KnifeMissile

As some of you might have noticed, I've taken a break from the whole subject of Richard Dawkins, at least, for now... actually, I haven't, really. However, during my viewings of many of his interviews and debates on YouTube, I discovered some videos of Julia Sweeney. I was particularly impressed with her monologue Letting Go of God.

The real topic of this thread is the reaction that some people had to an interview of Sweeney on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. This is the interview:

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Many YouTube members who bothered to comment thought that Ferguson was being passive aggressive but I don't see it. He interjected with a lot of jokes but, as a comedy show, how is this surprising or even inappropriate? He gave her ample opportunity to speak her mind, he went out of his way to say that he's not challenging her and he even had a touch of self deprecation in presenting his own views, including the crack about the dog. What was especially striking to me was his retraction of his request for her to explain his dog phenomena. I'm not sure about this but I think he might have even made a bit of fun of how pious the US is.

So, does anyone watching this interview see the same things that I do? Does anyone have a different interpretation of how the interview went? I'm very interested to hear some opinions on this. Thank you...

Halx

It was a good interview aside from the fact that this woman's voice is grating. Funny interjections from the host, just doing his job as a comedian. I kinda feel about this woman the same way gays feel about bisexuals. In order to be taken seriously, atheists need less ambiguity because it's not particularly an ambiguous declaration. You either believe in god or you don't. This woman gets lost in trying to make her position more friendly where she should have stated her case and moved on.

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ngdawg

I don't know that it's so cut and dry as to say you believe or don't. My mother questions and while leaning against the 'there is no God' feeling, she states she really doesn't know. She questions why would "God" allow things like Katrina to happen, or AIDS, but doesn't declare a total nonbelief. On the other hand, I declare a total nonbelief but leave the window open just a crack.
I've seen Julia Sweeney in the past, talking about her cancer, her brother's cancer and questioning why would this all happen. Grating voice aside, let's not forget that she is an entertainer and to be adamant about her 'atheism', more or less wearing it like a badge, would be the deathknoll to her career; instead, while stating she is atheistic, she leaves that window open a crack and uses her personal insight to entertain and connect to her audience. She's a smart woman.

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Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

Ourcrazymodern?

I thought host and guest demonstrated good rapport and a willingness to agree to disagree, in addition to fine senses of humor.

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