30 Renowned Writers Speaking About God

Speakers in order of appearance:

1. Sir Arthur C. Clarke, Science Fiction Writer
2. Nadine Gordimer, Nobel Laureate in Literature
3. Professor Isaac Asimov, Author and Biochemist
4. Arthur Miller, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Playwright
5. Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate in Literature
6. Gore Vidal, Award-Winning Novelist and Political Activist
7. Douglas Adams, Best-Selling Science Fiction Writer
8. Professor Germaine Greer, Writer and Feminist
9. Iain Banks, Best-Selling Fiction Writer
10. José Saramago, Nobel Laureate in Literature
11. Sir Terry Pratchett, NYT Best-Selling Novelist
12. Ken Follett, NYT Best-Selling Author
13. Ian McEwan, Man Booker Prize-Winning Novelist
14. Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate (1999-2009)
15. Professor Martin Amis, Award-Winning Novelist
16. Michel Houellebecq, Goncourt Prize-Winning French Novelist
17. Philip Roth, Man Booker Prize-Winning Novelist
18. Margaret Atwood, Booker Prize-Winning Author and Poet
19. Sir Salman Rushdie, Booker Prize-Winning Novelist
20. Norman MacCaig, Renowned Scottish Poet
21. Phillip Pullman, Best-Selling British Author
22. Dr Matt Ridley, Award-Winning Science Writer
23. Harold Pinter, Nobel Laureate in Literature
24. Howard Brenton, Award-Winning English Playwright
25. Tariq Ali, Award-Winning Writer and Filmmaker
26. Theodore Dalrymple, English Writer and Psychiatrist
27. Roddy Doyle, Booker Prize-Winning Novelist
28. Redmond O'Hanlon FRSL, British Writer and Scholar
29. Diana Athill, Award-Winning Author and Literary Editor
30. Christopher Hitchens, Best-Selling Author, Award-Winning Columnist

FEATURED MUSIC:

Mozart - Piano Concerto No.23 In A Major, K 488 Adagio 00:00
Ludovico Einaudi -- Solo 00:54
Brian Crain - Dream of Flying 07:53
Ludovico Einaudi - I Giorni 12:54
David Nevue - Watching The Clock 17:30
David Nevue -- Winter Walk 21:54

Category:

Education

Tags:

• 30
• Renowned
• Writers
• Speaking
• About
• God
• Writer
• Author
• Novelist
• Booker
• Pulitzer
• Atheist
• Atheism
• Humanist
• Humanism
• Religion
• Christianity
• Islam
• Theism
• Theology

[sfajaxel]

Great compilation overall. I could have done without that overly strident/mournful piano score though, especially at the end when it seemed to get louder and obscure what Hitchens was saying. I didn't like the choppy cuts for the Hitchens bit either. I've seen that clip in its original form and think it was powerful enough without the editing flourishes. But that's my bias.

[JPararajasingham]

@sfajaxel I didn't edit the Hitchens clip footage at all. The only thing I've added is the music. I wonder why the "choppy cuts" didn't bother you when you watched the original? Similarly, while you're bothered by the music I've used, I'm sure you barely notice the music used invariably in television documentaries.

Anyway, thanks for the comment.

[OnnoSlot1988]

I think the quote from Wole Soyinka is beautiful, but since english is not my first language I had trouble hearing/understanding one part of it. He says: "But since you have so many religions in the world, and there's only one humanity, both in terms of physiological claimes, as well as..." And I can't properly hear the next thing he says. Something with Chatter?

[JPararajasingham]

@OnnoSlot1988 "....as well as by United Nations charter, the one humanity, and the fundamental claims of humanity, have to take precedence over the conflicting claims of religion."

[nathanksimpson]

I'm really curious why are no atheist philosophers actually quoted here, serious ones. Most of these people just happen to be atheists with a view. I'm sure there are a few atheists who would cover their face in shame at the arguments for atheism that are plainly invalid that are sometimes presented here.

[JPararajasingham]

@nathanksimpson This video is part of a series. Go to my channel, I have two other videos with 100 scientists and philosophers.

[JPararajasingham]

@elcat9091

"wow, how one-sided" - Where are the rules stating I should be multi-sided? Go elsewhere for other viewpoints.

"why not ask dostoyevsky, kierkegaard, or tolstoy or john milton" - You've got audiovisual clips of these guys, have you?

"leaving that info out until the end" - I state the speakers are disbelievers within 10 seconds.

"Well done doctor!" - No no, well done to you sir for completely misjudging and misreading the video, and making the worst comment to date.

[MelleB90]

@xTkAx Gid didn't write shit. Traditions and myths that improve social stability got reworked and handed down through thousands of editors, long before 'Jesus Christ', if he even ever existed.

Love one another?

Tell that to the pope, who sits on his ten billion dollar throne while he tells Africa that using condoms causes AIDS, increasing poverty and sickness.

Tell that to Israelis and Palestines, who have been murdering eachother while secular thinking got us to the moon and to quantum physics

[BitJKar]

22:37 A devastating criticism. Well done.

[AxeHomeless]

I miss Christopher so much. of course I did not know him, the thought of his death drives me to tears, always. Goodbye good sir. You have been one of the most wonderful people i have ever had the chance of meeting in his work.

[WalangDiyos]

@JPararajasingham Great work, totally enjoyed the vid. Keep it up!

[sfajaxel]

Hitler and Stalin thought they were living gods and were going to replace the gods of old. They were not atheists.

I disagree with one of the speakers though. He was too kind. Religious indoctrination is not like having one's hand tied behind one's back. It is like Chinese foot binding of girls. Once the foot was bound and broken, the damage was permanent. The minds of the religious, broken in childhood, can not be made well. It is going to take centuries to rid this planet of religion.

[ORagnar]

Isaac Asimov is a favorite of mine.

[ORagnar]

This is great, but I find it odd that Ayn Rand is not included here.

[mleonsmith]

LOL. Gore Vidal is so awesomely gay. lol. i love him.

[GB0318]

Thank you for putting together some of the best vids I've had the pleasure of viewing on YT.

Outstanding Job Sir...