Rowan Williams v Richard Dawkins

Thanks for putting that link up feetlebaum. Will read with interest later. Off out now.

The Guardian report mentioned that Dawkins pointed out all the evil done in the name of religion (yawn) and got a huge laugh from the audience when he referred to God as 'an immortal knob twiddler'.

Williams presented a learned, intellectual theologically sound argument (yawn)

No surprises there then!

Oops - I meant Tariq Ramadan, not Tariq Ali!

I believe it was... although you'll be glad to know that the vote was on the side of religion being relevant in the 21st Century.

Dawkins concentrated on religion giving an excuse not to find find out the truth of anything. Williams wurbled on as usual... No idea what Tariq Ali had to say. Debate is a poor format, with no real discussion taking place.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/religion-is-redundant-and-irrelevant-richard-dawkins-takes-on-exarchbishop-of-canterbury-dr-rowan-williams-in-cambridge-debate-8476499.html?origin=internalSearch

Sounds like it could be a bit disappointing then, Feetlebaum.

Oh, wouldn't we all like to "rest in the bosom of certainty". [sigh]

Petallus 'resting in the bosom of certainty'. Oh, I like that. I don't think Rowan is boring but he certainly needs you to stay alert and concentrate the whole time. That's why he gets misrepresented and misquoted so often!

petallus - 'militant atheists'? Something of an oxymoron.

Richard Dawkins and Rowan Williams have had discussions before, and there was no blood on the carpet - Dawkins is a gentle soul who does not relish confrontation! Williams will waffle - it's what he does best - but of course he will come up against the complete lack of substantiation for his beliefs. What possible 'points' can he make that would make any sense to a scientist?

They seem to be quite friendly...

Oh good.

NOT "i" it will

Just seen, "i will be available for viewing shortly afterwards on the Cambridge Union's website".

That's something then.

I agree.

Should be on t'telly.

It's tomorrow. Not on telly. It's at the Cambridge University Debating Society. I'm hoping it will be widely reported in the papers. Or on You Tube? (if some student was to film some of it on their phone)

So when is it? This debate, is it on the telly?

That is, I agree with both of you, not necessarily that you agree with each other.

mishap and petallus, agreed.

I wouldn't expect to gain any insights from anything Dawkins might say. Find his arguments naive and shallow. Williams maybe.

* Bags* many churchpeople, especially Williams, are willing to admit to doubts, the sins of the church, their own crises of faith etc.

Not all religious find it necessary to rest in the bosom of certainty.

Williamson is boring to listen to - but he is far from dogmatic. He keeps saying he doesn't know - which makes you wonder quite what he does believe in.

I also find Dawkins a boring listen and somewhat irritating.

Good luck to those who go and hear this!

I think these debates help people who aren't quite sure whether they are believers or non-believers.

And vice versa. It wouldn't 'do' for Williams to understand the other side; he'd be letting his own side down. It will be interesting for all that to see how they bat the ball between them.

There was a similar debate between Tony Blair and Christopher Hitchens. Great entertainment.

Richard Dawkins is the beloved champion of militant atheists. He can't afford to 'get' any of Williams' points.

I do hope I'm wrong.

Thanks for welcoming me back from the naughty corner. I met some entertaining GN's there. We had fun!

I think they will both be excrutiatingly polite. Shame really . Wonder if Williams's much touted intelligence will shine through? Haven't managed to detect it so far. #notexpectingmuch

How's that for being grown-up soop.