Intellectual juggernaut and staunch atheist Christopher Hitchens goes head-to-head with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, one of the Western world’s most openly devout political leaders, on the highly charged topic of religion.

Few world leaders have had a greater hand in shaping current events than Blair; few writers have been more outspoken and polarizing than Hitchens. In this edition of The Munk Debates -- Canada’s premier international debate series -- Hitchens and Blair square off on the contentious questions that continue to dog the topic of religion in our globalized world: How does faith influence our actions? What is the role of people of faith in the public sphere? Is religious doctrine rigid, or should we allow for flexibility in our interpretations?

This exclusive debate, which played out to a sold-out audience, is now available in print form, along with candid interviews with Hitchens and Blair. Sharp, provocative, and thoroughly engrossing, Hitchens vs. Blair is a rigorous and electrifying intellectual sparring match on the oldest question: Is religion a force for good in the world?

Tony Blair was prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007. Since leaving office, he has served as the Quartet Representative to the Middle East, representing the U.S., the UN, Russia, and the EU. In 2008 he launched the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, which promotes respect and understanding among the major religions. He is also the founder of the Africa Governance Initiative, an organization that works with leaders and their governments on policy delivery and on attracting sustainable investment in Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Tony Blair lives in London, U.K.

Tony Blair's profile page

Christopher Hitchens was a journalist and the author of twenty books, including the international bestselling book God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. He was a regular contributor to Vanity Fair, The Atlantic Monthly, and Slate. His writing has also appeared in the Weekly Standard, the National Review, and The Independent, and he has made television appearances on The Daily Show, Charlie Rose, and Real Time with Bill Maher.

Hitchens was named one of the world’s "Top 100 Public Intellectuals" by Foreign Policy and Britain's Prospect. He recently wrote a memoir, Hitch-22.

Christopher Hitchens' profile page

Hitchens vs. Blair will give you plenty to ponder.

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