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In this classic debate between Christopher Hitchens and Rabbi David Wolpe, two of the most respected voices on religion and philosophy face off in a sharp and deeply engaging discussion about faith, morality, and the origins of human values. Hitchens, the author of God Is Not Great, challenges the very foundation of religious belief, arguing that morality, meaning, and purpose do not require divine authority. Rabbi Wolpe, one of the most influential rabbis in America, defends Judaism and theism as vital sources of ethical guidance, spiritual fulfillment, and communal identity.
The debate dives into core questions: Does religion make people better? Is faith compatible with reason? Can objective morality exist without God? Hitchens insists that religion distorts morality by making it dependent on obedience rather than empathy, and that secular humanism provides a superior moral framework based on human welfare and rational inquiry. Wolpe counters that religion gives life depth, purpose, and a sense of the transcendent that pure materialism cannot provide.
They discuss biblical morality, the problem of evil, science versus faith, and whether religious texts can still hold moral authority in the modern world. Hitchens critiques the tribalism and violence justified by scripture, while Wolpe defends the enduring moral and cultural wisdom found in religious tradition.
Throughout, both men display wit, respect, and intellectual rigor. The debate stands as one of the most powerful explorations of belief and unbelief in modern times, a timeless clash between secular reason and spiritual conviction that continues to resonate in the ongoing discussion about religion’s place in human life.
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