The God Debate

Is Christianity Good for the World?

Christianity has been the basis of Western civilisation for 2000 years. It has had to meet many challenges through its history - and with our changing society it continues to be challenged. Although the material in the attacks on it rehearses arguments from previous generations, each individual in each generation has to reason out and come to his or her own convictions over the meaning of life.

2006 saw Richard Dawkins begin his very serious and aggressive assault against Christianity with the televising of his 2 Part documentary, claiming religion to be “The Root of all Evil. This was followed in late 2006 with the publication of his book, The God Delusion. The paperback edition was recently promoted by The Times newspaper. Reviews of Dawkins’ book can be read in the Links section on this site. While generalising that all religions are responsible for the evil in this world Christianity has received special focus by Dawkins, even equating Christianity with militant Islam.

What we are seeing is a sustained intense attack that Christianity hasn’t experienced for some years. Some sections of the media seems to give preference to anti-Christian propaganda quite readily, with both Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens being recent beneficiaries of two-page spread publicity in The Times (10 and 31 May respectively).

With the conflict becoming universal, Christianity Today has thought it healthy to use its website to host a debate between the opposing views of origins. Atheism teaches that life came about through inanimate nature - there is no God. Christianity teaches that all life comes from God. Christianity sees responding or not responding to convictions over the existence of God having eternal consequences for the individual.

Theologian Douglas Wilson and atheist Christopher Hitchens, authors of whose books are already part of a larger debate on whether religion is pernicious, agreed to discuss their views on whether Christianity itself has benefited the world. Follow the links below on each of their 6 exchanges, hosted by Christianity Today over the course of the month of May 2007: Warning: This material may not be suitable for those who feel sensitive or uneasy about airing conflict.

Is Christianity Good for the World? Part 1.

Theologian Douglas Wilson and atheist Christopher Hitchens, agreed to discuss their views on whether Christianity itself has benefited the world, 8 May 2007, Christianity Today.

Is Christianity Good for the World? Part 2

This is part 2 of the ongoing debate between Christopher Hitchens, and Douglas Wilson. The following link to Christianity Today gives the second exchange in a series hosted by the Christianity Today, 10 May 2007.

Is Christianity Good for the World? Part 3

Part 3 of the ongoing debate between Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson. Posted 15 May 2007, Christianity Today.

Is Christianity Good for the World? Part 4

Part 4 of the ongoing debate between Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson 18 May 2007, Christianity Today.

Is Christianity Good for the World? Part 5

Part 5 of the ongoing debate between Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson. 25 May 2007, Christianity Today.

Is Christianity Good for the World? Part 6

The conclusion of the debate between Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson, 1 June 2007, Christianity Today.

Revised 24/06/07