Christopher Hitchens on ABC TV's Q&A
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- Published on Thursday, 25 March 2010 07:18
- Written by John Draper
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The Australian ABC TV program Q&A had Christopher Hitchens in their panel October 1st, 2009 and like the time they had Richard Dawkins, there was a spirited debate about topics like Iran, gay marriage, secular society and more. The audience were encouraged to ask questions and several came from young Muslim women. One of the panellists was Muslim and others were openly Christian. These kinds of discussions in many ways are better than one-sided articles because you can see first-hand what other people think. The audience reaction will often expose the fallacy of a comment or argument - or show public support - whether the position is right or wrong.
Sub-titled: God, Sodomy and the Lash
Part 1
Is an earthquake a punishment from God? Religious people do good things (more in part 2).
Part 2.
Religious people do good things - but not related to being religious - even Hamas do charitable things. And Religious people like Mother Theresa do their work to stop abortion and birth control which is contrary to women's rights.
Part 3
Covers gay marriage, "Is religion too involved with our secular society?"
Part 4
Catholics do not all follow the Pope - but Hitchens is not impressed the principle and conviction of people who have an "a la carte" religion. Is homosexuality a sin? Islam has no actual teaching (duh!) - apparently the Australian Muslim on the panel ignores the Qur'an or reads it selectively. Could there ever be an atheist Prime Minister or President? More in next part.
Part 5
A discussion of Roman Polanksi's belief that he should not be prosecuted for pedophilia. Hitchens confirms that atheists are also moral. More in next part.
Part 6
A short discussion on Israel vs Iran and their nuclear capability. Hitchens defends the need for women's rights in Iran but an Iranian girl in the audience does not believe there is a problem. More in next part.
Part 7
More on Iran then "Why do people look to God when they die?" But as Hitchens points out - atheists do not turn to God on their deathbed.