The Intelligence Squared Debate - Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry vs. The Catholics (Part 1/5)

[Generic Other]

Run time: 09:19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvZz_pxZ2lw   Posted on YouTube: November 07, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: November 13, 2009 By DU Member: Generic Other Views on DU: 773

 
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Aired 11-7-09 on BBC World

Is the Catholic church a force for good in the world?

"It stands up for the oppressed and offers spiritual succour to billions say the Church's supporters. But what about the Church's teachings on condoms, gays and women priests, ask the detractors."

Speaking for the motion, Archbishop John Onaiyekan and Ann Widdecombe MP. Speaking against the motion, Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry. Part 1 of 5


This is an entertaining debate. Well worth watching...Part 2 is where it really heats up!

[silverweb]

1. Bookmarking to watch on my supper break.

[laconicsax]

2. I believe the term is "crushing defeat."

Audience polled as they entered and prior to closing statements.

[Generic Other]

3. when you have to defend the inquistion, torture, pedophilia

homophobia and antisemitism all in one breath, you got your job cut out for ya.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. Anyone who appreciates Stephen Fry gets my nod.

Thanks for this...
kick

[Karenina]

[silverweb]

6. Just finished watching it.

Loved it. Hitchens and Fry did a great job.

I almost felt sorry for the bishop and Ms. Widdecombe, but they were both out of their league and stuck in a hopelessly defensive position.

[Ramulux]

7. This was great

This is how a debate is supposed to work. I would fucking love to see a debate in this format on a major news network about any issue. If conservatives were forced into a situation like this where they would have to respond to valid logical points made by the opposing speaker they would be so fucked. This is how you have a substantive argument, and it is such a shame that the media in this country is so clueless as to how debates work. Can you imagine say, Cenk Uygur and Rachel Maddow against ANY 2 conservative personalities? Hitchens and Fry destroyed Widdecombe and the bishop for one simple reason, they were right. When you force a confrontation like this, you really see what each side stands for.

[Generic Other]

8. Instead we get Sarah Palin and other idiots

The Brits have it right. We make do with American Idol instead. Media in this country always appeals to the lowest common denominator. We debate at the level of grade schoolers on a playground. Obviously why our average intelligence is at 6th grade level.

[Overseas]

9. K&R. Part II is great. Go Stephen Fry!

Love his point about the Catholic church's obsession with sex and their ridiculous comments about condoms.