Atheist vs Muslim Debate: Secularism vs Political Theism (Part 2: Q/A)

Part 2: Questions and Answers - Audience participation session

Debate: "Should God be de-radicalised? - Religion and state in the modern world"

Date: 29 September 2009
Venue: Central London
Speakers: Bob Churchill of the British Humanist Society (www.humanism.org.uk ), and Abdullah al Andalusi of the Muslim Debate Initiative (www.thedebateinitiative.com ).

In the modern world, religion is seen as a relic of the past, as being unable to deal with contemporary problems, and at worst, being the cause of today's afflictions and problems.

But is this accurate? Is religion the cause of modern day wars, social breakdown and global warming? Isn't it rather the mass industry of materialistically-focused societies producing, and polluting, in mass quantities without regard to the ethical limits we find common in religion? Is public morality in decay due to the secularisation of society? Are wars about Oil and nationalism, rather than religion?but Lastly, can religion provide answers which are fundamentally lacking in Secularism?

Both sides of the debate, both ideological Secular Atheist and ideological Theist, debate the role religion should play in the 21st century in this intellectually stimulating discussion- Should God be de-radicalised?


Speakers:

Bob Churchill

Bob studied Philosophy at the University of Warwick and Queens University, Canada. He worked in communications and marketing, then systems development, before joining the British Humanist Association in January 2008 as the Membership and Web Manager. He now liaises with local humanist groups, manages membership communications, and has been responsible for the BHAs online presence during the Atheist Bus Campaign. He has represented the BHA on radio and television and has discussed philosophy, religion, values and Humanism in public debates and interfaith forums.

Abdullah al Andalusi

Abdullah is a former Christian who embraced Islam at a young age, and has studied Islam in depth since he was 18. He also has an academic background in Computer Science. Abdullah has had a long experience in working for Islamic revival and the establishment of Islamic shariah in the Muslim world.

His activities involve speaking at community centres, universities, colleges and appearances on various TV programmes. He is experienced in debates with Atheists, Secularists and Christians, and has be involved in public and radio debates with Atheists and Christians.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• secularism
• theism
• god
• politics
• philosophy
• debate
• humanism
• islam
• muslim
• initiative

[1TheLoneWolf1]

That muslim guy is nuts! First, the muslims preech slavery and were doing so even before christians, yet he fails to mention this, then to blame wars on secularism, what about the wars between muslim sects and wars between different religions? There's a whole list of nonsense he talked about but I'd be here all day writting it down, and it would take hell of a lot more than 500 words listing them. Secularism isnt perfect but the only system where everyone has an equal say,NOT JUST muslims.

[mujtahid2006]

@1TheLoneWolf1 "Do you have an equal say in society compared to: Members-of-parliament, media moghuls and men of means (rich businessmen)? You misunderstand the main moral of the materialistic management of multitudes - the men with the material, matter more than the masses. Meditate upon this message, mate.

[Nietzschean1000]

"All religions are ancient monuments to superstition, ignorance, ferocity; and modern religions are only ancient follies."

[xukun0]

@animeisadrugx: do you mean cool? lol fool

[alnagar1985]

low quality i cant hear what there saying

[DaFree0ne]

@xukun0 dude chill.

[divinegod102]

@1TheLoneWolf1 And to think, we're giving them benefits for being nuts.

[1TheLoneWolf1]

@mujahid2006 You mentioned the say of muslims in the parliament. Muslims should have a say? No but as members of the UK yes! Religion should stay out of politics.

[1TheLoneWolf1]

@divinegod102

Well... foreign criminals, and more thought in to who we allow to immigrate in to our nations.

[divinegod102]

@1TheLoneWolf1 That's disgusting. Another reason why Muslims must be extensively screened and deported in some countries.

[1TheLoneWolf1]

The muslim speaker also goes on to say that the rape crime is increasing. I wonder if he knew about the rape stat's in Norway where every single rape within Norway for the past five years was carried out by a muslim immigrant?

That's right EVERY SINGLE RAPE! according to police records!