A Little Touch Of Hitchens

[poliphilo]

A little Hitchens goes a long way, but is also quite bracing. Like Dawkins he isn't really equipped to debate religion with its more sophisticated practitioners, but with its less sophisticated ones he can be devastating. I've just been watching a clip of him debating circumcision with a grandfatherly rabbi. It's probably the first time the poor old man has been told to his face how disgusting he is and how he should be ashamed of himself. Rabbis, priests and imams are accustomed to deference- even from unbelievers- and I'm sure this kind of rough handling does them good. 

Comments

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

There is no particular reason to give any kind of deference or preference to members of clergy. Believe me, we all zip our pants up the same way. Many people do it, though, and I have already figured out that there are times when one can use that to good advantage. But, I only use it when I am trying to get something done for someone else. It is an abuse of power to use it for one's own good. Anyway, that is just my opinion in the matter.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I walked away from priesthood for all sorts of reasons- one of which (a minor one) was because I was abusing the power it gave me.

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

I can see that would be an easy thing to fall into. When I was living in Syracuse, I had a taxi driver that did not want to charge me because he thought I was clergy (I worked in the Chapel, and I dressed like all of the other ministers). I wouldn't let him get by with that. He needed money, too, although, I DID let him extend credit to me a couple of times when I didn't have any money, but I always paid him back right away, and gave him a generous tip. I never told him I wasn't actually a minister.