Sharpton / Hitchens Debate - The Persistence of Religion

[@Gintonious]

There is no "belief" required for evolution, you either understand it or choose to ignorantly ignore it.

[@djk102391]

"why did the best man I know get cancer of the throat" Did anyone else notice that?

[@rogertayloRRR]

Who was he talking about?

[@Zerph21]

"Thus I came...to a deep religiosity, which, however, reached an abrupt end at the age of 12. Through the reading of popular scientific books I soon reached a conviction that much in the stories of the Bible could not be true....Suspicion against every kind of authority grew out of this experience...an attitude which has never left me." ~~Albert Einstein

[@sgreen71778]

Why can't we just ACCEPT that we don't know certain things (yet).

[@ronniez456]

Thank you for what you do, Christopher Hitchens.

[@xxMrBaldyxx]

Hitchens is unbeatable on this topic, he owned Sharpton

[@craighorton1545]

Well done Mr. Hitchens. Thanks Sir.

[@MrKennyKRH85]

Sharpton claims that as we gain more knowledge, we grow more religious.... what nonsense! The places where religion is on the rise is in the 3rd world, especially in Africa. We can see the opposite trend in the western countries. What does this tell us? Well it tells us that the rich countries, where we can afford education we become less religious and that the 3rd world countries, where education is nonexisting religion goes up. Perhaps it's more accurate to say ignorence breeds religion?

[@ItsMeMarley13]

thanks! you're approval means so much

[@writersblock26]

Thank you for posting this, ForaTv.

[@makano1]

@Area51UFOGynaecology norge danmark sverige eller finland ?

[@crystalAura]

you're right, I went off on a tangent. What do you think is the right plan of action to take regarding the situation in the middle east?

[@crystalAura]

How do you go about eradicating fanatic beliefs?

[@BASSPLAYE17]

Love it Kitepilot! I was in fact very happy of how much knowledge Hitchens did have on multiple religions and his experiences to bring him to the conlusions that he stands for today. For every bible pushed in my face, I now push Hitchens book back in yours!

[@pithie84]

What the hell is that guy with that glasses doing at the bottom of the screen when the guy is asking his question at the start of the video, put it to full screen and watch, I don't mean to sound crude but it looks as though he's playing with himself and trying to get his face in the camera view at the same time.

[@DrixDZanth]

I love hitch. However, I'm trying to figure out why he motions towards his head at 7:28-ish when referring to the adrenaline [sic] glands.

[@crystalAura]

"support such action"

[@PAVANZYL]

Absolutely right! I wish more people would see it this way.

[@hairyreasoner]

"His enemies should do to him what he wants to do to them!! " They are trying to. That's his point.

[@xinlo]

@Kan2209 Nope, I even copy pasted it: "Why haven't I seen any?" I can't see any comment of you using the phrase "Come to think of it." And in the same comment that you say you haven't been looking at all, your last sentence is, again copy pasted, "Show me to one." Your words are against you at this point.

[@JayCity10]

Agreed! I love the quote of turning a enemy into a friend. Well how is that possible, with love? By giving him money? By stop being successful? By stop caring about my friends and family? By going somewhere and hiding? How? Well the bottom line is that a enemy is a person who is jealous of you. I say forget the enemy, because he is still going to hate you in the end. He still has a mind, that is filled with history, and so do you. Only your mind is filled with happiness, and not failure.

[@rocifier]

He gave up himself. He gave up his glory. He gave up his Holyness to be with sinners and die a sinner's death. He put himself down to our level. That requires great humbleness, compassion, love, and grace. There is no love greater than laying your life down for someone. We see him now crowned with glory and honor because of the death he suffered.

[@matt605]

Hitch says we're on a "cooling" planet. Which is it? Warming or cooling?

[@buukute]

Iphone, Ipod, PS3, Tv, CAr ... where are they came from

[@Shilpusuresh]

Thanks for putting this on here Nice posts too

[@davidsuycott]

'why are those children being killed? it's because someone who believed in god thought they had it coming'... wow that's awesome! what a statement.

[@asmoen]

Coreygames- I can't let this grammar slip go uncorrected either. And since this conversation devolved into silliness, you still appear to be mistaken. The correct word is indeed "who." Some example sentences. Who is going with us? ('Who' is the subject, so you wouldn't say, "Whom is going with us?") With whom are you speaking? ('Whom' is the object of this sentence, not the subject.) to be continued...

[@TomWyn123]

Because its basic debate rule one doesn't lead to the other. I used it as an analogy that by no means solicits the idea proving the analogy is plausible doesn't mean the topic is plausible there is no causal link between those two.

[@HappyBunny97100]

I've written 6 for your information. I've been invited to 3 global debates, all three of which I turned down because the persons who requested my attendance had no idea what they were talking about. I sincerely suggest that you take a look at both your mental and spiritual wellbeing, for the good of both you and the world.

[@chansetwo]

@Kan2209 I'll give you a clue: the most public American scientist (physicist) with his own TV show (Science Now). Yes, Neil DeGrasse Tyson. In addition to his own TV show, he writes books, and runs the Hayden Planetariun in New York. You dont have to look very hard to find a "black atheist", as you put it.

[@biggtk]

That's awesome. But what does that have to do with what we are talking about. Or are you just attempting to list miscellaneous info?

[@NewMexico1912]

oh who cares about that, it wasn't a debate directly for Sharpton, it was a community debate and as such he was addressing the community and Sharpton

[@crystalAura]

You're right, I didn't make myself clear. It's not the "environment," I was actually referring to the body. Your body clears cancer cells all the time. I worked with a man whose specialty was cancer patients, and he's seen it reverse too many times to deny it. They took ALL measures- laugh therapy, an alkaline living foods cleansing diet, deep breathing, remove all stress, apply wheatgrass pulses, etc. We treat our bodies really horribly in the U.S.

[@PAVANZYL]

Absolutely right, I wish more would see it this way - the world would be a much better place!

[@biggtk]

Then why did you ask me, why do I believe in a God that kills people for simply not believing in him? Which one is it?

[@crystalAura]

However, one's view on "dis-ease" does have a commonality with one's view on religions, in terms of how to deal with it...

[@biggtk]

Please explain to me what Hate I was taught, and what in this world that I hate? And so I have to be all knowing and all powerful to make observations? Were Galileo, Darwin, Da Vinci, etc all powerful and all knowing just for simply making observations? I think not.

[@biggtk]

How can you say that Jesus is not different, if the others think that He is not holy or Divine, but Christians think that he is both Holy and Divine?

[@biggtk]

" is like creating a speed limit on a non existing freeway before the automobile was invented" How so?

[@andywayne1]

@RickZiis He gets tired and rests on Sundays. Infallible? What kind of super god gets fatigued?

[@crystalAura]

I'm not sure you're continuing with any of the discussions I've been involved with. I agree, that ungrounded basis for teaching personal responsibility needs to go.

[@RPFS2008]

If people thought that this is the only life we have there would be a lot less wars and a whole lot more respect for the lives of others.

[@pradtheprophet]

I moved to the MidWest heartland recently .... and I feel the same way...

[@psychhubuk]

Ummm... I don't believe in a god and nothing has appeared yet. What am I doing wrong?

[@showbizjosh40]

Very nicely put! I like this answer!

[@biggtk]

I never said I was taking Egyptian studies. I said like studying it, you know like on my own time? A noobie? No I'm not a noobie, I just accept things because someone said that their are similarities between different religions. Even though every Religion has similarities. But please can I get a source to these claims of yours?

[@broaddusmarines]

I watched the whoooole 1 1/2 hour debate and was initially thinking to myself, of all the people to debate Mr. Hutchens (a brilliant man) on God, why Al Sharpton? I figured there were more seasoned religious intellectuals. But surprisingly Al held his own and I was impressed with his rebuttals.

[@tighttritenight]

Its astonishing that the religious never do think in such a way. God is given all the credit for the good in the world but never held accountable for the bad.

[@biggtk]

Why is it an oversimplification?

[@Lion117]

No, of course, thats the whole point that i meant, some belief systems are better for certain purposes. like you have to accept, i wouldn't say believe, but accept the axioms and metaphysical postulates of mathematics, or a teacher that you're coming to learn from - that teaches science or philosophy and so on, but you do it from intuition, and not merely reason. then its not believing per-se, but something more creative which invovles intuition-perception .

[@unematrix]

which one is that?

[@asmoen]

...continued... "Them who know the truth" [should actually be "they who know the truth, incidentally.] Here, "who" is the subject. The "who" are the ones doing something, "knowing" to be specific. From here, your example (the he/she argument), would also be "reach he" since you would say "it will reach he who knows the truth." Think of the phrase "Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone." Same rule applies.

[@camcan004]

"I don't love our enemies" - Christopher Hitchens= Priceless lol

[@Zerph21]

"It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it." ~~Albert Einstein

[@biggtk]

Why would I create another denomination when I have no, and desire no denomination?

[@BASSPLAYE17]

that is awesome! At times I wondered if I was alone with my feelings of being a self proclaimed antitheist, and ive learned i am not. I have found Hitchens book to be the blueprints to my feelings on the matter of religion and creation.

[@blah148]

to Zackerybob: at least Hitchens uses the art of words to diplomatically assert his opinion. whereas sharpton, in a different clip of this debate, actually demanded from hitchens to his eyes as an assertion for subordination. not to mention his sarcasm there'll be rudeness on both sides of any debate so im not saying hitchens is not rude, but really sharpton can attempt lessen his rhetoric and ad hominemisms

[@ClumsyRoot]

How did he "give up his glory"? Because he lowered himself to be like a human for a few years (out of an eternity)? Are you implying that somehow the glory of an omniscient and omnipotent deity can be tarnished irreparably simply because he brought himself "down to are level" TEMPORARILY? For the third and final time: Where is the sacrifice?

[@laggynewbie]

people think hitchens has anger in him, but its just some one who is passionate, and has the guts to say something. for too long, non believes have shut up, and it has become expected of them.

[@xxxMarzikinnsxxx]

@NielasHellsing AND WHAT RERIGION TEATCH YOU??????????????.

[@peterluvssouthpark]

i like how he totally avoids the point. he begins by attacking the government for hiring 'chaplains', getting the audience on his side, totally avoiding the question of how religion affects people's lives and why it is growing. i find his whole 'arguing style' of patronism and avoiding the point insulting, to the point where he plays to the audience and makes a farce of the whole debate.

[@alexanderhulse]

@NielasHellsing exsacly so many religious people say that athiesm is a religion which is rediculous

[@OMRLPdedicate]

What religious people must never be allowed to forget is that if you credit God with the saving of one baby from a flood, then God immediately takes on responsiblity for all of the babies who weren't saved.

[@biggtk]

What is it that I say it is so? I never said any other arguements are wrong. And you don't have to convert. This is a free world. Believe what you will, it's your right. But don't get upset when someone else makes observations that have obvious truth in it.

[@ShakaUVM]

Best part - Hitchens: Religious people should keep their ideas to themselves. Hitches: I hate my enemies, and want them dead. Sharpton: Wait, what? You want US to be quiet?

[@lightyear26]

He also gestured to his throat when mentioning the pre frontal lobes. I wouldn't worry about it.

[@Englishdosser86]

Why repent? As you say, God loves me. Love is unconditional. He should save me whether I believe in him or not.

[@purphanz]

I would have loved to see Terrance Mckenna debate Hitchens.

[@SeanofAllTrades]

Although I disagree with his points on the war his points on religion (the topic really being debated) are spot on.

[@consciousmess]

Well said, Hitchens nailed it at the end!

[@Johnonayacht]

Sharpton is such a bully who bullies because he knows he can’t stand up with Hitchens

[@1wordmanymystycs]

Should knowledge replace love?

[@merlord]

Victoruto: "Where is prostitution supported?" "What contradictions are in the Bible? " Have you not heard of the trinity? Only worship God (thou shalt have no other gods before me), yet Christians worship Jesus, the SON of God. This information is freely available to you, and seeing as these are youtube comments, not scientific articles, citing sources can be too wordy. Hosea 4:14 "I will not punish your daughters when they commit adultery" derekparfit has a very valid point.

[@MrKennyKRH85]

Advancing in technology is the same as growing in knowledge.

[@sonicwingnut]

I'd agree with this, although Hitchen's points are valid I'd say he's not entirely answering these simple questions (from the rather simple Sharpton) with a direct response, without such preference for prolix. For example Sharpton's theory regarding people seeking religion because of a realisation science dosen't yet have the answers is just as easily explained by 'those people are either too lazy or lack the mental capacity to fully comprehend scientific theory, in order to take them further'

[@biggtk]

You claimed that I believe in a God that kills people for not believing in Him. And then you changed your mind, and said that it was not people's God who committed such a crime, but God's followers. Which one is it?

[@biggtk]

You are exactly right.

[@flankspeed]

Yes, that's more or less the point I'm trying to make. That social change often happens slower to whole societies than the people in charge of those societies would like, usually because old habit die hard. Political savvy often gets around this by clothing the new in the garb of the old. This is less effective in a modern, mass-mediaised (?) world, but it sure as hell worked for Christianity, for example by incorporating it's 2 main religious festivals into important pagan festivals.

[@ofssk]

Why follow a particular version, everyone should think for themselves and if that leads to a belief in transcendancy after looking at all the evidence so be it.

[@biggtk]

Look. I'm not saying that a council wasn't commisioned and named the three parts of God the trinity. But as the verse I gave you suggest that, that is what Jesus wanted. If people read the bible then they would see that. For someone who has claimed to read the bible, why did you not see this verse?

[@ItsMeMarley13]

i'm an atheist buddy, and i'm as happy as can be. why am i good? why am i happy? just because i think i should be.... no reason. no prize at the end of the tunnel. just because it is the right thing to do

[@Sandolainen]

Another big reason why religious beliefs are spreading so fast in the third world is the lack of education. There are missionaries there talking about the bible, but there is nobody there to talk about evolution, natural selection or the big bang.

[@crystalAura]

Okay, Tom. Thanks for speaking out, for responding. You seem to care about this situation.

[@mandolinroad]

I am in no way religious but I do think the Rev. had a point. I think the main reason behind religiousness on a grander scale, is lack of education. But I do also, like Al, think that our need for knowledge and udnerstanding is a double-edged sword. It gave us science but it also continues to haunt us which might be why a lot of people seek the easy, comforting answers of religion.

[@crystalAura]

If we have the right to destroy our "enemies," then what would keep others from killing us? Are we not monopolizing them?? Are we not their enemies? Why shouldn't the Native Americans destroy us for taking over their land? Take a plan that means working constructively, please.

[@eoriol1955]

People who insist that the human race can't survive without religion fail to acknowledge that humans have written laws more lenghty and complex than any of the so called ten commandments.Anyone who has studied sociology or human psychology can testify that those studies can teach us much more about how we should behave towards each other than the bible can.Men wrote the book which means that other men are also capable of teaching us how to behave without all the gore and violence of the bible.

[@biggtk]

What points? Where are not argueing over anything..Except about love and hate.

[@eoriol1955]

screenflicker, Thank you..It always feels good when someone else agrees.

[@Venomousse]

In fact, we had a lesson dedicated to religion on philosophy class the other day. We all ended up laughing it up over creationism in particular, the teacher included :>

[@Pandasean]

It seems to me that they both missed the mark. When a soldier goes to a chaplain and asks "why?", he knows the chaplain will give him comfort - the chaplain will say 'god works in mysterious ways' or something to that effect. Whereas the truth (in my mind, at least) is much scarier - there is no reason. We are animals, and anything can happen at any time.

[@biggtk]

I said they all started with the same God, and they all ended up with different Gods. It's really that simple.

[@sonic371]

@ErickLazcon4 How dare you mention bill maher on the science squad and not the great Richard Dawkins.

[@crystalAura]

oh yes, I forgot... love is very important, hugs and lots of support, too

[@Area51UFOGynaecology]

@ppd8472 The "wave of reason" has yet to make the same impact in the US as it has here in Scandinavia. We are the most atheistic people in the world right now, with only about 10% of the populace(mostly immigrants)here identifying themselves with a religion. Strange that someone who has even opened a book about biology can even for a moment think that anything else can be more truthfull. I believe that in our lifetimes we will see enormous enlightenment spreading across the continents. Cheers!

[@biggtk]

Oh ok..So the Council of Nicaea made religious leaders start teaching about the trinity. By that statement you are implying that Jesus didn't command that his followers baptize people in the Name of God the father,the son, and the holy spirit. And infact in Matthew 28:19 Jesus did say this. And in John 10:30, Jesus said that him and God are one. How do you explain this?

[@recencyeffect]

Just a troll or do u care to say why?

[@cowlark2000]

@BigG99 Truth and wisdom based on...faith?

[@recencyeffect]

I hate it when people say religion is a mental disorder.

[@QED_]

You're correct -- to profess "atheism" is fundamentally unsound. However, you do a disservice to theism by advocating for the Christian Bible in support of it. That is equally unsound in its own way. The more legitimate proof of transcendental reality is simple, direct, personal, first-hand experience of it. There are certain well-established and rigorous procedures for eliciting that experience in a systematic way. The procedures are known as "prayer" and "meditation" . . .

[@medit84truth]

Did you ever consider that he might be a victim of that dogma? The oppressed and the ancestors of the oppressed internalize and most often times duplicate the sentiments of the ones that oppressed them. Actually, the religion itself at is core(spirituality) is directly from "his people". The "dogma" is what was added(polluted) as a means of control of all races. Euros transformed ancient teachings into a condensed form of ideology. It doesnt make the religion illegitimate b/c of added dogma.