Debating Tony Blair on faith

By Christopher Hitchens
The Washington Post,
November 30, 2010

Last week, atheist author Christopher Hitchens debated the merits of religion with former British prime minister Tony Blair, who converted to Catholicism after leaving office. Following are Hitchens' thoughts about the event.

Debating Christopher Hitchens on faith

By Tony Blair
The Washington Post,
November 30, 2010

Last week, former British prime minister Tony Blair, who converted to Catholicism after leaving office, debated the merits of religion with avowed atheist Christopher Hitchens. Following are Blair's thoughts about the event.

Debating God with Christopher Hitchens and Tony Blair

By Richard Handler
CBC News,
November 30, 2010

If God should ever need a new press agent, He (or She) could not do better than the organizers of the Munk Debates.

Not only can they pick their venues (cushioned seats, Lindt chocolates at the door) but, even on a topic as sleepy as religion in the secular West, they know how to draw a crowd.

The convert and the atheist at war over religion

By Philip Sherwell
The Telegraph,
November 28, 2010

The physical contrast between the adversaries perched on their stools, ready to trade verbal blows in front of a packed auditorium, could not have been greater. There was Tony Blair, 57, the former prime minister, looking slim, jaunty and relaxed, despite a daunting international travel schedule. And across the stage was Christopher Hitchens, 61, the British-born, Washington-based writer and commentator, whose bald head and red eyes were evidence of the gruelling chemotherapy treatment he has been having for late-stage oesophageal cancer.

But, when the two men squared off on the role of religion, it was Hitchens who came out punching, with Blair on the back foot.

Tony Blair and Christopher Hitchens debate religion

BBC,
November 27, 2010

Tony Blair and Christopher Hitchens debated the idea 'Religion is a force for good in the world'.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has defended the role of religion in global affairs, in a Canadian TV debate with atheist columnist Christopher Hitchens.

Christopher Hitchens 1-0 Tony Blair

By Paul Harris
The Guardian,
November 27, 2010

In theory it was not an event that should have created a stir: a philosophical debate on the moral merits of religion. In an age of reality TV drama and Hollywood blockbusters loaded with special effects it would seem hard to get the masses to flock to witness such an old-fashioned, high-brow spectacle.

But when the two debaters are the world's most famous recent Roman Catholic convert in the shape of Tony Blair and the charismatic yet cancer-stricken sceptic Christopher Hitchens suddenly it becomes easier to sell tickets.

Blair v. Hitchens: Is religion a force for good or ill?

By Jill Mahoney
The Globe and Mail,
November 26, 2010

One is a devout Catholic and former prime minister who sees religion as a civilizing force. The other is a prominent atheist, author and journalist who believes that surrendering reason to faith is dangerous.

Together, Tony Blair and Christopher Hitchens are two of the great British thinkers on religion.

The role of religion: Hitchens to face Blair in Munk debates

By Peter Foster
National Post,
November 26, 2010

A few years ago, I came across an arresting show at the Adam Smith Theatre in the little Scottish town of Kirkcaldy. Presented by the “Reduced Shakespeare Company” (which had a smash hit with its production of the entire works of The Bard in 97 minutes,) it was a spoof of the Bible. The slapstick performance stopped short (unlike Monty Python’s Life of Brian) at a comic crucifixion, but poked fun at the virgin birth and presented the resurrected Christ as the Easter Bunny. The audience laughed uproariously.

Blair v. Hitchens: What you believe to be true matters

By Lorna Dueck
The Globe and Mail,
November 25, 2010

On Friday night, the Toronto event to be at is an intellectual sparring match on religion. “Be it resolved, religion is a force for good in the world,” was the fastest selling show in the history of Roy Thomson Hall, said organizers of the Munk Debate. Surely, a sign that religion is far from dead in the public imagination.

Hitchens, Blair to debate role of faith

By Sonia Verma
The Globe and Mail,
October 13, 2010

One is a prominent atheist, the other a devout Roman Catholic. Both share mutual admiration for each other, but for a few hours next month, they will be adversaries, facing off over the contentious topic of religion.

Renowned author and journalist Christopher Hitchens and former British prime minister Tony Blair will share a stage for the sixth semi-annual Munk Debates this November.

Launch of the Sixth Semi-Annual Munk Debate: Tony Blair and Christopher Hitchens to debate religion's impact on global affairs
October 12, 2010

The Aurea Foundation announced today the resolution and presenters for the sixth semi­annual Munk Debate to be held in Toronto on Friday November 26th.

To encourage a far-ranging discussion on one of humankind’s most vexing questions, the sixth semi-annual Munk Debate will tackle the resolution: be it resolved, religion is a force for good in the world.