Religion Harms Society | Michael Nugent | Oxford Union

Michael Nugent argues that religion harms society.

Filmed on Thursday 7th November 2013
MOTION: This House Believe That Religion Harms Society.
RESULT: Motion Carried.

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ABOUT MICHAEL NUGENT:
Michael Nugent is an Irish writer and activist. He has written three books, co-written two and was one of the three writers of comedy musical play I, Keano. He has campaigned on many political issues, often with his late wife Anne Holliday, and he is chairperson of the advocacy group Atheist Ireland. He argues that atheism provides a better model of reality, and a better basis for morality, than believing in gods; that atheists can enjoy the benefits that many people get from religion, without the harmful effects; and that the state should be secular, promoting neither religion nor atheism. He writes a blog about happiness and atheism, and he supports Bohemians and Leeds United football clubs.

ABOUT THE OXFORD UNION SOCIETY:
The Union is the world's most prestigious debating society, with an unparalleled reputation for bringing international guests and speakers to Oxford. It has been established for 190 years, aiming to promote debate and discussion not just in Oxford University, but across the globe.

[samcan]

I can only join my voice to that of the 196 people who commented before me: That speech was powerful, brilliant and so right. Thank you so very much, Mr Nugent. Long, healthy life to you. We need people like you.

[rabit]

"Religion corrupts morality", well said

[dwolfcoach]

Perfect! No comment here can help that speech!

[MarioMancinelli]

One major example I use is the Catholic Church/Islam stopping mankind from progressing forward. Studying and understanding our environment

[easypeasylemonsour]

Thank you, Mr. Michael, for such an amazing speech. I'm so thankful that you used general vocabularies in your speech. It's so clear and easy to understand your points as a non-native speaker. Bravo! 👏

[sametsamet]

This debate is amazing I love the freedom of speech in England which most of the countries does not have much.

[philkilgallon]

When God handed out presentation skills, this guy was near the front of queue!

[academicalisthenics]

I agree and would choose science over religion any day of the week!
I am an atheist mainly because I do not hold beliefs in the supernatural. I aspire to base my thinking and philosophy on science and technology as it seems to hold high predictive power.

I have no problem with religion as part of culture but I dismiss any claims in the supernatural within them.

I dislike personalities with strong tendencies to believe in supernatural phenomenona, selectively dismissing or making up evidence to support their beliefs as I like to hold conversations on a rational and intellectual basis for insights and knowledge.

Religions are often systematically framed or based on supernatural beliefs rather than cultural heritage which makes me generally cautious and uncompfortable when dealing with them.

[jamesconan]

Have we progressed from fruitless debating of religion's validity, instead evaluating its societal consequences? That would be a sign of our liberal times...

[Drudenfusz]

I am not sure, but to me it seems that pretty much all the issues mentioned are just in the interpretations of some misguided people, not intrisically in the religions or in religion in geeneral, since there are religions which seem to cause only very rarely such trouble since one cannot make such interpretations there. So, the problem might be not religion, but the human nature.

[geertdecoster]

I don't need to interact with anyone who rejects my periods of meditation whilst they pay for weekly sessions of mindfulness. Just need them to accept my faith as I do theirs.

[apocify]

General statements and presumptions on thing which does not exists "religion". Religion is intellectual category in real life there is no religion. There is only Catholic Church, Orthodox Churches, countless protestant and other pseudo-Christian denominations, Islam, Judaism, etc. The idea of religion in modern Religious studies is even more vague and general than that of for example "a vehicle". Shooting arguments on every side and putting it up together as an argument does not work. It has no intellectual weight whatsoever.

[wphwavesperhour]

He makes sense, but he's on his own crusade.
He's absolutely obsessed with religion.
He once suggested an Atheist mass on a Sunday in Dublin where all the Atheists get together and follow his version of a moral compass.
He means well, but....

[starwonder]

"THE DEVIL IS A LIAR FROM THE BEGINNING" 🤔