Is Christianity the Problem Debate

[Calabrio]

Two of my favorite writers debating. D'souza and Hitchenson. A few of you might find this very interesting. It'd be best if we could post embedded video or code around here, but since that's not an option, I can only provide the Youtube links.

EDIT:
Vastly improved link provided Shagdrum, to the debate more formally titled "Is Christianity the Problem?"

http://216.75.61.152/xstream/neproductions/tkc/debate.wmv

 

[psungee]

unfortunately, all but the first video were "removed by the user" but the first one had the foundations of an interesting discussion.

I can't say I'm well-read enough to develop any defensible opinion on what they are saying (not that I'm not opinionated) but, I understood Hitchens (who clearly stated he's not very well versed [not in those words] in physics) to locate us in a specific position (on the edge) of the known universe ... on the only planet that, he thinks, has ever supported life.

Well, I don't know that we know enough about the history of this solar system or, for that matter, the universe to make those statements Sooooo... while I enjoyed the clip - found it edifying - I'm inclined, personally, to take his comments with a grain of salt. He also made the statement that there are large tracts of land on earth that will not support life. That, I believe, is, simply, an erroneous statement. I believe the uninhabitable tracts of land on planet earth are relatively small - considering over-all land mass.

I found, as well, some of D'Souza's argument weak. While he quickly referenced Mao, Pol Pot and others, he neglected the Aryan and Mongol wars of the sub-continent. I personally think it somewhat specious to say, "But oh, you simply must mention Stalin." only to ignore Lenin. That, in itself was a weakness in argument. He proved you can't mention everyone. An example was good enough for him - so was it good enough for Hitchens.

In other words, based on what (very) little I heard from both of them, I thought neither did much to support either point of view particularly well - but it was still an interesting snippet.

 

[shagdrum]

D'souza is brilliant!! I own a few of his books myself. Here is another link to the full vid from his website...

http://216.75.61.152/xstream/neproductions/tkc/debate.wmv

 

[fossten]

Calabrio, your headline is misleading, as many Christians including myself do not consider themselves part of a religion. There is a clear distinction drawn between Christianity per se and religion in general. You literally changed the wording from the headline to your post.

 

[Calabrio]

Calabrio, your headline is misleading, as many Christians including myself do not consider themselves part of a religion. There is a clear distinction drawn between Christianity per se and religion in general. You literally changed the wording from the headline to your post.

I haven't watched the debate in a few weeks, but my memory of the debate indicates that they weren't really focused exclusively on Christianity so much as the broader concept of religion.

I think the title of the debate was most strongly influenced by of D'Souza most recent book.

My headline wasn't misleading, it doesn't "lead" to anything. It simply introduces what is basically a secular debate about religion and anti-religion in the modern world by two articulate, thoughtful, and respected authors.

 

[fossten]

I haven't watched the debate in a few weeks, but my memory of the debate indicates that they weren't really focused exclusively on Christianity so much as the broader concept of religion.

I think the title of the debate was most strongly influenced by of D'Souza most recent book.

My headline wasn't misleading, it doesn't "lead" to anything. It simply introduces what is basically a secular debate about religion and anti-religion in the modern world by two articulate, thoughtful, and respected authors.

Your headline says, "Is CHRISTIANITY the Problem Debate"

It leads people to think that the debate is about Christianity rather than the "broader concept of religion" which you just admitted is the focus of the debate RATHER than "exclusively on Christianity."

Thus, misleading.

 

[Calabrio]

Your headline says, "Is CHRISTIANITY the Problem Debate"

It leads people to think that the debate is about Christianity rather than the "broader concept of religion" which you just admitted is the focus of the debate RATHER than "exclusively on Christianity."

Thus, misleading.

And, to the best of my memory, the debate was formally titled "Is Christianity the Problem." I expanded the description to include "religion" to both increase interest in the video and because I think it was a more accurate reflection of the total debate.

D'Souza had just published a book called "What' So Great About Christianity." And Hitchenson has recently published "God Is Not Great."

Again, I didn't mislead (not that this is even an important matters anyway.) The idea is to discuss the video, not the headline. Now watch the superior video link that Shagdrum posted all you'll better understand this.

It's an interesting conversation, and D'Souza correctly debates an atheist using secular concepts, the only way that it can effectively be done. This is why D'Souza can hold his own against Hitchenson where as most theologians and Preachers/Pastors/Religious leaders can't.