We'd be better off without religion

We'd be better off without religion

27 Mar 2007

The panel discuss the pros and cons of religion, and pose the question: would the world be better off without it?

Proposing the motion are Christopher Hitchens, Professor Richard Dawkins, and Anthony Grayling. Christopher Hitchens begins by making the case for religion being at the root of many conflicts that have shaped the 20th-21st century world, citing the current situations in the Balkans, the Middle East, and Northern Ireland. Here, it has been intra-faith disputes that have caused or aggravated the conflicts and slowed political and social progress. Professor Richard Dawkins focuses his support for the motion on the blind faith that leads even intelligent people to deny key scientific principles, citing many American students' opposition to the theory of evolution as an example. Anthony Grayling illustrates how the Bible's view of what constitutes a good person is at odds with the modern Western view of what constitutes a good person, arguing that it is possible to appreciate the natural world and feel such emotions as empathy, sympathy, and love without holding religious views.

Opposing the motion are Dr Nigel Spivey, Roger Scruton, and Rabbi Julia Neuberger. The case against the motion is mainly focussed on religion being a force for good in the world - a force that empowers people spiritually and seeks to provide answers to humankind's purpose and position on earth. Dr Nigel Spivey opens the opposition by offering an archaeological and anthropological perspective. Pointing to the "Creative Explosion" of 40,000 years ago, he suggests that religion is a concept that is part of the human nature, and that a world without religion would be one without such fruits of human creativity as Venice, the Taj Mahal and King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. Rabbi Julia Neuberger argues that whilst atheism preaches certainty and disrespect of other religions, religion preaches uncertainty and tolerance. She suggests that it is certainty and conviction – not religion – that produced the Crusades, fascism, and Jewish, Christian, and Islamic fundamentalism. Roger Scruton argues that rejecting religion on some of its irrational principles does not make sense, and that science is just as capable of producing disasters as religion is. Religion, he says, offers help to people who are affected by man-made or natural disasters, and provides "why" answers – the reason why things happen and what life is for –whilst science can only provides causal explanations.

First Vote: 826 For, 681 Against, 364 Don’t Know

Final Vote: 1205 For, 778 Against, 103 Don’t Know

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Speakers for the motion

Richard Dawkins

Evolutionary biologist & author
Christopher Hitchens

Author, journalist, and literary critic
Anthony Grayling

Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London

Chair

Dame Joan Bakewell

Journalist and broadcaster

Speakers against the motion

Rabbi Julia Neuberger

Rabbi, author, broadcaster, social reformer, Member of the House of Lords
Dr Nigel Spivey

Author, presenter and Cambridge Professor of Classical Art and Archaeology
Roger Scruton

Writer and philosopher