Christopher Hitchens - Debate on religion vs Bill Donohue

March 23, 2000.
The inaugural debate from ChristiFideles taped in front of a capacity crowd at the Union League Club in New York City. Donohue and Hitchens discuss the hostility of the American cultural elite to religion in general, and Catholicism in particular.

[@timc55]

50, 100, 500 years from now no one will remember Donohue but they’ll still talk and discuss Hitchens. He’s made that much of an impact.

[@1984isnotamanual]

Bill is a scumbag for real.

[@nathanoverley5040]

They'll mention Donohue just because he debated the Hitch *

[@bisonkambaine5628]

Hitchens - Calm, majestic and brilliant as always. RIP

[@ofrabjousday1]

This is like Thomas Jefferson debating Archie Bunker.

[@meshzzizk]

Hahaha nice

[@Pyongyang99]

😂😂😂😂

[@coolbeans7653]

I'd disagree...at least Archie would be funny.

[@SJ-xy5md]

Uh Archie Bunker completely destroyed and exposed Hitchens. You comparison to Jefferson means you know nothing about Jefferson

[@ofrabjousday1]

@@SJ-xy5md I said THOMAS Jefferson, not George Jefferson. Meat head.

[@AFMMarcelD]

“Take the risk of thinking for yourself. Much more happiness, truth, beauty and wisdom will come to you that way.” - Christopher Hitchens

[@macapovilla]

This was supposedly to be a debate, but no discussion occurred. Hitchens took the high-ground and talked to the issues, while the other guy went after Hitchens with a blade. Kudos to Hitchens for his professionalism and calm in the face of a crowd, moderator, and opposing speaker that clearly were all devout religious people.

[@jayo3074]

Bill is so fucking unprofessional. This is meant to be a debate not a personal attack throughout

[@isaiahayers1550]

Can't agree more.

[@h.a.b.arguille1896]

"And remember homosexuality is not just a form of sex, it's a form of love. Oh, I wondered what kind of growl I'd get there! Well, I'll repeat it then!" Is this my favorite Hitch moment?

[@41357500]

disgusting

[@JohnCenaFan6298]

Man u dimwitted modernists are willfully blind of what happens when u degrade love and procreative sex to that of gae stuff. In proposing subjective desires are the king of all preferences, would u say u be honest and consistent in answer my question? Is paedo-sexuality a form of love too?

[@h.a.b.arguille1896]

@@JohnCenaFan6298 it never ceases to amaze me how easily braindead traditionalists like yourself equate homosexuality and pedophilia. Pedophilic acts preclude the notion of consent, because children can’t consent to sexual acts and to engage in them is fundamentally wrong. This is not the case in a homosexual relationship between two lucid, consenting adults.

[@fjolnir3431]

@@h.a.b.arguille1896 What about incest or beastiality then? two conseding adults

[@h.a.b.arguille1896]

@@fjolnir3431 leaving the genetic concerns of incestuous relationships aside, how does bestiality involve two consenting adults? How can any animal possibly consent to sex with a human?

[@jonnowds]

I didn’t realize Donohue brought barf bags because of what HE was gonna say. What an absolutely revolting individual 😖

[@WEkurtz79]

'The volume of your voice does not increase the validity of your argument.' - Steve Maraboli Bill Donohue is very loud in spite having a microphone.

[@dananeyome778]

He's from New York what would expect..lol

[@rg2884]

Thank you “Dr” Donahue! You style reminds me so much of Cardinal George Pell’s debate style. You both misrepresent the other side, lie or avoid answering when it’s inconvenient, and attack the person not their argument. Thanks to you and the Christian morality so fully on display during this debate, the world has many more atheists. Well done!

[@bosshawk3137]

I was recommended a version of this debate from "The Catholic League" channel that 'somehow' failed to include Hitchens closing remarks, and instead ended on Donohue's upbeat interpretation of the League's successes. Thank you for providing an unedited version of the days debate!

[@bosshawk3137]

Naturally "TheCatholicLeague" had the comments turned off.

[@1984isnotamanual]

@@bosshawk3137hehe nice

[@IrishCockroach1994]

The way someone speaks says everything about who they are, and their intelligence. Hitchens speaks in a calm, intelligent manner, not specifically ripping into Donahue, sticking to the main subject. Donahue does nothing but attack Hitchens directly, speaking in an angry, crazy, and all around unintelligent manner. It says everything about not only this argument, but general human intelligence.

[@capitalizingcapitalist1202]

Your are wrong on so many levels. Hitchens is always bad mouthing and expressing true bigotry towards Catholics and even says they deserve more. Donahue just exposed what a smug POS scumbag he truly is and you people cannot take it that your daddy was exposed.

[@Zachd500]

Dennis Shaw Hitchens is in no way a bigot he is willing to accept any view he can be convinced of. While he has time and time again said he doesn’t mind if people are religious his problem was organized religion and the harm it has done to our species. Also does Jesus not say to expect to be ridiculed?

[@DjTaylorOIAF]

@@capitalizingcapitalist1202 Bill Donahue is an absolute pig of a human being, representing one of the most evil and disgusting organizations in human history. He defends child rapists and blames their victims for that terrible human affliction calling itself The Catholic Church. It is not bigotry to openly criticize this evil organization or the gross humans that defend it.

[@deadshot1995]

@@capitalizingcapitalist1202 Bill Donahue and yourself aren't even actual Christians since Jesus would never have been a money-grubbing capitalist. You're just thugs who like to make money from spreading hatred.

[@yatetowntaxis7116]

@@DjTaylorOIAF can you share a link of bill saying what you saying I would like to see that

[@ASkepticalHumanOnYouTube]

"The government subsidizes anti-Catholicism" The government not taxing churches amounts to an over $70 billion dollar subsidy of religion EACH YEAR!

[@night6724]

Not taxing something isn't a subsidy

[@nextworld9176]

@@night6724 What word would you prefer if not subsidy? Privilege? Protection?

[@YourLoyalDeserter]

wow, Donahue really just used people dying of AIDS as an applause line.

[@mikesmirth881]

Because he is a reprehensible toad

[@richardalex9428]

Scary thing is the applause

[@joecurran2811]

​@@richardalex9428Catholicism for you.

[@AnUnseenRuler]

scumbag

[@mohitk278]

There is such composure, calm superiority in which Hitchens conducts himself.

[@Johnsmith-pd3uk]

You don't have to act like a petulant child when you're right

[@night6724]

by acting like a child?

[@calva221]

There was only one petulant child on that platform and it wasn't Hitchens. @@night6724

[@sreeharidamodaran82]

The biggest mistake Bill 'Ad Hominem' Donhue made was quoting George Orwell to the Hitch.

[@indycurt1]

I was raised Catholic but no longer practice because of people like Donahue. The memories I have as a Catholic grade schooler are only two main things. 1. All the anti-sex preaching (no masturbating, no birth control, no homosexuality, abstinence, etc.) and 2. Money. By the time I was in high school I was so sick of the church asking for money and yet they had and still have vaults in the Vatican full of priceless works of art and all the opulent cathedrals. Yet they were asking poor parishioners for money to help the poor. Just drove me insane. Once I was old enough to understand fully all the aspects of the birth control debate, that kind of clenched it for me. All of these poor Catholic families that didn't have a pot to piss in kept having all these kids because the church was so against birth control. I never understood that. But then I figured it was the church's way of guaranteeing a plentiful new crop of Catholics every 9 or 10 months to keep the church alive. LOL

[@MrBluemanworld]

So that’s it, new crop 😂

[@3riversvito]

3riversvito 1 second ago Ahh your Hitch is dead! You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@3riversvito]

3riversvito 1 second ago Ahh your Hitch is dead! You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@fleabaglane]

Yep new crops

[@SJ-xy5md]

Yeah there's a lot you don't know. I mean really bad. It's been 8 years since your comment. I hope you've grown up a lot. And I do mean a lot.

[@ZL-rj3mu]

Wow this is the first debate of Hitchens where the audience is not explicitly on his side, still impressive on how calm and him manage to get a few applauses here and there though. Rip legend.

[@active285]

It is interesting to see how civilised debates have become today. Bill Donohue loses himself solely in ad hominem attacks, unobjective claims and personal insults.

[@1984isnotamanual]

There is alot of debates like during the come up to the removal of Saddam Hussein.

[@sjurhaugen8175]

01:05 Preacher Intro 08:40 Donohue Opening 20:20 Hitchens Opening 30:30 Donohue "Cross-Exam" 34:40 Hitchens "Cross-Exam" 40:10 Donohue Response 48:10 Hitchens Response 56:20 Donohue Closing 01:02:20 Hitchens Closing Hitchens came to debate. Donohue came to roast.

[@roviannematovu8136]

Thank you so much for this. Priceless

[@danem.9402]

Thank you now I dont have to sit through this bigot Donague’s vile hatespeech.

[@mikesmirth881]

Donahue didn't show up to debate and he certainly didn't roast. He yelled like a childish imbecile. Hurling insults like a grade school bully because he has absolutely no intelligible arguments and absolutely no proof or facts to bear. He is no match for Hitchens intellectually, factually, articulation, or class. Not exactly a person I would be happy representing me in any way. I am however extremely proud to say Christopher Hitchens does represent my ideals which are based in fact.

[@j.randle3803]

Thanks for these bookmarks. They were very helpful in navigating.

[@brotherben4357]

Thanks mate.

[@ASkepticalHumanOnYouTube]

Donohue destroyed what shreds of credibility he may have had in the first minute by referring to an act of vulgar vandalism as "fascism".

[@vanguard4065]

A Skeptical Human donahue is a hero.

[@thesprawl2361]

@@vanguard4065 Keep crying lol

[@Johnsmith-pd3uk]

@@vanguard4065 I'm sure all of the people in Calcutta that died poor, in pain, agony, and misery are certainly glad he is here to defend the dispicable mother theresa

[@brotherben4357]

@@vanguard4065 A hero? I find him to be quite vile.

[@3riversvito]

You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@tommystyx]

This isn't a debate on religion. This is Bill Donohue attacking Hitchens.

[@JosephNordenbrockartistraction]

Hitchens could take it and hold his composure. He remained a true gentleman as he cut his opponent down to mortal size. I'm glad Hitchens was so busy in his last years. His fame shall live on for many many years and I feel very sure about that. Please read at least one of his well written books or listen to his KZbin podcast of him reading his book "God is not great" or "HITCH 22" Heads up !! He reads very fast. I enjoyed both.

[@vanguard4065]

Joseph Nordenbrock hitchens was busy drinking his liver to a pulp while promising his family that he’ll quit after just one more bottle.

[@mikesmirth881]

@@vanguard4065 Hitchens did nothing of the sort. And he went to his death bed fighting this idiotic, paternalistic power monger of religion

[@thesprawl2361]

@@vanguard4065 You are what they refer to as 'triggered'.

[@Johnsmith-pd3uk]

Like a petulant child.

[@hackum1]

Who in their right mind would applaud Donohue for the twaddle that comes out of his mouth? Who were those people in the audience?

[@bleach219]

Catholics

[@JosephNordenbrockartistraction]

bleach219 The people he brought with him on the white church bus plus the sad sacks that owe him over 50 bucks.

[@taowaycamino4891]

Who in their right mind would applaud Hitchens for the twaddle that comes out of his mouth? Who were those people in the audience?

[@murakawa-san2279]

Felix Rodriguez with the blatant stupidity over here!

[@acspicer]

When the molestation scandal broke Donahue was out there blaming the victims.

[@zerothehero26]

Somehow I have never heard this debate. Amazing to hear Hitchens again in a way I had not previously.

[@emiliofranso138]

Donahue spends a lot of time insulting people or institutions, yet he makes no case for his side.

[@vanguard4065]

Emilio Franso his case is that the opposing side is filthy and reproachable

[@Zachd500]

Vanguard regardless of that being true or not that doesn’t make a case for his side

[@trainerd1]

That’s a great point that I didn’t really notice. It was pure vitriol against another man with an opposing view.

[@sidDkid87]

@@vanguard4065 *"his side"* has *no case*

[@jessieneace]

you mean like how that sleezeball hitchens did in every other debate?

[@bustedd66]

"moderator"

[@pjdiver3]

"Doctor" Donohue is such a vile human. The fact that Catholics agree to have him as poster boy is quite revealing

[@fleshboundtobone]

53:16 - 'Homosexuality is not just a form of sex it's a form of love' and then when the audience moans he makes the point of repeating it to them, hands in pockets, casually provoking a room which hates him and which he hates. I miss Hitch.

[@Mr.Goodkat]

And he was wrong NO sex is a "form" of love, hetro or homo. Love is a feeling of intense affection and care for an individual, sex is an act of reproduction, the participants may or may not love each other and countless times they don't at all, calling sex a form of love, you might as well call other things we do to necessitate our survival a form of love like eating, drinking or keeping warm.

[@DivinaeMisericordiae77]

Really? Is that so! I love my grandmother, I dont want to have sex with her. I love my children, i dont want to have sex with them. Sex is for procreation. Homosexuality is against the natural order, period!

[@aristokrat91]

@@Mr.Goodkat sex is a way to express love so yes it is a form of love, it doesn’t always have to be though. I usually don’t comment but what you said is so wrong lol

[@Mr.Goodkat]

@@aristokrat91 Hugging is a form of love so is giving someone your food when they dropped theirs or speaking a kind word to someone, paying them a complement, these can all be "expressions of love" but you don't ever call any of them a form of love, love doesn't even have "forms" really. This is just language and categorises messing with your brain.

[@brotherben4357]

@@DivinaeMisericordiae77 What is your view on homosexuality amongst other species?

[@per-ingvartomren1073]

Bill Donohue claims you can’t take a book without footnotes and evidence seriously, and that such a book is just trash. Funny, I can't remember seeing any footnotes in the Bible :-)

[@dquillen1]

If Donahue is a man of god, I am sure as hell glad I am not...

[@ifyoueverfind78]

if hitchens is an athiest the same

[@trainerd1]

ifyoueverfind78 You can do better than that. ..or perhaps not

[@koukouvania]

you are confusing donohue with donahue? they are entirely different beasts, though loosely in the same ballpark. donahue is infinitely preferable (imo)

[@MarlboroughBlenheim1]

He’s a man of shite

[@MarlboroughBlenheim1]

@@ifyoueverfind78 why?

[@Ivantheterrible666]

lol wow... Donohue is an awful person and seemed to have lost miserably on nearly every single topic which was touched on. I really do enjoy a good debate from both sides of the isle, but there was only one side that was worth listening to here. Truly, Donohue is a bottom of the barrel, pseudo-intellectual who is soon to be forgotten about. This wasn't even close and honestly wasn't even a debate.

[@jamesfrancese6091]

I was amazed by how scatter-brained and aimless almost everything he said was lol, especially when delivered with such bluster and bombast…I mean counting footnotes and book page numbers, what is this frivolity

[@Massamom]

Ok, it's an old debate but what was Donohue trying to prove here? He spends perhaps half, probably more just slandering Hitchen's as if trying to get some kind of rise from him.

[@chimchu3232]

He says nothing because he has nothing. There is no proof to present, I think he just wanted to poison the well and try and make atheists look bad. Sure backfired if you ask me

[@Johnsmith-pd3uk]

That's how kids act when they're standing in front of an adult

[@jameswest8280]

Hitch was used to being under fire, in more was than one.

[@3riversvito]

You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@presence5426]

@3riversvito same comment over and over. Lazy.

[@OrenArieli]

In August 2018, Bill Donohue responded to a report by a Pennsylvania grand jury that revealed rampant sexual abuse of children by some 300 priests by stating that the victims weren't raped because they were only groped, not penetrated. What an abhorrent human being. He did Christianity a disservice here by attacking Hitchens and not showing the love he is so commanded to do.

[@night6724]

Moron. The allegation was rape. Rape is a very specific set of actions. If it was sexual misconduct that is different. And Hitchens is getting his own medicine

[@presence5426]

He's an East Coast prick.

[@hughjarce3517]

Mr Donahue is a terrible advertisement for Catholicism. As an atheist I have no time for the Catholic Church but I am sure that the majority of Catholics are not coarse, insulting, loud mouthed and offensive as Donahue. It is remarkable that those in the audience are not horrified by his behaviour. It would seem wise for the Catholic Church to distance itself from him.

[@Mistahhuntah]

No, that's how serious Catholics are, just absolutely insufferable, standoffish, and know just how to make you feel guilty.

[@3riversvito]

@rutber2000 You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@3riversvito]

You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@richardstanislawski2577]

​brainwashed lunatic

[@Earej]

Even if you heard only Donohue you'd assume his antagonist won. He's defending the most evil organisation in the world and throwing out bogus at an incredible rate. Hitchens really showed some self-control during Donohue's opening speech. I found myself yelling at the screen.

[@thedeebo410]

Wow, I read the comments about Bill Donahue making constant ad hominem attacks and had no idea that it would be so bad. I thought a debate was supposed to be about the person's arguments, not the person themselves.

[@peteraschaffenburg1]

@@vanguard4065 You, sir, are a disgusting person. It´s not your fault that you are dumb. It is your fault though, that you let everybody know it.

[@mikesmirth881]

When you have no intelligence, you fall back on petty insults and childish behavior

[@3riversvito]

You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@presence5426]

@3riversvito the Catholic Church has been shrinking and losing influence for a long time. So maybe it's time for people like you and Donahue to reconsider your approach.

[@calva221]

Really?? There was only one hater on that stage. It wasn't Hitchens. What are you and Dr. D so angry about? Perhaps consult a shrink. @@3riversvito

[@sejembalm]

The pompous priest finally finishes his excruciating introductions at 8:33

[@uNkLeRaRa4]

Thanks!!

[@vanguard4065]

Bat Guano Father did a wonderful job thank you.

[@duderyandude9515]

Thank you! I was going through the comments to kill some time while he kept droning on.

[@bradyperl]

Thank you.

[@3riversvito]

You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@tedsretardretardium6174]

"Dr. Donahue" hahahahaha

[@3riversvito]

You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@Stellalovely1]

@@3riversvito I'm not a Catholic but I'm a Christian and you're right. They are lost

[@jonultime]

I smiled when I heared Donohue's arguement, knowing exactly the shitstorm Hitchen's will bring down on him.

[@junglistmanner404]

me too lol!!

[@hunkallgood73]

What argument?

[@3riversvito]

You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@hozonkai9967]

I had a priest in my ex-parish who was even worse than Donohue. Did more to deconvert me than anyone else

[@3riversvito]

3riversvito 1 second ago Ahh your Hitch is dead! You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@trainerd1]

The Catholic Church could serve its mission in a more beneficial venue than having a vicious, vituperative and obscene act as its liaison. The calm and refined aplomb with which Hitchens disposed of this reprobate was a model for all intelligent debaters to consider. I have yet to see a response of any “believer” that even faintly approached Hitchens’ erudition. But then again perhaps Donahue is the perfect messenger.

[@TheBreadlord]

Bill Donohue is not debating. He is shouting his opinions providing no evidence and then calling out Hitchens for not including an index in a 90 page opinion piece. What a monster.

[@JosephNordenbrockartistraction]

If you can follow Hitchen's outstanding vocabulary, you can truly appreciate his wit, refined culture and tremendous poise in the face of crude uninformed time honored bigotry straight out of the 60s. Christopher "The HITCH" left us his books and he read aloud on podcasts for those who can't read. Bill Donohue will be forgotten from the mainstream public much sooner like Peter Hitchens will. Even Tony Blair fell victim to the HITCH in a world publicised religious debate. No god is great.just like no god would be jealous.

[@BarbaraManor]

well said, Joseph!!!!

[@dananeyome778]

Bill Donahue is what this world needs right about now in 2023. Everyone is waking up to the truth of who and what we really are!!!

[@joecurran2811]

Donohue is already pretty much forgotten - he's only barely remembered for this!

[@Stellalovely1]

@@dananeyome778 AMEN! CHRIST IS RETURNING

[@calva221]

The world needs a vulgar, petty, petulant, mean-spirited blowhard? I don't think so. We've got plenty enough already, thank you.@@dananeyome778

[@paulbuschman8318]

Unfortunate and sad that as of today, Donohue still walks this planet and Hitch is gone. Sigh.

[@thedeebo410]

Kind of goes against the concept of an absolute sense of justice, right?

[@paulbuschman8318]

Indeed.

[@Wafaloo]

That always seems to be the way it goes, unfortunately...

[@AFMMarcelD]

Indeed, more proof that there is NO god.

[@Mostopinionatedmanofalltime]

I like Donahue. I also like Hitchens.

[@francisj.opolko3728]

I listened to the whole debate and found it fascinating and extremely disappointing. Donohue should never teach anyone trying to understand why the world needs more understanding and empathy…

[@WearyWizard]

what a horrid man that priest was. im not sure what he was arguing becasue most of his time talking he spend hurling insults at Hitchkins and creating strawmen.

[@vanguard4065]

Bradders hitchens was a revolting drunkard and no gentleman. he dishes it out and was shocked when a catholic from the badass streets of new york punched him back.

[@joecahill1994]

@@vanguard4065 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

[@paulbright5061]

Not even close. A win for Hitch by a country mile

[@MrAirigoniel]

I like the fact that there are videos like this out there of Bill Dohonue and people like him; there is no better way to bring people salvation FROM religion than to let lunatics like these people speak their mind.

[@danem.9402]

True. These fundies on my college campus are the absolute best at creating atheists out of the student population.

[@mikesmirth881]

AMEN!

[@3riversvito]

You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@joecurran2811]

​@@danem.9402You still have fundies on college campuses?!

[@brawnerbandwidthpartdeux643]

"See if you can run with me Christopher" So long as Hitch holds the leash. Bill is so despicable

[@JackGleason543]

I watched the debate. It was Hitchens that was on the leash.

[@3riversvito]

You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@presence5426]

Broken record Vito

[@Jay-mj1tp]

@@JackGleason543we call this inability to recognise reality ‘psychosis’

[@JackGleason543]

@@Jay-mj1tp We call your inability to recognize that your limey got owned, "gay love". Be t you master b ate to his portrait.

[@WhizzerdSupreme]

Donohue's closing statement is the most persuasive evidence I have ever seen that the Catholic Church pairs very well with Fascism. Holy shit.

[@tehspamgozehere]

Godwins Law forbids me to point out the most obvious of their problems.

[@thechocablockman]

Christopher Hitchens is a must for any person who is interested in the art of debate. He knew exactly how to carry himself and back people into corners why avoiding himself being boxed in. Magnificent man of which is greatly needed in todays society. This debate is a perfect example of him not fearing walking into the lions den and taking the higher ground both morally and intellectually.

[@paullever9219]

Donowho….thank you again Christopher….

[@chapmanwendy219]

I'm not Catholic but Id be very embarrassed by Donohue's words

[@kevinod771]

I agree with Hitch when he said the Donohue is an asshole of magnificent proportions. He said it with every smirk the camera man caught while Donohue was speaking!

[@3riversvito]

You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@WEkurtz79]

I'm so impressed with Christopher Hitchens. He accepted a debate with this catholic christian on a christian territory, with christian moderator and audience. One time, he even accepted a debate against 4 catholic / christians with a christian moderator; still he handed their asses back to them imho.

[@Johnsmith-pd3uk]

I absolutely LOVED that debate! The story about Frau Freisel alone was worth watching the debate for. Talk about slapping Christians in the face with their disgusting "it's all part of gods plan" despicable garbage!

[@3riversvito]

@@Johnsmith-pd3uk You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@Johnsmith-pd3uk]

@@3riversvito you're complete idiot wasting the one life you have on a fairy take. The same fairy take that's been told as long as humans could speak. I'll stick with logic, reasoning, and intelligence thanks. Go ahead and stick with your pedophile factory. "Scripture" is as real as mother goose. Sad you aren't smart enough to see it

[@SeattleDinghyer]

​@@3riversvitoYou really should listen to Hitchen's book, "God is not Great", here in youtube. Just as in this debate, he eviscerates religion in general, showing a different viewpoint than the same trope we've all heard from apologists. Hitchens dead changed my life for the better now than any preacher alive did. Do I live differently, really, now that I'm an atheist? No, just without the burden of religion.

[@user-ft7oy2sw6s]

This is not a debate this is a ridiculous circus

[@tedsretardretardium6174]

Let's look and laugh at the way the Catholics behaved when they thought they were safe.

[@MarlboroughBlenheim1]

Donohue tried to unsettle Hitchens and Hitchens just kept on making his arguments

[@night6724]

Hitchens made no argument

[@MarlboroughBlenheim1]

@@night6724 that’s obviously not true

[@night6724]

@@MarlboroughBlenheim1 He didn’t. What was his opening argument? A bunch of historical lies and no actual data to prove his claims that religion is bad? He never gave any evidence in his life because all the data shows the opposite.

[@night6724]

@@MarlboroughBlenheim1 Hitchens claimed that religion is highly respected in the US and world because the pope and mother teresa were respected. So two figures being respected means religion is respected? Clearly not. And so what God is on the money? Also he takes a pointless stance of saying Donahue should be honored people mock his beliefs? I’m sorry Hitchens mocked Mother Teresa for saying suffering is a gift from God so yeah Hitchens is just a hypocrite and listening to him describe history makes me physically cringe because every word that came out of his fat pie hole was wrong. A third grader would be more accurate than he ever was

[@MarlboroughBlenheim1]

@@night6724 so you don’t like what he said and disagree with it - but to do that there must be an argument to disagree with surely?

[@choubeikwle8959]

9:07 Hitchens' expression is priceless! A truly great man, funny how 10 years ago almost everyone would have agreed with Donohue, but time proved Hitch right!

[@vanguard4065]

Choubeik Wle his expression was beautifully accented by the scotch he favored over his lovely liver and family.

[@elfworshipper4081]

@@vanguard4065 seethe

[@3riversvito]

You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@night6724]

Hitchens was a moron and loser.

[@bradleynichols4909]

I wish Donahue would talk a little faster. He seems to favor speed over substance.

[@joseluiscarrillogonzalez2410]

💜💛🖤💙💚🤍❤ and remember homosexuality is a form of love ❤🤍💚💙🖤💛💜 this man has inspired and moved me long after his death.. thank you comrad 🖤🙏

[@theflyingotis3797]

one of the best hitch debates ever!!!! and i seriously think ive seen and heard all that you tube has to offer. what a great thinker and speaker. died way to young his opinions are needed today as they were then. it actually hurts me to know that ill never get the chance to meet him or read a new work of his or see a new debate or lecture. thanks for you tube and the people that post these videos. thank you.

[@vanguard4065]

TheFlyingOtis i loved when hitchens got slapped over and over again.

[@joebloggs1756]

@@vanguard4065 you believe hitch got slapped ? My god, you're thick as a barrell of raspberries.

[@mikesmirth881]

@@vanguard4065 uhhhhh, what debate were you watching? I watched the one where one person namely Bill Donahue, ranting like an idiot who spent his time attacking Christopher Hitchens personally rather than try to articulate any form of intelligent arguments for the catholic church. Christopher Hitchens on the other hand was calm, rational, intelligent, articulate, and classy. He spoke truths and facts, Donahue yelled with stupidity and childish attacks.

[@thesprawl2361]

@@mikesmirth881 Look at the guy's pfp. He's a MAGA guy, they're not renowned for prizing intellectual arguments.

[@mikesmirth881]

@@thesprawl2361 too true

[@JosephNordenbrockartistraction]

There's a very sharp contrast between these two men. I can only respect one of them. Hitchens is a joy to listen to as he has an intelligent sense of humor an remains a true gentleman. I'm so glad my dad was not like Donohue.

[@BarbaraManor]

Again, Joseph, so well said! Thank you!

[@theblueguy2]

Donohue says "This is a book that I wrote..", and the audience starts laughing hysterically. What the actual fuck? Were these people instructed to laugh at any attempt at humor that Donohue might try? This is pathetic.

[@Bluelincolnpark]

It is nice to know that in the year 2015 Christopher Hitchens has been vindicated

[@theflyingotis3797]

+Bluelincolnpark what do you mean?

[@BrotherofWord]

+Bluelincolnpark I am speaking as one who loved Christopher Hitchens, even though I disagreed with mostly everything he said. He was charming and winsome and likable, kind of like an anti-Dawkins (he's more of a bitter old man type). I too think he died way too young but, like all of us will, he died. Unfortunately, unless the gospel (the good news of God's love for the world in the offer of salvation in giving Jesus for our sins, which he heard countless times) was finally came made alive in his heart by God resulting in his repentance and faith prior to death then he was not vindicated but disrobed before God the just judge of all. Every person, ever, will either glorify God by displaying God's love in mercy or His justice. Lots of people were praying for Christopher, including his brother Peter. We can only hope God did a miraculous work at the end.

[@psycho6542]

@@BrotherofWord hitchens would debate that statement if he was around still

[@BrotherofWord]

@@psycho6542 You're right he would. I remember him saying something to the effect that if he had a deathbed type conversion, that it was senility or the medicine. One thing though, he did debate enough world-class Christians intellectuals that the true Gospel (beautiful show of God's sacrificial love in Christ, including Jesus' own distain for the political power and abuses of religion) that maybe the seed found a bit of good ground.

[@3riversvito]

You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@leona2222]

Wow Christopher is a legend!!

[@naughteedesign]

wow bill donohue carries himself like stand-up comedian who isn't funny, one that then gets angry at the crowd for not finding their own bad jokes funny. i can't get past the idea of him extracting "confessions" from accused witches before burning them to death... not that very long ago at all. no wonder he's so angry.

[@irrationalgeographic9953]

Goes to prove Catholics are sadomasochist's, Donohue was just begging to get Hitchslapped and he got Hitchslapped stupid and enjoyed every moment.

[@vanguard4065]

Irrational Geographic you wish

[@JosephNordenbrockartistraction]

It sounds like one church bus of people and his family clapping for donohue right up front.

[@biggerissues6085]

Bill Donahue was impressive. He started the debate in a snarky, bitchy, low-grade way, continued it in a petulant defensive manner, and ended it as a complete prick. The man had talent.

[@edejong]

The sad thing is that the public and Donohue undoubtedly think he slam dunked it. Hitchens ruled, as always.

[@robrogers2532]

The number of people who left Catholicism increased from under 2 million in 1975 to over 30 million today. That’s winning ? ? ?

[@brotherben4357]

What is it with the religious attacking critics personally? Why can’t they just stick to the arguments?

[@oliverhenshaw4036]

he died too early a great man

[@vanguard4065]

Oliver Henshaw bill is still alive

[@Zachd500]

Vanguard he’s also not a great man. So clearly not who he was referring to.

[@3riversvito]

You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@Jay-mj1tp]

@@3riversvitodoes commenting this same thing over and over again help you confirm the bullshit that flies around in your mind?

[@brawnerbandwidthmusic2529]

Hey folks. The audience is not biased. Not at all

[@TheWontonsoop]

Who's here in 2020

[@TK-4200]

Imagine a country where the Catholic Church was in charge of education..wtf

[@briandeal8927]

Donogue’s Open was 12 minutes of absolutely nothing.

[@churchofatheism5513]

WOW, that is some impressive bigotry by Bill!

[@YourLoyalDeserter]

Did he just say "freedom is the right to do what you ought to do?" That is some authoritarian shit right there.

[@markwilliams974]

Donahue sure seems angry for someone who is guaranteed eternal paradise. He handed the debate victory to Hitchens with his ad hominem screed.

[@Vinyltoast]

I enjoy all of these Hitchins debates but I haven't seen someone as rude and ignorant as Donohue. The audience have alot to answer for too

[@oswinhull4203]

Hitchens was not afraid to offend everyone in the room in the pursuit of truth. Even if you disagree with him you have to respect that.

[@noahsawyer1241]

listening to Catholics speak is utterly excruciating.

[@adityarawate435]

The growl on a homosexuality comment...u wont hear it now..it will receive an applause...thats why we need people like hitchens

[@joecurran2811]

It still might not get an applause at The Catholic League.

[@371francis]

Bill should read this...I think it was written with him in mind...."Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein.

[@3riversvito]

You pagans, Catholic haters make me laugh - all so lost and so much the foolish as scripture indicts you. Turn your life around, it is later than you think.

[@TheJackclair]

Bill donahue, "Freedom is the right to do what you aught to do". Orwell must have done a couple of turns in his grave when he said that.

[@vanguard4065]

TheJackclair orwell could be a satanist for all we know like yourself

[@rebekahtrent5844]

@@vanguard4065 lol I have seen you on several different debates in the comments. Got nothing better to to then to berate people with different beliefs then yourself? You speak out of ignorance and no facts, your opinions are based off of emotions rather then intellect. Which makes, Hitchens, and myself, and a great deal many other people way smarter and rational then yourself intelligent people speak with our mind and not our emotions. Go in peace in your ignorance.

[@jamesppesch]

Donahue was taken as a serious interlocutor by the church? His comprehension of evolutionary biology and the complicity of the audience is almost an immediate dismissal of his arguments full stop.

[@atonesb5251]

Donohue lost as soon as he shit on the movie Dogma. I don't care who you are or what you believe, that movie is excellent.

[@ARB1452]

Fucking hell I'm 1:22 seconds in and the opening started with "truth" followed by religious imagery and "theory" followed by evolutionary diagrams and sketches and then the moderator starts with a fucking prayer. Nice neutral perspective he's got going on there

[@ARB1452]

And now I'm getting a history lesson from a fucking priest. Get on with it! Hitch looks so bored xD

[@ARB1452]

that fucker is mean. Really really mean. Like open with his cuntishness about religious minorities

[@ARB1452]

I'm just gonna keep a timeline of what happens lol

[@2msystems740]

Listening and enduring Donahue's ranting delusion is one thing, having to listen to the clapping of his sycophants in the audience... Priceless.

[@stooblo]

Quite disturbing to hear the scoffs at the mention that homosexuality is a form of love only 14 years ago. Sorry sight.

[@Garacha222]

+Stuart Munro I admire Christopher's speaking up about it from such an enlightened position. To me, he is a true humanist.

[@petereuk52]

Who would you prefer to believe? The one who does nothing but insult the other side mostly with lies and distortions or the one who calmly, respectfully and with wit and facts proposes an alternatively valid proposal. If you want to witness the total and utter moral bankruptcy of the Catholic church, you can do so by watching just two films. One is called Philomena, a story of the abuse of unmarried mothers and their children and children by the church of Rome and total lack of any remorse for their evil acts. The second is called Spotlight, a story of the exposure of the systematic abuse of children by the priests and its cover up by the hierarchy the church which was later discovered to be endemic in the church throughout the world and endorsed at the highest level by the protection of the abusers and lack of care for the abused. I also propose as evidence for the evil nature of the church when you view, not just here, but whenever this evil prick Donohue speaks, the vile way he only condemns any opposition with lies, deceit and personal abuse rather than provide any positive value in the church he is charged to defend.

[@brawnerbandwidthmusic2529]

Bill: you are a bigot! Goes into hate anything not Catholic

[@mattgamin8729]

i dont think they realized donohue is insulting but not arguing very much

[@bpaajcisna5595]

its so cringe when Donahue says "not man enough". just debate. you can tell he's so wounded by Christopher

[@brawnerbandwidthmusic2529]

The catholics had no problems celebrating Hitler until 1945. So don't tell me that this is a fair organization

[@michealhuff2299]

I love the typical Christian hypocrisy.... First we get an introduction from a priest speaking about gentlemen and charm and civility in debate; then you get the real representation of the religious in Donahue. Quite the contrast to the rhetoric spouted by the priest at the beginning.

[@dananeyome778]

Look into his teachings he has in the 90's, he's definitely not religious.

[@peteraschaffenburg1]

42:29 Discussions with religious fools is like playing chess with pigeons; all they do is kick the game pieces, shit on the playing board and afterwards stroll around cocky, thinking they have won.

[@claritas6557]

Donohue got what he deserved in the end. Hopefully his ilk and their lunacy can have the effect of knitting us ( I think the Hitch was really on to something with this brothers & sisters stuff) sensibles closer together.

[@g.wagner979]

Bill Donohue's performance in this event was disgusting. He did not debate the issue at hand, he only threw personal slurs at his opponent. What a jerk.

[@vanguard4065]

Peaceful Mountain Farm he showed us that hutchens was filthier than any accusation he could muster against the catholic church.