Hitchens defeats Blair in Canadian religion debate

[marmar]

via the Independent UK:



Hitchens defeats Blair in Canadian religion debate

By Joe Sinclair, Press Association
Saturday, 27 November 2010


Tony Blair told an audience member at a debate yesterday that his religious beliefs did not play a role in his decision to support the US invasion of Iraq - but the votes went 2-1 the way of his opponent, Christopher Hitchens.

The former prime minister said it was true that "people commit horrific acts of evil in the name of religion". But Mr Blair, who converted to Catholicism in 2007, said it was also true that religion inspires acts of extraordinary good.

.....(snip).....

He said it was "futile" to try to "drive religion out" and it was more important to concentrate on how to get people of different faiths to work together, particularly in the Middle East where the conflict would only be resolved if people worked across the "faith divide".

Sceptic Mr Hitchens, who has terminal cancer, likened God to a "celestial dictatorship, a kind of divine North Korea".

He appeared to win over the audience, which voted two-to-one in his favour following the debate, which argued the motion "be it resolved, religion is a force for good in the world". ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/faith/hitchens-defeats-blair-in-canadian-religion-debate-2145268.html