I was raised a Catholic in Scotland. Catholic primary and secondary school, christened, first communion and first confirmation etc! As soon as I went to college and was allowed to learn and think for myself I very quickly realised that my beliefs were not my own. People like Stephen Fry are unbelievably influential in encouraging people to be open minded and free thinking
Same here mate, I went through all the rituals but don't remember ever believing. I do remember going in to the confessional to tell the dirty beast all the terrible sins I committed...the ones I made up just before going in.
Catholic Father and a Half-Jewish Mother - We were very big on 'Guilt' at home! Educated as an 'Anglican Fundamentalist' at a Church of England school - And, turned-out 'Atheist!' I wonder why?
Stephen is also an actor, writer, director and producer. You may have seen him in Blackadder, if you've watched any of that series. He was also the original host of QI. He campaigns on a range of issues. Especially those around mental health. He's bi-polar himself. He has an incredible body of work, across so many different spheres and in so many different media. He's seen as a national treasure by most Brits. Even by many who disagree with him on particular issues. He's a remarkable man. :)
Stephen Fry is not only a British national treasure, but thanks to his books, TV and the internet, a global treasure. Humble, intelligent, extremely funny and a great speaker as well. Love the guy!
@@jesmarina having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's importance. Fry is intelligent, witty, charming, a brilliant entertainer but his ego is HUGE.
@@jesmarina The way he talks down to people, go read some accounts of people meeting him. Not quite the Mr Nice Guy that he plays on TV. I'm sure you probably think Phillip Schofield and Gary Lineker are 'lovely and down to Earth' too?
Keep having an open mind young man. Stephen Fry is just a legend. I wish more people were open to listening to debate and your opening point was spot on. People are free to believe what they want as long as they don't force it on others or use it as an excuse to make humanity worse.
True. He is also the standard answer to the dinner party question. 'which famous people, alive or dead, would you want to invite to a dinner party?'. One of those people is going to be Stephen Fry!
Stephen Fry is a national treasure here. He’s known for being very intelligent, and is a great advocate for mental health, being very open and honest about his struggle with bipolar disorder. A very kind and interesting man.
@@tozmom615 What makes you think he doesn't have bipolar disorder? Just because one bloke said he had histrionic personality structure? Was Professor Reid Stephen Fry's doctor? Going by the meaning of histrionic personality disorder/structure: "For people with histrionic personality disorder, their self-esteem depends on the approval of others and does not arise from a true feeling of self-worth. They have an overwhelming desire to be noticed, and often behave dramatically or inappropriately to get attention." It seems more like they were throwing an insult at Stephen Fry.
@@OEDODRAGON he openly identifies as a person with bipolar illness. Aka Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive is a 2006 two-part television documentary directed by Ross Wilson and featuring British actor and comedian Stephen Fry. It explores the effects of living with bipolar disorder on other celebrities and members of the public.
This was a brilliant reaction to a brilliant person. I've always been a Stephen Fry fan. He's so coherent and well spoken, having been educated at Cambridge university and can articulate the simplest and complex concepts in a manner that makes you want to listen to him for ages. Well done on the reaction mate! Take care. Shout out from Australia 👍
Ricky Gervais summed up his take on religion the best when he said (an i'm paraphrasing) 'if all the books on religion and all the books on science vanished today... In 1000 years only the science books would return as science is based on proven facts'. Stephen Fry is awesome in debates. You'd want him on your side!
That´s a brilliant argument... Stephen Fry has not only brains but a great passion to fight injustice and immorality... That makes him such a great advocate against the church...
the only reason Islam persists is because the culture and language just won't allow it to go away, if you got rid of Islam and Christianity and all knowledge of it with a click of the fingers it would never return because it's purely cultural but Newton's Principia would return even if knowledge of it were deleted because it describes reality so it would be re-discovered pretty quickly
The only religions that’d really come back and flourish would be ancient ones- those who believe the sun, moon and earth itself are Gods. At least it’s based on something you can see lmao
This is a ridiculous argument because if you believe in God then you believe religion would always come back because God would make it so, it disproves nothing
@@desperatemohammedantheworl5833 why is he not intelligent? All he did was point out the evil nature of the Catholic Church? Am I to assume because you dint feel he is intelligent, u condone what the Catholic Church has done then?
Highest respect for Stephen Fry. He is not afraid to say how it is! I'm a gay guy, and in my life I have been called evil, a pedo, even my parents brought me up in the thought that all gay guys molest kids. I have never hurt anybody in my life. I work 13hrs a night caring for elderly people. I cared for my mum through terminal cancer until she passed away in my arms. Yet according to the catholic church I am going to hell (I've been told by religious followers many times) just because of the way I was born, through no choice of my own.
I'm 75 years old and can sometimes find things a bit depressing but you give me hope for the future. The outcome of this debate also are reasons to be positive. I applaud your curiosity and compliment you on your choice of speakers to react to. Stephen Fry is a treasure and the loss of Christopher Hitchens is deeply felt by many around the world.
Hey, chin up Bob, kids nowadays have bigger peer groups than our days and a more open outlook. Joel is one of a raft of 'good kids' who actually think morally before they think in group terms. Yes they can 'mob' at times, but, you won't find kids like Joel in these mobs. Open information leads to questioning minds. Be well, uncle. __/|\__ EDIT Hitch, Bill Hicks and George Carlin are immortal due to the internet. Kids dig all this stuffs ;) [ Lenny Bruce is meat for kids like Joel, they listen to Frankie Boyle 🤣 ]
Stephen Fry is widely considered to be a national treasure here in England, not because he's a good speaker, not because he's very intelligent, not because he's gay, not because he's very funny, not because he's a very good actor, for the most part it's because he is a genuine, openly nice person, and people appreciate that kind of honesty.
Peter Hitchens once described Stephen Fry as “a stupid persons idea of an intelligent person” . This made me laugh as I always thought of Peter Hitchens as “everyone’s idea of an inferior sibling”.
I wish more young people were like you. You are interested in peoples arguments and thoughts without showing any bias yourself. I would recommend you look up Cosmicskeptic.He is a young man like yourself who is at Oxford University and has made many videos over the the years about religion. His name is Alex J O’Connor and he is worth having a look at. He is also very intelligent and articulate and someone of your own generation . He has much to choose from!
@@svenred6eard757 Have u watched the Four Horseman talk? I think they put forward a very convincing argument for the future of religion (basically religion without superstition)
@@felixdasilva3130 Well yes, I suppose. Then that would mean I could declare that my religion is heavy metal. And there's nothing superstitious about it. Does that not render the word 'religion' to be pointless? Help me here.
Oh, you HAVE to react to Richard Dawkins reading his 'fan' (hate) mail. It's got a lot of swearing in it, but honestly the letters he receives are unbelievable. Fry is one of the greatest National Treasures we in the UK have ever had, but Hitchens and Dawkins are up there with him too.
No one has to watch him at all. he's tragic. he comes across as a painfully posh dad trying to be cool and it's so hard to watch. Whever I watch him I just feel like I'm with a person who's trying really hard to show off how cool n awesome they are. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a clip of him online somewhere of him giving a speech at a university, call god a 'wack ass mothersucker' midway through n then scan everyones faces for approval like 'hey :DD I said a funny thing right ? :DDD you like me now?? I'm cool right?? :DDD' the guy needs to stop
@@Gulliedoutbigup I think you just need to chill and take it at face value. I really don't think he's the type of person to be interested in looking clever or right, he just wants people to know the facts. It may just be because of him being posh that you feel an automatic sense of someone trying to show off, but personally I don't see it.
@@Gulliedoutbigup I think you totally miss an important fact about Dawkins: he really doesn't care ** what ** people think about him. Dawkins is not out to impress anyone with Dawkins. That isn't to say that he's not trying to get our attention, as he clearly IS. But his motivation is far from self-aggrandizement. Instead, he's about getting people to actually pay attention to the science and think ** critically ** instead of dogmatically.
Stephen Fry's brain, soul, heart, and vocabulary make me swoon. Not in a romantic or sexual way, I mean I just get so enraptured by him speaking that I can't speak when he's talking. I don't want to miss any tiny note in his voice haha. He's a gift we don't deserve.
Stephen is a national treasure, pure and simple. Kind, compassionate, and an all round great egg. He is the polar opposite to the Hitch and Dawkins, in his gentleness. He is a great communicator and one of the greatest of us modern Britons (and one of the greatest atheists/humanists). We are here Joel, decent people like yourself, who care about humanity and our fellow primates we are called humanists, and you are one, my friend.
Christopher Hitchens & Richard Dawkin were/are (respectively) incredible, intelligent men, but Stephen Fry is on another level. He is kind, sympathetic & a generally decent man. He's also a great raconteur & has a wicked sense of humour. He's one of the best things ever to have come from the UK, & he is a national treasure, a trite expression but I genuiney mean it.
Stephen Fry is the No.1 person I'd like to be with if I was trapped in a lift or train for his sheer intellect and tremendous wit. A legend. Stephen of course is a great comedian i.e, Blackadder
Asking a question, having an opinion, and being allowed to voice both is fundamentally what makes us human. The problem is, and history has shown this, being honest and asking ‘questions’ upsets various people/groups of people. Religion has a great way of justifying any heinous crimes & cruelties.. by simply saying, “oh well, God works in mysterious ways” (Watch Jim Jeffries, Heaven & Hell..he nails it)
then of course there is the atheist excuses we give ourselves too, political ideology , financial gain, border control,resourse management, trade route protection, all good reasons, the right reasons, yes, yes they are we agree they are, so they are. what a world we make, they have theirs and we have ours virtue all round good fellows all,( they are deluded and our reason is reasons, what an improvement we've made, what an advanced mind we have) still the fighting never stops.
Stephen fry went to University with Hugh lowrie, they both did a sketch on BBC that was very popular called, Jeeves and wooster. They also starred in Blackaddet together with Tony Robinson and Rowan Atkinson aka Mr Bean. All very intelligent and went to University
Love watching your videos, seeing you explore and gain knowledge. As we say, you seem to have a very good head on your shoulders and with that, a bright future🤙🤙
I have to say Fry is one of the most inteligent people I know, and puts his viewpoint over in a clear way everyone can understand. As well as being a very funny man too, the tv programme QI is one I think you would enjoy joel
Dara O'Briain, an Irish comedian who also is a physicist, to people who say things like "Ah, but science doesn't know everything" replies "of course it doesn't. If it did it would stop."
You DO have the potential to achieve the intellectual of Fry and Hitchens, Joel. You have the intelligence and the curiosity which will lead you to acquire depth of knowledge and the persistence to make your own sense of things. Go for it!
Depth of knowledge is secondary, the really important parts are curiosity and learning to think. The first part of this is to accept ones own fallibility and looking for ways how better understanding can be reached. The second is being able to entertain an idea without necessarily accepting it. Joel seems to have all of this in good measure, so I agree, he's on a good way.
Stephen is a huge intellect and a delivery that is unique in that it is never offensive but direct and correct.. he is also ( or used to be ) .. HUGE... I stod next to him in the bar at the Press Club once in London, many moons ago, and was 'intimidated" by his size before i knew his intellect was equally intimidating.. hahah
Young man, you're an incredible discovery for me. First, I see how much you enjoy British military and royal pageantry, then I see your enjoyment of the mass spectacle of British football and its fans. And then I discover how much you respect the intellectual depth and nature of men like Stephen Fry and Christopher Hitchens, departed too soon. Kid, you're my hero!!
You summed it up perfectly. "Imagine if humans came together as a group and were just good humans". Unfortunately Relgion(s) has actively prevented that for thousands of years.
Great reaction video..never a good idea to argue with Mr Fry! He usual beats them into an intellectual pulp..he did do a very good tour of America worth a watch! A great ambassador for the UK.. blessings
Stephen Fry is intelligent no doubt. But reacting to one side is disingenuous. His view on children dying young pre supposes he knows anything about what he is talking about. His moral judgement is his. I’m not defending Catholicism but rendering his view as knowing why on anything is validated.
You're definitely in the right mindset. The best thing about people like Stephen Fry and Hitch is that they can make you think for yourself. You don't necessarily have to agree with them, but they make you think which is never a bad thing
I feel like I could listen to Stephen Fry reading a phone book and I'd be amazed. I absolutely love his man, always delivers amazing speeches and arguments. We all should try to be a little bit more like Mr Fry.
When he was asked about being Prime Minister, he said it was a poisoned chalice, and he couldn't stand the hate directed towards him. Such a shame, he would have been brilliant.
Hey I just found your channel and I rarely comment but I have to give you kudos for being an american who actually educate yourself on what the rest of the world is up to and seeking out people with maybe various views from you or your country⭐️ i was an exchange student in the US and I’m a hundred percent sure that not a single one know who Stephen Fry or Christoper Hitchens is! Your life will truly be greater for it, xo from Norway🇳🇴
I have no doubt that huge shift in opinions was mainly down to Fry's amazing ability to explain the truth in a way it can be understood. I have so much respect and love for him!
When I was a kid back in the 60s & 70s I loved Star Trek. I used to have arguments with my dad about the tech. He would say that the Communicator was ridiculous and that you would need a massive box with a long antenna to reach that far. He would also laugh at the phasers saying that you can't shoot someone with a beam of light. Bearing in mind that the Star Trek story was set in the 24th century I would argue that this is the future. It's only the 21st century and our smart phones are so much more advanced than anything that the sci-fi writers could even dream possible and that we can now blast a hole through a 6 foot block of concrete with a laser just shows that science is more incredible than we realise. Religion is a tool to explain what we don't yet know or understand. I wish I could sit with Steven fry & talk for hours. If only the religious leaders were as smart, kind & loving as him the world would be a paradise.
Stephen is honestly just too smart for these people. I watched that debate over the catholic church, and they couldn't manage any decent rebuttal to the points he made. Side note... The 34 undecided at the end of that debate is the part of the population not even smart enough to be told what they think by religion, and who didn't understand a word of what Fry or Hitchens said.
We need to send him as our ambassador to do the US or perhaps actually set them straight over there a little bit more. Perhaps he can help them with the current ridiculous abortion arguments they’ve got going on over there and wanting it to be done on a state-by-state basis rather than a national right to have.
@@danielwhyatt3278 As a Texan I would be overjoyed to have Fry as the ambassador, though I'm doubtful even his talents would be sufficient to save this sinking ship. America has fully embraced the brain-dead stupidity. It's now just a population of empty-headed consumers, constantly fighting among themselves, and they can't even articulate why.
@@sarahgreen653 Yes, and in more recent times the same is true of reactionaries in a much broader sense. I fear we knocked the evangelical fundamentalists off their pedestal only to make room for something even worse.
Somewhere, along the way from childhood to adulthood we forget how to question and ask, 'why?' Such is the power to conform and be conditioned. Stephen Fry should be mandatory viewing and listening in the UK school curriculum on pretty much every subject. Very engaging.
I love conversations and discussions like this. People like Stephen Fry often give you great food for thought - and often introduce you to new ideas and ways of thinking about topics and the world - which in turn can often be challenging and very different to your own beliefs and thought processes. Engaging with others like this usually helps people of all opinions to gain greater knowledge, understanding and empathy for others - and to realise why certain people view the world as they do. I used to enjoy that about university: people getting together from a wide variety of backgrounds and life experiences and talking/discussing/agreeing/disagreeing about any topic under the sun, with no hard feelings afterwards, just a willingness to learn. When you leave Uni, and become engaged in "real life" you'll find that those opportunities are often few and far between - so, as you obviously have a very open mind and a willingness to learn, try to make maximum use of that invaluable side of your university/college experience.
Stephen Fry,,, a kind of guru in many ways,,,, but I would never confuse Religion with Faith. I grew up in Catholic Ireland,,,, and after the exposure of the many crimes perpetrated by this Church,,, I’m happy to say they will never again be allowed to do anything like they have gotten away with this far . Investigation is still ongoing into Mother And Baby homes . And I say to young JPS. You are doing the absolute correct thing,,,always keep yourself informed,,, never loose sight of the fact that love for one another and the world we inhabit and you will always have peace of mind . So ❤❤❤👌👌👌👍👍👍John, LONDON.
Absolute agreement with your comments, John - but you slipped in "I would never confuse Religion with Faith". I think that I would. Religion(s) requires faith [None of them could exist without without it]. Faith is a fundamental requirement of religion(s) [None of them could exist without it]. No confusion there, surely? Both are interdependent.
Hi Michael,,,,you’re quite right about religion,,irrespective of the doctrine. Bur scripted religion is a man made concept. Designed to exercise control,,,especially over Women. God as they understand it is incredibly important to give their version of faith some validation. My view of faith is based on everything I see around me on this earth. I have faith / hope that my car will transport me around London today . But that’s not even close to the faith I still have that there’s a god but faith is not something to be imposed on others ,,not something to be used for control over others ,,not something to be used to use against for the purpose of condemnation,,,,on who’s behalf is this done ? All the best and keep the glass half full. John.@@michaelpatterson5811
This right here is why I love Stephen Fry. Yes, he is a comedy legend and I adore him for that. But he's a thoroughly decent man who speaks his mind in a factual, non-violent way and gets people talking. Stephen is incredibly intelligent xxx
You need to see the other sides of Stephen Fry. Actor, comedian, quiizmaster etc. Watch Blackadder, Fry and Laurie, QI, all mentioned in these comments.
This Intelligence2 debate is one of my all time favourite things ever, I've watched it several times and I am in deep awe and admiration towards both of them, what intelligence, what humanity, what eloquence. They wiped the floor with the other side and I can only wish to be 10% as measured as they are/were. Absolute treasure
Stephen Fry was also in the 2nd and 4th Blackadder series, _Blackadder II_ and _Blackadder Goes Forth,_ as well as the the final episode of _Blackadder the Third._
I love Stephan Fry. He is an extremely intelligent man. As a gay man he is a inspiration for me. He doesn't push it, but just wants the same opportunity as anyone else. Which thankfully especially in the UK I same the same opportunity as anyone else. Also his comedy is genius. Loved him in Blackadder, Jeeves and Wooster, QI. Also something I think you should watch JP is a a comedy show called "A bit of Fry and Laurie", I think it's extremely underrated and very funny. Hugh Laurie his best friend is also excellent, another one of my favourite Brits. Obviously you'll know him from the massive USA hit as doctor house. But you should definitely watch Hugh Laurie before he broke America.
Thank you for this video. I did not know that Stephen Frey has debated with representatives of the Catholic Church in this way. He is so reasoned in his views, is well versed in the facts and history. I can only admire this.
@@SimSim-zf9if I always thought , when I was older , that Dave Allen would have been a wonderful actor in a play for the day . BBC plays back in the day . He just had so much empathy . Wonderful guy . 👍👋❤️
stephen fry - a genius, a triumph of intelligence and just plain common sense over bullshit dogma. a huge influence for many people including myself. a chap who stands for what just makes sense, devoid of petty intolerance over details that should mean nothing. top man, funny, extremely intelligent and interesting and a brilliant writer too
The interview between John Cleese and Michael Palin a with a guy called Malcolm Muggeridge and a bishop over how offensive the latter two thought The Life of Brian was blasphemous is worth a watch
An is was just a film about mistaken identity. So then the Pythons went and tried to make a really blasphemous film - The meaning of life - and noone noticed :)
Excellent reaction. Stephen Fry is always worth a watch, listen or read. If you are interested in Greek mythology, he has written 3 very good and entertaining books/audiobooks on the subject.
Great to see you on your voyage of discovery, keep going wherever it leads! For some mind blowing concepts explained in a way that even I can understand, I recommend anything by professor Brian Cox, a physicist, ex pop musician , and great communicator.
Check out Stephen Fry's documentary series he did in 2008 called Stephen Fry In America. He travels across all 50 states in his little black London cab.
I really respect your opening comments... I agree 100%. People should be able to think or believe anything that they want. As long as those ideas are not enforced on others.
I'm sorry, I don't know the name of the young American who is reacting here but I'd like to say thank you for taking the time to react in an honest way to some of our English icons. I often wonder how we're seen around the world.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
I was raised a Catholic in Scotland. Catholic primary and secondary school, christened, first communion and first confirmation etc! As soon as I went to college and was allowed to learn and think for myself I very quickly realised that my beliefs were not my own. People like Stephen Fry are unbelievably influential in encouraging people to be open minded and free thinking
Same here mate, I went through all the rituals but don't remember ever believing. I do remember going in to the confessional to tell the dirty beast all the terrible sins I committed...the ones I made up just before going in.
I grew up thinking Catholism wasn't big in Scotland, where I come from there is only Baptist churches and Church of Scotland churches.
Catholic Father and a Half-Jewish Mother - We were very big on 'Guilt' at home! Educated as an 'Anglican Fundamentalist' at a Church of England school - And, turned-out 'Atheist!' I wonder why?
That is why many religious institutions and key leaders of repressive countries don't like him or fear his rhetoric
@@lewismackay9533 the Catholic schools I went to in the 80's and 90's don't even exist anymore.
Stephen is also an actor, writer, director and producer. You may have seen him in Blackadder, if you've watched any of that series. He was also the original host of QI. He campaigns on a range of issues. Especially those around mental health. He's bi-polar himself. He has an incredible body of work, across so many different spheres and in so many different media. He's seen as a national treasure by most Brits. Even by many who disagree with him on particular issues. He's a remarkable man. :)
Completely agree and sorry I missed your comment. Otherwise I wouldn't have repeated the same in my comment.
His episode of Who do you think you are is fascinating and Geevs and Wooster is comedy genius as well as the aforementioned Blackadder.
Sad too that he suffers severe depression
He is one of the most inclusive, intelligent caring blokes while dealing with his own demons came to be one of the best of the British....... EVER
@@homoerectus6953 Totally agree!!! He is one of my favourite people alive right now, alongside Keanu Reeves and Bob Mortimer! x
Stephen Fry is not only a British national treasure, but thanks to his books, TV and the internet, a global treasure.
Humble, intelligent, extremely funny and a great speaker as well. Love the guy!
Stephen Fry...Humble?!? AHAHAHAHAHAHA Brilliant.
@@matthill3293 Clearly you don't know the meaning of the word.
@@jesmarina having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's importance.
Fry is intelligent, witty, charming, a brilliant entertainer but his ego is HUGE.
@@matthill3293 how do you figure? Show an example of his huge ego please.
@@jesmarina The way he talks down to people, go read some accounts of people meeting him. Not quite the Mr Nice Guy that he plays on TV.
I'm sure you probably think Phillip Schofield and Gary Lineker are 'lovely and down to Earth' too?
I love people being savage in such a polite way. Stephen is great!
If I could believe that this was representative of how "America Reacts", I'd probably sleep a little easier.
More power to you young man!
Keep having an open mind young man. Stephen Fry is just a legend. I wish more people were open to listening to debate and your opening point was spot on. People are free to believe what they want as long as they don't force it on others or use it as an excuse to make humanity worse.
Fry has been a national treasure since the 80's. Such an intelligent and funny man.
Stephen Fry is loved by most of us in the UK. We all wish we had him as an uncle.
Not just in the UK. I'm Dutch and I've loved Stephen Fry for decades. Thoughtful, well-spoken, passionate, funny; what's not to love?
True. He is also the standard answer to the dinner party question. 'which famous people, alive or dead, would you want to invite to a dinner party?'. One of those people is going to be Stephen Fry!
I disagree, Keith. I wish he was my child.
I'm not and never have been religious, but I consider myself a good person. Steven Fry is a top bloke.
@@michaelpatterson5811 Would you want him asking you questions like a child! Could be embarrassing! )
Stephen Fry is a national treasure here. He’s known for being very intelligent, and is a great advocate for mental health, being very open and honest about his struggle with bipolar disorder. A very kind and interesting man.
I think he should be a national treasure around the world. He's such a great man.
@@tozmom615 What makes you think he doesn't have bipolar disorder? Just because one bloke said he had histrionic personality structure? Was Professor Reid Stephen Fry's doctor?
Going by the meaning of histrionic personality disorder/structure:
"For people with histrionic personality disorder, their self-esteem depends on the approval of others and does not arise from a true feeling of self-worth. They have an overwhelming desire to be noticed, and often behave dramatically or inappropriately to get attention."
It seems more like they were throwing an insult at Stephen Fry.
@@OEDODRAGON he openly identifies as a person with bipolar illness.
Aka
Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive is a 2006 two-part television documentary directed by Ross Wilson and featuring British actor and comedian Stephen Fry. It explores the effects of living with bipolar disorder on other celebrities and members of the public.
This was a brilliant reaction to a brilliant person. I've always been a Stephen Fry fan. He's so coherent and well spoken, having been educated at Cambridge university and can articulate the simplest and complex concepts in a manner that makes you want to listen to him for ages. Well done on the reaction mate! Take care. Shout out from Australia 👍
Ricky Gervais summed up his take on religion the best when he said (an i'm paraphrasing) 'if all the books on religion and all the books on science vanished today... In 1000 years only the science books would return as science is based on proven facts'. Stephen Fry is awesome in debates. You'd want him on your side!
Didnt he also say; he really only belives in one less god than a Christian?
That´s a brilliant argument...
Stephen Fry has not only brains but a great passion to fight injustice and immorality... That makes him such a great advocate against the church...
the only reason Islam persists is because the culture and language just won't allow it to go away, if you got rid of Islam and Christianity and all knowledge of it with a click of the fingers it would never return because it's purely cultural but Newton's Principia would return even if knowledge of it were deleted because it describes reality so it would be re-discovered pretty quickly
The only religions that’d really come back and flourish would be ancient ones- those who believe the sun, moon and earth itself are Gods.
At least it’s based on something you can see lmao
This is a ridiculous argument because if you believe in God then you believe religion would always come back because God would make it so, it disproves nothing
From what you say Joel, I would say you are an intelligent, enquiring and compassionate young man and long may you continue to be so.
Stephen Fry is an unbelievably intelligent man , incredibly funny and a true national treasure
Unbelievably intelligent? OK...
@@desperatemohammedantheworl5833 - Absolutely agree.
Yeah and I dont believe he's intelligent. I guess you're right
@@desperatemohammedantheworl5833 why is he not intelligent? All he did was point out the evil nature of the Catholic Church? Am I to assume because you dint feel he is intelligent, u condone what the Catholic Church has done then?
So is Her Majesty the Queen and the church of England.
"Humans being good humans" The best dream for humanity.. Well done, you hit the nail on the head
Stephen Fry is such a kind, intelligent, caring person who speaks such sense on many subjects. He's also a good actor and comedian. Lovely man.
Stephen Fry has a real warmth to him when he speaks, he’s very easy to listen to and he genuinely is fascinated by the world.
Highest respect for Stephen Fry. He is not afraid to say how it is! I'm a gay guy, and in my life I have been called evil, a pedo, even my parents brought me up in the thought that all gay guys molest kids. I have never hurt anybody in my life. I work 13hrs a night caring for elderly people. I cared for my mum through terminal cancer until she passed away in my arms. Yet according to the catholic church I am going to hell (I've been told by religious followers many times) just because of the way I was born, through no choice of my own.
It's a good job they are becoming a minority and hope you can ignore them, you know your a good person and that's all that matters 🤗🤗
@@W0rdsandMus1c aww thank you Jane x
I'm 75 years old and can sometimes find things a bit depressing but you give me hope for the future. The outcome of this debate also are reasons to be positive. I applaud your curiosity and compliment you on your choice of speakers to react to. Stephen Fry is a treasure and the loss of Christopher Hitchens is deeply felt by many around the world.
I miss the good times when Hitchens , Dawkins, Harris and Fry could debate these issues on mainstream media all with difference type of arguments.
Hey, chin up Bob, kids nowadays have bigger peer groups than our days and a more open outlook. Joel is one of a raft of 'good kids' who actually think morally before they think in group terms.
Yes they can 'mob' at times, but, you won't find kids like Joel in these mobs.
Open information leads to questioning minds.
Be well, uncle. __/|\__
EDIT
Hitch, Bill Hicks and George Carlin are immortal due to the internet. Kids dig all this stuffs ;) [ Lenny Bruce is meat for kids like Joel, they listen to Frankie Boyle 🤣 ]
Stephen Fry is widely considered to be a national treasure here in England, not because he's a good speaker, not because he's very intelligent, not because he's gay, not because he's very funny, not because he's a very good actor, for the most part it's because he is a genuine, openly nice person, and people appreciate that kind of honesty.
Peter Hitchens once described Stephen Fry as “a stupid persons idea of an intelligent person” . This made me laugh as I always thought of Peter Hitchens as “everyone’s idea of an inferior sibling”.
Petulant little brother syndrome often on display with Peter Hitchens.
Except Peter is right
The wrong Hitchens died. Peter Hitchens is an awful man who has a column in the Daily Mail which says it all really.
@@zapkvr Hardly
Peter stole the quote about Newt Gingrich - Newt is what a stupid person thinks a smart person sounds like
Steven Fry is a comedian.
He was chair of QI for a long time.
He worked beside Hugh Laurie (House) in Fry and Laurie a comedy sketch show.
Have fun
I wish more young people were like you. You are interested in peoples arguments and thoughts without showing any bias yourself. I would recommend you look up Cosmicskeptic.He is a young man like yourself who is at Oxford University and has made many videos over the the years about religion. His name is Alex J O’Connor and he is worth having a look at. He is also very intelligent and articulate and someone of your own generation . He has much to choose from!
And Rationality Rules, and GM Skeptic 🙃
And Aron Ra.
Don't forget the Ra!
@@felixdasilva3130 Type in 'Sam Harris destroys Christianity'. It's an utterly complete KO.
@@svenred6eard757 Have u watched the Four Horseman talk? I think they put forward a very convincing argument for the future of religion (basically religion without superstition)
@@felixdasilva3130 Well yes, I suppose.
Then that would mean I could declare that my religion is heavy metal. And there's nothing superstitious about it.
Does that not render the word 'religion' to be pointless? Help me here.
Oh, you HAVE to react to Richard Dawkins reading his 'fan' (hate) mail. It's got a lot of swearing in it, but honestly the letters he receives are unbelievable. Fry is one of the greatest National Treasures we in the UK have ever had, but Hitchens and Dawkins are up there with him too.
No one has to watch him at all.
he's tragic.
he comes across as a painfully posh dad trying to be cool and it's so hard to watch.
Whever I watch him I just feel like I'm with a person who's trying really hard to show off how cool n awesome they are.
I wouldn't be surprised if there's a clip of him online somewhere of him giving a speech at a university, call god a 'wack ass mothersucker' midway through n then scan everyones faces for approval like 'hey :DD I said a funny thing right ? :DDD you like me now?? I'm cool right?? :DDD'
the guy needs to stop
@@Gulliedoutbigup I think you just need to chill and take it at face value. I really don't think he's the type of person to be interested in looking clever or right, he just wants people to know the facts. It may just be because of him being posh that you feel an automatic sense of someone trying to show off, but personally I don't see it.
@@Gulliedoutbigup I think you totally miss an important fact about Dawkins: he really doesn't care ** what ** people think about him. Dawkins is not out to impress anyone with Dawkins. That isn't to say that he's not trying to get our attention, as he clearly IS. But his motivation is far from self-aggrandizement. Instead, he's about getting people to actually pay attention to the science and think ** critically ** instead of dogmatically.
ruclips.net/video/W4_qabuNkhw/видео.html
prime example.
the guy tries too hard to be DoWn WiTh ThE KiDzzZz
good day.
Love letters to Dawkins is hilarious
He’s a wonderful magnificent brilliant Englishman, I’m so proud he’s one of us.
Fry and Hitchens are just such intellectual giants compared to Widdecombe and the bishop. The difference is staggering.
yeah, i almost felt sorry for them...
@@sophisticat7673 Almost… but it is very hard to feel anything for Widdecombe. She is horrible!
In fairness to Widdecombe and the Archbishop... just about everyone on the surface of this planet would lose in any argument against those two...
@@sophisticat7673 Almost....I wouldn't even go that far lol!
Don't forget Richard Dawkins! 😎
I admire the way you listen to reason, and don't get over-excited in your responses. I wish more people were like you.
Well explored young man. Your intelligence and ability to think critically, along with your own Fry-like eloquence is so refreshing. Thank you
Such a great young man you are. You give us old folks hope about your generation... Keep it up!
Stephen Fry's brain, soul, heart, and vocabulary make me swoon. Not in a romantic or sexual way, I mean I just get so enraptured by him speaking that I can't speak when he's talking. I don't want to miss any tiny note in his voice haha. He's a gift we don't deserve.
Me too, Dianaou .... :-)
Stephen is a national treasure, pure and simple. Kind, compassionate, and an all round great egg. He is the polar opposite to the Hitch and Dawkins, in his gentleness. He is a great communicator and one of the greatest of us modern Britons (and one of the greatest atheists/humanists).
We are here Joel, decent people like yourself, who care about humanity and our fellow primates
we are called humanists, and you are one, my friend.
Christopher Hitchens & Richard Dawkin were/are (respectively) incredible, intelligent men, but Stephen Fry is on another level. He is kind, sympathetic & a generally decent man. He's also a great raconteur & has a wicked sense of humour. He's one of the best things ever to have come from the UK, & he is a national treasure, a trite expression but I genuiney mean it.
Danke!
“Humans being good humans.” This could be the dictionary definition of secular humanism.
I could listen to Stephen for hours on end. Great review 😎👍🏻
Stephen Fry is the No.1 person I'd like to be with if I was trapped in a lift or train for his sheer intellect and tremendous wit. A legend. Stephen of course is a great comedian i.e, Blackadder
Ordinarily I'd agree with you but I think a lift engineer would be my number one! ;)
Lift 🇬🇧 = Elevator 🇺🇸
@@taxidude 😂😂😂👍
Asking a question, having an opinion, and being allowed to voice both is fundamentally what makes us human. The problem is, and history has shown this, being honest and asking ‘questions’ upsets various people/groups of people. Religion has a great way of justifying any heinous crimes & cruelties.. by simply saying, “oh well, God works in mysterious ways” (Watch Jim Jeffries, Heaven & Hell..he nails it)
then of course there is the atheist excuses we give ourselves too, political ideology , financial gain, border control,resourse management, trade route protection, all good reasons, the right reasons, yes, yes they are we agree they are, so they are. what a world we make, they have theirs and we have ours virtue all round good fellows all,( they are deluded and our reason is reasons, what an improvement we've made, what an advanced mind we have) still the fighting never stops.
Stephen fry went to University with Hugh lowrie, they both did a sketch on BBC that was very popular called, Jeeves and wooster. They also starred in Blackaddet together with Tony Robinson and Rowan Atkinson aka Mr Bean. All very intelligent and went to University
Watch him in QI!
Their sketch shows were 'A bit of Fry and Laurie. 'Jeeves and Wooster' was the TV series they did based on the P G Wodehouse books.
I was at this debate. Hitchens and Fry absolutely smashed it.
Amazing. I’d love to be at such a debate.
Love watching your videos, seeing you explore and gain knowledge. As we say, you seem to have a very good head on your shoulders and with that, a bright future🤙🤙
Joel you just get smarter and smarter. What a cool man you are turning into. Best from Toronto.
I have to say Fry is one of the most inteligent people I know, and puts his viewpoint over in a clear way everyone can understand. As well as being a very funny man too, the tv programme QI is one I think you would enjoy joel
Dara O'Briain, an Irish comedian who also is a physicist, to people who say things like "Ah, but science doesn't know everything" replies "of course it doesn't. If it did it would stop."
You DO have the potential to achieve the intellectual of Fry and Hitchens, Joel. You have the intelligence and the curiosity which will lead you to acquire depth of knowledge and the persistence to make your own sense of things. Go for it!
Depth of knowledge is secondary, the really important parts are curiosity and learning to think. The first part of this is to accept ones own fallibility and looking for ways how better understanding can be reached. The second is being able to entertain an idea without necessarily accepting it.
Joel seems to have all of this in good measure, so I agree, he's on a good way.
Stephen is a huge intellect and a delivery that is unique in that it is never offensive but direct and correct.. he is also ( or used to be ) .. HUGE... I stod next to him in the bar at the Press Club once in London, many moons ago, and was 'intimidated" by his size before i knew his intellect was equally intimidating.. hahah
Young man, you're an incredible discovery for me. First, I see how much you enjoy British military and royal pageantry, then I see your enjoyment of the mass spectacle of British football and its fans. And then I discover how much you respect the intellectual depth and nature of men like Stephen Fry and Christopher Hitchens, departed too soon. Kid, you're my hero!!
You summed it up perfectly. "Imagine if humans came together as a group and were just good humans".
Unfortunately Relgion(s) has actively prevented that for thousands of years.
Great reaction video..never a good idea to argue with Mr Fry! He usual beats them into an intellectual pulp..he did do a very good tour of America worth a watch! A great ambassador for the UK.. blessings
"you're free to believe what you want as along as you don't impose yourself upon other people" gained my respect and my sub. Well said my brother. 👍
You should watch the panel show hosted by Stephen fry!! It’s called QI ….his intelligence has no end!!!!
I second this
That's Quite Interesting..... 😀
Definitely!!!!
The Q I fact checkers also have a brilliant podcast called no such thing as a fish, its so funny and clever.
Stephen Fry is intelligent no doubt. But reacting to one side is disingenuous. His view on children dying young pre supposes he knows anything about what he is talking about. His moral judgement is his. I’m not defending Catholicism but rendering his view as knowing why on anything is validated.
Listening to Stephen Fry, on any subject, will increase the intelligence of almost anyone on planet earth.
You're definitely in the right mindset. The best thing about people like Stephen Fry and Hitch is that they can make you think for yourself. You don't necessarily have to agree with them, but they make you think which is never a bad thing
I feel like I could listen to Stephen Fry reading a phone book and I'd be amazed. I absolutely love his man, always delivers amazing speeches and arguments. We all should try to be a little bit more like Mr Fry.
Gosh he is a really intellectual man hey, He should be in parliament speaking realities as he does. Brave man !!
He's honest! What use would that be in parliament? They would destroy him!
When he was asked about being Prime Minister, he said it was a poisoned chalice, and he couldn't stand the hate directed towards him. Such a shame, he would have been brilliant.
Hey I just found your channel and I rarely comment but I have to give you kudos for being an american who actually educate yourself on what the rest of the world is up to and seeking out people with maybe various views from you or your country⭐️ i was an exchange student in the US and I’m a hundred percent sure that not a single one know who Stephen Fry or Christoper Hitchens is!
Your life will truly be greater for it, xo from Norway🇳🇴
I have no doubt that huge shift in opinions was mainly down to Fry's amazing ability to explain the truth in a way it can be understood. I have so much respect and love for him!
This is the second time I’ve watched this with you. You have a fantastic intellect and I’ve now saved it. Best wishes from a 60 year old woman 😊😊😊
When I was a kid back in the 60s & 70s I loved Star Trek. I used to have arguments with my dad about the tech. He would say that the Communicator was ridiculous and that you would need a massive box with a long antenna to reach that far. He would also laugh at the phasers saying that you can't shoot someone with a beam of light. Bearing in mind that the Star Trek story was set in the 24th century I would argue that this is the future. It's only the 21st century and our smart phones are so much more advanced than anything that the sci-fi writers could even dream possible and that we can now blast a hole through a 6 foot block of concrete with a laser just shows that science is more incredible than we realise. Religion is a tool to explain what we don't yet know or understand. I wish I could sit with Steven fry & talk for hours. If only the religious leaders were as smart, kind & loving as him the world would be a paradise.
Hi,I am English.
I'm really pleased to see/hear you reacting to Stephen Fry.
He's a lovely man with a lot to say.
Stephen is honestly just too smart for these people. I watched that debate over the catholic church, and they couldn't manage any decent rebuttal to the points he made. Side note... The 34 undecided at the end of that debate is the part of the population not even smart enough to be told what they think by religion, and who didn't understand a word of what Fry or Hitchens said.
We need to send him as our ambassador to do the US or perhaps actually set them straight over there a little bit more. Perhaps he can help them with the current ridiculous abortion arguments they’ve got going on over there and wanting it to be done on a state-by-state basis rather than a national right to have.
@@danielwhyatt3278 As a Texan I would be overjoyed to have Fry as the ambassador, though I'm doubtful even his talents would be sufficient to save this sinking ship. America has fully embraced the brain-dead stupidity. It's now just a population of empty-headed consumers, constantly fighting among themselves, and they can't even articulate why.
In the words of Ricky Gervais, "If you could reason with religious people, there would be no religion".
@@sarahgreen653 Yes, and in more recent times the same is true of reactionaries in a much broader sense. I fear we knocked the evangelical fundamentalists off their pedestal only to make room for something even worse.
Well Stephen Fry and Christopher Hitchens had all the ammunition. It was like bringing a knife to a nuke fight.
Great discussion. Keep it up Jps!
I always support freedom of thinking. Good arguments were made. It seems that the church has become obsolete.
There are Great Britain’s and then there’s Steven Fry, changing peoples perceptions with facts and honesty with no bias.
Stehen Fry is a very sophisticated man ,and a great actor .
Somewhere, along the way from childhood to adulthood we forget how to question and ask, 'why?' Such is the power to conform and be conditioned. Stephen Fry should be mandatory viewing and listening in the UK school curriculum on pretty much every subject. Very engaging.
I love conversations and discussions like this. People like Stephen Fry often give you great food for thought - and often introduce you to new ideas and ways of thinking about topics and the world - which in turn can often be challenging and very different to your own beliefs and thought processes. Engaging with others like this usually helps people of all opinions to gain greater knowledge, understanding and empathy for others - and to realise why certain people view the world as they do. I used to enjoy that about university: people getting together from a wide variety of backgrounds and life experiences and talking/discussing/agreeing/disagreeing about any topic under the sun, with no hard feelings afterwards, just a willingness to learn. When you leave Uni, and become engaged in "real life" you'll find that those opportunities are often few and far between - so, as you obviously have a very open mind and a willingness to learn, try to make maximum use of that invaluable side of your university/college experience.
Stephen Frys weapon, honesty. Its all you need. Nice video,thank you
I love Stephen, I think after seeing his serious side you should react to some of his comedy as part of the duo Fry and Laurie.
Well said about the Hitch. We all mourn his loss. We need his voice and there is no other quite like him.
Stephen Fry,,, a kind of guru in many ways,,,, but I would never confuse Religion with Faith.
I grew up in Catholic Ireland,,,, and after the exposure of the many crimes perpetrated by this Church,,, I’m happy to say they will never again be allowed to do anything like they have gotten away with this far .
Investigation is still ongoing into Mother And Baby homes .
And I say to young JPS. You are doing the absolute correct thing,,,always keep yourself informed,,, never loose sight of the fact that love for one another and the world we inhabit and you will always have peace of mind .
So ❤❤❤👌👌👌👍👍👍John, LONDON.
Absolute agreement with your comments, John - but you slipped in "I would never confuse Religion with Faith". I think that I would. Religion(s) requires faith [None of them could exist without without it]. Faith is a fundamental requirement of religion(s) [None of them could exist without it]. No confusion there, surely? Both are interdependent.
Hi Michael,,,,you’re quite right about religion,,irrespective of the doctrine.
Bur scripted religion is a man made concept.
Designed to exercise control,,,especially over Women.
God as they understand it is incredibly important to give their version of faith some validation.
My view of faith is based on everything I see around me on this earth.
I have faith / hope that my car will transport me around London today .
But that’s not even close to the faith I still have that there’s a god but faith is not something to be imposed on others ,,not something to be used for control over others ,,not something to be used to use against for the purpose of condemnation,,,,on who’s behalf is this done ?
All the best and keep the glass half full.
John.@@michaelpatterson5811
This right here is why I love Stephen Fry. Yes, he is a comedy legend and I adore him for that. But he's a thoroughly decent man who speaks his mind in a factual, non-violent way and gets people talking. Stephen is incredibly intelligent xxx
Not only is Fry a brilliant man but one of his ancestors invented the chocolate bar.
Is he connected to the Frys chocolate company ?
Wow that was great. I’d seen the debate a couple of time but had never seen the numerical outcome of the vote. Amazing!
Thanks.
the guy is a genius and Hitchens was too
Don't forget Hitchens brother Peter.
And Dawkins he does just as much
@@neilgayleard3842 i don't agree with Peter on a lot of things
I admire you for choosing to explore all views in order to make an informed view and decisions about things
You need to see the other sides of Stephen Fry. Actor, comedian, quiizmaster etc. Watch Blackadder, Fry and Laurie, QI, all mentioned in these comments.
Don't forget Jeeves & Wooster which are all available on RUclips.
This Intelligence2 debate is one of my all time favourite things ever, I've watched it several times and I am in deep awe and admiration towards both of them, what intelligence, what humanity, what eloquence. They wiped the floor with the other side and I can only wish to be 10% as measured as they are/were. Absolute treasure
Two men I have utmost respect for, nice to see a young person researching these men. Both have great reading recommendations if you enjoy reading.
Stephen Fry was also in the 2nd and 4th Blackadder series, _Blackadder II_ and _Blackadder Goes Forth,_ as well as the the final episode of _Blackadder the Third._
He’s not the kind of person you want to get into an argument with unless you know absolutely everything you’re talking about is 100% factual
Absolutely adore Steven Fry. Let’s also remember that people used to worship the sun, volcanoes etc
I love Stephan Fry. He is an extremely intelligent man. As a gay man he is a inspiration for me. He doesn't push it, but just wants the same opportunity as anyone else. Which thankfully especially in the UK I same the same opportunity as anyone else. Also his comedy is genius. Loved him in Blackadder, Jeeves and Wooster, QI. Also something I think you should watch JP is a a comedy show called "A bit of Fry and Laurie", I think it's extremely underrated and very funny. Hugh Laurie his best friend is also excellent, another one of my favourite Brits. Obviously you'll know him from the massive USA hit as doctor house. But you should definitely watch Hugh Laurie before he broke America.
Thank you for this video. I did not know that Stephen Frey has debated with representatives of the Catholic Church in this way. He is so reasoned in his views, is well versed in the facts and history. I can only admire this.
Us Brits are much more secular and sceptical. Church attendance is dropping year on year.
and long may it continue!
@@SimSim-zf9if Dave always signed off with ' and may your God be with you ' Pretty radical back in the day . Lovely guy 👍
@@SimSim-zf9if I always thought , when I was older , that Dave Allen would have been a wonderful actor in a play for the day . BBC plays back in the day . He just had so much empathy . Wonderful guy . 👍👋❤️
stephen fry - a genius, a triumph of intelligence and just plain common sense over bullshit dogma. a huge influence for many people including myself. a chap who stands for what just makes sense, devoid of petty intolerance over details that should mean nothing. top man, funny, extremely intelligent and interesting and a brilliant writer too
The interview between John Cleese and Michael Palin a with a guy called Malcolm Muggeridge and a bishop over how offensive the latter two thought The Life of Brian was blasphemous is worth a watch
I second this!!!
That program totally made the church look stupid! 🏴
An is was just a film about mistaken identity. So then the Pythons went and tried to make a really blasphemous film - The meaning of life - and noone noticed :)
Finally the bright side of RUclips. I've seen so many RUclipsrs get led down the path of hate. Keep going my friend.
I could listen to Stephen Fry talk all day long.
Stephen Fry is the modern renaissance man. Remarkably intelligent. And a comedic genius. My idol of many years.
And in this video he's popping off!
He’s whole interview about the Pearly Gates is the best response I have ever heard.
I love that you reacted to this, he's amazing. Would love to hear your thoughts now after posting this a few months back.
Excellent reaction.
Stephen Fry is always worth a watch, listen or read.
If you are interested in Greek mythology, he has written 3 very good and entertaining books/audiobooks on the subject.
Yeah, I read them a while ago. They really are great!
Great to see you on your voyage of discovery, keep going wherever it leads!
For some mind blowing concepts explained in a way that even I can understand, I recommend anything by professor Brian Cox, a physicist, ex pop musician , and great communicator.
Check out Stephen Fry's documentary series he did in 2008 called Stephen Fry In America. He travels across all 50 states in his little black London cab.
I really respect your opening comments...
I agree 100%. People should be able to think or believe anything that they want. As long as those ideas are not enforced on others.
Imagine there was no religion and people were just nice to each other.
I'm sorry, I don't know the name of the young American who is reacting here but I'd like to say thank you for taking the time to react in an honest way to some of our English icons. I often wonder how we're seen around the world.
Joel or Jps
Dude just unironically said "just don't impose your beliefs on other people, that's how we should all live"
Outstanding.
Great commentary and reaction. Cheers!
National treasure🙏🙏🙏🙏 Stephen Fry....supremely intelligent wordsmith and brain as big as the universe!😀
Another great reaction video. Thanks for checking out Stephen.