Debating God
Atheism Debates - discussions and debates between atheists and theists about god, religion, morality and more.
Is the Problem of God's Existence Solvable?
Some argue that there are problems which simply cannot be rationally solved and, therefore, they can't properly be called philosophical problems (because philosophy aims at rational solutions to problems). Is the question of the existence of God one of them? Is this problem not solvable?
Some argue that there are problems which simply cannot be rationally solved and, therefore, they can't properly be called philosophical problems (because philosophy aims at rational solutions to problems). Is the question of the existence of God one of them? Is this problem not solvable?
Who has the Burden of Proof?
The concept of a ‘burden of proof‘ is important in debates - whoever has a burden of proof is obligated to "prove" their claims in some fashion. If someone doesn't have a burden of proof, then their job is much easier: all that is required is to either accept the claims or point out where they are inadequately supported. In debates between atheists and theists, who has the burden of proof?
The concept of a ‘burden of proof‘ is important in debates - whoever has a burden of proof is obligated to "prove" their claims in some fashion. If someone doesn't have a burden of proof, then their job is much easier: all that is required is to either accept the claims or point out where they are inadequately supported. In debates between atheists and theists, who has the burden of proof?
Why Debate The Existence of God?
There is a common perception that there must be ‘something more‘ to atheism than simply disbelief in gods because of the fact that atheists are so often engaged in debates with theists. After all, what's the point of debating if not to convert someone to some other philosophy or religion?
There is a common perception that there must be ‘something more‘ to atheism than simply disbelief in gods because of the fact that atheists are so often engaged in debates with theists. After all, what's the point of debating if not to convert someone to some other philosophy or religion?
Debating God: Foundations for Atheists and Theists Debating the Existence of God
Debates between atheists and theists over the existence of God are common, but really good and productive debates are rare. I'm not talking about the formal, professional debates between trained debaters; I'm talking about more personal and private debates — serious discussions between serious people. What can be done to improve their quality and ensure that time isn't wasted?
Debates between atheists and theists over the existence of God are common, but really good and productive debates are rare. I'm not talking about the formal, professional debates between trained debaters; I'm talking about more personal and private debates — serious discussions between serious people. What can be done to improve their quality and ensure that time isn't wasted?
Cry Out to Buddha: Why Don't Christians Try, Just in Case?
Too many Christians seem to want to make a virtue out of dishonesty. They use Pascal's Wager as a defense for theism, arguing that it's acceptable to convert simply out of self-interest. They tell non-believers to simply pretend to believe for a while to see if that belief helps them. Why don't they follow this advice when it comes to other religions?
Too many Christians seem to want to make a virtue out of dishonesty. They use Pascal's Wager as a defense for theism, arguing that it's acceptable to convert simply out of self-interest. They tell non-believers to simply pretend to believe for a while to see if that belief helps them. Why don't they follow this advice when it comes to other religions?
Religion vs. Irreligion: War as a Producer of Religious Doubt
Some claim that there are no atheists in foxholes, thinking that confrontations with the horror and dangers of war must lead people to believe in God. The truth, however, is that such confrontations actually lead some people to abandon belief in God and encourage atheism. This seems to have been especially true during World War I.
Some claim that there are no atheists in foxholes, thinking that confrontations with the horror and dangers of war must lead people to believe in God. The truth, however, is that such confrontations actually lead some people to abandon belief in God and encourage atheism. This seems to have been especially true during World War I.
Evaluating Theistic Claims: Defending & Supporting God as Explanation
Can atheists explain why the universe and life exist? Maybe, maybe not - there are possible and at least partial explanations, but not ones which theists tend to accept. Theists think that they have a superior explanation - their god - and criticize atheists for not offering something better. The problem is, there are no good reasons for accepting the theistic explanation.
Can atheists explain why the universe and life exist? Maybe, maybe not - there are possible and at least partial explanations, but not ones which theists tend to accept. Theists think that they have a superior explanation - their god - and criticize atheists for not offering something better. The problem is, there are no good reasons for accepting the theistic explanation.
Betting on God, Betting on Gullibility
A lot of theists seem to really like the theological argument known as Pascal's Wager. They genuinely seem to believe that they can convince others to accept their theism merely because it seems, superficially, like a good and safe bet. What on earth is going through their minds?
A lot of theists seem to really like the theological argument known as Pascal's Wager. They genuinely seem to believe that they can convince others to accept their theism merely because it seems, superficially, like a good and safe bet. What on earth is going through their minds?
Atheism vs. Apologetics
One atheist's account of the 1997 debate between atheist Dan Barker and Christian Douglas Wilson.
One atheist's account of the 1997 debate between atheist Dan Barker and Christian Douglas Wilson.
Atheism vs. Christianity Challenge
"...Challenge is a quarterly publication that is published for the purpose of defending the faith. It is a debate journal. In it you will find articles ranging from Bible inerrancy to internal issues in the church. "
"...Challenge is a quarterly publication that is published for the purpose of defending the faith. It is a debate journal. In it you will find articles ranging from Bible inerrancy to internal issues in the church. "
Brown/Anderson Debate
Two people face off and debate the existence of gods.
Two people face off and debate the existence of gods.
Anthropic Arguments
Refutations of a particular part of design arguments - namely, that there are too many "anthropic coincidences" for there not to be a god.
Refutations of a particular part of design arguments - namely, that there are too many "anthropic coincidences" for there not to be a god.
Christianity vs. Islam
A debate between Jeremiah McAuliffe, a Catholic convert to Islam, and Abdul Saleeb, a Muslim convert to Christianity about the book "Answering Islam" by Norman Geisler and Abdul Saleeb.
A debate between Jeremiah McAuliffe, a Catholic convert to Islam, and Abdul Saleeb, a Muslim convert to Christianity about the book "Answering Islam" by Norman Geisler and Abdul Saleeb.
Craig vs. Washington: Does God Exist?
Debate held at the University of Washington in 1995 on the existence of God. Craig's case for theism included the argument from abstract objects, the kalam cosmological argument, the argument to the fine-tuning of the universe, the moral argument, the resurrection of Jesus, and religious experience.
Debate held at the University of Washington in 1995 on the existence of God. Craig's case for theism included the argument from abstract objects, the kalam cosmological argument, the argument to the fine-tuning of the universe, the moral argument, the resurrection of Jesus, and religious experience.
God & Evil
A debate between "RAZA" (a Christian) and "Cabrutus" (an atheist).
A debate between "RAZA" (a Christian) and "Cabrutus" (an atheist).
Does God Exist?
A transcript of a radio debate on WMUZ Detroit between John Koster and Frank Zindler in 1990.
A transcript of a radio debate on WMUZ Detroit between John Koster and Frank Zindler in 1990.
The Fernandes-Martin Debate
Internet debate between Christian philosopher Phil Fernandes and atheist philosopher Michael Martin on the existence of God. Fernandes presents his cumulative case for the existence of God in support of his thesis that "it is more reasonable to be a theist than it is to be an atheist."
Internet debate between Christian philosopher Phil Fernandes and atheist philosopher Michael Martin on the existence of God. Fernandes presents his cumulative case for the existence of God in support of his thesis that "it is more reasonable to be a theist than it is to be an atheist."
Is There Meaning in Evil & Suffering?
Features noted Christian apologist and author Dr. Ravi Zacharias in a panel discussion with well-known spokesmen from the naturalist (Bernard Leikind), Eastern (Jitendra Mohanty), and theistic Christian (William Lane Craig) worldviews. In real audio format.
Features noted Christian apologist and author Dr. Ravi Zacharias in a panel discussion with well-known spokesmen from the naturalist (Bernard Leikind), Eastern (Jitendra Mohanty), and theistic Christian (William Lane Craig) worldviews. In real audio format.
The Jesseph-Craig Debate
Transcript of the oral debate held in 1996 at North Carolina State University between atheist philosopher Doug Jesseph and Christian philosopher William Lane Craig.
Transcript of the oral debate held in 1996 at North Carolina State University between atheist philosopher Doug Jesseph and Christian philosopher William Lane Craig.
The Jones-Parsons-Martin Debate
Written debate originally published in Antithesis magazine on the Transcendental Argument for the existence of God (TAG). Christian apologist Douglas Jones defends TAG; atheist philosophers Keith Parsons and Michael Martin respond.
Written debate originally published in Antithesis magazine on the Transcendental Argument for the existence of God (TAG). Christian apologist Douglas Jones defends TAG; atheist philosophers Keith Parsons and Michael Martin respond.
The Martin-Frame Debate
Written debate conducted exclusively over the Internet, the exchange between atheist philosopher Michael Martin and Christian philosopher John Frame over Martin's Transcendental Argument for the Non-existence of God (TANG), which argues that logic, ethics, and science presuppose the non-existence of God.
Written debate conducted exclusively over the Internet, the exchange between atheist philosopher Michael Martin and Christian philosopher John Frame over Martin's Transcendental Argument for the Non-existence of God (TANG), which argues that logic, ethics, and science presuppose the non-existence of God.
Question of Noah's Flood
A transcript of a 1989 television debate. John D. Morris represents the Institute For Creation Research and Frank Zindler the Ohio Chapter of American Atheists.
A transcript of a 1989 television debate. John D. Morris represents the Institute For Creation Research and Frank Zindler the Ohio Chapter of American Atheists.
Summary: Craig-Jesseph Debate
Summary and assessment of a 1997 debate on the existence of God between William Lane Craig and Doug Jesseph.
Summary and assessment of a 1997 debate on the existence of God between William Lane Craig and Doug Jesseph.