Christopher Hitchens vs. Al Sharpton
Christopher Hitchens recently debated the Reverend Al Sharpton. One thing is clear to me: either Sharpton doesn't listen or he can't understand Hitchens. Hitchens repeatedly answered Sharpton's primary question and Sharpton repeatedly goes back and beats on the same old drum.
What was the question? What is Hitchens problem with god, as he spends a lot of time talking about how people's religious convictions are harmful.
The answer? There is no way to disprove god, but since there is no evidence for the existence of such a god it follows as acceptable to think no such god exists.
Why is that so hard to understand? It seems to me that there is a lot of people who need to start listening. This includes Al Sharpton in his debate with Christopher Hitchens, this includes Madeleine Bunting and her article on "New Atheism," this includes Jim Holt and his hideous review of Richard Dawkins "The God Delusion," this includes Andrew Sullivan and his debate with Sam Harris, and countless others. I'm tired of it.
Another thing that strikes me is the disrespect, most strikingly voiced by the first audience questioner (who took the opportunity not to ask a question but to instead voice her apparent contempt), that was occasionally directed at Hitchens.
You can listen to the recording on The New York Public Library's website.
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"...since there is no evidence for the existence of such a god it follows as acceptable to think no such god exists."
Someone might construe this as argumentum ad ignorantiam.
Another thing that strikes me is the disrespect, most strikingly voiced by the first audience questioner (who took the opportunity not to ask a question but to instead voice her apparent contempt), that was occasionally directed at Hitchens.
Such disrespect is uncalled for, imo. However, since you brought it up, how many atheist websites have you seen that mock, deride, and generally disrespect theists? C'mon. Unfortunately, there are people on both sides of the issue who resort to toxic fundie tactics. I don't like it and clearly you don't either. Howver, there's little we can do about that but rise above that sort of behavior and engage in respectful dialog ourselves.