I don't think the Northern Ireland point is actually a particularly valid one, given that the differences between the religions themselves are small and the question of "Catholic or Protestant" is really seen as "nationalist or unionist". That's what they're really asking and that's where the divide really is, and it didn't spring from religion, it sprang from British imperialism. Otherwise I agree with Hitch on every point.
For more on humanity's shared belief in the ' The Golden Rule ' ( written at Matt 7v12) try wisdomcommons or Valerie Tarico, ' Trusting doubt ', or wikipedia, or Robert M. Price, ' The reason driven life ', Sam Harris, ' The moral landscape '
Blair is really stretching himself here. Religion embraces people who are different? That's nonsense. How many muslim parents would let their child marry a non-muslim for example? Religion emphasises difference between people.
@Dethreid - Sadly he's a babbling religious former Prime Minister of England making Christopher's points more vibrant and true. *Sigh* we need a leader more like Hitchens.
I feel like the concept of religion that Tony is defending is so particularly specific as to not be descriptive of the majority of religious people in the world, which makes his argument kind of fall flat.
It's like he's saying "religion is a force for good when people don't let religious differences separate them"... sounds kind of absurd doesn't it?
At about 8:10, and repeatedly through this debate, one Blair's points seems to be first, the concession, that, well, yes, religion can be very bad; but also--well, there's other bad things too! Not a very strong debate tactic.
"Members of the Catholic Church who behaved badly in Rwanda". Fucking hell, naughty school children "behave badly". Machete-wielding maniacs do something quite different. My contempt for this man seems to grow by the day,
Religion's primary fault is that it advocates, endorses, and outright glorifies ignorance, or "faith" as the theists call it. The slaves were kept from reading for a reason, because their masters knew that if they started to THINK then they would start to DISOBEY, and the dynamic is no different with the priests. How else could the Pope convince the poor that he was helping them from his throne of gold if not for their unquestioning (piety) obedience? Religion a good thing? Never.
@MusicStudyMan Actually religion is fundamentally about excluding those who are different in that they don't believe what you believe. I would argue that condemning someone to burn forever in a lake of fire because they don't accept Jesus as their savior and lord is the epitomy of exclusion.
@beefcurtains67 He's right all the time, is he? Isn't that just a tad fundamentalist? Fundamentalism is what many people hate so much in religion. If you've already decided on what you believe, why watch a religious debate at all? Open mindedness is lacking on both sides. People tend to forget that little detail.
I don't think the Northern Ireland point is actually a particularly valid one, given that the differences between the religions themselves are small and the question of "Catholic or Protestant" is really seen as "nationalist or unionist". That's what they're really asking and that's where the divide really is, and it didn't spring from religion, it sprang from British imperialism. Otherwise I agree with Hitch on every point.
ecureuil85 2 months ago
For more on humanity's shared belief in the ' The Golden Rule ' ( written at Matt 7v12) try wisdomcommons or Valerie Tarico, ' Trusting doubt ', or wikipedia, or Robert M. Price, ' The reason driven life ', Sam Harris, ' The moral landscape '
zytigon 5 months ago
the lamb may lay down with the lion. But the lion will eat the lamb every time.
No prises for guessing who the lion is and who is the lamb in this debate. LOL
Iamtopcoach 5 months ago
Thank you for posting this, thehumanfactorconz.
writersblock26 6 months ago
Blair is really stretching himself here. Religion embraces people who are different? That's nonsense. How many muslim parents would let their child marry a non-muslim for example? Religion emphasises difference between people.
gwangjuboy1 8 months ago
Did he "love" the Muslims he slaughtered when he was in power?
properlymiffed 8 months ago
This moderator was fantastic too btw
Dethreid 10 months ago
This was a fantastic ass kicking.
Wasn't really a debate.
It was just a bubbling religious man making Christopher's points more vibrant and true.
Dethreid 10 months ago 4
@Dethreid - Sadly he's a babbling religious former Prime Minister of England making Christopher's points more vibrant and true. *Sigh* we need a leader more like Hitchens.
TheWanderingAngel 9 months ago
I feel like the concept of religion that Tony is defending is so particularly specific as to not be descriptive of the majority of religious people in the world, which makes his argument kind of fall flat.
It's like he's saying "religion is a force for good when people don't let religious differences separate them"... sounds kind of absurd doesn't it?
spokmage 10 months ago
this debate was no contest, i almost feel sorry for tony....almost
matchbox555 10 months ago
At about 8:10, and repeatedly through this debate, one Blair's points seems to be first, the concession, that, well, yes, religion can be very bad; but also--well, there's other bad things too! Not a very strong debate tactic.
DandAinTac 10 months ago
"Members of the Catholic Church who behaved badly in Rwanda". Fucking hell, naughty school children "behave badly". Machete-wielding maniacs do something quite different. My contempt for this man seems to grow by the day,
towneslives 10 months ago
its a shame I can only watch this video in 240p. Tony's face is priceless
roadkill1001 11 months ago
Religion's primary fault is that it advocates, endorses, and outright glorifies ignorance, or "faith" as the theists call it. The slaves were kept from reading for a reason, because their masters knew that if they started to THINK then they would start to DISOBEY, and the dynamic is no different with the priests. How else could the Pope convince the poor that he was helping them from his throne of gold if not for their unquestioning (piety) obedience? Religion a good thing? Never.
CommanderC4 11 months ago
"treu religion is not about exlcuding someone because they're different..." Has Tony read the Koran or The Bible????
MusicStudyMan 1 year ago 10
@MusicStudyMan I find it so difficult to believe you are so logical with such spelling :O
Popikawaii 10 months ago
@Popikawaii Yes, very sorry about that, I'd had a few drinks at the time...oops!
MusicStudyMan 10 months ago
@MusicStudyMan Actually religion is fundamentally about excluding those who are different in that they don't believe what you believe. I would argue that condemning someone to burn forever in a lake of fire because they don't accept Jesus as their savior and lord is the epitomy of exclusion.
kcklein2075 1 month ago
He should stop bringing up Naziism
freefall2time 1 year ago
Blair begins every section by making concessions. Hitch never concedes, because he's right. All the time.
beefcurtains67 1 year ago
@beefcurtains67 He's right all the time, is he? Isn't that just a tad fundamentalist? Fundamentalism is what many people hate so much in religion. If you've already decided on what you believe, why watch a religious debate at all? Open mindedness is lacking on both sides. People tend to forget that little detail.
craftyhan 1 year ago 2
@craftyhan Agreed.
writersblock26 6 months ago
"where does the religious divide come from??"
OUCHH
akoralturk 1 year ago 11
Forcing the different religions to work together is not the answer. Live and Let Live is the answer.
chloeluvzjonet 1 year ago
@ 2:45 Islam has the best arguments for any of these subjective and pragmatic questions.....
acidbaseab 1 year ago
hitchslapped
Danbag2000 1 year ago
Dayum Son!!
dwightschrute117 1 year ago