Is religion good or bad for society? Ben Shapiro v Alex O'Connor The Big Conversation – Episode 7 | Season 5
Dec 1, 2023
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Ben Shapiro, Daily Wire host, and Alex O'Connor, Oxford graduate of philosophy and theology, debate religion's effect on society, the concept of free will, morality, and the role of religion in shaping Western societies. They also delve into the Bible's perspective on slavery and the influence of religion on moral values.
Traditional religious structures provide social support and a sense of shared beliefs, which is beneficial for society.
The concept of the 'atheist delusion' suggests that fundamental faith principles are necessary regardless of religious beliefs.
Religion plays a crucial role in preserving moral absolutes, upholding social cohesion, and providing a framework for individual choice in a functional society.
Deep dives
Religion and Society: The Importance of Shared Beliefs and Social Support
Social science suggests that traditional religious structures provided social support and a sense of shared beliefs, which is beneficial for society. Lack of replacement for these structures has resulted in a need for new forms of social support.
The Atheist Delusion: The Incompatibility of Living Ideologically Pure
The podcast discusses the concept of the "atheist delusion" which suggests that it is not possible to live without relying on fundamental faith principles, regardless of religious beliefs. Principles such as free will, morality, reason, and truth are argued to be external to naturalistic philosophies.
The Role of Religion in Society: Preserving Moral Absolutes and Social Cohesion
The discussion explores the role of religion in preserving moral absolutes and upholding social cohesion. It highlights that religion provides a framework for individuals to believe in their capacity to make choices, which is necessary for a functional society.
Ethics and Morality: The Debate on Grounding Goodness
The conversation delves into contrasting perspectives on grounding morality, with one participant expressing skepticism about the existence of good and the challenges of linking it to religion. However, the other participant emphasizes the necessity of moral absolutes and the role of religion in providing such grounding.
The Value of Religion and Social Cohesion
Religion, with its belief in supernatural phenomena that cannot be explained by a materialistic worldview, provides social cohesion. Studies have consistently shown that social cohesion relies on a common orientation among people for building commonality. Religion, as one of the few historical social structures, attempts to transcend tribal self-interest and create universal values. Traditional religious structures have provided social support, friendship structures, and marriages, which have not been adequately replaced in secular societies. The breakdown of these structures in secular society is causing significant strains on societal bonding.
The Challenge of Interpreting Religious Texts
Interpreting religious texts is not a straightforward task. Taking texts at face value and basing judgments solely on them tends to oversimplify the practice of religion. Instead, assessing faith should involve examining faith practices rather than attempting to deduce meaning from others' religious texts. It is essential to acknowledge that scripture can contain both time-bound instructions and principles that aim to woo people away from harmful practices gradually. Addressing moral challenges within scripture requires understanding social context, historical practices, and the gradual process of moral development. Interpreting religious texts is an ongoing and nuanced task.
The Big Conversation is a unique video series from Unbelievable? the flagship apologetics and theology discussion show from Premierunbelievable.com In this bonus episode of The Big Conversation' formidable Daily Wire host and renowned political thinker Ben Shapiro goes head-to-head with Oxford graduate of philosophy and theology, now international public speaker and debater, Alex O’Connor. Hosted by Andy Kind, Shapiro and O'Connor debate Is religion good or bad for society? What is the concept of free will? Does it even exist? What about the idea of the self, and the foundations of morality in society, and do we all have to agree on them?
Ben Shapiro is a distinguished figure in the realm of political discussion, recognised for his bold opinions and remarkable debating skills. Ever-innovative in thought and influential in culture, Shapiro brings a fresh and compelling perspective to this philosophical conversation.
Atheist Alex O’Connor, the YouTuber formerly known as the Cosmic Sceptic, and host of the Within Reason podcast brings thoughtful philosophical rigour and insight to provoke deliberation on varying timeless faith-science-philosophy topics. Religion’s effects in the evolution of consciousness, Nihilism’s counter to the concept of free will and, ultimately, the basis of varying worldviews serve as crucial discussion points in this thought-provoking exchange.
This debate wraps up this season on a captivating note, leaving audiences across the belief spectrum increasingly inquisitive of the ever-disputed questions among various worldviews and intricacies in the crossover realms of science, faith, philosophy and culture.
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The Big Conversation is a video series from Premier Unbelievable? featuring world-class thinkers across the religious and non-religious community. Exploring science, faith, philosophy and what it means to be human. The Big Conversation is produced by Premier Unbelievable? in partnership with John Templeton Foundation.
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