Christopher Hitchens at The World Humanist Congress Part 1

[writersblock26]

Thank you for posting this, Solidaritatea.

[tdjdk]

It doesn't matter what you do as a true christian. You can murder, rape, steal, lie, anything at all, the only way to hell is NOT believing in jeebus as your lord and saviour. It doesn't matter if you kill in the name of allah, all the innocents will be guaranteed a place in heaven, as long as you do it for god.

Killing for israel as a jew is kosher - afterall, god PROMISED this land to the jews. In every case, you can do what you want to non-believers.

Morals? In religion? You MUST be joking

[Hufflewaffle]

So science has found 'right' and 'wrong' in nature?

What an extraordinary claim.

[theREALshafan]

well not as such, but we categorically do not need the supernatural to know moral from immoral.

YOU for your part probably know that rape is far worse than fornication and adultery, despite the fact that the bible spends far more time condemning adulterers than rapists.

[mutabrev]

To therealshafan, Adulterers commit adultery and are sinning. Rapists are animals, and there probably isn't a lot of point admonishing an animal, you just kill it.

Moral or immoral, at least believers fear the consequences of their actions, atheists have no worries unless they get caught.

Let's not delude ourselves into imagining that we have a higher moral standard than lets say Jesus demonstrated. That would be great, thanks.

[theREALshafan]

you didn't adress my point that the bible does not stress rape as worse than adultery. This is especially true in the old testament, where most passages with women are them getting traded like cattle.

Christians utterly degrade the concept of morality, and humanity, by saying that morals are just arbitrary rules set down by some powerful being. If an archangel came down and told me that he'd changed his mind, and it was ok to go and kill and steal, you know what? I still wouldn't kill.

[theREALshafan]

adultery is immoral only if you're defining it as someone cheating on their spouse - this is because of the hurt feelings of the cheated, not because it goes against bronze age myths. There is absolutely nothing wrong with sex before marriage, so long as each person properly consents.

many people act immorally, but we do have an innate sense of right and wrong. do you really think that the jews could have made it to Sinai if they thought that murdering eachother was moral?

[TAz69x]

Yes, essentially.

Sentient beings exist subjectively, there's unpleasant and pleasant states associated with neurology.

So don't impart pain, death, loss, suffering, etc. to that subjectivity.

[GaiusIuliusTaberna]

@Hufflewaffle Nature sure doesn't tell you to slit the throat of anyone who try's to convert you away from belief in god, (Judaism, Christianity, Islam.) It doesn't recomend genitle mutilation, it doesn't tell you to kill women whenever something bad happens based on a belief in witchery, it doesn't tell you to burn people for fagotry, and it most certainly doesn't motivate people to blow themselves up in crowded subways.

[pervious1]

Does anyone else think that the intellencia should be in government, not the preened, pampered, self interested wankers that WANT power?

[evilnomad111]

Hitchens would be the reason if I ever turned queer.

[Atheistjeremy]

LOL!

[pervious1]

I'd call you a prick, except hat you'd probably take it the wrong way...ooer missus!

[evilnomad111]

I'd call you an asshole, but there would only be one way for you to take it :P

[pervious1]

I'd call you a cunt, but cunts are useful.

[evilnomad111]

HAHAHAHA! Sir, you have just earned yourself a beer. If ur in Albuquerque, lemme know lol

[pervious1]

Cheers! Mine's a pint!

[Vash002]

the most sickly and nosiest audience i've heard in a while.

[kukulza]

"at least you can die to get the hell out of North Korea"... lol.

[Freshhhhh1982]

I have a man crush on Hitchens.

[tyrannicoystercult]

i woudlnt say its irrational to desire oblation to divine progenitors, i haev been atheist/agnostic for most of my life but sustained an interest in some religions and mythology, in the moment of some extremely pleasurable bits of existance i wanted nothign other than to express thankfulness for my mysteriously occuring existance. in a way the peopel tryign to enforce that have quite a beauiful thing in their hearts, just not the administrative skill to help others realize it.

[kukulza]

it's because they try to up-play that beautiful thing while down-playing humanity which allows it. they say that is "god's work". fuck that. my work is my own and your work is your own. be proud of who you are and what you do but not at the cost of other people's beliefs.

if christians simply stuck to their own ranks and let people catch wind of their teachings naturally and let them come into their teachings naturally then there'd be no problems. but christians (many) seem to fight earthen joy

[StrangeLittleGirl4]

ღ♥ i admire Hitchensღ♥

ღ♥ღ♥ღ♥ღ♥ღ♥ღ♥ღ♥ღ♥

K. McLovin

[nevillman93]

What is the English name of God is not Great? I can't find it by that name in any bookshops here.

[MrAvenged]

you just said it lol.

[nevillman93]

ye but didn't the guy at the start say that us brits got a watered down version - or does that just mean the british version doesn't have the subtitle "how religion poisons everything"?

[Sanderniet]

in the dutch version the content is 99% the same (the last 1% is because of translatory mistakes) and it lacks the poison subtitle.

[rjhacker]

Throughout this video, it's like twelve guys with bad colds are all sitting in stalls in a public bathroom where someone walks in every minute, and each is obliged to cough to alert us of their presence, and then they cough anyway because they have bad colds.

[BoozyBeggar]

"Fuck, now I have to mention Kafka."

[10mintwo]

that didn't really make any sense right? i mean surely he meant Orwell or something no?

[snufffilmsweetheart]

Isn't he talking about Kafka's The Trial?

[10mintwo]

where the hell was this filmed, a fucking tuberculosis sanitarium? fuck off with the coughing already!

[christophermaplewood]

Serioulsy.

[jacobssandy]

shit does every single person in the audience hack darts as much as Christopher? You can barely hear him over the coughing at parts! Good stuff though.

[DRV275]

I swear those people coughing in the background are trying to disrupt the audience. Audiences are much more likely to listen with attention to the start of a long speech but then they zone out after a few minutes. Thos epeople were coughing heaps at the start but then stopped coughing after a while.

[squanto2]

I do not believe in a god. But I must ask myself if I lived in an impoverished country where the struggle for food and ultimate survival was a daily occurance, would my desperation drive me to seek solace in a power above my own. I fear that I just might change my mind - for my own sanity.

[analubalitious]

False consolation? I, personally, do not find the concept of supernatural forces to be the least bit consoling. Consolation comes from within. Would it not be more helpful to identify the cause and origin of that desperation, pain, suffering and focus your energy toward that?

For my own sanity, especially in the hardest of times, I cannot allow myself to fall away from reason and critical thinking, for that is when they are needed most.

[IzzyBunneh]

so, in all honesty you wouldn't find believing that there's an afterlife, where you'll go to live for eternity in bliss, where you'll see all your relatives and family again

maybe after some time living for ever would become old, but i imagine if there was a heaven it'd have unimaginable bliss, so who knows x3

i don't believe in these things, but i might like to. unfortunately i'm made in such a way that i'm not so dishonest with myself that i can pretend there's evidence for it

[analubalitious]

The concept of eternity itself is relentlessly scary, in my opinion. I consider it a sort of blessing that we get our moment on earth and then it's like before birth. Even if I were to ignore all the neuroscience that completely discredits any notion of a conscious afterlife, I still wouldn't find the idea of eternal consciousness consoling. I'm prone to boredom now, what will the first 10 trillion years do to me? And the next, and so on without end,.. no thank you.

[IzzyBunneh]

i deffinately understand that. i still feel however that i'd prefer, maybe not to live forever, but at least for a few thousand years

living forever, i agree, wouldn't be too appealing

[btiggy420]

God does not exist

[Voltajavi]

Gos is not Great!

[Clyaton]

God is the shiznet.... Yall are rude!

[btiggy420]

Hitchens uses many points that cannot be argued and this is the bases of some of his repeated statements but over all each speech/debate are different based on the situation.

[talicohen]

ARGUMENT FROM KENT HOVIND

(1) I don't want to work for a living.

(2) I don't want to pay taxes.

(3) I can get gullible fundamentalists to send me money.

(4) I can use religious exemption claims to tie the IRS up in court.

(5) Therefore, God exists.

[JETZcorp]

Precisely!

[amsterdammed71]

I wonder if Hovind was inspired by Elmer Gantry (i think that's on youtube too.....)

[enlightendbel]

@talicohen the later didn't work all to well did it :p

[limpnail]

Had to stop this. sound is bad and I felt like I was going to catch the bug of what ever these coughing ppl had. Is this a room full of smokers or is it the flu?

[rnorththorn]

Hitchens Rules.

[brautigan81]

lol he always says that at the beginning, "Thank you for that...suspiciously *blank* introduction."

[richter75]

turse.. And not always, the best is "thank you for that most recent introduction of me" .

[niginit]

for someone who bitches a great deal about other people repeating themselves he is a person who I've observed for the last few years repeating himself over and over.

it was nice at first but now it's just annoying, he's like a pull string doll and what's sad is that the people who are there to hear him speak are always surprised when he says something he has already said in 10 public speeches.

[Voltajavi]

have you read his books, hitchens is very original, I can see why some of his phrases could be considered a clithe, but i think they are purposly organized after all its rhetoric...if people can put up with 1000's of years of dogma, none should have a serious problem with hitchens repeating a few verses once in a while.

[mateyboy07]

And did you personally attend all 10 of these public speeches? No you didn't. You saw them on Youtube. That's why they're repetitive. Why don't you complain about a stand-up comic who uses the same jokes at each show during his tour?

Do you have anything serious to say?

[niginit]

yes I have read his books but that really has nothing to do with it.

what does the medium of my observation have anything to do with the repetitiveness of hitchens?? was it different IRL??

do you know how much of a dunce you sound like?

when debating you can't just repeat the same lines over and over, you must be adaptive and counter-intuitive. a couple of things I'm sure you know nothing about.

do you have anything to say that makes sense?

didn't think so, stfu.

[soccerboy19732000]

niginit - why would Hitchens need to constantly change his comments? His opinion is clearly the same so why should his reasons change? Besides this context is hardly "debate" ...

[mateyboy07]

"yes I have read his books but that really has nothing to do with it."

I didn't even mention his books you crazy bastard.

"what does the medium of my observation have anything to do with the repetitiveness of hitchens??"

Each debate you've seen on Youtube took place in front of different audiences IRL, and it's obviously assumed that those audiences hadn't yet heard his lines. You have the luxury to view all his debates sequentially on Youtube, which is why it sounds repetitive to you.

[mateyboy07]

"do you know how much of a dunce you sound like?"

Lol.

"when debating you can't just repeat the same lines over and over, you must be adaptive and counter-intuitive. a couple of things I'm sure you know nothing about."

It says more about the weakness in his opponent's position if Hitchens can get away with using the same lines in debates. And you've not watched enough Hitchens debates; I've seen him give plenty of improvised rebuttals.

[ayesee]

To repeat one's thesis every time one is asked of their stance on an issue isn't a negative, it is a positive in that it denotes consistence. When one is asked to give a speech concerning this thesis, one does not rewrite their basic views for each occasion. In a debate, Hitchens is and has always been adaptive. Listen to his debate with Boteach, then to his with Benjamin, then to his with his brother. The thesis stays, yet he adapts to differing challenges.

You sir, niginit, are a farce.

[callmedeno]

What a pretentious douchebag. Jesus!

[callmedeno]

(I was talking about "ayesee" not hitch btw)

[Lotus4115]

Comma before Jesus. Love Hitchens.

[niginit]

I didn't say that Hitchens couldn't be adaptive or that changing his line of reasoning was in order at all what-so-ever.

I was commenting more on the logical failure of media. We have to wait years for someone like Hitchens to say anything new (not different). If everyone got their media from the internet as I and so many others do then we wouldn't have to worry about these debates ever having to materialize in the public square because they could be online instantly.

I watch every debate.TYVM

[bencawley1]

you're right to a point, but the repetativness of his arguments, particularly against religion, are countered by the same repetative arguments in favour of religion. You have to shine that same light on the other side of the argument. And its true if you read his books you will see how truely original his thoughts and opinions are on a vast array of subjects.

[niginit]

yep, That is why it sucks to see him only using %10 of his mind so that many people who apparently don't have the internet or read books can hear his thoughts.

Which is my point in the first place, who cares about people who don't use the internet or read books?

I think he should be trying to reach the people who won't listen to him at a debate for 2 hours then go home and fall into the same old idiotic behavior. Impressing the informed is much more worth it IMO.

[josephdrew87]

Hurrah for the youtube mention!

[annalisason]

I am getting a little tired of hearing him talk of north korea. he makes a good point, though.

[josephdrew87]

Frankly, I don't think one can talk about North Korea *enough*? Especially in the religion debate, becuase it is an atheist state and the only country in the world to still persecute people simply for being religious for atheistic reasons. I am a keen atheist, but it is interesting question. Do you disagree?

[annalisason]

that´s not what I meant. of course, the dicatorship of north korea must be condemned as the evil system it is. what I meant was that hitchens has used this rhetorical figure to many times. not that he is wrong, but it feels overused.

[josephdrew87]

Hmmmm, I agree Hitchens is seldom original in describing problems like this. But then I find the original rhetoric so brilliant I don't mind hearing it again and again...

[CaptPorridge2]

North Korea does have a religion and Kim Jong-il and his father are its messiahs.

[josephdrew87]

Oh, I completely agree with what Hitchens (and you) says about North Korea, in that it resembles a religion and is based on faith and subjugation. However, it is still interesting that North Korea *claims* to be atheistic. I think atheists have some degree of explaining to do as to why communism does not represent an atheistic, secular and rational society. The answer probably lies in the DPRK not being a liberal, rational or free society, which I would deem necessary besides atheism.

[david552]

Most actually existing communist regimes have a personality cult and party "priesthood" that doesn't want any competitors for devotion and respect - other dictatorships have co-opted the church so they are both in it together.

[Voltajavi]

However NK uses very religious indoctrination on its brainwashing techniques, in another words Kim Jong-il if sucessful conquers land,your looking at the future deity, to go to church and worship in 10o0 years. The great Cycle of religion will continue until we stop it(

[Voltajavi]

"what atheism has to explain" atheist, by definition does not have to explain anything, its a non-belief on something that is proposed(God). We would not go around attacking Norway for its ateapotist view(Russells Teapot) then presume to call it a ateapostist country and judge its policies as ateapostis tare they also non-apollo policies?,

[ChildeRolandofGilead]

Now in Shaky-Cam!

[tubester4567]

I like Christopher but he should lay off the plonk. He did an interview recently on Australian TV and he was completely pissed, was vague, swore a few times and was distracted and couldnt answer any questions properly. It really looked bad. Lets make a rule of no plonk before public appearances OK??

[0stewy0]

Do you mean the late line interview ? just that I did not get the impression of him being pissed or vague

[richo61]

Note: "pissed" to an Australian means drunk - not "angry"

"Plonk" is alcohol - booze.

[tubester4567]

Yes it was lateline which he appears on fairly regularly. This was a couple of months ago and he was obviously drunk that night. I dont think you saw the same appearance if you didnt think he was drunk. Tony had to say to him several times "christopher we're on the air".

[OmegaRage]

Go to Democracy Now and watch the video of him debating Tariq Ali. You'll see what he's really like when pissed.

[chachieb]

quote "very well I'll be quiet" after being called stupid and idiotic,, I'm pretty sure I've seen Hitchens use a bit more colour in his language.

[Onetimerule]

North Korea is the mother of all dictatorships.

[liddlefeesh]

Thanks for putting this up. But who the hell was coughing? Audio quality needs work and can you say, "Tripod"?

Thx anyway!

[CrisFofy]

Keep the good work!

I can't wait to see other video from the Congress.

[mjswv5]

Thank you for the post. Much appreciated.

[EpicHiroDJ]

wait for it ! the trademark: "thankyou for that suspiciously terse introduction........"-schtick ......... wooo : P

[KerryPanda]

yes, you read my mind! why does he keep saying that? most of his introductions are the opposite of terse!

[DevilsAdv0kate]

Thats the joke. He wants moar attention.

[padraic2001eire]

The other one he's used more than once is, "of all the introductions I've had to listen to about myself that's certainly the most recent".

[papavb]

Thanks much for putting this up man, and remember that no true drunk walks around without a water bottle to open scotch's flavors up proper, from Ron White to Hitchens.