Intelligence Squared

A debate was recently held by "Intelligence Squared", with the topic being "The Catholic church is/isn't a force for good".

Arguing for the church was Archbishop John Onaiyekan, and Conservative MP Anne Widdecombe. Against were Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry.

It was a quite marvellous thing to watch. I shall not spoil things for you, as I've included a link to a YouTube play-list for you to see for yourself. What I will say though is my own piece. I think that church organisations on the whole can do some wonderful things and provide funding for some quite incredible works of social good. However, the only advantages they have over secular organisations are their long established nature and resulting depth of financial resources and devoted following. There is nothing of 'goodness' whatsoever in any believer of any faith that can not be found in any secular person. The works that can be done by any man or woman given the resources to do so are equally wonderful and incredible. On the other hand I think the pernicious influence of organised religion with established hierarchies is far reaching and for want of a better word, quite 'evil'. The ready condemnation of individuals and groups based on how they were born, and the 'choice' they make (if one can ever be said to be there) to live freely and honestly as nature made them, is unforgivable.
Furthermore, and in particular reference to the Catholic Church, the damage done by policies surrounding birth control (particularly condoms) is nothing short of dogmatic murder. This "loving genocide" could be reversed with a diktat from one man and his role. On and on the men in that position of power have refused to save the lives of millions. How can any person whose faith imposes such an atrocity claim it is a force for good?

This was my opinion before watching, and remains as such.

Watch and make your own mind up, or have it reaffirmed. Have a particularly close look at the results of an audience poll taken before the debate began, and re-taken after. The link is below.

Intelligence Squared



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