Debate: Religion's Impact on Society - Christopher Hitchens vs Nigel Spivey | Intelligence Squared

Join the thought-provoking debate from 2007 as Christopher Hitchens and Dr. Nigel Spivey discuss the role of religion in society. Hitchens presents arguments on the challenges and negative consequences of religion, while Spivey defends its historical significance and impact on art and culture. Explore the question of whether a society without religion can maintain its aesthetic emotions and warm human connections. Don't miss this intriguing clash of ideas!
See the full session here: • Would We Be Better Off...
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#religiondebate #hitchensvspivey #societyimpact #atheism #religiousculture #christopherhitchens #nigelspivey #intelligencesquared #intelligencesquaredplus #iq2

[@michaelpatterson5811]

Astonishingly blinkered opening from Dr Spivey, who makes no point other than "45,000 years ago we started to fill in the blanks in our understanding by imagining solutions", as evidenced by archeology. Compared to Hitchens succinct and deadly assessment of the reality of religions and their effect on society, this was not a 'thought-provoking debate'. Let's just vote now, and go to the bar for a drink.

[@Arsenic71]

Well the basis of the big world religions is the belief in the existence of a god. So Dr Spivey's introductory sentences already remove the rug from under the feet of said religions.

[@kumardigvijaymishra5945]

I admired Christopher Hitchens. I don't think he laid down methods of atheistic philosophy and simply reduced to careful examination of existing sectarian practices. Regardless he was an intellectual who will be reviewed perhaps centuries later when humans would know more about their universe.

[@annj.m.s.harlan6836]

Hitchens: Religions harm society by being used as a justification for violence and dehumanizing those who don't subscribe to your particular brand of worship. Spivey: I assume that burials and art were caused by religion, therefore religion is beneficial. I ascribe all art to religious fervor. I claim that the entire argument that religion is a mistake is based on ancestors making scientific errors and explaining things using religious beliefs, not on any modern observed effects of religion on society. I say: there's a big difference between faith and organized religions.

[@michaelpatterson5811]

I think that Hitchens did not group all 'religions' together - he was an atheist, and therefore concerned by the concept of a 'creator God' (theism). That's what requires 'faith'. Religions like Buddhism and Hinduism and Islam and scores of Chinese and African cultures do not have 'A God'. As for Dr. Spivey - we now have discovered that sometimes prehistoric man buried their dead (especially children) - but no god worship appears to be part of their beliefs, rather, just natural 'spirits' and 'powers'. Then, to say that 'all art is religious fervour' is going to take pages for me to respond to! Such an unsupportable view of 'all' paintings, music, poetry etc.Sums him up, really?

[@venkataponnaganti]

👌

[@tehdii]

The modern B or not to B equivalent of a Hamlet's speech :)

[@kenhuang1045]

Both did a Very Good on the Subject. Intelligently Brief and to the Point ! !

[@michaelpatterson5811]

Couldn't disagree with you more, Ken. No intelligence on behalf of Dr Spivey - though I agree that he was (mercifully) brief.

[@nancyreyes5677]

Hitchens died a couple years ago. So why is it being posted as a new discussion?

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

Why not?

[@edmundpotrzeba6094]

The truth never dies

[@edmundpotrzeba6094]

How long ago did Jesus die.

[@scottread]

"Join the thought-provoking debate from 2007..." hardly suggests this was posted as a new discussion...

[@ShaBoop11]

​@scottread I'm sorry but NO ONE looks at the description 😂😅

[@mcee555]

Wow! Loved the second speaker!

[@MikeHeath1]

Why?

[@mcee555]

@@MikeHeath1 As someone who is religious, I was moved by his speech and really appreciated it 👏🏻

[@michaelpatterson5811]

@@mcee555 In other words, Mike, you followed your personal prejudice, didn't listen to Hitchens, and were just 'moved' by Dr Spivey's assumptions of archeological evidence of where man had got to 45,000 years ago. What do you think that the James Webb telescope is showing you today about life 45 billion years ago?

[@fuegotoday]

I loved them both. Well done!

[@MoralScienceEducation]

Excellent🥂 I forward to the day we hold dialogues about how we could end the suffering during this time of unending global chaos and how ethics, morality and (God’s) love could contribute to world peace. The potential for the Kingdom of God resides within us🕊️🪷🙏