Veritas Forum 2010
'We Don't Do God'? Secularism and Faith in the Public Square
The third annual Veritas Forum at Oxford took place in the Sheldonian Theatre on Wednesday, 12th May 2010.
The forum took the form of a moderated discussion between well-known atheist and author of God is Not Great, Christopher Hitchens, and Professor John Haldane, a Christian philosopher from the University of St Andrew's.
The discussion was ably moderated by Sherif Girgis, and MPhil candidate in philosophy and member of the Graduate Christian Union committee. The key questions addressed whether secularism or some faith-based worldview provides a superior public philosophy. Which provides a more robust foundation for respect of human rights and liberties, and other widespread public values and ideals? Would it be fairer or more neutral to have a secular public square -- one free of appeals to religiously informed principles and arguments? Is this even possible?
The discussion and question and answer session, which took place in a packed Sheldonian, were lively, with Christopher Hitchens, in particular, giving his usual display of rhetorical fireworks. John Haldane's approach was considerably more measured and the tone of his contributions considerably more academic but he gave no ground and made many strong points. Many members of the audience had clearly arrived with their minds made up as to which position they favoured but there was plenty of food for thought for all.
Informal discussions continued at a book-signing and reception in Blackwell's bookshop on Broad Street and Christian postgraduates reported that conversations with friends they had taken along lasted long into the night.
Prior to the event, a dinner and informal discussion between the speakers and a few selected guests took place. In this picture Richard Dawkins, Emeritus Professor of the Public Understanding of Science, in conversation with Dr Ard Louis, Reader in Theoretical Physics and a trustee of the Oxford Pastorate.