Freethought & Rationalism Archive

primitivefuture · 10-06-2006, 07:08 AM

Is he scared that he might lose such a debate? Why doesnt he accept McGrath's challenge. I would suppose doing so would benefit him.

fatpie42 · 10-06-2006, 07:10 AM

I thought he already did. But I don't see why he should. Alister McGrath isn't much of an academic. When you are coming out with at least one new book every year, it isn't really a good sign.

primitivefuture · 10-06-2006, 07:15 AM

Quote:

He has wanted to have a public discussion with Dawkins but Dawkins has declined.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alister_McGrath

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatpie42

I thought he already did. But I don't see why he should. Alister McGrath isn't much of an academic. When you are coming out with at least one new book every year, it isn't really a good sign.

That would be an advantage for Dawkins, wouldnt it? If Dawkins is sooo smart and can own Christianity, why did be back out of a Christian's challenge? You atheists need to get some balls and actually engage in public debating and not snort out hate messages behind the computer screen.

Ted Hoffman · 10-06-2006, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primitivefuture

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alister_McGrath

That would be an advantage for Dawkins, wouldnt it? If Dawkins is sooo smart and can own Christianity, why did be back out of a Christian's challenge? You atheists need to get some balls and actually engage in public debating and not snort out hate messages behind the computer screen.

http://www.infidels.org/library/mode...m/debates.html

David B · 10-06-2006, 10:05 AM

Dawkins was persuaded by Gould, not someone he always agreed with, but came to do so in this case, not to give creationists in particular a spurious respectibility by debating him.

http://richarddawkins.net/mainPage.p...ody.php&id=119

David B

Janus · 10-06-2006, 10:58 AM

What is there to debate? Science? McGrath doesn't have a problem with evolution, AFAIK. Theology? Dawkins thinks theology is a non-subject, that it's entirely speculation. The only thing left is logical proofs of God, which Dawkins has already discussed and refuted at lenght in The God Delusion and various articles. What would a debate accomplish?

NZSkep · 10-06-2006, 11:44 AM

public debates are crap anyway, time limits etc mean you can nver cover theother persons arguments in full e.g. talking about evolution you would basically need to cover the whole of talk origins or the creationist could come back with "ah, but you didn't mention X".
Also, if someone wanted to they could cite a made up article and in the course of the public debate it would be impossible to refute due to the opposition not having immediate access to google!

Much better would be for creation 'scientists' to publish their research in peer reviewed journals for all to see and read. It is then easy to check up on citings etc. and come back with rebuttals at your lesiure covering all the points made.

NZSkep · 10-06-2006, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primitivefuture

Is he scared that he might lose such a debate? Why doesnt he accept McGrath's challenge. I would suppose doing so would benefit him.

Why doesn't God debate with Richard Dawkins about the existence of God?

Is he scared that he might lose such a debate? Surely he could win the debate simply by turning up. I would suppose doing so would benefit him.

Toto · 10-06-2006, 01:43 PM

Dawkins gives some decent reasons here.

But this seems to be in the wrong forum.

Toto · 10-06-2006, 02:23 PM

Moving from BCH to PA&SA

10-06-2006, 07:08 AM	#1
primitivefuture Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 441	Why doesn't Richard Dawkins debate with Alister McGrath? Is he scared that he might lose such a debate? Why doesnt he accept McGrath's challenge. I would suppose doing so would benefit him.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

10-06-2006, 07:10 AM	#2
fatpie42 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Britain Posts: 5,259	I thought he already did. But I don't see why he should. Alister McGrath isn't much of an academic. When you are coming out with at least one new book every year, it isn't really a good sign.

10-06-2006, 10:05 AM	#5
David B Contributor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wales Posts: 11,620	Dawkins was persuaded by Gould, not someone he always agreed with, but came to do so in this case, not to give creationists in particular a spurious respectibility by debating him. http://richarddawkins.net/mainPage.p...ody.php&id=119 David B

10-06-2006, 10:58 AM	#6
Janus Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 601	What is there to debate? Science? McGrath doesn't have a problem with evolution, AFAIK. Theology? Dawkins thinks theology is a non-subject, that it's entirely speculation. The only thing left is logical proofs of God, which Dawkins has already discussed and refuted at lenght in The God Delusion and various articles. What would a debate accomplish?

10-06-2006, 11:44 AM	#7
NZSkep Contributor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: auckland nz Posts: 18,090	public debates are crap anyway, time limits etc mean you can nver cover theother persons arguments in full e.g. talking about evolution you would basically need to cover the whole of talk origins or the creationist could come back with "ah, but you didn't mention X". Also, if someone wanted to they could cite a made up article and in the course of the public debate it would be impossible to refute due to the opposition not having immediate access to google! Much better would be for creation 'scientists' to publish their research in peer reviewed journals for all to see and read. It is then easy to check up on citings etc. and come back with rebuttals at your lesiure covering all the points made.

10-06-2006, 01:43 PM	#9
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	Dawkins gives some decent reasons here. But this seems to be in the wrong forum.

10-06-2006, 02:23 PM	#10
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	Moving from BCH to PA&SA

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.