The Great God Debate

On Monday night faith and atheism got a verbal workout. Famously vitriolic columnist Christopher Hitchens (a former liberal best-known in recent years for his staunch support of the war in Iraq) faced off against Reverend Al Sharpton in a discussion moderated by Slate editor Jacob Weisberg. Hitchens is a vehement non-believer and the new author of God is not Great (also available on iTunes). Suffice to say that the debate between him and Sharpton was colorful. That should come as no surprise–what makes it worth listening to is that it was also reasoned and intelligent.

You can read a transcript or listen to the debate (RealAudio only), which was held at the New York Public Library.

The two celebrity pundits saved their best moment for last:

“I’d encourage people to buy the book,” Mr. Sharpton said. “I don’t
believe what it says, but it’s well written. He’s a very eloquent and
well-versed person.”

“That’s extremely handsome of you,” Mr. Hitchens replied.

As an aside, Hitchens recently appeared on CNN’s Lou Dobbs Tonight. In the interview below, you can get a little more insight into Hitchens’ thinking: