Jacoby-Shermer debate, 4/10

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.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Jacoby-Shermer
• debate
• 4/10

[akambitsis3]

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!

[NeuroticoAnonimo]

You know somebody is deluded when they base their life and beliefs in the bronze age myths of an ignorant desert tribe.

[crudbts1]

@LifeisBeautiful746 Shermer was giving equal time to many religions since they are all equally false. May Jacoby's knob-twiddler bless you all.

[dwheel39]

can anyone say "straw man"? lol..what does ANY of this have to do with evidence and reasoning given by Jacoby? Come on Shermer

[LifeisBeautiful746]

he spends his time trashing false religions (christianity excluded) haha then fine. i guess if u wanna call man made religions like mormons and hindus and stuff stupid instead of actually arguing any of the points jacoby brought up, it wont get u any people from the fans. I'm just writing to write in, i know it wont get a top comment, why? because I beleive in God. I believe in Jesus Christ. The universe is so much more than what ur eyes can see. God bless you all <3

[Offspringfan64]

Just...SO well said.



[MrJezuzfreak]

2/2 That gets nowhere! To truly have understanding of what religion and belief, you have to study that out by yourself. That means as athiests you can't trust your entire belief on what someone else said or you own prior knowledge, the same goes with christians. Study things out for yourself, look at both arguements very intently and you'll come to the conclusion you want, I did and just by looking at my name you can tell which side i chose. Thank you for your time and have a great day.

[MrJezuzfreak]

"If you study science long enough and hard enough it will force you to believe in a God"- Lord Calvin. To many times as people we look at what people call themselves and disregard any and everything they say after that, just as shermer stated. But to try our best to get to a conclusive solution we each have to look at what eachother has to say. Most of the comments posted by athiests actually have nothing to do with the statements in the video but rather, go off on thier own ignorant aruments...

[npotts89]

@Fishqueen1972 i'm pretty much skeptical of everything. but i don't get what you're getting at. the resurrection of Jesus is one of the most highly recognized events in ancient history. you should read what historians such as Mike Licona and Gary Habermas have stated on it.

[Fishqueen1972]

@npotts89 Be skeptical of wishful thinking.

[fidenful]

Bumbly Shermer could be awesome if he could talk and sound like Hitchens.