Part 3/5 - 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.

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[BayAreaOrBust]

I'm Catholic but after hearing Hitchens and Fry I strongly feel like becoming an Agnostic.

[GaladedridDamodred]

If you skip ahead to 8:18, you get to hear Stephen Fry compare the Catholic Church to an anorexic morbidly obese celibate nymphomaniac.

[Key3812]

Where did 09:21 go?

[Porkusido]

@GaladedridDamodred Thats very true actually and i apologise.

I only had the last speech of this clip in mind when i wrote my comment, but now that you mention it, yes he did and i dont know how i forgott it as its been one of the biggest things ive always bashed catholics for.

I withdraw my earlier comment!

[GaladedridDamodred]

@Porkusido One of the things with which he charges the Catholic Church is rape. I think it is safe to say that he considers them both anorexic and morbidly obese.

[Porkusido]

@GaladedridDamodred I interpretted what he said to him saying that the two extremes in obsession of sex is the catholic church at one side and say.. a pornstar or sex addict on the other :P

Just as the extremes of obsessing of food is either anorexia or morbid obesity.

I know i almost just coped what you typed, but fealt it was inportant to say that he didnt compare the catholic church with booth anorexia and morbid obesity, he compared it with anorexia only, as though that aint bad enough :P

[appropriateresponse]

@BayAreaOrBust not sure exactly what you mean by that (english second language) but it sounds to me like you're talking more about politics than religion. My moral foundation comes not from any list of commandments or scripture, but from reasoning, and I think its the same for most Atheists.

not many atheists(the evil ones) have done their evil in the name of atheism. whereas religious leaders base their decisions on the writings of their faith. "It's okay to kill these people, god said so"

[kriqtic]

I think the desire on some to force others to bow to there understanding of right will inevitably lead to strife. It's a problem within us. Not religion. That being said. Religion seems to become more often than not a tool for control rather than improving humanity. Unless your sole definition of human improvement is teaching others to worshipers like you.

[BayAreaOrBust]

@appropriateresponse Thank you, but something worries me. Doesn't Atheism (like in the Soviet Union and china) hamper human rights, or were those just evil individuals?

[appropriateresponse]

@BayAreaOrBust Great! only you should skip the Agnostic bit, and head straight for Atheism. you are welcome among us brother!

also, we have t-shirts.

[Dannan1989]

@GaladedridDamodred "an anorexic morbidly obese celibate nymphomaniac" - ... he just compared the Catholic Church to me? Goddamn.