I don't know if any of you have viewed these in their entiriety - I haven't - but I thought it was worth linking on here. It is a debate between Richard Dawkins and Alistair McGarth (author of "The Dawkins Delusion").

The debate is interesting for a variety of reasons. Firstly Dawkins faces someone who has written a book that completely challenges his stance on Christianity. Secondly it is filmed in a very stange way. The filming is amateurish yet it clearly was set up for a shoot (rather than at a conference or similar) - debates are re-started and the filming begins with Dawkins apparently waiting for his opponent whilst reading a copy his book. Plus it was filmed fairly recently and Dawkins was not at a period in his career where he needed to make a name for himself. Lastly the debate is exactly what sceptics and believers should be having. McGrath is a very reasonable, educated and intelligent man who does not believe in the Creationist argument. I am not a christian, but I think these sort of people are the type who should be representing the christian cause. The result is respect shown on both sides and some truly productive discussions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20Tc6EQ94GE

I somehow missed this and im on dawkins mail list, but I do have a backlog.

The thing is dawkins admits he is no expert on theology and hands over to Hitchens and Harris,

he is a bit of a bulldog but hats off he does know how to have a civilised rational debate, something I wish I could have more of instead of constant hominems and strawmen

Den.

The thing is I have become more and more a fan of Dawkins, but my belief system is probably much closer to Shermer's: "Militant agnostic: I don't know and neither do you" ;-)

On the christian side of things I feel comfortable with those who see the Bible as being largely or completely allegorical. And this McGrath character seems like a decent representative for the spiritual side of things, although I am still on Dawkins side in this debate!

Check out his dvd 'root of all evil' masterpiece, although it has its critics,

Den.

I have been watching parts of it on Youtube, but I would really like to lay my sceptical paws on his boxset - one for Christmas me thinks.

Jamie,

Get The Richard Dawkins Collection

Far better value for money,

Den.

Thanks Den. Will do once I have the denarlies!

I've not seen this Jamie.

But I did see Dawkin's talking to another chap, and they had a very good discussion. The interviewer was plying devils advocate, in a good way. So the discussion was excellent.... and the great thing is that it stayed well clear of any mindless "Oh yeah!!!" creationist arguments - which made for an interesting discussion (as you said earlier).

At least the basic Christian will accept the laws of physics - unlike those plain dumb creationists.

Do not get me started on the 'laws' of physics, had enough of that on he martial edge forum

Regards,

Den.

"Ain't that the friggin' truth "



Regards,

Den.