Hitchens vs. Sharpton, Part Deux

Posted on June 29, 2007 by Guest Contributor

Christopher Hitchens and Rev. Al Sharpton were on Hardball yesterday. It’s their second time meeting since a public debate in May when Sharpton made this controversial statement about Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney:

“As for the one Mormon running for office, those that really believe in God will defeat him anyway, so don’t worry about that. That’s a temporary situation.”

They discuss the Roman Catholic Church’s stance that Catholics who run for office must share the Church’s extreme anti-abortion views. But that’s not nearly as humorous as Hitchens’ soundbytes…

The short video of those lines can be downloaded here (WMV).

Here’s what happened: Sharpton said the War in Iraq was not religiously-motivated, but rather the result of “a personal hallucination” by President Bush and Hitchens.

Hitchens says this in response:

Well, I’ve lived to see the Rev. Sharpton denounce rhetorical maneuvering, so that should be enough for me this evening.”

And a bit later, we get this nugget from Hitchens:

You’re the guy who proves you can get away with anything in this country if the word ‘Reverend’ is in front of your name.”

Even more shocking?

Hitchens has a water bottle in his hand instead of a cigarette or alcohol.


[tags]atheist, atheism, Christopher Hitchens, Reverend Al Sharpton, Hardball, Chris Matthews, Mitt Romney, Republican, Mormon, God, Roman Catholic Church, abortion, War, Iraq, President Bush[/tags]

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  • http://avenidacentral.blogspot.com Pedro Morgado
  • http://avenidacentral.blogspot.com Pedro Morgado
  • http://avenidacentral.blogspot.com Pedro Morgado
  • http://www.matsonwaggs.wordpress.com Kelly

    I have to give Sharpton some credit-he got a dig in at Hitchens when he said that Hitchens does have faith-faith in weapons of mass destruction being found in Iraq!
    I actually wish they would pick someone-ANYONE-else to represent Christians and atheists in a debate. Both of these guys (in my opinion) are pompous blowhards who just like to hear themselves speak. I agree with some of Sharptons political views, and some of Hitchens atheist views, but the two of them together do nothing to advance intelligent debate on the subject.

  • http://off-the-map.org/atheist/ Siamang

    Oh man, Sharpton is so bad at arguing his position that I’m pretty sure an atheist chose him to appear on the show.

  • http://off-the-map.org/atheist/ Siamang

    And the whole debate is available here.

  • Miko

    I actually wish they would pick someone-ANYONE-else to represent Christians and atheists in a debate.

    Righto. One rematch between the RRS and Comfort&Cameron coming up.

    Although I personally am waiting for the inevitable Rev. Phelps vs. David Mills debate.

  • http://www.matsonwaggs.wordpress.com Kelly

    Although I personally am waiting for the inevitable Rev. Phelps vs. David Mills debate.

    Now that would be amusing!

  • Maria

    I have to give Sharpton some credit-he got a dig in at Hitchens when he said that Hitchens does have faith-faith in weapons of mass destruction being found in Iraq!
    I actually wish they would pick someone-ANYONE-else to represent Christians and atheists in a debate. Both of these guys (in my opinion) are pompous blowhards who just like to hear themselves speak. I agree with some of Sharptons political views, and some of Hitchens atheist views, but the two of them together do nothing to advance intelligent debate on the subject.

    I agree!

    Righto. One rematch between the RRS and Comfort&Cameron coming up.

    Although I personally am waiting for the inevitable Rev. Phelps vs. David Mills debate.

    LOL, I’d actually pay money to see that……..

  • http://www.floatingaxhead.com michael

    two comments…agree with maria, sharpton does not represent christians, definitely not me…not sure about hitchens, he sure sweats a lot. both just want to sell something.

    secondly, your comment on extreme anti-abortion views, not sure which slant this is taking. i do not endorse catholicism but i have a daughter who was born premature at 27 weeks (1lb 14 oz), she is going to be a freshman in high school this next term.

    are you endorisng abortion as a viable birth control method, specifically for those who engage in consensual sex; is this really a humane decision?

    it is difficult to comprehend that a society that embraces the advances of science, puts its faith in it, and abhors the atrocities of war, can think this is the best we can do.