Unbelievable? 11 Sep 2010 - Is the Catholic church a force for good or evil?

With the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the UK, some are protesting that his visit should not be sponsored by the State. They say that the Catholic church is a force for bad in the light of its record on human rights, child abuse and past persecution.

Peter D Williams, a young "revert" to Catholicism from atheism argues the Catholic church's record of wrongs has been overstated and misunderstood and that it remains the most beneficial institution in the world today.

Andrew Copson, Director of the British Humanist Association and part of the Protest the Pope Coalition argues that the Pope should not visit the UK in the manner of a head of State and that the record of the Catholic church undermines its claim to be a force for good.

For Peter D Williams see http://www.catholicvoices.org.uk/team

For Andrew Copson see http://www.humanism.org.uk/home

For the IQ2 debate see http://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/catholic-church

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast at http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 27 Feb 2010 - Stop worrying and enjoy your life" - are we better off without God in Britain? Andrew Copson of the British Humanist Association vs. David Robertson

Unbelievable? 12 Dec 2009 - Dawkins debate on "Atheism is the New Fundamentalism" - review with interviews

Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable