Sharpton / Hitchens Debate - The Persistence of Religion

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2007/05/07/Al_Sharpton_and_Christopher_Hitchens

Author Christopher Hitchens debates the Reverend Al Sharpton on the persistence of religious belief in a world of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement.

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A Debate: God Is Not Great with Al Sharpton and Christopher Hitchens.

Taking on possibly the greatest issue of our time - the malignant force of religion in the world - Christopher Hitchens makes the ultimate case against religion through a close and learned reading of the major religious texts, citing numerous historical instances in which sexual repression and outrageous acts of violence have been committed in the name of God. He argues for a more secular life based on science and reason, in which hell is replaced by the Hubble telescope's awesome view of the universe, and Moses and the burning bush give way to the beauty and symmetry of the double helix. -- NYPL

Christopher Hitchens is an author, journalist and literary critic. Now living in Washington, D.C., he has been a columnist at Vanity Fair, The Nation and Slate; additionally, he is an occasional contributor to many other publications.

Al Sharpton Jr. is a Pentecostal minister, a political activist, civil rights activist and film actor. In recent years, Sharpton has also become a perennial candidate in his quest for the Democratic Party's nomination for President of the United States. Author of "Go and Tell Pharaoh: The Autobiography of the Reverend Al Sharpton."

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• faith
• atheists
• agnostics
• atheism
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[NielasHellsing]

@miket1m

Atheism teaches nothing, it is a description of someone who thinks there's no god or supernatural dimension.

Since this term doesn't origin from any writings of sheep-herding, ignorant, megalomaniac peasants in bronze age palestine, I don't blame you for not comprehending it's meaning.

Fucking period.

[purphanz]

I would have loved to see Terrance Mckenna debate Hitchens.

[xxxMarzikinnsxxx]

@NielasHellsing

AND WHAT RERIGION TEATCH YOU??????????????.

[purphanz]

"He once attended a ball, and spent most of his time in a hot public argument on the divinity of Christ." William Lyon Phelps, i.e. "The Idiot" , Fyodor Dostoevsky.

[WillShakespeare2007]

@miket1m - You believe in talking snakes and and I'm "absurd". Do you have a talking snake? Hey just put your talking snake on YouTube and I will be glad to call that evidence. Oh wait the way your logic works is that unless I can prove you don;t have a talking snake then there are talking snakes everywhere, just like God. Let me know when you can produce the talking snake moron.

[TheDalinkwent]

@miket1m, Atheism means LACK OF EVIDENCE thus I don't believe it, Not to mention you can't prove a negative. Do you believe in Alla, Thor, Zeus, Bigfoot, Elvis still being alive and so many other tales based in Myth? By your own childish logic those fables would be just as non fictional. What do you not understand about NO EVIDENCE?!!!!

[miket1m]

@TheDalinkwent I think your the one thats comical. I want to see your evidence that God doesn't exist. You say He doesn't, tell me why. Are you saying He doesn't exist or are you saying you don't know? Atheism is a positive assertion. You have a position, an opinion you defend. Defend it by attacking theistic proofs, etc.So logically atheism is a positive assertion. I'm just asking you morons how you know there is no God?

[TheDalinkwent]

@miket1m, Why do you keep asking atheist to proove God doesn't exist? How about you start with some proof that God DOES exist, what is your evidence...The Bible? That's called REINFORCED LOGIC!!! How ironic that a person who believes in God demands that someone offer evidence to proof their beliefs. It's almost comical.

[miket1m]

@WillShakespeare2007

Babys are unaware of God, they're not atheist. No claims are accurate? Of course they are. There are eye witness accounts that have been recorded. Guess what Willie, no sufficient evidence still doesn't disprove God. You're absurd

[WillShakespeare2007]

@miket1m Sorry but you are completely wrong. Everyone is born an Atheist and there are hundreds of different claims of gods and you chose to believe in one. My position is simply that there is no evidence whatsoever that any of those claims are accurate. Again, if you claim you can fly and I say I don't believe you without proof then that is not a positive claim. It would be YOU making the positive claim.

What "theistic proofs" please enlighten me? As all I have ever seen is absurd claims.

[miket1m]

@NielasHellsing Where did you get that definition, from the Urban dictionary? Hahaha

[miket1m]

@WillShakespeare2007

2.

Isn't it logical to say that you are making a positive assertion? If not, why are you acting as though you are?

At least we Christians have evidences for God's existence such as fulfilled biblical prophecy, Jesus' resurrection, the Transcendental Argument, etc.

Another problem for you atheist. Refuting evidences for God’s existence doesn't prove atheism true anymore than refuting an eyewitness testimony of a marriage denies the reality of the marriage.