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January 10, 2009
This is part 2 of Dr Shermer’s opening statement, refuting the existence of God.]
The debate between international Christian speaker Douglas Jacoby and agnostic and skeptic Michael Shermer took place Saturday June 23, the highlight of the 2007 International Apologetics Conference, sponsored by the Apologetics Research Society. The debate topic: Does God Exist?
Dr. Shermer is one of the three or four most famous atheist / agnostic scholars in the world, author of 12 books and President of the Skeptic Society. He has held dozens of debates, appeared on Oprah, 20/20, Dateline, Tom Snyder, Larry King Live and The History Channel. Dr. Jacoby, director of the Athens Institute of Ministry, has spoken in hundreds of cities in some 80 nations.
This exciting event was held before a packed house, with an overflow crowd watching close circuit monitors outside the venue. Kedron Jones (Board member of ARS) was moderator and affable host. Shermer and Jacoby both bring their best analytical skills to this debate. The interchange is lively, with both speakers willing to concede points made by their opponent. You will benefit greatly from weighing the arguments put forth. Douglas’ clear and incisive arguments for the existence of God are persuasive. He argues from cosmology (both its creation and its complexity). and the unmistakable fact that moral absolutes are part of reality. Shermer makes the case that religions are socially constructed, historically dependent, and that the faith you adhere to and the god you believe in depend largely on when in history and where in the world you were born.
The two-hour debate is lively, engaging and instructional. You can watch each speaker’s opening, rebuttal, rebuttal summary, and conclusion here at YouTube. For the entire debate in one DVD, however, including the 40+ minute Q&A session, please visit www.douglasjacoby.com. The Skeptics Society website is www.skeptic.com.
To post further comments, please visit Jacoby’s forum at www.jacobyblogs.com.
Duration : 0:8:35
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Horaayy..there are 22 comment(s) for me so far ;)
Well you CAN’T …
Well you CAN’T prove BOB doesn’t exist!!
The universe came from his PIPE!!
And the pipe smokes BOB!!!
computer hacker …
computer hacker lololol
exactly: and the …
exactly: and the more extraordinary the claim is, the more extraordinary the evidence needs to be. The burden of proof resides on the believer, not the nonbeliever.
Neither side is …
Neither side is claiming to prove anything. Shermer is saying that there is a history of invoking God to fill in the gaps which have now been explained away with science. So, says Shermer, we should be weary about ever using God as a hypothesis. Jacoby is saying that there are some questions that are outside of the domains of natural science (beginning of the universe, nature’s complexity, and morality), which point to a greater intelligence–God.
Why should shermer …
Why should shermer have to eliminate the existence of god? It’s up to creationists to prove it, which they haven’t done. All they say is science can’t prove this or that yet, which it someday will, that’s not proving god exists, it’s the intellectual equivalent of a kid saying I’m not touching you! I’m not touching you!
Dexytao, if every …
Dexytao, if every religious person thought the way you do, then the world would be a great place. I think you have good points and honestly think you are a reasonable person. My point is that of Sam Harris, that religious EXTREMISTS are abundant in the world, and this is potentially dangerious. I would never want to stop a HARMLESS person like yourself from believing in God. I think the video “Firefly515 talks to Brian Sapient of Rational Response Squad” directly relates to our discussion.
WHOAH! I do not …
WHOAH! I do not believe he is goin to ! No way! In fact, I believe that he will make it! No proper Christian should believe that someone like Shermer will go to . IF they do, then I would question their love for ppl and their faith at that moment!
You’re right. I made umptions. I repent! Thanks for ur patience n advice. Peace…
Dexytao, I totally …
Dexytao, I totally agree on your WWFSMD point, very odd indeed. But as for your 6 thumbs down, you should realize that you are in the company of people that are searching for EVIDENCE of God. So you basically need to explain WHY you believe in God, and explain why you think Shermer is going to . Basically, you got a low rating because you don’t explain your belief, yet ume it is true. Please, if you have a reason for your belief, don’t keep it a secret. -Till next time -Peace
How can one who …
How can one who stands up for his good beliefs get a negative reaction (6 thmbs dwn!) and this comment: WWFSMD?
RAmen
get 2 positives??
(Shaking my head in disbelief)
That video was …
That video was clarifying. Amen. Thanks!
Dexytao, watch the …
Dexytao, watch the first 20 seconds of this video: “Michael Shermer on Charlie Rose on Pseudoscience, Part 2″. Shermer clearly explains his position.
Your first point …
Your first point shows again that you aren’t understanding the words that Shermer is saying. Him saying “I don’t believe in God” is much different from saying, “There IS NO GOD”. He’s is NOT saying “There IS NO GOD”! He’s simply saying there is no evidence for God, therefor he LACKS THE BELIEF. (I’m not saying you misquoted him, I’m saying you misunderstood his quote). Shermer KNOWS god hasn’t been proven or dis-proven!
1. Shermer says …
1. Shermer says plainly, “I don’t believe in God”. That means that he does not believe that God exists. But, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence! Contradictory.
2. I believe there is evidence of God through all the fantastic creations (human body, the earth, etc.) that He made. But, that’s a mostly a question of faith, of course.
3. I just learned about the opposing side right now by arguing. At least, I AM learning.
Shermer is NOT ” …
Shermer is NOT “eliminating” the existence of God. He is simply agreeing with 99% of scientists that say there is NO EVIDENCE. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. (This is a basic logical concept of science). The point is there is no REASON TO BELIEVE IN GOD (due to lack of evidence). Dexytao, I suggest you learn a little more about the opposing side of you’re argument before arguing.
Yes, I can see how …
Yes, I can see how he made good points. Yes, I can see how others can believe in other things. Great. So, how does that eliminate the existence of God? It doesnt. We all know that. But, very good discussion in opening my mind to others’ perspectives. I also apologise for my slightly prideful comment (“We can only pray for…”)above.
Yeah, it’s almost …
Yeah, it’s almost as ridiculous as a virgin birth! HE made some very solid and logical points; you’re just too indoctrinated to see the relative nature of your beliefs. The mars analogy was simply to illustrate this relative nature and how if one steps outside of his own culture and prevelant dogma, it becomes clear that people all over the world believe very different things.
You know somebody …
You know somebody is deluded when they base their life and beliefs in the bronze age myths of an ignorant desert tribe.
People, you know …
People, you know someone will be losing a debate when their argument is based on someone from Mars. End of story! We can only pray for Mr. Shermer to “get it”. Amen….!
WWFSMD?
RAmen
WWFSMD?
RAmen
The Pastafarian in …
The Pastafarian in 4:14 was me!
All hail mr. …
All hail mr. Shermer!
Shermer is great.
Shermer is great.