Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry vs. The Catholics.

[leo-rcc]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvZz_pxZ2lw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFTj9n40rNo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-q8US0QRs4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQRkfZzyfcU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i391gBoEo58

[Darwinian]

That was absolutely incredible. The arguments put by Hitchens and Fry were so devastatingly simple and beautifully vocalised that the opposition simply had no answer.

In many ways the last 30 seconds were the best and the look on Ann Widicombes face is priceless.

[Rob]

I really liked this. Both Fry and Hitchins are on my list of favouritest people in the world. I never even dreamed I'd see them in the same room together.

[AtheistPhil]

The debate was okay but way too short to go in depth on the subject, making the popular vote even more meaningless to me.
I think Fry did a much better job than Hitchens.

[littlegrimlin1]

ahhh ha, very nice. I have just purchased a book today writen by Hitchens, very good book!!

[Edwardo Piet]

Fucking hell that was absolutely totally completely entirely and utterly incredibly amazing! Hitchens was so damn powerfully cogent and Fry was so damn eloquently compelling! The opposition was fucking destroyed.

Fucking awesome.

EvF

[Dotard]

Well done. Thank you leo for bringing that here.

I must agree the debate was to short. I would have liked to seen more point counter-point. The catholics seemed a little dodgy and evasive and I couldn't help to feel a bit sorry/embarassed for them.

I think this question and debate could apply to any religious groups out there today. Is any church a force for good in the world? How is the word "good" being defined?

We have/had a poster here who defined "good" as merely believing in the xtain god and "not-good" as unbelief. I'd define it, in this context, as any action that helps ensure the propagation of the human species and improves upon the safety, health and welfare of every member of the general public.

Food = Good
No food = Not good

[leo-rcc]

The main problem with the good the Catholic church does and has done is they never doe it without strings attached. They will treat sick people in Africa, but at the same time they will deny proper education on AIDS prevention and distribution of condoms. Worse yet, the leader of their church spreading the lie that condoms are at fault for the increase of AIDS. That is why I support "Doctors without Borders" who not only treat people without question, but do it without any hidden agenda or converting souls for the cause.

[macskeptic]

What an epic massacre!

Brilliant arguing all the way.

Hitchens seems to have even realized how the thing was already won by a far margin in his final speech and decided to "waste" it by flaming against religion just for the sake of it.

[Northerner]

Excellent debate, though a little on the short side. But I guess that was because of the TV producers who demanded that it be over in as little time as possible.

I would have loved for this to go on or be continued another time later, Fry and Hitchens make a great pair of intellectual sparring buddies.. They overpowered the Catholic representation through sheer facts and wit.