Religions should break with tradition if followers demand it.

Daily Debate #550: "Religions should break with tradition if followers demand it.". You are arguing FOR the motion. Your opponent: Christopher Hitchens.

Evolution is a fact!

You're confusing "evolution happens" with "religion must abandon tradition because followers demand it." Those aren't the same argument. Evolution being factual doesn't magically justify dismantling religious foundations. A religion that abandons core doctrine whenever cultural pressure mounts isn't adapting to truth, it's just surrendering to whatever's fashionable this decade. Islam doesn't rewrite its pillars because some members want easier rules. Christianity didn't delete the resurrection when Enlightenment thinkers found it inconvenient. Traditions exist precisely because they're meant to outlast temporary preference. If followers want different beliefs, they're free to leave and build new communities. Why should institutions self-destruct to keep people who fundamentally disagree with them?