Here’s today’s 100th dispatch from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.

Does religion breed violence and ignorance? That subject of much debate will, in fact, be debated next Tuesday (11/15) from 6:45 PM to 8:30 PM (ET) at NYU’s Skirball Center in New York City. Intelligence Squared U.S. (IQ2US) is sponsoring the event.

Making the case for the proposition “The World Would Be Better Off Without Religion” will be author/filmmaker and Science Debate President Matthew Chapman and famed atheist and author A.C. Grayling.

Arguing in opposition to the motion are King’s College President Dinesh D’Souza (author of What’s So Great About Christianity) and Rabbi David Wolpe who, in 2008, was declared by Newsweek to be the “#1 Pulpit Rabbi in America.”

Dana Wolfe, the executive producer of IQ2US says “Religion is one of our most requested topics and we are expecting this to be a highly-charged debate.”

Journalist John Donvan of ABC News Nightline will moderate the philosophical showdown and the webcast will be carried live by this blog on Tuesday night.

The debate will take place in front of a live audience at NYU Skirball Center in New York City which will vote to decide the winning team. Tickets are going for $40 ($12 for students w/ID). To purchase, visit www.iq2us.org.

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED DEBATES (IQ2US)
Based on the highly successful Intelligent Squared debate program in London, Intelligence Squared U.S. has presented over 50 debates on a wide range of provocative and timely topics. From global warming and the financial crisis, to Afghanistan/Pakistan and the death of mainstream media, Intelligence Squared U.S. brings together the world’s leading authorities on the day’s most important issues.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11