Christopher Hitchens debates Barry Brummett, Part 1

Debate between renowned journalist and author Christopher Hitchens and Dr. Barry Brummett (Chair, Department of Communication Studies, University of Texas at Austin) on the resolution "Religion has been a positive force in culture," June 4, 2011. Organized by the Department of English Language and Literature, University of Waterloo (http://www.english.uwaterloo.ca/), as part of the Literature, Rhetoric, and Values Conference, 3-5 June 2011.

Moderated by Jian Ghomeshi, an award-winning broadcaster, writer, musician and producer. He is the host and co-creator of the national daily talk program, Q, on CBC Radio One and CBC TV (http://www.cbc.ca/q/). Since its inception in 2007, Q has garnered the largest audience of any cultural affairs program in Canada and has become the highest-rated show in its morning time slot in CBC history.

In Part 1, Jian Ghomeshi introduces the two debaters.

Preliminary video-editing by Ken Cooper. Final edits by MetaMedia Productions, Waterloo, Ontario.

The Department gratefully acknowledges the support of a Social Sciences and Humanities Council Aid to Conferences Grant for the Conference on Literature, Rhetoric, and Values.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Christopher Hitchens
• Barry Brummett
• Jian Ghomeshi
• University of Waterloo
• 50th anniversary
• Washington
• Hitchens/Brummett debate
• religion and culture

[Durano77]

Finally! :)

Go Hitch! Time to deliver your next Hitchslap blows!

[cruz1ale]

Part 2 ....?

[666arabmoney]

rip Mr Hitchens. you have been inspiration and source of wisdom in last decade. rip

[JELLYJIGGLIN]

Where honesty was, there is a huge void in the realm of public intellectuals. You will be missed, Hitch.

[hunta99]

Was anyone else surprised when the camera panned back onto a 40 foot size Hitchens face?

[juandeldiablo696]

god i love Hitchens!!! lol " little joke"

[seppomuppit]

Clapping into the microphone, Rookie mistake.

[Goergebenson]

@Bastardozer He's working. He wrote a book denouncing religion. He was then asked and payed to go on a series of tours. He also sold many books after the debates. Thats why you can see many such debates. If you look at his earlier footage you will find him talking about many other subjects.

[adknerr]

There is nothing from Hitch in this clip.

[Bastardozer]

I know he believes his time is being spent as best is possible, but I wish these rare recorded or televised appearances encapsulated more than the same debate we've seen him get into dozens of times already. There are so many more pressing matters that would be better disseminated through his voice of reason.