Debate Videos

Debate: October 11, 2007, The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs hosted a debate, dialogue and discussion with Christopher Hitchens, prolific essayist and author, and Alister McGrath, Professor of Historical Theology at Oxford University, concerning religious belief in the modern world on October 11, 2007 at Georgetown University. Michael Cromartie, Vice Pesident at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, moderated the debate.

In this full session from our archive, Christopher Hitchens and professor Richard Dawkins came to Intelligence Squared in 2007 alongside a panel of other guests to debate if we would be better off without religion. For the motion sits Christopher Hitchens, professor Richard Dawkins and A. C. Grayling. Whilst opposing the motion sits Nigel Spivey, rabbi Julie Neuberger and Roger Scruton.

"Taking on possibly the greatest issue of our time - the malignant force of religion in the world - Christopher Hitchens makes the ultimate case against religion through a close and learned reading of the major religious texts, citing numerous historical instances in which sexual repression and outrageous acts of violence have been committed in the name of God."

Debate: Does God Exist?

SEPTEMBER 14, 2005, George Galloway and Christopher Hitchens debated the war in Iraq. There were insults and claims of falsehood from both men on a variety of war-related topics. There also was a great deal of booing and cheering from the audience. George Galloway, who opposes the war in Iraq, is a former member of the British Parliament and the author of Mr. Galloway Goes to Washington: The Brit Who Set Congress Straight about Iraq, published by The New Press. The book tells the story of his recent appearance before the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, where he verbally attacked U.S. senators while responding to charges related to Iraq’s oil-for-food program. Christopher Hitchens, who supports the war in Iraq, is the author of Love, Poverty, and War: Journeys and Essays and Blood, Class and Empire: The Enduring Anglo-American Relationship published by Thunder’s Mouth, Nation Books, and A Long Short War: The Postponed Liberation of Iraq, published by Plume.

Christopher Hitchens spoke at an event about the importance of free inquiry and open debate and commended the audience for attending. He discussed the case of the British Museum keeping the Elgin Marbles, which were sculptures from the Parthenon, and argued for their return to Athens. Hitchens highlighted the injustice of the sculptures being separated from their original context and the cultural significance of their return.

From Galileo to Mother Teresa, from Chesterton to Hawking—religion, politics, and reason go head-to-head.

APRIL 7, 1997, The participants debated the resolution that called for the abolishment of the death penalty in the United States. Mr. Ed Koch, Former New York City Mayor, moderated the debate and presented questions to the participants. Issues such as cost of maintaining prisoners as opposed to the cost of execution and the legal appeal process were discussed. Following the set questions posed by Mr. Koch, the participants answered questions from the audience

SEPTEMBER 1, 1993, Christopher Hitchens discussed the recent publication of his book, For the Sake of Argument, which is a compendium of articles that he has written. He stated that the purpose of this book was a reply to the widespread notion that society no longer needs critique from the left. He hopes to restore the left as a “very necessary part of the political argument.” Articles included in the book were published in various periodicals.

NOVEMBER 11, 1986, Panelists debated socialism versus capitalism, which is the moral system. Panelists also answered audience questions.