“The presenters did differ on where a secular morality might come from. In his new best-seller, ‘The Moral Landscape,’ Mr. Harris argues that morality is a product of neuroscience. (The good, he argues, is that which promotes happiness and well-being, and those states are ultimately dependent on brain chemistry.) Others believe morality is bequeathed by evolution, while still others would argue for ethics grounded in secular philosophy, like Immanuel Kant’s or John Rawls’s. But all agreed that nonbelievers are at least as moral as believers, and for better reasons…

“At the liveliest panel, on Friday night, the science writer Chris Mooney pointed to research that shows that many Christians ‘are rejecting science because of a perceived conflict with moral values.’ Atheists should be mindful of this perception, Mr. Mooney argued. For example, an atheist fighting to keep the theory of evolution in schools should reassure Christians that their faith is compatible with modern science.

“‘They resist evolution because they think everyone will lose morals,’ Mr. Mooney said. ‘Knowing this, why would you go directly at these deeply held beliefs?'”

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“Christopher Hitchens is weaker on the personal and ethical challenge presented by atheism: Of course we can be good without God, but why the hell bother? If there are no moral lines except the ones we draw ourselves, why not draw and redraw them in places most favorable to our interests? Hitchens parries these concerns instead of answering them: Since all moral rules have exceptions and complications, he said, all moral choices are relative. Peter Hitchens responded, effectively, that any journey becomes difficult when a compass points differently at different times.

“The best answer that Christopher Hitchens can offer to this ethical objection is himself. He is a sort of living refutation — an atheist who is also a moralist. His politics are defined by a hatred of bullies, whether Kim Jong Il, Saddam Hussein or the mullahs in Iran. His affections are reserved for underdogs, from the Kurds to Salman Rushdie. The dreams of totalitarians are his nightmares — what W.H. Auden described as: “A million eyes, a million boots in line / Without expression, waiting for a sign.” Even Hitchens’ opposition to God seems less of a theological argument than a revolt against celestial tyranny…

“In earlier times, without derision or irony, this would have been called ‘humanism,’ a delight in all things human — in wit and wine and good company and conversation and fine writing and debate of large issues. Hitchens’ joy and juice put many believers of my acquaintance to shame — people for whom religion has become a bloodless substitute for life. ‘The glory of God,’ said St. Irenaeus, ‘is man fully alive.’ Hitchens would hate the quote, but he proves the claim.”

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