Freethought & Rationalism Archive

SkyDancer_0202 · 01-10-2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Watts

It's a Christian school.
Why would they feel it necessary to have an atheist speak in order to provide balance at a Christian school?
This isn't a public forum or a formal debate we're talking about it, it's a private school inviting a speaker to talk to the student body.
This school has every right to host its speakers and have them treated with at least courtesy by the student body. That's life.
Would you tell an NAACP chapter that having a Klansman speak at their next meeting would make an "excellent counterpoint" to their civil rights goals? Somehow I doubt it.

what the frell are you talking about? The teacher told the students to come up with questions for the speaker. I never said anything about the school being required to have an atheist speaker, nor did I suggest at any time that he be less than courteous. But I DO encourage him to ask whatever questions he wants. Why should he be silent?

hatsoff · 01-10-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David B

The two accounts give two basic chronologies, which are mutually inconsistent.

http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.co.../accounts.html

Hence - bible not inerrant.

Bed calls

David B

Quote:

Simply put, the Garden could have initially been without animal life, and God simply brought the animals he had already created to Adam.

Google.

SkyDancer_0202 · 01-10-2006, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjack

I would tend to agree that you shouldn't try to "torture" or "trap" the guy. Ask difficult questions? Absolutely, but you'll score more points by asking difficult questions politely.

Also keep in mind that there's a good chance he's done a bit of public speaking, and he might (at least in the minds of the audience) make YOU look foolish. I've seen a slick, well-prepared Christian debate a poorly prepared, inexperienced atheist and it wasn't pretty.

I'll second all of that :thumbs:

Peter Watts · 01-10-2006, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDancer_0202

in other words, exactly what the people at the seminars at my local museum do ALL THE TIME.

And they aren't teenagers in a school setting who were specifically told to come up with questions, either.

So, your argument is that two wrongs make a right?
That's the best you have?

SkyDancer_0202 · 01-10-2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Watts

So, your argument is that two wrongs make a right?
That's the best you have?

to the contrary. He is IN A SCHOOL, and the assignment is to ASK QUESTIONS. Where is the 'wrong' for him?

Glad you think the museum hecklers are *wrong* though. But unlike you, I still wouldn't suggest they not be allowed to speak during the Q&A

Roland · 01-10-2006, 06:41 PM

Dan,

Prepare to be frustrated. I've found that for every contradiction a person can come up with, an apologist will have what he considers a reasonable answer (even if it totally tortures the actual text). These kinds of debates take a great deal of time and studying to pull off effectively. He'll probably give you a glib response, consider he's answered your question, then move on to the next student, making it appear to the audience that he has successfully countered your charge.

I think it's great that you want to challenge what he says, just go into it knowing it will not be easy.

Good luck though.

Straight A · 01-10-2006, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatsoff

That would be enormously disrespectful. You should rethink your plan.

School children are better rude and questioning than acquiescent.

SkyDancer_0202 · 01-10-2006, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Straight A

School children are better rude and questioning than acquiescent.

:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

DanBZ · 01-10-2006, 07:02 PM

Peter Watts, you seem to have completely misinterpreted what I have been saying (or trying to say). I am not intending to be rude. I am just using the oppurtunity to stop a (potential) fundie blabing nonstop about the bible if what he is saying is false (and I don't know what he's going to say yet).

-Daniel Ben-Zvi

fatpie42 · 01-10-2006, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanBZ

Peter Watts, you seem to have completely misinterpreted what I have been saying (or trying to say). I am not intending to be rude. I am just using the oppurtunity to stop a (potential) fundie blabing nonstop about the bible if what he is saying is false (and I don't know what he's going to say yet).

-Daniel Ben-Zvi

Um... did you like the Jewish historian references question? There were several Jewish historians who recorded what was happening around the time Jesus lived. They do not mention Jesus. I'd say that would be a good thing to quiz this expert on...

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01-10-2006, 06:41 PM	#36
Roland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: California Posts: 748	Dan, Prepare to be frustrated. I've found that for every contradiction a person can come up with, an apologist will have what he considers a reasonable answer (even if it totally tortures the actual text). These kinds of debates take a great deal of time and studying to pull off effectively. He'll probably give you a glib response, consider he's answered your question, then move on to the next student, making it appear to the audience that he has successfully countered your charge. I think it's great that you want to challenge what he says, just go into it knowing it will not be easy. Good luck though.

01-10-2006, 07:02 PM	#39
DanBZ Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 245	Peter Watts, you seem to have completely misinterpreted what I have been saying (or trying to say). I am not intending to be rude. I am just using the oppurtunity to stop a (potential) fundie blabing nonstop about the bible if what he is saying is false (and I don't know what he's going to say yet). -Daniel Ben-Zvi

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