Part 4/5 - The Intelligence Squared Debate Christopher Hitchens

Aired 11-7-09 on BBC World

Is the Catholic church a force for good in the world?

"It stands up for the oppressed and offers spiritual succour to billions say the Church's supporters. But what about the Church's teachings on condoms, gays and women priests, ask the detractors."

Speaking for the motion, Archbishop John Onaiyekan and Ann Widdencombe MP. Speaking against the motion, Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry.

Category:

Education

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[MrSejanus27]

The Catholic Church says we couldn't know any better because nobody else did.

Stephen Fry: "Then what are you FOR?"

Slam dunk.

[tigersare]

666th comment... Fuck you Catholic church! :P

[manarazer]

missed something at 2:38 Never got hitchen's answer :(

[ZLi0n]

a moral society from the 10 commandments. yea thats why the middle east is such a peacefull paradise of ancient wisdom and learning, love and understanding and leads the world in spiritual matters and... oh no wait...

[ZLi0n]

girl stand up and talks about the 10 commandments? what about slavery? sit down you moron.

[Mark3164]

Ask the victims of child abuse what they think of the commandment "Honour thy father and mother".

[awesomeskier12345]

@maxwheeler92 Yes i suppose I do too.

[maxwheeler92]

@awesomeskier12345 Haha nor do I, don't get me wrong I don't believe in god or heaven but I don't mind debating with religious people on a grounding of religious epistemology. 

[awesomeskier12345]

@maxwheeler92 personally i dont see the difference between a non existant male god, and a non existant female god.

[maxwheeler92]

@ecanruf I would raise a point on the questioners behalf. Surely, given christ's ascendancy beyond masculinity or femininity he can be represented by a man or a woman, as long as they imitate his goodness it does not matter what their gender is. Furthermore though it may be more difficult for a man to represent the qualities present in Mary because they are so profoundly feminine (maternity etc) it is not impossible as Anne suggests. I await your response or rebuttal.

[KittiMitties]

@prbj07ab Haha, so true.