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Atheism debates (view source)

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In the 21st century, the cowardice associated with atheism has become so obvious that it is making newspaper headlines.<ref>Multiple references:

*Green, Lauren (August 19, 2011). [http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/19/christian-pastor-atheists-debates/?test=latestnews "Christian philosopher William Lane Craig is ready to debate, but finds few challengers"]. FoxNews.com. Retrieved on July 30, 2014.

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*Ross, Tim (May 14, 2011). [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8511931/Richard-Dawkins-accused-of-cowardice-for-refusing-to-debate-existence-of-God.html "[[Richard Dawkins]] accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God"]. The Daily Telegraph website. Retrieved July 25, 2014. See [[Daily Telegraph]]</ref> On May 14, 2011, the [[Great Britain|British]] newspaper ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' published a news story entitled ''[[Richard Dawkins]] accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of [[God]]''.<ref name="cowardice"/> In ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' article Dr. [[Daniel Came]], a member of the Faculty of [[Philosophy]] at [[Oxford University]] was quoted as writing to fellow atheist Richard Dawkins concerning his refusal to debate Dr. [[William Lane Craig]], "The absence of a debate with the foremost [[Christian apologetics|apologist]] for [[Christianity|Christian]] [[theism]] is a glaring omission on your [[Curriculum vitae|CV]] and is of course apt to be interpreted as cowardice on your part."<ref name="cowardice"/>

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*Ross, Tim (May 14, 2011). [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8511931/Richard-Dawkins-accused-of-cowardice-for-refusing-to-debate-existence-of-God.html "[[Richard Dawkins]] accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God"]. The Daily Telegraph website. Retrieved July 25, 2014. See [[Daily Telegraph]]</ref> On May 14, 2011, the [[Great Britain|British]] newspaper ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' published a news story entitled ''Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of [[God]]''.<ref name="cowardice"/> In ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' article Dr. [[Daniel Came]], a member of the Faculty of [[Philosophy]] at [[Oxford University]] was quoted as writing to fellow atheist Richard Dawkins concerning his refusal to debate Dr. [[William Lane Craig]], "The absence of a debate with the foremost [[Christian apologetics|apologist]] for [[Christianity|Christian]] [[theism]] is a glaring omission on your [[Curriculum vitae|CV]] and is of course apt to be interpreted as cowardice on your part."<ref name="cowardice"/>

== Atheism vs. Christianity debates ==

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As far as [[Christianity vs. atheism debates]], the most well-known debater on the Christian side of the aisle is [[William Lane Craig]]. This is due to the large number of Christian vs. [[atheism]] debates he has engage in and the quality of his debate performances.<ref name="commonsenseatheism.com">[http://commonsenseatheism.com/?p=392 William Lane Craig’s Debates (Reviews)]</ref> Atheist [[Sam Harris]] described William Lane Craig as “the one [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] who has put the fear of [[God]] into many of my fellow atheists”.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/19/christian-pastor-atheists-debates</ref>

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The ~~[[Atheism|~~atheist]] Luke Muehlhauser wrote about Craig:

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The atheist Luke Muehlhauser wrote about Craig:

{{Cquote|William Lane Craig is a prolific Christian philosopher, apologist, author, and public debater. He is the best debater – on any topic – that I’ve ever heard. As far as I can tell, he has won nearly all his debates with atheists. When debating him, atheists have consistently failed to put forward solid arguments, and consistently failed to point out the flaws in Craig’s arguments.

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== Greg Bahnsen vs. Gordon Stein debate ==

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[[Image:Bahnsen.jpg‎|thumb|left|150px|Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] became known as "the man ~~[[atheism|~~atheists]] fear most" due to [[Michael Martin]]'s cancellation of their scheduled debate.<ref name="Bahsen at the Stein debate">[http://www.frame-poythress.org/frame_articles/Bahnsen.htm Bahsen at the Stein debate] by John Frame</ref><ref>[http://simpleapologetics.com/thegreatdebate.html The Great Debate: Greg Bahnsen vs Gordon Stein]</ref>]]

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[[Image:Bahnsen.jpg‎|thumb|left|150px|Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] became known as "the man atheists fear most" due to [[Michael Martin]]'s cancellation of their scheduled debate.<ref name="Bahsen at the Stein debate">[http://www.frame-poythress.org/frame_articles/Bahnsen.htm Bahsen at the Stein debate] by John Frame</ref><ref>[http://simpleapologetics.com/thegreatdebate.html The Great Debate: Greg Bahnsen vs Gordon Stein]</ref>]]

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In 1985, the ~~[[Christian apologetics|~~Christian apologist]] [[Greg Bahnsen]] and the ~~[[Atheism|~~atheist]] [[Gordon Stein]] had a debate at the University of California, Irvine regarding the positions of atheism and theism. Bahnsen was particularly known for his Christian [[presuppositional apologetics]].

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In 1985, the Christian apologist [[Greg Bahnsen]] and the atheist [[Gordon Stein]] had a debate at the University of California, Irvine regarding the positions of atheism and theism. Bahnsen was particularly known for his Christian [[presuppositional apologetics]].

In debates with atheists, presuppositional apologists will frequently ask their debate opponents the foundations/rationale of their various assumptions, beliefs and assertions and show logical inconsistencies in the opponents worldview. In the Bahnsen-Stein debate, one of the key moments of the debate was when Stein was asked to account for the existence of the laws of logic in an [[atheist worldview]] (see: [[Atheism and logic]]),<ref>[http://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2006/12/05/greg-bahnsen-vs-gordon-stein-the-great-debate/ "The Great Debate: Does God Exist?"] or [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLZdOGCE5KQ The Great Debate: Does God Exist?] (YouTube video) - Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] versus Dr. Gordon Stein - Audio of a formal debate between Christian Greg Bahnsen and skeptic Gordon Stein at the University of California, Irvine.</ref>

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*[http://www.garyhabermas.com/articles/crj_explainingaway/crj_explainingaway.htm Gary Habermas on attempts to explain away the resurrection of Jesus Christ]</ref>

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Dr. Habermas had a debate against the atheist philosopher [[Antony Flew]] regarding the resurrection which was chronicled in the work ''Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? The Resurrection Debate'' and the debate had a panel of debate judges. J. Hampton Keathley, III , Th.M. in his essay ''Evidences for the Resurrection'' wrote: "The decision of the judges were as follows. The panel of philosophers judging content cast four votes for Habermas who argued for the fact of the resurrection, none for Flew, and one draw. The panel of professional debate judges voted three to two, also in favor of Habermas, this time regarding the method of argumentation technique.".<ref>http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=639</ref>

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Dr. Habermas had a debate against the atheist philosopher [[Antony Flew]] regarding the resurrection which was chronicled in the work ''Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? The Resurrection Debate'' and the debate had a panel of debate judges. J. Hampton Keathley, III, Th.M. in his essay ''Evidences for the Resurrection'' wrote: "The decision of the judges were as follows. The panel of philosophers judging content cast four votes for Habermas who argued for the fact of the resurrection, none for Flew, and one draw. The panel of professional debate judges voted three to two, also in favor of Habermas, this time regarding the method of argumentation technique.".<ref>http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=639</ref>

Flew later became a [[deism|deist]]. Flew abandonment of atheism after being one of its foremost proponents received a lot of public attention.

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In October 1997, atheist Jeffrey Jay Lowder, a founder of Internet Infidels, stated that he believed that in regards to atheism and debate that "the most impressive debater to date" was [[Douglas Jesseph]].<ref>Lowder, Jeffrey Jay (October 1997). [http://www.infidels.org/infidels/newsletter/1997/october.html "How not to debate"]. ''Internet Infidels Newsletter''. Retrieved from The Secular Web/Infidels/Newsletter/1997 on May 14, 2015.</ref>

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Yet, Douglas Jesseph claimed in a debate with [[William Lane Craig]] in 1996 that the [[origin of life]] had a detailed atheistic explanation(s).<ref>Jesseph, Douglas (1996). [http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/doug_jesseph/jesseph-craig/jesseph1.html "Opening statement by Doug Jesseph"]. ''The [Douglas] Jesseph-[William Lane] Craig Debate'' transcript. Transcript retrieved from The Secular Web/Library/Modern/Doug Jesseph/Jesseph Craig on May 14, 2015.</ref> In 1996, John Horgan wrote the following regarding what the highly respected origin of life researcher [[Stanley Miller]] believed to the case regarding naturalistic explanations of the origin of life: "Miller seemed unimpressed with any of the current proposals on the origin of life, referring to them as 'nonsense' or 'paper chemistry.'"<ref>Bergman, Jerry, Ph. D. (March 2000). [http://www.trueorigin.org/abio.asp "Why abiogenesis is impossible"]. ''Creation Research Science Quarterly'', vol. 36, no. 4. Retrieved from The True.Origin Archive website on May 14, 2015.</ref> In addition, in 1996, John Horgan wrote the following in ''[[Scientific American]]'': "The origin of life is a science writer's dream. It abounds with exotic scientists and exotic theories, which are never entirely abandoned or accepted, but merely go in and out of fashion."<ref>Horgan, John (1996). [http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/orignl01.html#orgnlfvltnndwkstlnkevl ''The End of Science: Facing the Limits of Knowledge in the Twilight of the Scientific Age''] (London: Little, Brown & Co.), p. 138. Retrieved from Stephen E. Jones website/Creation/Evolution Quotes/Origin of Life #1 on May 14, 2015.</ref>

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Yet, Douglas Jesseph claimed in a debate with William Lane Craig in 1996 that the [[origin of life]] had a detailed atheistic explanation(s).<ref>Jesseph, Douglas (1996). [http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/doug_jesseph/jesseph-craig/jesseph1.html "Opening statement by Doug Jesseph"]. ''The [Douglas] Jesseph-[William Lane] Craig Debate'' transcript. Transcript retrieved from The Secular Web/Library/Modern/Doug Jesseph/Jesseph Craig on May 14, 2015.</ref> In 1996, John Horgan wrote the following regarding what the highly respected origin of life researcher [[Stanley Miller]] believed to the case regarding naturalistic explanations of the origin of life: "Miller seemed unimpressed with any of the current proposals on the origin of life, referring to them as 'nonsense' or 'paper chemistry.'"<ref>Bergman, Jerry, Ph. D. (March 2000). [http://www.trueorigin.org/abio.asp "Why abiogenesis is impossible"]. ''Creation Research Science Quarterly'', vol. 36, no. 4. Retrieved from The True.Origin Archive website on May 14, 2015.</ref> In addition, in 1996, John Horgan wrote the following in ''[[Scientific American]]'': "The origin of life is a science writer's dream. It abounds with exotic scientists and exotic theories, which are never entirely abandoned or accepted, but merely go in and out of fashion."<ref>Horgan, John (1996). [http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/orignl01.html#orgnlfvltnndwkstlnkevl ''The End of Science: Facing the Limits of Knowledge in the Twilight of the Scientific Age''] (London: Little, Brown & Co.), p. 138. Retrieved from Stephen E. Jones website/Creation/Evolution Quotes/Origin of Life #1 on May 14, 2015.</ref>

At the atheist blog Common Sense Atheism, the atheist Luke Muehlhauser said of the Craig vs. Jesseph debate: "A very typical debate in which Craig’s opponent is not prepared for Craig’s skill, speed, or organization, and things just get worse for Jesseph as things go along and he falls further and further behind."<ref>[http://commonsenseatheism.com/?p=392 William Lane Craig’s Debates (Reviews)] by Luke Muehlhauser at Common Sense Atheism on February 7, 2009</ref>

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''See also:'' [[Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates]]

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In 2010, the worldwide atheist community was challenged to a debate by [[Creation Ministries International]] as prominent atheists were speaking at a 2010 global atheist convention in [[Australia]].<ref name="truefree">Ammi, Ken (May 2010). [http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/richard-dawkins-cowardly-clown "Richard Dawkins the cowardly clown"]. True Freethinker. Retrieved on July 30, 2014.</ref> [[Richard Dawkins]], [[PZ Myers]] and other prominent atheists refused to debate Creation Ministries International.<ref name="truefree"/>

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In 2010, the worldwide atheist community was challenged to a debate by [[Creation Ministries International]] as prominent atheists were speaking at a 2010 global atheist convention in [[Australia]].<ref name="truefree">Ammi, Ken (May 2010). [http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/richard-dawkins-cowardly-clown "Richard Dawkins the cowardly clown"]. True Freethinker. Retrieved on July 30, 2014.</ref> Richard Dawkins, [[PZ Myers]] and other prominent atheists refused to debate Creation Ministries International.<ref name="truefree"/>

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A majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the naturalistic [[evolution]]ary position since [[World War II]] have been ~~[[Atheism|~~atheists]].<ref>Multiple references:

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A majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the naturalistic [[evolution]]ary position since [[World War II]] have been atheists.<ref>Multiple references:

*Batten, Don (December 1997). [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/737/ "A ''Who’s Who'' of evolutionists"]. ''Creation'', vol 20, no. 1, p. 32. Retrieved from Creation.com [Creation Ministries International] on May 15, 2015. See [[Don Batten]]

*Sarfati, Jonathan, Ph. D. (1999). [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/3830 "Chapter 1: Facts and bias"]. ''Refuting Evolution''. Retrieved from Creation.com [Creation Ministries International] on May 15, 2015. See [[Jonathan Sarfati]]</ref> Creation scientists tend to win the Creation-Evolution debates and many have been held since the 1970's particularly in the [[United States]].<ref name="AnkerFraser">Multiple references:

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In August 1979, [[Henry Morris|Dr. Henry Morris]] reported in an [[Institute for Creation Research]] letter the following: “By now, practically every leading evolutionary scientist in this country has declined one or more invitations to a scientific debate on creation/evolution.”<ref>Fraser, William A. (2003). [http://web.archive.org/web/20091024005313/http://members.shaw.ca/mark.64/hcib/whowins.html "Who wins the debates?"] Mark64's webpage. Retrieved from October 24, 2009 archive at Internet Archive on May 15, 2015.</ref> Morris also said regarding the creation scientist [[Duane Gish]] (who had over 300 formal debates): “At least in our judgment and that of most in the audiences, he always wins.”<ref>Ankerberg, John, and Weldon, John (1998). [http://www.ankerberg.com/Articles/science/SC1200W1.htm "Voices for evolution"]. ''Darwin's Leap of Faith'' (Harvest House). Retrieved from the John Ankerberg show website on May 15, 2015.</ref>

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Generally speaking, leading evolutionists generally no longer debate creation scientists because [[creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates]].<ref>Morris, Henry, Ph. D. (1996). [http://www.icr.org/article/811/ "Reason or rhetoric"]. ''Acts and Facts'', vol. 25, no. 11. Retrieved from Institute for Creation Research website on May 15, 2015.</ref> In addition, the ~~[[atheism|~~atheist]] and evolutionist, [[Richard Dawkins]] has shown inconsistent and deceptive behavior [[Richard Dawkins' public refusal to debate creationists|concerning his refusal creation scientists]]. In an article entitled "Are Kansas Evolutionists Afraid of a Fair Debate?" the [[Discovery Institute]] states the following:

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Generally speaking, leading evolutionists generally no longer debate creation scientists because [[creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates]].<ref>Morris, Henry, Ph. D. (1996). [http://www.icr.org/article/811/ "Reason or rhetoric"]. ''Acts and Facts'', vol. 25, no. 11. Retrieved from Institute for Creation Research website on May 15, 2015.</ref> In addition, the atheist and evolutionist, Richard Dawkins has shown inconsistent and deceptive behavior [[Richard Dawkins' public refusal to debate creationists|concerning his refusal creation scientists]]. In an article entitled "Are Kansas Evolutionists Afraid of a Fair Debate?" the [[Discovery Institute]] states the following:

{{cquote|Defenders of Darwin's theory of evolution typically proclaim that evidence for their theory is simply overwhelming. If they really believe that, you would think they would jump at a chance to publicly explain some of that overwhelming evidence to the public. Apparently not.<ref>West, John G. (February 23, 2005). [http://www.evolutionnews.org/2005/02/are_kansas_evolutionists_afraid_of_a_fai.html "Are Kansas evolutionists afraid of a fair debate?"] Evolution News and Views. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.</ref>}}

[[Image:PH2006022801720.jpg‎|right|thumb|150px|[[Henry Morris]]]]

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Why do I say this? Sure, there are examples of "good" debates where a well-prepared evolution supporter got the best of a creationist, but I can tell you after many years in this business that they are few and far between. Most of the time a well-meaning evolutionist accepts a debate challenge (usually "to defend good science" or for some other worthy goal), reads a bunch of creationist literature, makes up a lecture explaining Darwinian gradualism, and can't figure out why at the end of the debate so many individuals are clustered around his opponent, congratulating him on having done such a good job of routing evolution—and why his friends are too busy to go out for a beer after the debate.<ref>Scott, Eugenie C. (1994). [http://www.skepticfiles.org/evo2/credebec.htm "Debates and the Globetrotters"]. Skeptic Tank Text Archive File website/Evolution. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.</ref>}}

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In August 2003 the [[Creation Research Society]] published some interesting material regarding their correspondence with [[Richard Dawkins]] regarding a creation-evolution debate in which Richard Dawkins participated in as a debater.<ref name="creatmat">Humber, Paul G., M. S. (July/August 2003). [http://www.creationresearch.org/creation_matters/pdf/2003/cm08_04_rp.PDF "Debating Dawkins"]. ''Creation Matters'', vol. 8, no. 4. Retrieved from April 15, 2014 Creation Research Society website archive at Internet Archive on May 15, 2015.</ref> The Creation Research Society stated regarding the debate the following:

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In August 2003 the [[Creation Research Society]] published some interesting material regarding their correspondence with Richard Dawkins regarding a creation-evolution debate in which Richard Dawkins participated in as a debater.<ref name="creatmat">Humber, Paul G., M. S. (July/August 2003). [http://www.creationresearch.org/creation_matters/pdf/2003/cm08_04_rp.PDF "Debating Dawkins"]. ''Creation Matters'', vol. 8, no. 4. Retrieved from April 15, 2014 Creation Research Society website archive at Internet Archive on May 15, 2015.</ref> The Creation Research Society stated regarding the debate the following:

{{cquote|Despite Dr. Dawkins’ plea, there were apparently 115 votes for the creation position (more than 37%). This was done near Darwin’s turf. Imagine flat-earthers going to NASA and convincing over 37% of the scientists there that the earth is flat. Maybe creation science is not as closely akin to flat-earthism as Dr. Dawkins supposes (see his Free Inquiry article).<ref name="creatmat"/>}}

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''For more information please see'': [[Richard Dawkins and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach]]

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Rabbi [[Shmuley Boteach]] was named the ''London Times'' Preacher of the Year 2000 and is the author of 20 books.<ref>Boteach, Shmuley (May 2008). [http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Judaism/2008/05/Richard-Dawkins-Shameful-Attack.aspx "Richard Dawkins' shameful attack"]. Beliefnet/Faith/Judaism. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.</ref> Recently Rabbi Shmuley Boteach reported that college student audience [http://www.conservapedia.com/Richard_Dawkins#Richard_Dawkins_Lost_a_Debate_to_a_Rabbi_and_then_Claimed_the_Debate_Never_Took_Placea voted that he won a debate] between himself and [[Richard Dawkins]] and then Dawkins claimed the debate never took place. (the debate later turned out to be videotaped).

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Rabbi [[Shmuley Boteach]] was named the ''London Times'' Preacher of the Year 2000 and is the author of 20 books.<ref>Boteach, Shmuley (May 2008). [http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Judaism/2008/05/Richard-Dawkins-Shameful-Attack.aspx "Richard Dawkins' shameful attack"]. Beliefnet/Faith/Judaism. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.</ref> Recently Rabbi Shmuley Boteach reported that college student audience [http://www.conservapedia.com/Richard_Dawkins#Richard_Dawkins_Lost_a_Debate_to_a_Rabbi_and_then_Claimed_the_Debate_Never_Took_Placea voted that he won a debate] between himself and Richard Dawkins and then Dawkins claimed the debate never took place. (the debate later turned out to be videotaped).

<ref>Multiple references:

*Boteach, Shmuley (May 2008). [http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Judaism/2008/05/Richard-Dawkins-Shameful-Attack.aspx "Richard Dawkins' shameful attack"]. Beliefnet/Faith/Judaism. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.

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''For more information please see'': [[Richard Dawkins and Dinesh D'Souza]]

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Christian author [[Dinesh D'Souza]] wrote that Richard Dawkins' recent refusals to debate him and other knowledgeable ~~[[Christian apologetics|~~Christian apologists]] was bizarre.<ref name="nodebate">Multiple references:

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Christian author [[Dinesh D'Souza]] wrote that Richard Dawkins' recent refusals to debate him and other knowledgeable Christian apologists was bizarre.<ref name="nodebate">Multiple references:

*Porter, Dan (July 21, 2008). [http://www.one-episcopalian-on-faith.com/2008/07/richard-dawkins.html "Richard Dawkins on the run: 'I find your behavior extremely bizarre...you duck and dodge and run away,' says Dinesh D'Souza"]. God, Christ: Questions & Faith website. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.

*D'Souza, Dinesh (July 28, 2008). [http://townhall.com/columnists/DineshDSouza/2008/07/28/countering_richard_dawkins_on_al-jazeera "Countering Richard Dawkins on Al-Jazeera"]. Townhall.com. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.

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=== Christian apologist Dr. William Lane Craig is reported to have called Dawkins a coward ===

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Dr. [[William Lane Craig]] is one of Christianity's leading defenders and many individuals over the years have attempted to arrange a debate between Dr. Craig and Richard Dawkins. Richard Dawkins has offered various ruses on why he will not debate William Lane Craig, which Dr. Craig supporters have shown were inconsistent and merely a dodge to avoid debating one of Christianity's strongest advocates.<ref>Hayden, Clive (March 6, 2010). [http://www.uncommondescent.com/evolution/william-lane-craig-is-avoided-by-richard-dawkins/ "William Lane Craig is avoided by Richard Dawkins"]. Uncommon Descent website. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.</ref>

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Dr. William Lane Craig is one of Christianity's leading defenders and many individuals over the years have attempted to arrange a debate between Dr. Craig and Richard Dawkins. Richard Dawkins has offered various ruses on why he will not debate William Lane Craig, which Dr. Craig supporters have shown were inconsistent and merely a dodge to avoid debating one of Christianity's strongest advocates.<ref>Hayden, Clive (March 6, 2010). [http://www.uncommondescent.com/evolution/william-lane-craig-is-avoided-by-richard-dawkins/ "William Lane Craig is avoided by Richard Dawkins"]. Uncommon Descent website. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.</ref>

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~~[[Christian apologetics|~~Christian apologist]] Dr. Victor Reppert reported that Dr. [[William Lane Craig]] told him in a private email that [[Richard Dawkins]] is a coward for refusing to debate him.<ref>Reppert, Victor (January 5, 2007). [http://dangerousidea.blogspot.com/2007/01/dawkins-ducks-craig.html "Dawkins ducks Craig"]. dangerous idea website. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.</ref> Currently, there is a petition requesting Richard Dawkins to debate Christian apologist William Lane Craig.<ref>[http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/dawkinscraigdebate/ "Richard Dawkins and William Craig should debate each other"] (April 2009). iPetitions website. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.</ref>

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Christian apologist Dr. Victor Reppert reported that Dr. William Lane Craig told him in a private email that Richard Dawkins is a coward for refusing to debate him.<ref>Reppert, Victor (January 5, 2007). [http://dangerousidea.blogspot.com/2007/01/dawkins-ducks-craig.html "Dawkins ducks Craig"]. dangerous idea website. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.</ref> Currently, there is a petition requesting Richard Dawkins to debate Christian apologist William Lane Craig.<ref>[http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/dawkinscraigdebate/ "Richard Dawkins and William Craig should debate each other"] (April 2009). iPetitions website. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.</ref>

=== Various ruses of Richard Dawkins concerning his alleged refusal to debate creationists ===

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Richard Dawkins has a [[Richard Dawkins' public refusal to debate creationists|number of ruses concerning his alleged refusal to debate creationists]]. Evolutionists' inconsistency concerning debating creationists was commented on by the ~~[[Christian apologetics|~~Christian apologetic]] website [[True Free Thinker]] which declared: "Interestingly enough, having noted that since some atheists refuse to debate “creationists” but then go on to debate some of those people but not others, it is clear that they are, in reality, being selective and making excuses for absconding from difficulties..."<ref>Ammi, Ken (2010 or bef.). [http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/speaking-assiduous-absconders%E2%80%A6yet-again-vox-day-challenges-pz-myers-debate "Speaking of assiduous absconders...yet again, Vox Day challenges PZ Meyers to Debate"]. True Freethinker. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.</ref>

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Richard Dawkins has a [[Richard Dawkins' public refusal to debate creationists|number of ruses concerning his alleged refusal to debate creationists]]. Evolutionists' inconsistency concerning debating creationists was commented on by the Christian apologetic website [[True Free Thinker]] which declared: "Interestingly enough, having noted that since some atheists refuse to debate “creationists” but then go on to debate some of those people but not others, it is clear that they are, in reality, being selective and making excuses for absconding from difficulties..."<ref>Ammi, Ken (2010 or bef.). [http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/speaking-assiduous-absconders%E2%80%A6yet-again-vox-day-challenges-pz-myers-debate "Speaking of assiduous absconders...yet again, Vox Day challenges PZ Meyers to Debate"]. True Freethinker. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.</ref>

== PZ Myers refusal to debate Vox Day ==

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<br />

<small>(photo obtained from [http://www.flickr.com/photos/reuvenim/4426093513/ Flickr], see [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en license agreement])</small> ]]

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On September 4, 2011, ~~[[Christian apologetics|~~Christian apologist]] [[Vox Day]] wrote concerning the [[evolution]]ist and atheist [[PZ Myers]]:

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On September 4, 2011, Christian apologist [[Vox Day]] wrote concerning the [[evolution]]ist and atheist [[PZ Myers]]:

{{cquote|I have heard from numerous atheists who find his intellectual cowardice to be more than a little troubling given his usual tendency to create conflict rather than to avoid it. And he has handed an out to every single individual he ever hopes to challenge in the future. Why should they debate a nobody like him, a clown who isn't even a bigshot in his own field?

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''See also:'' [[Atheism and morality]] and [[William Lane Craig vs. Sam Harris debate]]

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In 2011, Sam Harris debated the ~~[[Christian apologetics|~~Christian apologist]] and philosopher [[William Lane Craig]] at the [[University of Notre Dame]] on the topic of morality and the debate was the proposition "Is Good From God?".<ref>[The God Debate II: Harris vs. Craig], Notre Dame University YouTube channel, Uploaded on Apr 12, 2011</ref><ref name="thinkingmatters.org.nz">[http://thinkingmatters.org.nz/2011/04/how-william-lane-craig-thrashed-sam-harris-like-a-naughty-puppy/ How William Lane Craig thrashed Sam Harris like a naughty puppy], Thinking Matters (New Zealand Christian Apologetics Ministry), April 9, 2011</ref>

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In 2011, Sam Harris debated the Christian apologist and philosopher William Lane Craig at the [[University of Notre Dame]] on the topic of morality and the debate was the proposition "Is Good From God?".<ref>[The God Debate II: Harris vs. Craig], Notre Dame University YouTube channel, Uploaded on Apr 12, 2011</ref><ref name="thinkingmatters.org.nz">[http://thinkingmatters.org.nz/2011/04/how-william-lane-craig-thrashed-sam-harris-like-a-naughty-puppy/ How William Lane Craig thrashed Sam Harris like a naughty puppy], Thinking Matters (New Zealand Christian Apologetics Ministry), April 9, 2011</ref>

=== Reviews of the debate ===

==== Review by the New Zealand Christian apologetics ministry Thinking Matters ====

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[[File:Dr. William Lane Craig.jpg‎‎|thumb|150px|[[William Lane Craig]] ]]

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[[File:Dr. William Lane Craig.jpg‎‎|thumb|150px|William Lane Craig ]]

The New Zealand Christian apologetics ministry Thinking Matters said of the Sam Harris vs. William Lane Craig debate:

{{cquote|Craig brought a great many cogent objections to bear against Harris’s view...

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==Frank Zindler versus Dr. William Craig debate==

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In a profile of contributors featured on an amateur evolutionist's website, the website [[TrueOrigin]] states the following regarding the debate between atheist [[Frank Zindler]] and Christian philosopher Dr. [[William Lane Craig]]:

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In a profile of contributors featured on an amateur evolutionist's website, the website [[TrueOrigin]] states the following regarding the debate between atheist [[Frank Zindler]] and Christian philosopher Dr. William Lane Craig:

{{cquote|Frank Zindler

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There have been few [[atheism vs. Islam debates]].

[[Image:Hitchens,_Stanford.jpg‎ |right|thumb|200px|[[Christopher Hitchens]] ]]

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Although [[Islam]] is a major religion with many adherents, in Islamic societies tolerance for ~~[[Atheism|~~atheists]] is rare.<ref>[http://www.economist.com/news/international/21567059-ex-muslim-atheists-are-becoming-more-outspoken-tolerance-still-rare-no-god-not Ex-Muslim atheists are becoming more outspoken, but tolerance is still rare], ''The Economist''</ref>

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Although [[Islam]] is a major religion with many adherents, in Islamic societies tolerance for atheists is rare.<ref>[http://www.economist.com/news/international/21567059-ex-muslim-atheists-are-becoming-more-outspoken-tolerance-still-rare-no-god-not Ex-Muslim atheists are becoming more outspoken, but tolerance is still rare], ''The Economist''</ref>

In the [[Western World]], there have been a few notable public debates between atheists and Muslims, but there have not been many. The atheist [[Lawrence Krauss]] debated Muslim Hamza Tzortzis about the existence of God.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuTucfWTSgw Lawrence Krauss Vs Hamza Tzortzis]</ref> Also, the atheists Christopher Hitchens debated Muslim Tariq Ramadan and the debate topic was "Is Islam a religion of peace?".<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CGFMwtJTyE Atheism vs Islam Debate - Christopher Hitchens vs Tariq Ramadan]</ref> There have been incidences of Muslim extremists attacking critics of Islam in the [[Western World]] so many atheists may be reluctant to engage in high profile atheism vs. Islam debates (see: [[Atheism vs. Islam debates]]).

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