That whole sex/food metaphor and the point he drove home with it actually gave me goosebumps. Stephen Fry is a genuis

Stephen Fry: the personification of intellect, the purest and most gratifying and impassioned of speakers. The way he is able to allocate his beliefs without sounding too snobby or rude, he merely conducts himself with ease and grace...he will always be my one of my personal heroes, and always will be, for he is the voice of reason and truth...a truly remarkable human individual. I salute you Mr. Fry, your words will resonate with me always and will never peter out in my eyes!

@felixthecat3n2

Жыл бұрын

Stephen Fry knowingly indulged in huge quantities of cocaine for many, many years. In doing so, he knowingly helped fund an industry that kills, tortures, rapes, exploits and enslaves others. If I told you I got my tea from slaves, you’d rightly be disgusted and appalled. Frankly, I find him hypocritical in that regard, as so many showbiz people are. Whatever his great qualities - and he has many - he has blood on his hands, as does anyone indulging in cocaine. I wonder if he’d agree with me?

@georgebreakfast5890

Жыл бұрын

He's a total pseud. He's a dimwit bullshitting and hoping nobody will check.

@jimboronimo

Жыл бұрын

Splendidly put. Nothing to add. ❤

I love how he chose to say "That's not 'nice'". It's such an understatement that it yells at you.

This year, at age twenty-one, I have only just plucked up the courage to tell my mother that I will not be going to church anymore. I do not believe in God or anything catholicism stands for. The fact that I feel like I am letting people down is one of the fundamental problems with the institution. Also, what he says about catholicism being "anything other than implacably opposed to women's choice in their own bodies and their destinies" really resonated with me. Well done, Mr Fry!

Only Stephen Fry could make such an impassioned speech without sounding arrogant and preachy. I loved how the power of his words poured from his mouth with tenderness and ease.

Thank you, Stephen. As a conservative, heterosexual grandfather whose daughters have married Catholics and (despite their own atheism) agreed to having their children raised as Catholics, I can only hope that my grandchildren can find their own answers. These powerful, compassionate and decently presented arguments will help.

@bloodisfrightening1203

Жыл бұрын

I couldn’t imagine having someone I care about be brainwashed right in front of my eyes. Have the strength to be there for them.

@thesubhumancomedy

Жыл бұрын

@@bloodisfrightening1203 @Blood is frightening I don't know all the science I believe. I trust institutions/Universities(mainly). The local church or a belief is nothing that will brainwash anyone, unless falsely preached. Had there not been churches, what substitute hade there been? You can be overly smart and still believe in a Christian God. I think David has a good approach; If they are happy, I am happy.

Stephen Fry is brilliant, passionate and expresses with such a commanding clarity and humbling compassion. Stepheb displays to us all that he is much wiser than his years. Thank goodness that there are such gentlemen who are living examples of understanding and humanity in our midst.

his metaphor about food makes the church's obsession with sex so clear. wonderfully stated and explained. well done mr. fry

This never gets old or refutable, He's such a caring honest man.

7:42 and up is absolutely the most inspiring speech I have heard in a long time.

Wow... I always assume that I can't adore this person any more, but then he surprises me with such an extraordinary speech.

One of the few times that i would say Hitch didn’t steal the spotlight in a debate. This was a tour de force by Stephen. A systematic dismantling of the Catholic church and its lies before our very eyes. It was clear for anyone to see that this was a topic that truly resounded with Stephen and he brought all guns to bear on this corrupt and sinister organisation. Barely contained fury wielded with laser like precision. Every point he made struck true and struck hard. A mesmerising performance by an incredible orator.

The absolute orator. A true voice. A true intellect. One of humankind’s most powerful creations.

I needed to hear this, in March 2023. Still so relevant

Quite possibly one of the most eloquent and powerful speeches in modern times. Deserves way more views and awareness than it has received. Wow.

That's Anne Widdicombe, a former member of the British parliament. I think she first questions Fry's quote of her in the first video and is saying "They have a choice" in the second. It's interesting to note that she is an ardent supporter of the reintroduction of the death penalty in the UK, and yet is chosen to represent a church based on a book proclaiming love and forgiveness. If she's the best debating partner the church could muster, I fear their intellectual battle already lost.

Stephen Fry is brilliant on this. Tells the brutal truth but with such charm. Big love for the Fry!

"BUT SO DO CONDOMS!" Thank you Stephen! I would love to point and shout that to anyone who believes condom use will not help prevent the spread of STDs. It had to be put that bluntly, the attitude and blatant lies against some sensible protection is absolutely outrageous.

@jandrews6254

Жыл бұрын

I’ve heard that a man infected with AIDS may believe that raping a virgin will cure him. But oh dear, no condoms! That’s EVIL!

We love you Stephen Fry ! You are a treasure , humanitarian, a beautiful person and my hero! Thank you

My goodness... thank you Mr. Fry!!! Fantastic to hear truth! So much I could say but not the place to do so. I love you Mr. Stephen Fry for the honest man you are! Keep on kind sir...

A powerful speech indeed! A late comment but I have never watched this before, well said Stephan!

Intelligently, passionately and beautifully put. This man is a true humanitarian. There is absolutely no faulting what he said. This is probably the ONLY video I've ever seen where no-one has commented negatively over what he has said. His citations and quotes proved everything he said and there was no weak chain in his argument. Truly remarkable.

Hitch and Fry absolutely cutting the Vatican to pieces is one of the most glorious things I’ve ever watched.

Thanks for posting the whole thing, that was incredible.

An astounding speech by Mr. Fry. Love the fact that he isn't bashing on religion, but rather the cruel nature of most of the Catholic Church. I wish more people would be open to the opinions of others. I used to be an avid church-goer myself, but as I began to question the validity of what I was being taught there, I realized that my own personal relationship with God was more important than socializing with other members of the church.

Thank you so much for uploading this

Raised as a catholic in Ireland I have to say he's right to a large extent. It has been a very large negative influence on my grand parents and parents generations. Many of the social injustices in my homeland have derived from Catholic Church supported ideals and our social class system has been guarded jealously by them. Luckily through wide spread education, a sense of social ownership and overseas travel we have seen the error of their ways in this generation and taken off their blindfold.

After 13 years this is more relevant than ever.

Great speech Stephen, well done! Accurate and articulate.

Well expressed. Happy New Year to one and all! 🎉

Stephen Fry managed to put the catholic church exactly were they belong, the dark ages Thank you

I don’t believe there’s a man alive who could have put it better , he’s intelligent, articulate, and as the courage to stand up and speak for almost 20 unscripted,

Everything he said was amazing! Truly remarkable man

Where there is Religion, there is no space for truth. But where there is truth, there is no need for religion.

They say nobody's perfect, but I think Stephen is the only exception.

Completely brilliant! Plus just spotted Derren Brown in the audience at 9:34 (look between the two ladies to the row behind). And yes, it really is him.

I love him so much for this

stunningly said... thank you !

Well done Stephen! Please, everybody, link this to facebook, my space or any other medium available to you. Spread the word as cathlics spread theirs. Let the world know what is really going on.

i love this man so much

One of the best, passionate and emphatic speeches against religion ever.

Could not have said it better thank you mister fry

Brilliant!

Awesome, just Awesome

When he said Uganda was his favourite country on earth it just raised my admiration for him even more!

I love you, Mr Fry. That was perfect, a role model!

Brilliant, just brilliant.

This was so good, but Hitchens debate was absolutely incredible.

If there is anybody in the world who can put forward a convincing, eloquent, informed intellectual argument, it's Steven Fry. Alas, even his superior debating skills, reasonable world view and vast breadth of knowledge is not enough to undo thousands of years of religious dogma piped into the minds of these bigots since childhood. The catholic church is a business, based on fear, ignorance and hypocrisy. And business is good.

haha nice one Steo!

Well done, I applauded and cheered at my laptop.

this man is too good :D i love him

This is perfect

So beautiful and so true.

Oh..now I remember why I adore this man...

Unfortunately i can only give this wonderfully intelligent man a thumbs up. It doesn't seem enough. He exposes the catholic church for what it was and still is when all is said and done. Religions are really reprehensible - beyond redemption and morally bankrupt. It really is about imaginary friends (god/gods as per dogma) that will give us preference over any other living organism - how conceited.

I did not know I could hold my breath for almost 10 minutes.

Awesome!

that was beautiful

Every word he uttered is truth wrapped in power.

Completely agree, not quite religious, but nor am I fundamentally against religion. Have massive respect for Stephen Fry, for everything he said. Comes across as reasonable, accepting, and balanced. Really enjoyed this speech.

@ianmontgomery7213

Жыл бұрын

maybe you are a bit like me. Although I am an atheist I am happy for people to have a faith but not happy for them to be part of an organised religion. Religion is just a way of controlling people.

Absolutely fucking brilliant!

One hell of a smart articulate man!!! xx

I'm not at all surprised at how Widdecombe found it entirely impossible to keep her mouth shut as Stephen was ripping the Church a new one.

He is so spectacularly clever. Thank god for stephen fry!

@jonasilia

Жыл бұрын

he wouldnt like that

Sadly, it tells so much about the world today - and the way religion blatantly embraces itself as a business - that immediately this amazing footage finished, I was hit with TWO advertisements for religious organisations... Selling faith and belief as products. Organised religion is monetised religion, and I shit it. Stephen Fry is brilliant.

It is like taking a warm shower to listen to the words of this amazing man. I was expecting Ann W to catch a fly with her tongue during his speech.

You can hear the compassion that guides his reasoning. A person who dares to understand that love cannot be housed in a doctrine, or expressed in referencing passages from a text. He dares to be real. Poor Joseph. As I was thinking "go to hell" I remembered that to me the words are meaningless. Only the faithful understand "love" in a desire, and real expectation of the endles torture of other human beings.

Stephen Fry is an inspiration

One of the best speeches ive ever heard! Serioulsy, any christian who argues against this is clearly brainwashed and unable to use reason!

I love his tie. ^^

Why can't we have a state leader like Stephen Fry? I love this man so much.

@peterenshaw1868

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely. I think all Countries and all Religions could benefit from such a leader.

I love you Stephen Fry your just radiant

this guy is a star

Thank you, rational person

So glad he is on our side. What a voice - Ingersoll reborn.

Absolutely 💯 right on the money every word of it truth

as Jeremy Clarkson said, "the perfect human has Cameron Diazs looks and Stephen frys mind"

"Who could possibly quarrel with a Quaker?' Richard Nixon was a Quaker.

I genuinely enjoyed this... My opinion on this subject is EXACTLY the same as the opinion of Mr. Fry. The problem was that I can't put together such a coherent and well-spoken statement, I think not even if I took the time to try... So I'm pleased that this is online, so if anyone asks me about my opinion I can refer them to these 2 videos and answer the questions they may have... Well done, Steven

@CianOSheehan Yes, its not always easy to remember these things.

I love him and I love this! :)

Wow. I'd only seen the edited versions of Hitchens' and Fry's presentations, but these unedited ones are even better. They are both great orators, and they utterly demolished the Catholic Church here.

There is really only one measure of a government, society, religion, family or person: Do they promote love, kindness and justice - or hate, division and injustice. What do you see and hear around you? And, will you believe your own eyes and ears, or rely of what you're told? As a wise man said 2500 years ago; “Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.” ― Buddha Siddhartha Guatama Shakyamuni

…i need a smoke…that was amazing…😂. Seriously though…

Anyone whose concern isn’t the children harmed, but rather the people that did the harm for years and the institution that hid the harm and protected the ones that did, has no basis to call anyone a pervert. In fact, they’ve no basis to show their face on public, more be seen in public without being called out for the evil they’ve done and condoned.

Brilliant! Gutsy! Bravo!

OMG, I would not want to be sitting on the opposite side of the table from Hitchens & Fry. If i were them.. I would pull the fire alarm & run.

I caught myself clapping aloud. Anyone else?

Big fan of Stephen Fry, have been for years--been binge-watching my 4 sets of QI for almost a year now............but it is important to realize that he has some radical blind spots, chief is religion. Whether one believes or not, any discussion MUST be done with intellectual honesty. Sadly, many of Fry's comments, while sounding very erudite, are based in a deliberate ignoring of so many truths (NOTE: In Saying "truth", I do not mean any sort of scientifically proven fact...I mean the truth of what was done or said IN ITS ENTIRETY, not just the bits that support ones position...or, the truth of both WHAT and HOW e.g. the Catholic Church's teachings are expressed and arrived at. I take no exception to anyone who wants to challenge or disagree with anything....BUT...challenge and disagree with what's actually there, not with your own biased interpretation of it.

Well Said Stephen!

you can see peoples beliefs by looking at who isnt clapping when they turn to the audiance

I don't understand why anyone would want to remain associated with the Catholic church after hearing that speech. Epic stuff.

@Caladors I think he's just quite nervous - from the few shots at the right angle you can see how massive the audience is, and given that the subject matter is a) controversial and b) very important to him, it's no surprise that he found himself a little weak at the knees.

MAN.....If Stephen Fry debates against your opinion, you just might as well change it before he opens it's mouth...probably the most eloquent debater alive.

"beknighted institution" very important

mr fry told them like it is...well done ...top man

How is this man so smart

What kind of ELOQUENT, CLASSY and INTELLIGENT speech? Praise Fry, tbh.

LOL. at 3:40 i swear Ann is saying "I like chocolates. I like chocolates."