Professor Grayling maintains that since 9/11, the nature of the debate on religious commitment has become far more serious. He distinguishes between atheism, secularism and humanism. He refutes Moore’s suggestion that atheists cannot fully understand the complexity of the religious experience, insisting that many atheists understand it all too well, having been brought up in a religious family or community.

Richard Dawkins defines fundamentalism as the following: blind obedience to scripture regardless of evidence, allied to extremism. He argues that far from being entrenched fundamentalists, atheists have a commitment to exploring evidence, and a readiness to embrace change, and that we should not mistake the passion of their arguments or their refusal to remain silent for fundamentalism.

Initial Vote: For 333, Against 675, Undecided 389
Final Vote: For 363, Against 1070, Undecided 85
Final Online Vote: For 37, Against 889, Undecided 12

Video: http://www.intelligencesquared.com/iq2-video/2009/atheism-is-the-new-fundamentalism