Has Religion Been a Boon or Bane to Humanity?

03/27/2008 at 12:00 p.m.

The New Atheists like Christopher Hitchens argue religious people are (in their different ways) planning our destruction. Hitchens says religion poisons everything. Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Christopher Hedges says "I Don't Believe in Atheists" – the title of his recent book. Hedges' retort – the New Atheists are preaching a form of fundamentalism as dangerous as religious fundamentalism. So who is right? Chris Hedges got so agitated after debating the New Atheists that he wrote a book–length response. Hedges is the son of a Presbyterian minister, a divinity school graduate and fellow at The Nation Institute. Hear what he and the new atheists have to say, and give us a call to tell us what you think. News is first.

Guests:
Chris Hedges is a fellow at The Nation Institute; and the the author of books including American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America and I Don't Believe in Atheists.