Viewing Guide

Faith and Reason: A Bill Moyers Interview with Salman Rushdie

Name: _____________________________________

Instructions: Take notes below while watching the interview segment.

1. In talking about the manifesto he signed, how does Rushdie describe radical Islam?









2. What is a fear that Rushdie associates with long-term mass censorship?









3. What is Rushdie looking for when he calls for a new scholarship in Islam? How does he think scholarly discussions are currently discouraged?









4. What does Rushdie believe would happen if publishers and bookstores refused to distribute controversial material?









5. Rushdie says, "It seems to me that when there is conflict between the liberty of speech and the beliefs of private individuals the liberty of speech must always take precedence." Do you agree? Why or why not?