










Interview with Christopher Hitchens2. Comment #93615 by Carl Champagne on December 3, 2007 at 6:23 pm
He seemed awfully afraid to let his kids see Hitch's book. How can you take someone seriously when they not only admit to denying their children access to knowledge, but are proud of it?3. Comment #93616 by Fouad Boussetta on December 3, 2007 at 6:27 pm
4. Comment #93624 by blasphemer on December 3, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Nice interview but couldn't really tell if the interviewers were being sincere or slightly condescending and disingenuous.5. Comment #93625 by gyokusai on December 3, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Carl Champagne sez:
He seemed awfully afraid to let his kids see Hitch's book. How can you take someone seriously when they not only admit to denying their children access to knowledge, but are proud of it?
6. Comment #93628 by Carl Champagne on December 3, 2007 at 6:55 pm
Perhaps you're right gyokusai, but something about their demeanor put me off. No matter, though, because HItchens kept plowing as usual and made his case clearly and concisely. It's always fun to see him in action.7. Comment #93629 by eXcommunicate on December 3, 2007 at 6:59 pm
8. Comment #93634 by plastictowel on December 3, 2007 at 7:21 pm
9. Comment #93635 by FreeThink25 on December 3, 2007 at 7:21 pm
I was actually rather impressed....this is the first time I feel like an atheist author has been interviewed rather respectably. I would agree with eXcommunicate though....the giggles were not only annoying, but they were completely void of intelligence. Rather than pose a question or rebuttal, just laugh off-handedly....it's sure to help mock Hitchens, right?10. Comment #93637 by toomanytribbles on December 3, 2007 at 7:23 pm
11. Comment #93638 by BeyondBelief on December 3, 2007 at 7:29 pm
12. Comment #93644 by DAVE1618 on December 3, 2007 at 7:37 pm
13. Comment #93656 by darlets on December 3, 2007 at 8:43 pm
As someone that doesn't live in the U.S, I'm always curious with interviews like this how popular/mainstream is the show the atheist author is appearing on.14. Comment #93657 by stevebremner on December 3, 2007 at 8:53 pm
I am surprised that Joe wasn't convinced by Christopher's singularly straightforward points.15. Comment #93661 by AJ Rae on December 3, 2007 at 9:13 pm
It troubles me that they must treat common sense views as novel, shocking, or the most rude thing they've ever heard. Accept when it involves someone else's beliefs, then they readily agree, applaud even.16. Comment #93664 by hughlomas on December 3, 2007 at 9:23 pm
That was a surprisingly fair handed interview.17. Comment #93676 by briancoughlanworldcitizen on December 3, 2007 at 10:32 pm
18. Comment #93683 by ADH on December 3, 2007 at 10:51 pm
I find myself agreeing with a great deal of what Hitchens says. This is a book that needed to be brought out. As a Christian I have no doubt whatever that some of the most enlightened and enlightening minds down through the centuries have been the minds of atheists and agnostics, just as an atheist can have no doubt that some of them have been Christian minds. Christians need to engage with writers like those that Hitchens has brought together in this anthology. In another of the talks accessible from this youtube interview he speaks out compellingly in favour of free speech. He says that the voice of the dissident, even if there is only one, must be heard, because hearing alternative views will make the "convinced" less complacent in their convictions. It will make them reexamine the foundations of their own belief (or non belief). Hear hear! This itself is an idea that Christians (and atheists) need to be able to engage with. Maybe they will realise that there may well be at least a grain of truth in the views that they so ardently oppose. I'm sure (from what I've heard) that Hitchens himself is humble enough to realise this, despite his apparent self assurance. I just hope that contributors to this forum are willing to take this view on board. Sometimes this forum seems like such a "hate-fest", with atheists racking their brains to out-do each other in parodying or lambasting faith and its various representatives, knowing that there is no one there (or virtually no one) who is going to spoil their party by speaking up in defense of their prey. All very entertaining I'm sure, but not all that challenging intellectually. It's no better than when Christians get together to tear the stuffing out of their atheistic straw-men. There needs to be the odd "nigger in the woodpile" (sorry about the political incorrectness!). Yet on these forums I always get the impression that dissent is not welcome, theists have no business even listening in, let alone contributing here. I've learnt a lot from you guys. In the spirit of Hitchens' talk, I have found myself having to re-examine my beliefs, and my attitudes towards people who disagree with me. I hope some of you will eventually be able to say at least the same thing.19. Comment #93687 by briancoughlanworldcitizen on December 3, 2007 at 11:06 pm
20. Comment #93688 by Skip Church on December 3, 2007 at 11:12 pm
21. Comment #93689 by ADH on December 3, 2007 at 11:15 pm
"Keep thinking, but be warned, it could be the undoing of your faith:-)"22. Comment #93690 by steve99 on December 3, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Yet on these forums I always get the impression that dissent is not welcome, theists have no business even listening in, let alone contributing here.
23. Comment #93693 by briancoughlanworldcitizen on December 3, 2007 at 11:35 pm
24. Comment #93699 by monkey74 on December 4, 2007 at 12:05 am
25. Comment #93700 by Johan on December 4, 2007 at 12:22 am
Listening to Hitch always makes me jealous, not of his blue eyes, but of his beautiful baritone voice and his mastery of the English language. That I agree on what he says goes without saying.26. Comment #93702 by Paine on December 4, 2007 at 12:32 am
Hahahahahaha.......fading out with 'Sympathy for the Devil'. Fantastic!27. Comment #93708 by passutoba on December 4, 2007 at 1:16 am
My beady eye picked up a misspelling of 'atheist' on the screen showing the quote from the book! Subterfuge or slackness??!28. Comment #93716 by Tyler Durden on December 4, 2007 at 1:48 am
29. Comment #93717 by Corylus on December 4, 2007 at 1:52 am
Yet on these forums I always get the impression that dissent is not welcome, theists have no business even listening in, let alone contributing here.I would make a couple of points about that. I would concede that we have a couple of people on here who can be rude. However,
30. Comment #93721 by BMMcArdle on December 4, 2007 at 2:19 am
I have a suggestion for ADH:31. Comment #93722 by Quetzalcoatl on December 4, 2007 at 2:31 am
Yet on these forums I always get the impression that dissent is not welcome, theists have no business even listening in, let alone contributing here
32. Comment #93726 by SurfDude on December 4, 2007 at 3:25 am
33. Comment #93735 by Enlightenme.. on December 4, 2007 at 3:51 am
34. Comment #93738 by Enlightenme.. on December 4, 2007 at 4:19 am
35. Comment #93741 by Philip1978 on December 4, 2007 at 4:35 am
36. Comment #93742 by notsobad on December 4, 2007 at 4:40 am
37. Comment #93743 by Clapton_is_God on December 4, 2007 at 4:59 am
38. Comment #93745 by Acleron on December 4, 2007 at 5:25 am
Yet on these forums I always get the impression that dissent is not welcome, theists have no business even listening in, let alone contributing here.
39. Comment #93748 by k1mgy on December 4, 2007 at 5:34 am
40. Comment #93749 by John Frum on December 4, 2007 at 5:39 am
Thanks for the link - a good interview.41. Comment #93752 by phasmagigas on December 4, 2007 at 5:49 am
42. Comment #93756 by 35bluejacket on December 4, 2007 at 6:10 am
Perhaps you noticed the comment made on Mohammed's teaching of idolatry, that was trying to forbid it. Mohammed had seen the damaging effects of Christianity's Trinity and graven images, religious artifacts becoming things of worship, and tried to prevent it in his own religion. But as we can see, anything in the hands of men overtime suffers corruption, even to the point that man's interpretations end up being completly opposite of what was intended.43. Comment #93757 by phasmagigas on December 4, 2007 at 6:17 am
44. Comment #93780 by coretemprising on December 4, 2007 at 7:55 am
what's the matter, ADH?45. Comment #93839 by gr8hands on December 4, 2007 at 9:40 am
ADH -- we welcome all people here in this forum who do so in a respectful way. However, if a theist tries to preach at us, or attempt a lambast of sin or hellfire, or suggest we try prayer or any other such tactic . . . well, we're not likely to respond very well.46. Comment #93840 by happyatheist on December 4, 2007 at 9:43 am
ADH...people are people...whether atheist or theist/other...and anyone can be be rude OR civil...esp. on the 'net. I suspect most people who come to this website do so out of a sense of community...where like-minded people tend to gather (and even like-minded people don't agree on everything set in front of them). :) You may find some comments (or posters) rude...but so what? Most people don't come here for a lesson on manners. LOL! I'm sure the same thing happens when an atheist visits a religious website to comment. Bruised feelings are a minor risk one takes for the sake of open communication. Not many words or comments will be sugar-coated to spare the sensitive hurt feelings. Some things are said a certain way for emphasis and not solely to take jabs at religion. But then again...some things ARE said mainly to take jabs at religion. LOL! But so what? Like others here have said...stand your ground. Just be prepared for whatever comes your way....whether rude OR civil. If the heat gets to be too much for you, you can always get outta the kitchen. :)47. Comment #93864 by walk on December 4, 2007 at 10:54 am
48. Comment #93867 by steve99 on December 4, 2007 at 11:00 am
what's the matter, ADH?
Lacking enough negative attention in the real world these days?
49. Comment #93878 by coretemprising on December 4, 2007 at 11:25 am
LOL!50. Comment #93882 by steve99 on December 4, 2007 at 11:42 am
LOL!
ADH is a christian, I'm calling him on motive (again, based on the interaction I've had with him previously and his zoo cages comment), and I'm the troll? That's rich!
ADH must be SO amused!
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1. Comment #93612 by GSP on December 3, 2007 at 6:22 pm
I do have to say... great outgoing music!Other Comments by GSP