Comments on: Audio: Hitchens v. Tariq Ramadan debate

By: Mojave Mark

Mojave Mark — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:54:48 +0000

What I don’t hear about Islam is that every single Muslim lives under a death threat. Every spokesman for that religion is akin to a hostage negotiating on behalf of his captures mindful that any wrong word will result in his death. Behind the ever present death threat of Islam are the absurd ramblings of a demon possessed, mass-murdering, sexually perverted, plagarizing, false prophet.

Bravo to HotAir for blogging the Koran this year. It’s been a real “revelation.”

By: Just like in the song, he’s a Smooth Operator « Full Metal Cynic

Just like in the song, he’s a Smooth Operator « Full Metal Cynic — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:22:39 +0000

[...] and his is, in fact, smoooooooth. But before you buy a used car from him check out this post on Hot Air (and be sure to follow all the [...]

By: profitsbeard

profitsbeard — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:17:41 +0000

The "Satanic Verses" error of Mohammad (who admitted to being fooled by Satan into inserting "a mistaken dogma as Allah's own") is the crucial piece of evidence which destroys any possibility for trusting anything else Mohammad said. If he could be fooled once about who was "inspiring" him (Devil or God), why could he not be fooled always? Maybe the "Satanic" verses were really the only ones coming from Allah, and all the rest were demonically mistaken. Once he has shown himself to be a deceivable dupe of the devil, why give any credence to the fool? This is central argument (which got Salman Rushdie a death notice) that Hitchens needs to latch onto like a bull terrier and never relent on: -Ah, you admit that Mohammad, himself, said he was deceived by Satan at least once? Doesn't this undermine and destroy any reason for belief in this character's word? And does this not make the quality of his "transmission" of Allah's dogmas utterly suspect? THE DEVIL DECEIVED HIM, by his own admission! No other prophets have ever said that. Makes him sounds somewhat insane. And spiritually untrustworthy. And morally suspect. If Mohammad's "perfect" armor is pierced, the rest of the house of Koranic cards falls. As it must. For our survival, as well as the liberation of all Muslims from this soul and mind prison.

By: MB4

MB4 — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:53:53 +0000

I’m an Atheist, and I can’t stand Christopher Hitchens. The guy annoys the hell out of me.

SoulGlo on September 14, 2007 at 6:01 PM

Hitchens makes a lot of good arguments though. He’s a little too full of himself, but on jihad he’s probably one of the best speakers out there.

lorien1973 on September 14, 2007 at 6:03 PM

I cannot agree with those who rank modesty among the virtues. To the logician all things should be seen exactly as they are, and to underestimate one’s self is as much a departure from truth as to exaggerate one’s own powers.
- Sherlock Holmes

By: see-dubya

see-dubya — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:09:39 +0000

I asked Christopher Hitchens a smartass question once after a public speech.

My bottom is still sore.

By: JayHaw Phrenzie

JayHaw Phrenzie — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:57:22 +0000

I’m an Atheist, and I can’t stand Christopher Hitchens. The guy annoys the hell out of me.

I am an Atheist and I thank god for Christopher Hitchens.

By: Speakup

Speakup — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:56:15 +0000

We are further told—on no authority that need be believed—that when he experienced revelation in public he would sometimes be gripped by pain and experience loud ringing in his ears. Beads of sweat would burst out on him, even on the chilliest of days.

One mans seizure is another man’s revelation, or not.

By: pedestrian

pedestrian — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:48:13 +0000

I’m amused by Hitchens’ discription of what happended to Mohammed when he received a revelation, which were sometimes suited to his own immediate needs:

We are further told—on no authority that need be believed—that when he experienced revelation in public he would sometimes be gripped by pain and experience loud ringing in his ears. Beads of sweat would burst out on him, even on the chilliest of days.

Hitchens tries to get some atheistic mileage by comparing this to what happened to Paul, but what happened to Paul was one event followed by a lifetime of leading by example and letter writing. No head chopping needed.

By: MadisonConservative

MadisonConservative — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:47:18 +0000

Audio is terrible. Can barely make out what either says.

By: CrimsonFisted

CrimsonFisted — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:44:13 +0000

jdpaz
I think he sounds like Ringo (that’s a good thing).

And yes, he gets, keeps, and holds your attention while speaking. Even if you disagree with him, and frequently I do, but I enjoy listening to him.

By: jdpaz

jdpaz — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:30:28 +0000

Both sides seemed full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

I didn’t hear anything that sounded remotely like a floor-wip[ing].

I think too many people hear his Richard Burtonesque voice and his flowery vocabulary and assume he’s said something of value.

By: lorien1973

lorien1973 — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:04:17 +0000

Hitchens’ take on the event is here at Slate.

I read that the other day and seemed like Hedges didn’t think he faired too well, because the other guy kept dodging and not answering questions.

By: laelaps

laelaps — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:03:32 +0000

Shame about the accustics in the recording. Every third or forth word sounds like d’oh to me.

By: lorien1973

lorien1973 — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:03:00 +0000

Hitchens makes a lot of good arguments though. He’s a little too full of himself, but on jihad he’s probably one of the best speakers out there.

By: SoulGlo

SoulGlo — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:01:16 +0000

I’m an Atheist, and I can’t stand Christopher Hitchens. The guy annoys the hell out of me.