Ex-Mormon Reacts to Christopher Hitchens (Catholic Church Debate)

[@StanSwan]

When asked about Donald Trump Hitchens said, "His greatest accomplishment of his life was to cover 100% of his head with 30% of his hair".

[@theglanconer6463]

He despised the Clintons. Really, really hated them (and rightly so) He even wrote a book about them.

[@boesvig2258]

I’m actually rereading Hitchens’ _God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything_ at the moment. I can’t recommend it enough.

[@jamesr1894]

Christopher reads it himself for the audiobook.

[@feonor26]

@@jamesr1894 Got both the audio book and physical one. I listen to it while at the gym sometimes.

[@Unafe13]

Hitch-22 is also read by Christopher, which is a fantastic book as well. It dives into his life and experiences.

[@aughalough1]

Hitchens, his dying words were: “Oh my, oh my, what have I done, there is something very wrong"

[@feonor26]

@@aughalough1 Commandment no 9: "Thou shalt not bear false witness" Thought it was a sin to lie?

[@graeker4286]

Hitchens is so dearly missed. He would have been such a voice of reason these years.

[@hansemannluchter643]

Except that even Elon would have banned him.

[@graeker4286]

@@hansemannluchter643 why?

[@hansemannluchter643]

@@graeker4286 Because, after a bottle of Single-Malt, The Hitch had NO filter. Imagine what he'd have said after "the incident" in England??

[@raulmoctezumajr7483]

Ahhh makes sense now listen to drunk people...

[@Philbert-s2c]

Nobody in Iraq misses him...the ones that are still alive anyway.

[@Liam-pl2nr]

The absence of Christopher in public discourse is so very strongly felt. An incredibly impressive human being.

[@danielboard9510]

Agree.

[@danielboard9510]

I fear for the death of Chomsky.

[@MattSingh1]

@@danielboard9510 *Chomsky is a shell of his former self. He ceased to be relevant when he made excuses for the fascist side in Bosnia. He then went on to shamefully carry water for Islamofascism post-September 11th, 2001. Thankfully Hitchens called him out on all of it.*

[@berain-vo9ur]

Not really, Hitch was infamous for not actually debating the subject but going off on his little predictable rants. He was a fantastic orator but made little actual contribution to effective informed discourse. He was a demagogue.

[@danielboard9510]

@@MattSingh1 Well he is in his 90's, so I suppose that makes sense!! Lol!!

[@catcherinthesky]

I miss Hitchens more than any other of my Heroes who has fallen fighting darkness and ignorance. What a great man.

[@Enhancedlies]

I have never missed somebody I have never met before. Nothing comes close to how I miss Hitchens.

[@Saintphoenix86]

One thing to think on though, hitchens himself wouldnt want to be hero worshipped, it goes against everything he believed and fought for, all he wanted really was people to actually use their brains, so what i think would be a better course is to not so much miss the man as im sure none of us actually knew him anyway, but miss the fact we had someone doing the things he did, and inturn we should encourage others to do as he did, so miss the message not the man

[@catcherinthesky]

@@Saintphoenix86 Do you really believe that i kneel infront of him, drink his blood and eats his body? So, i shouldn't miss Jim Morrison, Elvis and Kurt Cobain? Instead i should encourage others to play the guitar?

[@Saintphoenix86]

That's actual worshipped, but hero worship is still not good, and it wouldnt be something he would have wanted

[@SaganJumJum]

​ @catcherinthesky4106 Don´t forget MJ. He also did fight darkness and ignorance. I find my way out.

[@headofmyself5663]

I'd rather listen to fingers on a chalkboard than to Ann Widdecombe.

[@baronmeduse]

She was minister for prisons in the late 1980s. No wonder several prisons rioted. I remember them sitting on the roof of Strangeways throwing down roof tiles.

[@paulcready7093]

I completely agree with you, a terrible public speaker & regularly incoherent as well as ill informed. However to be balanced she isn’t wrong on ever point but to be honestly insulting she does have an nagging tone

[@JoelWende]

Look up ‘Hitch slaps’ - they are his rebuttals in various debates and they are brutal!

[@BlackieNuff]

ROFL! That's brilliant. "Hitch slaps".

[@ColdRoland]

@@BlackieNuff They also offer no context or comment. Please watch this man do his work in full. He can't be cut down to TikTok clips.

[@berain-vo9ur]

Often brutal but VERY rarely actually relevant in anyway to the argument. Hitch wasn`t a great debater..he was a great orator.

[@BlackieNuff]

@@berain-vo9ur What the hell are you talking about? Just cos you are too thick to appreciate what he is saying and he doesn't spoon-feed it to you in the smaller words you're likely accustomed to, does not make him "rarely relevant" nor does it make him a bad debater. He could debate you into the ground even after a frontal lobotomy.

[@csjrogerson2377]

@@berain-vo9ur Have you been on other people's meds again?

[@scottclark3761]

Hitch was a firebrand. Stephen Fry was the moderate voice on that side of the table. He was unafraid and spoke his mind. We need someone like him....desperately.

[@mechanicalman1068]

For sure. But I don’t know that I’d call Stephen Fry moderate. If you watch his he’s pretty scathing and unforgiving. He’s also been absolutely firm and outspoken in n not just his atheism but his denouncement of religion in general. I know what you mean though, he does somehow have a softer and more human touch. And he’s a proper comedian so that helps. Hitch’s whole career was basically this, while Fry did lots of comedy and other entertainment to soften the blow, but he definitely didn’t pull punches.

[@firbolg]

My father was actually imprisoned at the age of 15 in Portugal because he disrespected a priest by not kneeling before him as he passed in the main street. The political/religious police came to pick him up and take him to the dreadful prison-fort of Peniche. Luckily, my grandfather had some pull in the military and managed to get him extricated from that prison and sent to exile in Paris, France. Years later (1985), after the fall of the fascism, when we moved back there, when I was only 7, I was actively discriminated by the town's priest, barring me from all activities at the village, because I was not baptised. And when once, he picked us up on our way home from what you call highschool, he took all of my friends but refused to take me so I had to walk home alone for a bit less than 5 miles (8km).

[@HailHeidi]

Wtf that's crazy!! 🥺🫂

[@jemimus]

@firbolg I am so sorry to hear of these injustices done to you and your family. This is an unfortunately common example, of how religious suppression and discrimination is real, and effects people even today. Even though many Christian apologists would claim it is now, all 'harmless'.

[@hansemannluchter643]

I grew up in Spain, during Franco.. It wasn't any better there. And then the Polish Pope went and beatified several Spanish Falangist, Opus Dei members. I'm still a (bad) Catholic, but I only attend Mass when there is no Pope.. I'm so glad Portugal became a Free Nation, been there 6 times, it's my favourite European country to visit.

[@firbolg]

@@hansemannluchter643 Oh, yeah! Franco was even worse!

[@Bruhaha9]

So he was kneeling sarcastically or ironically? Not that I'm against that at all.

[@thehoogard]

Hitchens was a walking encyclopedia. He was spitting facts like that when ad-libbing too, not just with prepared opening statements.

[@Olyfrun]

Indeed, one of his greatest strengths was his voracious curiosity- so many of his quips are lifted from other great thinkers, but his ability to bring them to bear is formidable

[@jimgore1278]

Yes, he does smile. I can't believe anyone would accept a debate in which the opposition was Fry and Hitchens, regardless of the topic.

[@voiceover2191]

Indeed, apart from the likelihood you would be wrong to begin with, it would be made pretty eloquently and brutal and abundantly clear how wrong you were.

[@brandonhall5615]

Right? Accepting this debate was them gleefully approaching the gallows built specifically for them.

[@shoujahatsumetsu]

I'd rather have a debate with someone who offered a proper discussion than someone who relied on gotchas and fallacies.

[@SeArCh4DrEaMz]

You dont debate Steven Fry unless you want to look like an idiot after it's done.

[@iLovettGolf]

@@shoujahatsumetsudo you have any rebuttals to these ‘gotchas and fallacies’? They are well researched facts & deeply explored ideas that are orated incredibly well, providing references along the way 😊

[@Beerglass1980]

Even on his last speech when he hugged Richard Dawkins at the end, that was hard to watch, but he stood his ground till the last moment RIP Christopher Hitchens Thank you, for yor wisdom.

[@jackwhitbread4583]

Was his last televised speech with Dawkins? He also had the last ever audio interview with Dawkins too at a coffee shop I believe, Richard released it on his podcast a few months ago. A great conversation if you ever get the chance to listen to it

[@unusual686]

Christopher Hitchens was the strongest orator and debater of his generation.

[@col.hertford9855]

Stephen Fry is stood right there. The two masters together ❤

[@hansemannluchter643]

​@@col.hertford9855 No. Stephen Fry is a cigarette. A Bundle of Sticks.

[@JR-zw4ed]

@@col.hertford9855 Excellent point. I would say Stephen was the gentler message while Hitch was the moral/intellectual outrage. I love/ed them both.

[@Shoomer1988]

Shame his brother is such a bellend.

[@Shoomer1988]

@@hansemannluchter643 What's the matter? Didn't have to guts to speak your homophobia out loud?

[@TheGuardianofblind]

Oh I was hoping you would do these ones, Hitchens was on whole another level when it comes to ruthlessly explaining truths and facts!

[@sumdewd]

Hitchens piece on mother Teresa was lovely, in a brutal sort of way

[@HailHeidi]

I'm definitely interested in checking it out!

[@sumdewd]

Given your inquisitive nature I suspect you’ll enjoy his debates, he is always very thought provoking, eloquent and articulate. The mother Teresa thing is called Hells Angel, tho ya might wanna add hitchens to the search to skip all the biker gang stuff

[@hansemannluchter643]

​​@@HailHeidiYou should, and I'm a (BAD) non-convert Catholic. Hitchens is SPOT-ON about "Saint Theresa", beatified by the Polish Opus Dei Pope...

[@WolfeTone66]

@@hansemannluchter643 ...No, people can make their own minds up about Mother Teresa & I think she was an incredible , selfless & rare human being. A great spiritual being on this planet..💚

[@geofftottenperthcoys9944]

@@WolfeTone66 And thats what they wanted you to believe and you did!

[@michaelregan5511]

Hitchens has a great sense of humor and tells some wonderful jokes. He also said one of the wisest and important things ever. That the solution to poverty is the ‘empowerment of women’. He defines this as give women full access to reproductive health, full access to all levels of education and full control of the family budget. Great words from a great human being.

[@thomasroth4533]

Hitchens is so missed, he was a great man. And once again we are reminded of the fact that religion is pure poison. And yes, we love Stephen Fry.

[@crover1122]

You eschewed worship of a vengeful god who demands obedience for a vengeful planet that demands obedience. The only difference being politicians are your high priests.

[@michealedwards7849]

@@crover1122 you talk rubbish

[@BhutJolokias]

@@crover1122 The other difference is that the planet is real.

[@420RittzBish]

@@crover1122 The only thing being eschewed here is your dictionary.

[@Captain101-x1o]

@@crover1122 Politicians are elected and proven to exist! If there is a god then he is a vile dictator and not worthy of worship. Enjoy your life of subservience and try not to envy too much those of us with freedom and free thought.

[@mariodriessen9740]

Told you! 😊 I love this man. Nobody’s perfect, not even Hitchens, but after having watched many hours of him debating against religion and particularly the three big monotheistic religions, it’s hard not to idolise him for standing up against religious bullying.

[@tylerfunnyman2532]

When I was a Mormon teenager I used to listen to debates between theists and Hitchens all the time, and even then I was wowed by his intelligence even if I felt I couldn’t agree with him. Years later when I stopped believing he became a source of comfort for my lost faith. He made the landing into atheism a little softer and less lonely.

[@nathanharris8896]

@@tylerfunnyman2532 I remember, when I was deconstructing Mormonism, that I noticed Christopher had better arguments than his opponents.

[@TaxTheChurches.]

That's a good description of the Hitch Effect. I would describe it as CHristopher Hitchens erasing the negative and fearful chalk script from my life's blackboard. In other words, he gave me a clean slate. He let me see the absurdity of the Catholic Church, and absurdity is the nicest word I can use to describe the system.

[@Capcomski]

Christopher Hitchens - Free Speech, is another gem of his.

[@feonor26]

I come back to that video several times a year

[@rickybuhl3176]

YT knows to send me notifications when it's Hitch, Good Boy YT, Good Boy!

[@HailHeidi]

🤣💜

[@teddelguercio2173]

@@rickybuhl3176 Here here!

[@Baz-g6d]

This was my first Hitch experience to. You’re so right, his language and encyclopaedic knowledge is daunting but he is the best debater against religion! So many good videos to come!

[@jasonmain6398]

He's pretty good I guess. His opponents are all very weak though. I definitely wouldn't call him the best on the atheist side.

[@Baz-g6d]

I think he’s the best not because he’s the most knowledgeable but the most entertaining and so persuasive. Sam Harris, Dawkins and Krauss are all probably better but it’s never as fun to watch.

[@Nataruma]

@@Baz-g6d It's because he doesn't take their bullshit and he comes in with boxing gloves on not the kitten mittens.

[@jeffbergstrom]

The "Hitch slap" is an often used term when Hitchens puts someone in their place in his own, eloquent way. This is just a never-ending Hitch Slap. Top form. He had his own faults to be sure but I miss him. The world needs him now, more than ever.

[@cloudymeowsgames7855]

@@jeffbergstrom yeah

[@CC-wd4rp]

A strong voice for sanity in an insane world, sadly missed and a loss to us all.

[@richardgaynor6113]

@CC-wd4rp A strong voice in a world that, not coincidentally, has become more insane and hopeless without God.

[@bazingaburg8264]

Religion is arguably good for terror management, but many of the ills it helps to lessen is on its head in the first place. Abdecating moral reasoning to an arbiter in hopes of gaining moral understanding isn't just self-defeating, confusing obedience for morality earns religion the title of enslaver. While there is value in making due with what we have, it can't hold a candle to the agency understanding provides and the better world it enables us to build. Hope is too important to build on shaky grounds, which is why teaching the uncomfortable cautionary tales of history is important. People need to know what went wrong to do better and be hopeful that they can get there. Reasonable expectations beat blind faith any day of the week.

[@bazingaburg8264]

@@richardgaynor6113 While making due with what we have is valuable, it can't hold a candle to understanding and the agency it provides. We need critical thinkers to build a better world, not lowered heads who roll with whatever comes their way. Baseless hope is a trap, reasonable expactions are actually useful.

[@bassvapegeeza4431]

Heidi....I'm so pleased you got to see Christopher Hitchens in debate, and this debate in particular. Especially valuable for one climbing out of the conditionings and doctrines of an LDS upbringing, despite Catholicism being the topic here. Such an excellent educational debate, and essential viewing for those wishing to learn, and expand their understanding of the horrendous influence religion has exerted on humankind, through the spread of fear and misinformation, for all of history, and still being preached today. A truly enlightening debate.

[@indoors_too_much]

Growing up catholic in Ireland, I have always been disgusted by the sad reality that even after a very public revelation of the vast abuses by the church and it's priests and its institutions that the people went back to church. The truth was vile and the church was should have criminal charged.

[@JRush374]

Feelings come first and rationalizations come second. The church is a feelings control organization. If you're made to feel that the church is good by default, any rationalization can be concocted to justify its crimes. Humans aren't logical robots. They are animals that are largely controlled by feelings with a veneer of rational thought laid upon it.

[@jonathanwetherell3609]

This is the big change over the last 2 generations. From total dominance of the Irish State to being just a religion. Would there be peace in the entire island if that had not happened? Would the move in the north towards unification have been possible? I think not.

[@indoors_too_much]

@@jonathanwetherell3609 you've missed a very important element and that is the primary problem with Northern Ireland is caused by the occupation of Irish land by a foreign country and that country's refusal to leave.

[@miquelr2353]

​@@indoors_too_muchdont the irish fight each other just as much as they fight england?

[@indoors_too_much]

@@miquelr2353 what are you referring to?

[@MellonVegan]

14:15 Seems to be the common "punishment" for these "incidents". They're usually punished by being put somewhere else in the same kind of position.

[@chocopuddingcup83]

Hitchens was an intellectual giant. He had an exceptional talent for memorizing facts and figures and being able to call them up at will, having been extremely well-read. He was a very fierce debater and communicator, that could start with a joke and end with a witty and stinging condemnation of his opponent, giving rise to the phrase 'Hitchslap'.

[@Deguello23]

I went to London from S. Texas in the early 90s to visit friends who'd moved there. One night, I decided to see what British TV was like. The very first thing I watched was a documentary on Mother Teresa by Christopher Hitchens. I'd never seen anything like it in my life. I felt like I should've been watching it with headphones on or something, in case someone overheard it and kicked the door in. I was riveted. It was incredibly informative and absolutely brutal. I was a fan from that point onward. I disagreed with him about the Iraq War, but even that was valuable to me because his was the argument to beat.

[@fraser311]

Heidi, This is the first time I’ve ever seen Amy of your content and I am glad the algorithm has sent you my way. I have read all of Hitchens’ books and likely seen every available KZbin video in which he is present. I say that to say I believe Hitchens would be proud of you. Not only for your liberation from LDS, but also your genuine and poignant reactions to this monologue. Kudos.

[@magnushhogberg]

What I really like is that this is not a discussion of belief or atheism. Its about what churches do and did.

[@garymaclean6903]

It's about how churches MISUSE their claim to power to maintain that power, and as a result influence others to do evil. The 'faith' espoused by those churches loses all its credibility, when they claim to be the representative of god on earth, yet too often act more like the representative of Satan... And that doesn't even address how their 'faith' is a choice to believe in that for which there is no actual 'proof'. ('Holy Texts', like the bible, aren't close to being 'proof'...) If such proof existed, it wouldn't need to be called faith, it could be called 'fact'.. It certainly cannot be called that!

[@eisikater1584]

I had left the Catholic church long before I heard of Hitchens and Fry. They put the reasons why I quit into wonderful words, thanks for reminding me of them. There's one thing, however, that worries me: I went through a Catholic ritual that's called "confirmation" when I was around 14 or 15. So while my country, Germany, recognizes me as an atheist (which has some tax advantages), the Catholic church doesn't, as it's their dogma that a confirmed Catholic will be a Catholic forever. But, well, "Hell ain't a bad place to be" I guess.

[@bertabeton4514]

I couldn‘t escape „Kommunion“, but I left the catholic church at the age of 14. Which was back in the 80s the earliest time in Germany you can decide it for your own, therefore I managed to escape „Firmung“. I have never regretted my decision. I still think all religions are simply made up to control and suppress people and offer an easy exit from self thinking and responsibilities.

[@PortilloMoment]

I don't think you should be worried. Personally I don't think 'God' exists but assuming that such a figure is in fact real, then surely any religion can be regarded as simply a map as to how to please or 'get to' such a deity. In support of there being a variety of routes to 'God' I would present the fact that the Golden Rule appears in all major religions and almost all the minor ones too. Some might say that all the other maps (except theirs) lead to a hot place but there is no evidence for this other than the insistence of those who benefit by you buying their map. It follows (in my mind at least) that if any religion is essentially just directions then it would be just as valid for me or anyone else to 'find their own way' without the direct guidance of any organised religion.

[@Nataruma]

How do they know they're right about that when there are hundreds of other religions out there? That's what you should ask yourself when you come to consider "Hell" there are myriad versions of that imaginary space, settling on one would be impossible because you'd first have to establish it's the 'correct' one.

[@edwardjacklewis]

A number of years ago the Catholic Church provided instructions for a person to formally leave the church, even after confirmation.

[@sheenaghmcmahon9665]

Don't worry about it, they are irrelevant.

[@ericnelson9100]

He is so needed in the age of Trump

[@LazyLampshade]

One of my heroes and someone I have so much respect for that I actually get emotional seeing videos of him in the late stages cancer, and I didn’t even know about the man until years after his death. That’s what Christopher Hitchens means to me and to so many others that have been fortunate enough to know of his work. People say the world needs Hitch now more than ever and while that’s true, there’s never really been a time in human history when a brilliant mind like Hitch’s wasn’t needed.

[@brianmurphy767]

You should watch the full Intelligence squared debate. It's a great listen and hearing Hitchens speak across many debates is great.

[@danielswood]

Thanks so much for this. I miss Hitch so much! Do go ahead and find as much as you can of his unmatched oratory. I'm certain you'll find a lot of pleasure in it.

[@francistolsa7793]

I'm an ex-Mormon (Baptized but never a "true believer"). I spent my teen years listening to people like Hitchens, and that is why I can keep my head high while my Neighbors shun my family. anyways, thank you for what you are doing. it means a lot. Liked and subscribed!

[@axelbaker8737]

One of the best speakers of all time

[@nedludd7622]

Back in the 90's, I had been invited to a casual dinner in Paris. There were a dozen or so attendees. At sometime someone brought up Mama Teresa who was in the news then. I explained that she was a zealot fraud and crook. That raised eyebrows. Then the hostess threatened to kick me out. At the end, a few people came by and thanked me and told that it was daring on my part. For me, the hostess’s take was amusing.

[@hansemannluchter643]

@@nedludd7622 She was certainly no Saint, even though the Polish Pope not only beatified her, he sanctified her. And I'm a Catholic. Can't stand the woman. Or the Polish Pope...

[@Thor.Jorgensen]

Matt Dillahunty is worth mentioning. You should check his stuff out as well. A treasure, just like Hitchens.

[@Pohgrey]

I think Matt is an even better debater than Hitchens was, tho Hitch's language was sometimes more creative, eloquent, and colorful. What Matt really brings to the table are hard, undeniable logic and facts. He's very good at drilling into and dismantling a position or claim, and if there any, exposing logical fallacies.

[@Thor.Jorgensen]

@@Pohgrey I believe Hitchens was the best orator, but Matt is an amazing debater. However, Matt is very grounded and would probably be much easier to understand. He speaks very plainly.

[@Pohgrey]

@@Thor.Jorgensen I totally agree.

[@philipmay6003]

I totally agree about Matt's debating skills plus he possesses a strong intellectual honesty. When facing another honest debater, Matt is amiable, listens intently and works hard to seek points of agreement from which to move the debate forward. When confronted with gimmicky or dishonest arguments he will quickly reveal the shenanigans and hand his opponent their head.

[@jasonmain6398]

​@@philipmay6003yeah until he gets upset and then rage quits. It's happened so many times.

[@BaylaRose]

One of my favorite Hitchens quotes in response to Jerry Falwell's death: “If you gave [Jerry] Falwell an enema he could be buried in a matchbox.” ― Christopher Hitchens 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@richybinns]

Best quote of all time...........RIP Hitch.

[@Pthaloskies]

His delivery was what made that line. Before that he said Falwell was so nuts he expected to see him "on the corner selling pencils out of a cup!"

[@CaveatDraco]

It's an incredibly eloquent way to put. "You are full of shit."

[@RFranklinCarter]

Look up "Christopher Hitchens London Hay Festival 2007." The video is on KZbin, and the video is part of the Hitchens Archive. Ian McEwan, an internationally acclaimed author and a friend of Hitchens, interviews Hitchens about religion.

[@jackofalltrades5761]

Thank you Heidi.

[@qwadratix]

Apologies are of little use. What's really needed is an end to the lies and denials of observed facts.

[@skagenpige88]

Will be a hard sell as long as there are people that want the lies and denials. Even willing to pay for it.

[@David34981]

An apology would serve as the admission that the church is not infallible. As Hitch referred to, they will not admit that they are wrong, even when young children are being raped, because they believe they have permission to do whatever they do, granted by "god". And that is the fundamental problem.

[@spookybuz7803]

Hitchins was a prophet for non-conditioned people. He was a comforter for those who questioned religion. He was a scribe who wrote about the truth of observation, not conformity. My favourite quote: "If you pray to your rain God for long enough, it will rain. I pray to the common sense and decency God, but they have yet to answer."

[@jamesodonnell3636]

Heidi -- First time subscriber, here, and I just want to say how much I appreciate the intellectual fodder on your channel -- takes me back to my college years! In any case, forgive my loquaciousness (on this video and the one with Stephen Fry), but I finished a major project today, and I am settling into my weekend. When I'm not reading, watching movies, or shooting hoops, this is my idea of FUN.

[@georgewachsmuth9201]

Hitch…..was a wonderful orator and a marvelous human being. I miss him. By the way…he did smile occasionally. Thing is….he was very passionate about issues involving the Church and some of those issues are horrendous. I suspect this influences whether he smiled or not. You have a great channel in here. I’m glad I ran into you. 😉

[@hansemannluchter643]

Yes, and I to miss him, but: He was a jew, so no wonder he hadca problem with Christianity..

[@Peasquish]

I'm so glad I saw your channel, love to see your first experience of Christopher. Very thoughtful commentary on your part. Thank you!

[@col.hertford9855]

A fine Hitch slap, and partnered with Mr Fry. A great moment that will never be repeated. If you like the atheist type video, can I recommend Rationality Rules. He’s a young, more metal version of Hitchens.

[@MrMrlosteruk]

Agreed, Stephen is fantastic

[@brianmiller4207]

Good job kid. These debates are even better the fifth or tenth viewing.

[@michaelj3414]

There is a fantastic movie about the Boston church scandal he was referring to. It's called "Spotlight". I highly recommend it.

[@1stCainite]

I would definitely watch the whole thing if I were you, Heidi. If for nothing else to see the absolute lack of contrite response Anne Widdecombe had.

[@rickb.4168]

Hitchens, Fry and Attenborough are the first in my fantasy dinner list.

[@jedsithor]

David or Richard? Frankly, both would have interesting stories to tell around the dinner table.

[@Raydensheraj]

Hitchens, Thomas Henry Huxley, Charles Darwin, Dennis Diderot....would be a nice talk hopefully over German Bavarian Kristallweizen...

[@bernstock]

Thanks for your reaction, good to watch! I have watched this particular speech/debate more times than I can remember and all I can say is I wish he was still around. Amazing to listen to.

[@Nestor123057]

I walked into church before Mass. I quoted from the scripture aloud, "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven." Someone told me to go to hell as I took my seat in the front. A few minutes later the pastor and a policeman came over to me. They asked me to leave and never come back. This was in America, Myrtle Beach, SC.

[@KennethHoffman-p4k]

Wow! Shame on you for quoting the Bible in church! I have cited this quote when I encounter people who believe in the gospel of wealth - that believing in Christ will make you materially successful. Their usual response is that I don't understand Jesus' real meaning, but then they don't tell me what that is.

[@Nestor123057]

@@KennethHoffman-p4k Thanks. I've confronted this since I left the South Bronx to retire in Myrtle Beach. I read the Bible and truly believe God is talking to me directly. I find it hard to misinterpret that quote. Matthew states, "Blessed are the poor in spirit for they shall inherit the land. Mark states simply, " Blessed are the poor." and not poor in spirit. The poor in spirit was put in later to include people with wealth. Matthew was derived from Mark which, according to most scholars, was the first of the gospels.

[@fredbarnesjr.1044]

@@Nestor123057 oh my lord was it John Paul Millers church?? That the arsehole who has been disparaging his now deceased wife Mica miller since she “committed suicide” in april…if it is then that explains everything

[@mackobun]

Not sure how I happened across this video, but it's encouraging to see someone who's unfamiliar with Hitch listen to him for likely the first time. I've been watching his works on KZbin and elsewhere for years now and it pains me that I only came to hm years after his death. We lost such a potent and well articulated voice for the anti-theist movement, and I owe a great part of my eventual turn to full atheism to this man. Glad to see he's still playing a role in the de-conversion of others and providing positive support for those in the struggle.

[@scottstewart5784]

Hitch is a rabbit hole worth entering. Maybe start with "Hitchslaps".

[@grumpybear741]

I suggest that you might wish watch a movie called "Spotlight" which may give you some insight into Cardinal Law and his horrendous crimes in Boston.

[@Lord_Ralph]

Fry is eloquent. The Hitch (RIP): factual and direct.

[@richardlouis1284]

Hitchens was quite elegant and eloquent He was one of a kind

[@fozzsr]

First time viewer and I'm smitten. I enjoyed seeing your initial reaction to these two. Fry is a treasure and the Hitch was among the best of us. Look forward to our next meeting. 😘

[@traog]

Regarding the Catholic Churches teaching regarding the Jewish people and their mistreatment that resulted from it. My parents became friends with an older couple, he was from Germany, one evening we were at their home for a supper, something came on the TV about the Jewish Holocaust, his responce was "Who cares they were just Jews". My Dad had some harsh words with him over it and we left. That man was a regular at the Catholic Church.

[@stephenholmgren405]

I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time with your videos, this was amazing 👏 I was dating a 19 year old Mormon girl when I discovered Hitchens about 15 years ago.

[@sumdewd]

In Hitchens vs Wolpe there’s a particular mischievous grin he gives after a hitchslap that I adore. It’s one of my favorite moments of his cuz there was no malice in it, it was aimed at Wolpe who was kind of a friend that happened to have different beliefs.

[@lordg13m]

Hey Heidi, glad that you came across Hitchens, and that I came across your video! Clearly you changed your mind and conclusions on another path, but just wanted to say Hitchens was absolutely critical to my process of breaking away. He gave such a sharp and witty way of showing religion for what it is, and this shattered so many mental shackles for me. Also subbed!

[@arboreusmcclane1672]

he was an absolutely brilliant thinker, incredible debater...

[@arboreusmcclane1672]

you ought to see hitchens' brutal take down of mother theresa, in "hell's angel"

[@hansemannluchter643]

And a Marxist. Sorry, I respect Christopher Hitchens, and miss him, but: He was a Marxist, and frequently addressed people as "Comrades". Besides that, he liked Whiskey a bit to much.

[@derwolfpack3599]

@@hansemannluchter643 What are his other sins O father? Who the hell are you?

[@hansemannluchter643]

@@derwolfpack3599 who the Hell are you??

[@derwolfpack3599]

@@hansemannluchter643 A person who does not look on other people as something to be judged. Drinks to much? Addresses people as comrade? who cares? maybe he drank just the right amount for him.

[@Mat_Rural]

Another wonderful video, my dear. Thank you I do hope you do review the entire debate; not only was it a very interesting debate, I do think it is only fair to show the other side of the argument, after having seen the entirety of one already. We should let people make up their own minds, rather than simply tell one perspective. Looking forward to the next one. 👍

[@pacificbob24]

The Historic horrific Abuse of Aboriginal children by Catholic Residential schools in Canada including mass graves is something for which the Catholic Church should never be forgiven. Preach it, Brother Hitchens!

[@markfeggeler3479]

I realize you might not be reviewing movie-length content, but there are two I can think of that would provide additional context on two situations. First is “Inherit the Wind,” a film starring Spencer Tracy that is a film adaptation of a play depicting the Scopes Monkey Trial in which a teacher was put on trial for teaching evolution. Second is Spotlight, a film starring Michael Keaton about the uncovering of the priest child sex abuse scandal in Boston. Two excellent movies.

[@gerrya4818]

Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion - Full Documentary on youtube is a good one to try next if you already havnt seen.

[@nedludd7622]

Also see Jonathan Miller's three-part tv program, "A Brief History of Disbelief". It is a short history of atheism broadcast by the BBC.

[@79mib]

I really appreciate your willingness to grapple with these topics. 🎉

[@patrickexiler9255]

23:15 he is talking about the bishop (at least I think that he is a bishop) who is on the opposing debate team and sitting next to that shrew widdecombe

[@raatroc]

This is such a deep video, I love you Heidi, keep on your simple and rightious opinions!

[@Marc010]

Oh, Hitch, what you could have done with the rise of Christian nationalism today. Glad you found him.

[@ds31579]

Mr. Hitchens, was one of the greatest debaters ever! Intellectually none came close to the profound and exquisite way in which he came to orate the points of discourse! In his genius he would beat down his opposition with style, grace and a vocabulary that was as large as the dictionary itself. We truly lost a great British/American Philosopher

[@paulbromley6687]

I was a Christian but I couldn’t continue withe the immorality and vile lies and so now I’m happily atheist

[@neorich59]

Fry & Hitchens, Brilliant speakers, National Treasures both. I never tire of listening to Hitchens. He's _so_ sharp and wickedly funny. It's definitely worth watching the entire thing. F&H's "summing" up sections are wonderful. Anne Widdecombe, so full of "Christian" compassion, that she joined Reform UK! 😉😉

[@iainhenderson4385]

Christopher Hitchens was a joy both to read and to listen to. And I say that as a Christian. His brother on the other hand...

[@algurevich9141]

Sounds like you didn't know the great Hitchens has been gone now for some time. I love your innocence and your open mindedness. Most low-information folks tend to resist new ideas. Keep it up.

[@richardlouis1284]

I truly miss Hitch. The 🐐 of all 🐐s. This is a brilliant speech by Hitchens

[@ryanfarrell5440]

Yes!! More Hitchens please!!!

[@jeremyboynton6173]

Check out the movie, "Spotlight" if you want to know a little about Cardinal Law in Massachusettes.

[@voiceover2191]

Hitchens is as much a treasure as Stephen Frye and them together is simply awe inspiring. Look up some more Hitchens, it is amazing. As other people already commented, he is missed so profoundly.

[@MravacKid]

This debate and the one on the freedom of speech are among the best debates out there, and a must-watch, especially for all who consider themselves free thinkers.

[@johnkochen7264]

Hitchens and Fry, two totally different men in almost every aspect except two. Both men are hugely intelligent and highly educated and both men are extremely suspicious of religion with Fry being accusatory but Hitchens absolutely vicious.

[@zapkvr]

3:02 If youve ever seen Lord St John Norman Fawley speak you are privileged indeed. An amazing orator

[@Eric-t6s9s]

Hitchens is amazing. I loved his audiobook of Hitch-22. Talking about his mother's suicide and his upbringing and he was narrating it. And Mortality where Carol talks about his final days.

[@thomasdempsey721]

Mortality was a great little black book!!

[@JamesRichardWiley]

Christopher was one of my most influential teachers. He was a word master who exposed the glaring contradictions in God's Holy Word.

[@davidontherailroad]

Hitch was a beast. We can only imagine what he would have said about the world today. If you want a good intro to Christopher Hitchens, check out the segment on 60 Minutes kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZykfoKoo96saZI

[@Lindeman08]

You've gotta be shitting me. Earlier today I watched your reaction to Stephen Fry's initial argument in this debate and thought to myself; I hope Heidi will revisit this and react to Christopher Hitchens' opening statement Edit: I think one of the most important things mentioned in this oratory that you need to read up on is the Rwandan genocide.

[@HailHeidi]

haha Awesome. And thank you, I do need to read up on that!

[@gauravmaharjan894]

just the fact that you can just apologize your way out of massacre is fking crazy

[@FrewsBrews]

Very happy for you to have found one of the most important thinkers of our time. You are in for an amazing experience.

[@TheTruthstalker]

Go Girl!

[@Olyfrun]

I know about what's now taught about where babies go! It's an interesting story, originally they theoretically went to hell but Augustine invented the idea of a safe place for them (but this was never official). Now this has been "abolished", or is stated (also unofficially) that they just go to heaven... A change in official church doctrine of such import without ex cathedra permission is rather wild in my view

[@Randsurfer]

Hitchens wading through an army of orcs swinging a double bladed axe.

[@kevinfancher3512]

Great first impression, my dear, and the content well considered

[@StormhavenGaming]

Definitely watch the full debate. I won't say that the opposition made a particularly good show (they were utterly outgunned by the heroic duo of Fry and Hitchens), but you should at least hear their side. It's only fair.

[@skagenpige88]

Anything they said that you found valuable that you could mention? Sure I agree...hearing both sides is good but I were not impressed.

[@StormhavenGaming]

@@skagenpige88 Off the top of my head? Not much. It was like watching a pair of baby deer wander into the lion enclosure.

[@pjackson8322]

Hitchens is an example you can disagree without being disagreeable. Makes intellectual arguments to his points but still has the respect of the other side by still referring to the pope as "his holiness". It was a respect for the title, not the man necessarily. Like saying president so and so instead of Mr. if you're from another country.

[@Faile1990]

20:30 The entire religion, obviously. It's blatantly false.

[@TrippyKenpachi]

I was halfway in love with this man. I adore him, and I watch his old debates and such every year. And trust me, he didn’t mind at all that he was being talked about. He *loved* it. Witty, charming, intelligent, flirtatious, insightful, articulate… a genius orator and writer, brilliant journalist, and avid reader. A walking encyclopaedia, lol. I can’t talk enough about him. It makes me happy to see others discovering him. He’s a treasure, and very missed. ❤❤❤

[@davidwilding7405]

I almost feel sorry for the opposition. Imagine turning up for a debate and Fry and Hitchens are on the other side 😂. I grew up with Fry as a comedian and actor, and it's only in later years that I realised what an amazing intellectual he is. Hitch is probably the greatest debater on religion, ever.

[@hansemannluchter643]

You ever read Søren Kierkegaard??

[@HenrikJansson78]

The perfect "good atheist/bad atheist" combo. :)

[@mikeyhau]

I also almost feel sorry for the opposition, sorry not sorry.

[@DrownedInExile]

I remember Ann Widdecombe whining "I knew you were going to bring up the child-abuse scandal". And... that was it. No followup.

[@somemonkeystirnerite]

@@hansemannluchter643Friedrich nietzche is better.