I do not believe that controversy is harmful on general
grounds. - It is not controversy and open differences
that endanger democracy.
On the contrary, these are its greatest safeguards.

It is an essential part of democracy that substantial
groups, even majorities, should extend toleration to
dissentient groups, however small and however much their
sentiments may be outraged.
In a democracy it is necessary that people should learn
to endure having their sentiments outraged ...

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( obs skummel gli i oppfatningen av glosen 'kontrovers' )

COPLESTON: .. but your general point then, lord Russell, is
that it's illegitimate even to ask the question of the cause
of the world?

RUSSELL: Yes, that's my position.

COPLESTON: If it's a question that for you has no meaning,
it's of course very difficult to discuss it, isn't it?

RUSSELL: Yes, it's very difficult. What do you say -
shall we pass on to some other issue?

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Mer detaljer av disse læresetenes verbale brytekamp kan høres her

To come to this question of the existence of God, it is a
large and serious question,
and if I were to attempt to deal with it in any adequate manner
I should have to keep you here until Kingdom Come --

so you will have to excuse me if I deal with it in a somewhat
summary fashion.

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( eks. på mer elaborerte skisser av nyere dato legges frem her )