May 21, 2007
Clash of the Titans: Dawkins vs. O'Reilly?
Talk about meeting of the minds:
Say it with me know: Yeesh.
It's amazing that in this conversation, two people are talking, but no one is listening. The "debate" that is currently taking place in our popular culture between science and faith is nothing more than a shouting match.
Meanwhile, no one is listening to the head otter.
To tell you the truth, the debate was milder and less acerbic than I expected--but I suspect this is due more to fatigue than mutual respect.
You're right that they talk past each other. I've seen the "religion" debates (and been involved in them myself) so many times that they get tiresome after a while. The same points made over and over and over again, no resolution.
Even the points that should be easily refuted keep cropping up repeatedly. Take the matter of Hitler's religious beliefs. Both O'Reilly and Dawkins are wrong here. Hitler was definitely not a "committed atheist," but he wasn't a devout Roman Catholic either. He often spoke in the name of Christianity in public addresses, while attacking it in private. Like many of the leading Nazis, he flirted with neo-paganism.
In other words, his relationship with "religion" was complex and tends to get muddled in a soundbite. I find it amusing how eager everyone is to play the blame game, implying that Hitler held whatever beliefs they oppose.
Posted by: Kylopod at May 22, 2007 3:23 AMAnd similarly, both sides are looking to show others are on their side, when it suits their needs...such as the founding fathers or Einstein.
Posted by: Greg at May 22, 2007 4:53 PMTwo reactions:
When did Japan become part of Europe?
I for one disagree with both of these guys.
Michael Jordan was so much more influential than Jesus, Zeus, or Thor.
He gets my vote.
The monkey looks like a family member of mine... nice video - when did aish haTorah make it?
