Christopher Hitchens Vs. Chris Hedges on Religion - Part 2/4

This debate between author and commentator Christopher Hitchens and journalist Chris Hedges focuses on religion, and was entitled "Is God Great?" It took place in Berkeley, California on May 24, 2007. Part 2 of 4

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News & Politics

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• Christopher
• Hitchens
• Chris
• Hedges
• debate
• religion
• spirituality
• god
• is
• not
• great
• atheist
• atheism
• theism
• catholic
• catholicism
• church
• jesus
• islam
• iraq
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[TheDreamMechanic]

@SpaceExplorer

Actually, Hedges slaughtered Hitchens in their opening exchange. Apparently Hitchens never got the memo that you should actually know what you're talking about before you open your mouth; particularly in a formal debate. He has zero understanding of spirituality, and therefore no ground upon which to understand religion. Simply put, he is a propagandist. Hedges, on the other hand, has a much more open minded (and less self assured) approach. Win for Hedges.

[livingstonmail]

@Matthysable You nailed the Hitchens "product." Set up straw men, and burn them down - again and again. The sad thing about Hitch in later life is that he well knew what he was doing... how it bordered on pseudo-intellectual hucksterism... yet he could not stop doing it. I think to some degree he was amused at his own ability to get away with it, and kept pushing. What idiot could not make a cogent case against genital mutilation, etc.? But what does that have to do with "God" per se?

[MenOfLetters]

Hedges battered this neocon fool. 

[bethnor]

@sharonmyk1 hedges is not modest at all. like every other theist, he claims to know the mind of god. how exactly does he know that god is loving? how does he know that god doesn't get a kick out of watching us kill each other? hedges has also condemned the far right and called obama a "disaster," leaving him the true christian. by what authority can he make that declaration?

[youtu33time]

@TheShadowOfMars You're correct that waiting for God to do good without taking action yourself is a terrible mindset. The Christians to do take courage and combat evil are motivated by gratitude to Jesus for their own gift of salvation. Evil has a dark spiritual aspect-so we need the assistance of light, a pure, holy spirit to help overcome it. With access to spiritual power from God, we can be more effective in our actions. Thank you for your thoughtful remark, I appreciate you.

[shrapn0]

@TheDreamMechanic Not true, listen to Hitchens' talk of spirituality upon the magnitude of the Hubble telescope's findings. Or the inspiring revelations of Lawrence Krauss that we are all "made of star stuff". As Hitchens himself articulated; far more inspiring than a burning bush. Hedges is incredibly close minded on the issue of religion, hes ok attacking the US religious right, but defends the religious right of third world countries as though it were some liberation theology. Sick man.

[sharonmyk1]

Hitchens always comes across as a plumped up self centred egoist. And ultimately shallow in his preparation and execution. He's a liitle too full of hot air and his own sense of importance. Hedges on the other hand is much more balanced, modest and knowledgable.

[mogem]

Can one have depth in something that does not exit?

[mogem]

It is simply a matter of accepting truths or just making shit up

Reality=reality

[MegaTarkers]

@livingstonmail Your lack of humour is exceeded only by your lack of intelligent thought.

Whatever sense YOU got from this, it wasn't anything to do with Hitchens' mind - that is as far beyond your own intellect as yours is beyond a chimp's .... hmmm .. perhaps that's not such a good analogy .... well - you know what I mean.

Engage brain before striking keyboard.

[MegaTarkers]

@livingstonmail I take from that, that you have not the wit to fully consider the issues in detail and to draw a balanced conclusion.

You should therefore - forgive me - shut the fuck up.

[Sconezeta]

I love how religion cherry picks what they say they believe in from religious script. Which religion is correct? Why is yours correct now? What happens to those who don't believe in the same thing you do but claim the divine rights as well? Atheists don't need to say anything as people in one religion condemn those in another daily.