitchens vein. She reserves her prepared remarks for an autobiographical retelling, which is worthwhile if you don’t know her story and redundant if, like most of our readers, you do. Stick with the Q&A in the second clip — in particular, the question from James Randi at 27:55 about whether its shrewder to subvert Islam from without, as Hirsi Ali does, or within, as Irshad Manji prefers; the question at 8:53 about whether she spends too much time criticizing Islam vis-a-vis the other religions; and the question at 6:37 about why she thinks the Secular Islam summit earlier this year went largely unreported in the mainstream media. She answers the last one by claiming she really doesn’t know, a surprising response from a woman who lives under armed guard because of her public apostasy. Does she really not have an inkling as to why media organizations might be reluctant to hype a gathering of Muslim heretics? CNN whited out that Mohammed drawing for a reason.
It’s nice to see her enjoying herself so much, though. Richard Dawkins concludes the proceedings by standing up and announcing his intention to nominate her for the Nobel Peace Prize. If anything can redeem that award, that would.
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How many divisions do the Atheists have?
JiangxiDad on October 14, 2007 at 2:10 PM
About as many as John Paul II had vis-a-vis the Soviets. How’d that one work out?
Allahpundit on October 14, 2007 at 2:12 PM
About as many as John Paul II had vis-a-vis the Soviets. How’d that one work out?
Nice pwnage AP
liberrocky on October 14, 2007 at 2:20 PM
About as many as John Paul II had vis-a-vis the Soviets. How’d that one work out?
Allahpundit on October 14, 2007 at 2:12 PM
Eh, sometimes, irrespective of belief or non-belief in a “higher power,” a person’s gotta do what they believe is right. If people were constantly worried about how things “work out,” nothing of importance would ever get done.
gryphon202 on October 14, 2007 at 2:21 PM
I predict some day Ayaan will become a Christian. This atheist thing helps her focus on her Life’s Mission. When she has achieved her goals in life, I believe she will come to Christ. Ayaan was sent here on a very important Mission, let’s all pray that she succeeds at it.
Tony737 on October 14, 2007 at 2:22 PM
You’ll have to back that one up. Are you counting on the Polish atheists to turn back the Islamists?
And why is the disbelief in God as important (in a practical, political way) as the obvious power of religion, in the hands of a john paul or Khomeini? We talk about the former a lot.
JiangxiDad on October 14, 2007 at 2:24 PM
Coutlerites Ali is perfect just the way she is.
liberrocky on October 14, 2007 at 2:25 PM
No it wouldn’t. I’d like to actually see that award go to people who actually help bring forth real peace in a conflict and she hasn’t done anything of that sort. As it stands the Nobel Peace Prize really shouldn’t be awarded very often.
Darth Executor on October 14, 2007 at 2:34 PM
Objective morality and the concept of an omniscient god (like the Judeo-Christian God and Allah) are incompatible since such a being could simply redefine right and wrong. Such a god could change the most fundamental rules of logic and say that a proposition and is converse can be simultaneously true.
If one accepts religion because he/she has seen a “proof” that God exists or that Christ or Allah is God their religious convictions will prove weak since they are founded on quicksand. This said the conversion of an atheist would have to be based on that invisible and very personal thing called faith.
Annar on October 14, 2007 at 3:06 PM
When it comes to morality athiests start from third base and like to pretend their “reason” produced a home run.
I can say that because according to the new Hitch standard I am an athiest myself. Jesus hasn’t been showing up and speaking to me directly ever since I stopped going to church (well He didn’t before either but …). Now I just don’t know anymore …
boris on October 14, 2007 at 3:21 PM
An absolutely incredible woman, we are all better for her.
Viper1 on October 14, 2007 at 3:32 PM
Speaking out against a radical religion doesn’t count for an attempt to create peace?:
Here’s a great interview as well as a list of more.
Mcguyver on October 14, 2007 at 3:44 PM
Islamists will be ‘perfected’ when they become true Muslims. I think this is what I hear AHA saying. oh…we’re not worthy, we’re not worthy of such an incredible woman…… unless she happens to be tall blonde and Christian, eh, Rocky?
netherman79 on October 14, 2007 at 3:47 PM
Darth Executor just sparked a thought. Does the Nobel group wish to be noble? Do something for humanity? Easy as eggs.
Change the Peace prize to a War prize, and award it to the most egregious war-makers. Humiliate the Palestinians,Hamas, the Kim Jong Ils and Castros, Saudis and Communist Chinese who make war on Humanity. Of course, the Nobel knuckleheads would perennially award a War Prize to George Bush, but still…
Doug on October 14, 2007 at 3:47 PM
Not that it matters, but she is (as Hitchens has said) strikingly beautiful. Her smile is amazing and her demeanor is wonderful.
I also believe that she is atheist because of the bad experience she has had with religion and Islam. She has never likely heard the Gospel from the Christian standpoint. She may only know Jesus through the Islamic teaching that says ‘Jesus is like Muhammed’. If I thought that I’d be atheist too.
As for the JPII comment. . . I think JPII has less to do with what happened with the soviet union than the US nuclear arsenal aimed at them. I have a strong feeling that AP was brought up as a Catholic and has since been disenfranchised with all the dogma from the Catholic Church. It happens all the time. Non-Catholic Christians focus on Christ and the love of Christ. While Catholicism focuses on the pomp and circumstance of the religion, along with the hierarchy of the priests.
Take a look at the Christian faith from the Moravian Church AP and let me know what you think. Thanks for the video of this wonderful woman though.
ThackerAgency on October 14, 2007 at 4:24 PM
5 pages of comments on the atheist’s 4 day shindig in Arlington last week. Makes for some interesting reading.
JiangxiDad on October 14, 2007 at 4:45 PM
atheists’
JiangxiDad on October 14, 2007 at 4:46 PM
JiangxiDad on October 14, 2007 at 4:48 PM
Would make nice Christmas presents.
JiangxiDad on October 14, 2007 at 4:51 PM
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen, not only physically but in every other way as well.
FloatingRock on October 14, 2007 at 5:30 PM
Ayaan doesn’t need religion to make her a better person; she’s already one of the best there is, probably in the history of Earth. If I were going to start a religion, she would be my Goddess.
FloatingRock on October 14, 2007 at 5:33 PM
No. In fact I can’t quite figure out how insulting the religion of every Muslim is supposed to bring peace by any stretch of imagination. Unless you’re one of the “Nuke Mecca” types which might account for our differences.
Darth Executor on October 14, 2007 at 6:14 PM
So then pacifying radical Islam would work better than opposing it? Do tell Einstein. Inquiring minds would like to glean from your wisdom.
Mcguyver on October 14, 2007 at 6:33 PM
i love the chip on the shoulder that atheists have.
It is only because they are in a Christian culture which believes in the dignity of the individual conscience were they allowed to flourish.. Any other culture would persecute them.
VinceP1974 on October 14, 2007 at 6:33 PM
Some points
1- I have never bought this argument that reason is rhe oposite of faith, that is asinine.
2- If this lovely lady were raised in a Christian nation, I doubt she would have the same beliefs.
3- There are some Atheists that likely would be AS intolerant as anyone if they ran the show. The idea that liberty comes from humanist beliefs is untrue.
4- This nation was founded on the Christian belief that we are CREATED with certain rights no government can give OR take. The reason the US IS so tolerant is that principle.
Gatordoug on October 14, 2007 at 6:49 PM
No. It’s only because non-believers don’t let christians to persecute them anymore.
Syndic Nuruodo on October 14, 2007 at 6:55 PM
I’m not a Christian but I certainly agree with both of you. And I am happy and lucky to live in this great Christian nation. Don’t allow the atheists to speak for non-Christians.
JiangxiDad on October 14, 2007 at 6:57 PM
I know you’re a troll and prob. a kid, but as I told you before, go to a Muslim nation and speak your crap. You will get the response you are so obviously looking for.
Christian persecution. That’s a good one.
JiangxiDad on October 14, 2007 at 7:00 PM
The truth can be insulting, but it is necessary.
Syndic Nuruodo on October 14, 2007 at 7:09 PM
Not for me, thanks. I prefer this Counterjihad Calendar in my stocking. As a matter of fact I’m ordering several to give as stocking stuffers this year.
heroyalwhyness on October 14, 2007 at 7:12 PM
I see. It never happend.
Well, I thank modern christians for not trying to burn me for “heresy”.
Syndic Nuruodo on October 14, 2007 at 7:24 PM
When you say “me”, you don’t mean you, do you.
Personally, I’m pissed at the Mongols, but I control myself.
JiangxiDad on October 14, 2007 at 7:31 PM
When did I suggest pacifying radical Islam, stupid? She insulted ALL of Islam, and furthermore, we’re discussing the PEACE prize. I’m as violent as they get, that doesn’t mean I’m in favor of giving the Nobel Peace prize to the most confrontational (and in this case, useless) person I can find just because we agree on something.
Darth Executor on October 14, 2007 at 8:05 PM
That principle is more deistic than Christian. “Rights” as you know them didn’t exist two thousand years ago. The reason why Christians aren’t allowed to go around killing people just for their beliefs is because God will kick our ass in the afterlife if we do. Might Makes Right at its finest.
Darth Executor on October 14, 2007 at 8:08 PM
I don’t like it. It would go against what Nobel would have liked, as if the Nobel Prize isn’t politicized enough already. He’s probably spinning in his grave so fast he’s well on his way to the Pacific already.
Darth Executor on October 14, 2007 at 8:12 PM
She really shouldn’t be associating with the likes of Dawkins…the guy is a fanatic and no better then any radical islamist…if the Dawkins of the world had their way, all thiests would be in the camps…
This is the same Dawkins that said we parents teaching our kids Godly values amounts to ‘great danger’ etc etc..
Ali is a thousands times the better person then this dawkins….she is incredibly brave…
Albertanator on October 14, 2007 at 8:18 PM
ThackerAgency on October 14, 2007 at 4:24 PM
geeez…I was raised Catholic, and all I gained from the experience is a very deep and personal relationship with Christ.
I think you assume too much.
Besides that comment…
Ali is a beautiful and brave woman! Thank you for posting this~
bridgetown on October 14, 2007 at 8:25 PM
So you’re not for pacifying, nor, insulting radical Islam?
So then inquiring minds would like to glean from your wisdom as what to do.
Mcguyver on October 14, 2007 at 8:33 PM
Still, you can’t deny history in order to whitewash Christianity. You certainly know what I mean.
Syndic Nuruodo on October 14, 2007 at 8:37 PM
Are you illiterate? It’s a honest question, because I can’t figure out why you’re asking this because I already explained to you there’s a difference between insulting radical Islam and insulting ALL Islam. Do you think the two are the same thing? I also asked you earlier if you’re one of the “Nuke Mecca!” types. Are you?
Darth Executor on October 14, 2007 at 8:39 PM
So then, how do you insult radical Islam, without insulting ALL Islam since both their Holy Books say to kill the infidel?
Inquiring minds would like to glean from your wisdom as to how we should do this.
Mcguyver on October 14, 2007 at 8:54 PM
It is not surprising that Ali attacks all of Islam, given that her experiences have driven her to reject all theistic religions en masse.
If the moderate Muslims don’t like her attacks, fine. They can either issue fatwas and try to silence/kill her, thus showing that they aren’t so moderate, or they can debate her on points-which could be the start they need to begin the reformation of Islam.
Regardless of whether she is fomenting Peace or not, she is certainly more deserving of a Nobel Prize than Gore or Carter were. But they’ve made the Peace Prize such a farce that personally, if they offered it to me, I would show up only to throw it back in their faces. I would not want myself or a person like Ali to have something like that in common with Carter.
Moot point anyway. Does anyone here really think that the committee that awarded Carter for stabbing his own country in the back and Gore for doing an inaccuracy-riddled “documentary” is actually going to give Ali the time of day?
Lancer on October 14, 2007 at 9:06 PM
In your case I’d refrain from insulting altogether because if the Quran verse I have in mind is the one you’re referencing then even a moderately educated opponent will mop the floor with you and bring great damage to the cause.
Darth Executor on October 14, 2007 at 9:08 PM
I disagree. She’s as deserving of the Nobel Prize as Gore is (as in, neither of them deserve it at all). But as much of a bumbling, senile moronic tool Carter
wasis, he actually helped negotiate peace between Israel and Egypt, which means he actually did something to deserve the Nobel Prize. Gore and Ali haven’t done jack.Darth Executor on October 14, 2007 at 9:10 PM
Explain.
Mcguyver on October 14, 2007 at 9:14 PM
The quran does not demand the death of all infidels. Commands to kill infidels refers to specific people who were asking for it. To give an example, if I’m a teacher in charge of a club at school and tell my kids “I’m gonna buy everybody pizza tomorrow”, context dictates that I’m not buying pizza for the whole ****ing world, just the kids in the club. As to how this damages the cause, it should be obvious: people assume (and rightfully so) that you are ignorant and not worth listening to. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but if it happens often enough it gets associated with a certain cause and people start assuming everybody who follows the cause is just as ignorant.
Darth Executor on October 14, 2007 at 9:33 PM
So, would this be similar to the Old Testament where God tells the Israelites to kill “them all”, which really didn’t mean “all of them” but just the ones that refused to accept the Israelite God’s teaching? Because even then the ones that accepted/embraced the Israelites were invited to join the “fold”.
Tough one huh?
Mcguyver on October 14, 2007 at 9:41 PM
Darth, the State Department should book you on a speaking tour throughout the Islamic world so that you can explain to all of the Islamists how wrong they are about their religion. Not only would you be helping them to understand their religion better but you might also save the world in the process! I mean, let’s face it, I’m sure they’re reasonable people who will be overawed by the obvious truth of your personal interpretation of their religion. For all we know, you might be the 12th Imam!
Before you leave, make sure you update your will and buy plenty of life insurance for your survivors.
FloatingRock on October 14, 2007 at 10:01 PM
What the address of your well, Darth
ExecutorVador?Mcguyver on October 14, 2007 at 10:08 PM
Wait, did you just say VadOr?
MirCat on October 14, 2007 at 10:58 PM
Actually, Carter was given the Nobel Farce Prize for publicly siding with Saddam against President Bush. They even admitted it. Camp David had nothing to do with it.
Lancer on October 15, 2007 at 12:20 AM
Darth Executor, you sound like you think black people are confrontational and useless, which might account for our differences. Are you a racist?
FloatingRock on October 15, 2007 at 12:29 AM
How fortunate we are that this lady lives among us.
Entelechy on October 15, 2007 at 12:39 AM
One hundred percent absolute unconditional agreement.
MadisonConservative on October 15, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Apparently the Jesus wig who said Ms. Ali would eventually turn to Jesus did not pay attention to her speech. A rational and open society is the fruit of an ever growing post-Theistic world. Does anyone on this blog with a shred of reason think people will be talking about that ancient near eastern peasant in 100 years?
Technology and scientific progress will be the end of all the mythologies, not just Islam.
revolution on October 15, 2007 at 3:47 PM
I seriously doubt that’s Randi. Unless Randi’s voice has changed due to illness or something, the questioner’s voice doesn’t sound like him at all.
JimC on October 20, 2007 at 9:16 PM
A: The video is gone, doggone it.
B: We live in a country where one can proclaim atheism, anybody ashamed of that? I certainly am not. : )
Observation on December 18, 2008 at 6:49 PM
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