Tom Holland vs AC Grayling • History: Did Christianity give us our human values?

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Belief in the dignity, value and equality of human beings has become a cornerstone of Western societies. But how did those values arise?
Tom Holland’s book Dominion tells the story of how Christianity, came to positively shape the values of human dignity and equality the Western World. He debates with atheist philosopher AC Grayling, a Humanist who is critical of the place of religion in society.
Episode 5 | Season 2 of The Big Conversation
The Big Conversation is a unique video series from Unbelievable? featuring world-class thinkers across the Christian and atheist community. Exploring science, faith, philosophy and what it means to be human.
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The Big Conversation Season 2:
1. Alister McGrath & Bret Weinstein: Pt 1 • Alister McGrath & Bret... Pt 2 • Alister McGrath & Bret...
2. Roger Penrose & William Lane Craig • Sir Roger Penrose & Wi...
3. Bart Ehrman & Peter J Williams • Peter J Williams vs Ba...
4. Dave Rubin & John Lennox Pt 1 • Dave Rubin & John Lenn... Pt 2 • PART 2 Dave Rubin & Jo...
5. Tom Holland & AC Grayling • Tom Holland vs AC Gray...
The Big Conversation Season 1:
Jordan Peterson & Susan Blackmore • Jordan Peterson vs Sus...
Steven Pinker & Nick Spencer • Steven Pinker vs Nick ...
Derren Brown & Rev Richard Coles • Derren Brown & Rev Ric...
John Lennox & Michael Ruse • Michael Ruse vs John L...
Daniel Dennett & Keith Ward • Daniel Dennett vs Keit...
Peter Singer & Andy Bannister - • Andy Bannister vs Pete...
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[@PremierUnbelievable]

Hope you all enjoy this - one of the most epic debates we've recorded I reckon. Be the first to watch more debates and get updates and bonus content - sign up at

[@randomfandom33]

This was nothing more and nothing less than a conversation where a historian educated a philosopher on history. Applause for Holland, he didn't back down like so many others do.

[@gretareinarsson7461]

In my country it was actually early christians who saved most of my countries early litterature; the Icelandic Sagas.

[@steveurquell3031]

I'm an atheist, or at least agnostic, contemptuous of Christianity as any religion, and a lover of people like Christopher Hitchens, yet Holland's book was so convincing it changed my perception deeply. I now agree with him, I recognize Christianity's total influence on my worldview, while still being atheist and religious critic, and still valuing the morality the Christian revolution provided. I think all of that is perfectly possible. He seems right on the money when he identifies today's secular and humanist evangelicalism as contingent on Christianity, without this requiring any exclusiveness for other faiths. To cite a Stoic, Seneca, "what is true is mine": atheists or people of any culture might value some products of Christianity and embrace them, without being Christian (although I know Holland focuses rightly on the headaches arising from the Nietszchean argument concerning unmooring Christian morality from its theology).

[@xlxxxxrxi1151]

I will be buying Toms book and I look forward to reading it. I didn't realise that my understanding of history had been so tainted by anti Christian sentiment.

[@aaronclarke7732]

Given your vested interest in one side of the argument I think as a Podcast Unbelievable's professionalism and balance deserves praise compared to more partisan equivalents elsewhere on KZbin.

[@theologyinsights3136]

Holland is a historian. Grayling is a philosopher. It shows in this debate.

[@fraserdaniel3999]

Tom Holland undoubtedly won the conversation!

[@MrAlittleparty]

AC Grayling gets it categorically wrong when discussing who maintained Greek philosophy during the Muslim era. It was Syriac monks who were translating key Greek and Roman text prior to the establishment of the Caliphate, and through their work, such philosophies were maintained throughout.

[@jeremiahbok9028]

As much as I generally prefer discussions about the big-picture of religion, I loved how nerdily specific and meticulous this was.

[@astaboy]

I've always been amazed at how many non-christians have helped my Christian faith.

[@wm.powell6215]

I recently finished Dominion-one of Mr. Holland's best works. I can't recommend it enough.

[@mythosandlogos]

On the discussion on slavery around

[@ferrantepallas]

Holland's book Dominion is a magnificent work, a masterpiece in my opinion.

[@paulmarko]

"the cross was physically excruciating"

[@ryanskol83]

“Our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in you.”

[@Frederer59]

I profoundly hope that Tom is not the last of the thread and that academia will not banish (even persecute) such thirsty minds. Tom is my champion in this discussion.

[@warrenking3873]

I would say to the ending question about what Christianity offered the world that no other religion had, is the loving of one's enemy. That is a completely new way of thinking and treating each other.

[@IsaacPSmith]

It's amazing how committed to the Gibbonian myths Grayling is.

[@pyrrhusofepirus8491]

I heard his first argument, and I immediately thought ‘wait, so if Christianity smashed every in antiquity, but was basically inspired and filled with nothing but ideas of antiquity, then what’s the loss if we then still possess those ideas of antiquity?’