Sharpton / Hitchens Debate - Can Morality Exist Without God?
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Author Christopher Hitchens debates the Reverend Al Sharpton on the question of whether morality can exist in the absence of God.
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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."
Channel: News & Politics
Uploaded: May 16, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Author: ForaTv
Length: 00:09:40
Rating: 4.84
Views: 130231
Tags: al sharpton chris hitchens religion faith atheists agnostics atheism immoral ethics right wrong romney fora tv fora.tv
Video Comments:
untamedromeo (November 22, 2008 at 1:24 pm)
That's just the usual tool of the religious. They're conditioned toward aggression and fear. Each of their gods are bloodthirsty and demand suffering and will punish them if they dont follow what the men they're god has chosen to channel tells them. They dont seem to accept that "evil" is a naturally occuring human trait. They are beyond reason and argument. Only once they start displaying the ability to be courteous and keep their own beliefs to themselves will anyone listen to them.
scottarmstrong1971 (November 22, 2008 at 9:12 am)
Duct, I made several arguments in my reply so you will need to clarify what you mean and what in my note you are referring to.
I85PIES (November 22, 2008 at 12:25 am)
timcp1
"God is perfect and treats sin the same with the same punishment" & "whoever believes will be saved"
So, it doesn't matter if you've just told a simple lie or raped a child, it's all the same to him. All that matters is that you believe him; not believing is the only real sin, and that's what you will go to hell for.
Your perfect God seems to be operating a nasty little self glorification racket. 'Believe in and worship me, or else, I WILL make you suffer' God perfect? Really?
"God is perfect and treats sin the same with the same punishment" & "whoever believes will be saved"
So, it doesn't matter if you've just told a simple lie or raped a child, it's all the same to him. All that matters is that you believe him; not believing is the only real sin, and that's what you will go to hell for.
Your perfect God seems to be operating a nasty little self glorification racket. 'Believe in and worship me, or else, I WILL make you suffer' God perfect? Really?
junkyjuice21 (November 21, 2008 at 11:03 pm)
come on, a religious person in a debate like this just can't stand a chance, because they're wrong in the first place.
lexscripta1 (November 21, 2008 at 10:48 pm)
I agree with this. But thats good for Hitchins. A decent opponent such as Phil Johnson would be a lot more interesting, and would elevate the conversation.
I think inexperienced Christians ought to stay clear of people like Hitchins. The reason is that people then think the argument itself determines the correct response. This is silly of course, but true nonetheless.
I think inexperienced Christians ought to stay clear of people like Hitchins. The reason is that people then think the argument itself determines the correct response. This is silly of course, but true nonetheless.
lexscripta1 (November 21, 2008 at 10:44 pm)
"Hitchens can't be touched"
Except of course by his Maker.
Except of course by his Maker.
DuctTapeMyFace (November 21, 2008 at 9:19 pm)
You seem to be arguing against your own example. Isnt that a touch silly friend?
AtheistCowboy (November 21, 2008 at 5:28 pm)
I learned something today. Sharpton is kind of a prick. Instead of relying on his arguments to get his point across, he resorted to insulting Hitchens.
scottarmstrong1971 (November 21, 2008 at 3:31 pm)
I am stunned by the discourse here, especially by those claiming that all religious types are arrogant and find it ironic (eg, calling Sharpton a "retard" and Hitchens untouchable). The discourse would be infinitely more helpful if two things happened: both sides remained respectful and both sides agreed that whether you're religious or not, you obviously believe your viewpoint is correct and that, by definition, is exclusivistic. It is intellectually dishonest to argue otherwise.
Kazumaster (November 21, 2008 at 11:48 am)
But the bible also says that you will be forgiven if you truly repent at the end, so isn't that exactly how it works?