Bill Nye vs. Ken Ham - Full Debate

February 4, 2014

Richard Dawkins vs. Howard Conder on Revelation TV

Sunday Morning Live: Is There Room For Religion in the Classroom? - BBC

July 21, 2013 on BBC One

Do the New Atheists Have Any New Ideas? 5-Minute Debate with Daniel Dennett

Andrew Brown challenges philosopher and atheist Daniel Dennett to convince him that the New Atheists have new ideas -- and that they have really changed the face of belief in America. Dennett, one of the original 'four horsemen' of new atheism (along with Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens), has argued that belief in God is not merely mistaken, but dangerous.

Debate: Does God Exist?

Hosted and organized by Adventist Media on June 1, 2013 (Sydney)
Atheist Speakers: Morgan Storey, Alaric Goldkuhl, Nick Sewel
Christian Speakers: Dr Sven Ostring, Dr Mark Harwood, Dr John Ashton

The Big Questions: Are Religions Unfair to Women?

May 5, 2013 on BBC One

This is a special edition from King Edward VI Handsworth School in Birmingham and Nicky Campbell asks just one Big Question: Are religions unfair to women?

Taking part are: Francesca Stavrakopoulou, Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Religion at the University of Exeter; Cole Moreton, author of Is God Still an Englishman?; Christina Rees, who sits on The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England; the theologian Vicky Beeching; the feminist Kate Smurthwaite; Liz Weston from Christ Church, Southampton; Sarah de Nordwall from Catholic Voices; Eunice Olumide, a convert to Islam; Rania Hafez from Muslim Women in Education; Rabbi Shmuel Arkush, Director of Lubavitch in the Midlands; and Bharti Tailor, President of the Hindu Forum for Europe.

Lawrence Krauss vs. Hamza Tzortzis: Islam or Atheism - Which Makes More Sense?

00:00:24 : Introduction - Timothy Yusuf Chambers
00:06:30 : Opening Remarks - Hamza Tzortzis
00:32:02 : Opening Remarks - Lawrence Krauss
00:59:33 : Rebuttal - Hamza Tzortzis
01:14:28 : Rebuttal - Lawrence Krauss
01:22:43 : Summary Discussion
01:42:07 : Question & Answer Session
02:06:00 : Closing Remarks - Lawrence Krauss
02:07:50 : Closing Remarks - Hamza Tzortzis

(Thanks Sergej)

The Big Questions: Should Britain Become a Secular State? | BBC

March 24, 2013 on BBC One

Nicky Campbell presents a pre-recorded edition of the programme from Manor CoE School in York asking just one question - should Britain become a secular state? Among those taking part are philosopher AC Grayling, former Bishop of Rochester Rt Rev Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, Prof the Baroness Afshar from York University, Symon Hill from Ekkelsia, Rabbi Jonathan Romain from Maidenhead Synagogue, Naomi Philips from Labour Humanists, writer and academic Myriam Francois Cerrah, Gita Sahgal from Centre for Secular Space, Pastor Mark Mullins from Strangers' Rest Mission and Dr Audra Mitchell from York University.

Cambrige Union Society: Religion Debate | Dawkins, Copson, Ahmed vs Williams, Ramadan, Murray

From the Cambridge Union Society

Is Religion compatible with 21st Century life? How can it be made to fit with modern laws and values? Even if it might be compatible, does it actually do more harm than good?

Proposition:
(01:54) Andrew Copson - Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association and former director of the European Humanist Federation.

(29:42) Prof. Richard Dawkins - A distinguished evoultionary biologist and ardent critic of religion, Dawkins is also Vice-President of the British Humanist Association and author of The God Delusion and The Selfish Gene.

(1:10:30) Arif Ahmed - Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge since October 2011.

Opposition:
(13:33) Rowan Williams - Outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury and now the Master of Magdalene College, Rowan Williams studied Theology at Cambridge and has written inumerable books on the subject of Christianity.

(42:28) Prof. Tariq Ramadan - Known as 'The Muslim Martin Luther', Ramadan is a renowned writer and Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Oxford. He is also President of the European Muslim Network.

(1:22:25) Douglas Murray - Associate Director of the Henry Jackson Society and founder of the Centre for Social Cohesion, Murray is also a commentator on issues of religion, immigration and extremism.

Result: The Motion failed to pass

Lawrence Krauss Stands Up to Forced Segregation, Walks Out of Segregated Islam Debate at UCL

From Examiner:

On March 9, the Islamic Education & Research Academy (IERA) organized a debate at the University College in London between atheist Dr. Lawrence Krauss and Muslim Hamza Andreas Tzortzis on the question, "Islam or Atheism: Which Makes More Sense?" But before the debate even began, Dr. Krauss walked out.

Krauss was originally told by the organizers that the audience of the debate was to be segregated by gender. Couples were to be allowed to sit together, but single women were to be seated in the back. Krauss had told the organizers that he would not be a part of debate with such seating restrictions and on Friday, he posted this Facebook status update:

“News update: Have now been informed that the event in London will NOT be gender segregated.”

Upon arriving at the debate, Krauss discovered that the segregation rule was still in affect and he walked out of the debate. He returned to the debate when the organizers relented and allowed all audience members to sit where they desired.

“Almost walked out of IERA debate as it ended up segregated (single men and women not allowed to sit together). I had been promised that would not be the case, and then saw 3 really nice kids being ejected for sitting in wrong place. I packed up my bags and walked out. They caved in, and let the kids back, not without complaints of course from some of the attendees.”

(via Dangerous Talk)

The Big Questions: Is It Time For All Religions To Accept Evolution? - BBC

January 13, 2013 on BBC One

Nicky Campbell presides over a special debate recorded at the Harris Academy in Peckham, asking just one Big Question: Is it time for all religions to accept evolution as fact?

Amongst those taking part are: Matt Ridley, author of Genome; the geneticist, Professor Steve Jones; Rev Greg Haslam, senior pastor at Westminster Chapel; Dr Steve Lloyd from Biblical Creation Ministries; Inayat Bunglawala, chair of Muslims4UK; Rev Dr Malcolm Brown, director of mission and public affairs of the Church of England; Dr Robert J Asher, a paleontoloist from Cambridge University; the sociologist Professor Linda Woodhead from Lancaster University; Imam Abdullah Hasan from Neeli Mosque and Islamic Centre; Professor Steve Fuller, sociologist, Warwick University; Mohamed Ali Harrath, founder of The Islam Channel; Pastor Marjorie Esomowie, Triumphant Church International; and Adam Deen, executive director of the Deen Institute.

IQ2 - Science Refutes God - Full Debate

Lawrence Krauss & Michael Shermer vs. Ian Hutchinson & Dinesh D'Souza
From Intelligence Squared:

On the fundamental question--evolution or creation?--Americans are on the fence. According to one survey, while 61% of Americans believe we have evolved over time, 22% believe this evolution was guided by a higher power, with another 31% on the side of creationism. For some, modern science debunks many of religion's core beliefs, but for others, questions like "Why are we here?" and "How did it all come about?" can only be answered through a belief in the existence of God. Can science and religion co-exist?

The Full 'Life of Brian' Debate (1979)

From Wikipedia:

Shortly after the film was released, Cleese and Palin engaged in a what would become a notorious debate on the BBC2 discussion programme Friday Night, Saturday Morning, in which Malcolm Muggeridge and Mervyn Stockwood, the Bishop of Southwark, put the case against the film.

Muggeridge and the Bishop had arrived 15 minutes late to see a screening of the picture prior to the debate, missing the establishing scenes demonstrating that Brian and Jesus were two different characters, and hence contended that it was a send-up of Christ himself. Both Pythons later felt that there had been a strange role reversal in the manner of the debate, with two young upstart comedians attempting to make serious, well-researched points, while the establishment figures engaged in cheap jibes and point scoring. They also expressed disappointment in Muggeridge, whom all in Python had previously respected as a satirist.

Cleese expressed that his reputation had "plummeted" in his eyes, while Palin commented that, "He was just being Muggeridge, preferring to have a very strong contrary opinion as opposed to none at all". Muggeridge's verdict on the film was that it was "Such a tenth-rate film that it couldn't possibly destroy anyone's genuine faith".

Richard Dawkins & Rowan Williams Archbishop of Canterbury Discuss Human Nature & Ultimate origin

February 23, 2012 at University of Oxford, moderated by Sir Anthony Kenny

What's the Place of Faith in Schools? - Lancaster University Faith Debate - Religion & Society

Speakers:

Professor Linda Woodhead [Lancaster University, Director of the Religion and Society Programme] introduced the debate. Preceded by a welcome by Charles Clarke. 8.45

Professor Robert Jackson [Director of the Warwick Religions and Education Research Unit, Warwick University] rooted his argument for improving religious education in human rights. 10.16

Professor James Conroy [University of Glasgow] produced evidence that what is happening to RE in schools is “a disaster for Britain”. 11.00

Professor Richard Dawkins [author of The God Delusion], responding, said education about religion has value, but no child should ever be labelled by the faith of her parents. Introduced by Charles Clarke. 11.29

The Rt Revd John Pritchard [Bishop of Oxford], responding, valued good RE and argued for proper recognition and resources. Introduced by Charles Clarke. 9.54

Questions and comments from the audience, and responses by the panel. 52.09

(via RichardDawkins.net)

BBC The Big Questions: Has The Time Come To Repent?

January 8, 2012 on BBC One
With atheist stand-up comic and political activist Kate Smurthwaite
(Thanks to TreVelocita)

Science and Religion: Are They Compatible? - Jerry Coyne vs. John Haught

Q&A After the debate
October 12, 2011 at the UK College of Arts & Sciences
(via Why Evolution Is True)

IQ2 Debate: Atheists Are Wrong

October 4, 2011 on ABC Big Ideas

Having been persecuted as a dangerous minority for centuries, in recent years the champions of atheism have achieved celebrity status around the world.

Atheists have been quick to point to the evils done in the name of religion and claim their criticism of religion is grounded in science and reason. Their opponents have championed faith as a source of inspiration and as an essential aspect of the human condition.

However, beyond rhetorical skirmishes, in the end, just one fundamental question must be answered: does God exist?

Christopher Hitchens vs. Barry Brummett

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Debate between renowned journalist and author Christopher Hitchens and Dr. Barry Brummett (Chair, Department of Communication Studies, University of Texas at Austin) on the resolution "Religion has been a positive force in culture," June 4, 2011. Organized by the Department of English Language and Literature, University of Waterloo, as part of the Literature, Rhetoric, and Values Conference, 3-5 June 2011.

Moderated by Jian Ghomeshi, an award-winning broadcaster, writer, musician and producer. He is the host and co-creator of the national daily talk program, Q, on CBC Radio One and CBC TV. Since its inception in 2007, Q has garnered the largest audience of any cultural affairs program in Canada and has become the highest-rated show in its morning time slot in CBC history.

iq2 Shorts - Stephen Fry vs. Ann Widdecombe

From Intelligence Squared:

In this, our first ever iq2 Short, Ann Widdecombe and Stephen Fry lock horns over the motion 'The Catholic Church is a force for good in the world'.

The animation is adapted from a debate we staged in 2009 which also included Christopher Hitchens and John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Abuja.

(via RDnet)