Debate: Resurrection of Jesus (Part 1)

Debate: Resurrection of Jesus
Date: April 27, 2010
Location: Bridgeway Christian Church (Rocklin, CA)

Friendly debate between Russell DiSilvestro and Matt McCormick. I was one of the few atheists in attendance that night and was fortunate enough to record the event with Matt and Russell's permission. Please excuse my poor photography skills in panning and zooming as the important thing is you can clearly here the speakers all throughout the debate. Thank you to the Bridgeway Christian Church community for their hospitality and allowing us to use their beautiful facility. Unlike some other debates you may find on Youtube between Atheists and Christians this one was very civil and everyone involved was beyond polite in respecting others who held views that differentiate from their own. Hopefully this will stand as an example that such debates are possible and others will strive to emulate it.

Speaker Credentials:

Russell DiSilvestro (Ph.D., Bowling Green State University) is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at California State University Sacramento. He teaches various classes in ethics and the philosophy of religion. His book Human Capacities and Moral Status is set to come out later this year, and he has published a number of articles in philosophy and biomedical ethics journals. He is a Christian, and has taught and debated various aspects of the Christian faith.

Matt McCormick (Ph.D., University of Rochester) is Associate Professor of Philosophy at California State University Sacramento. He teaches one of the only college level courses on atheism in the country. He writes the blog, Atheism: Proving the Negative at http://www.atheismblog.blogspot.com. He has recently finished a book manuscript titled The Case Against Christ. And he has published a number of articles in philosophy journals and anthologies on atheism and related topics.

The debate format is as follows:
20 minute opening main argument for each
10 minute follow on for each
5 minute final statement for each
20 minutes for questions

Video created using Pinnacle VideoSpin
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Home+Vide...

Category:

Education

Tags:

• 2010

[SacAtheist]

@DoctorE0 it may seem insane to us (I'm assuming you're an atheist), but judging by the religious demographics of the world it is totally acceptable to some. Going in there that night my requisite for victory was to get at least one person to question their faith, take a step back, and see it from another point of view. Realistically, you are right there is no use debating, but what can come of it is worth it.

[Knr911]

Wait wait wait... Are they really debating if Jesus was litteraly resurrected? I can't believe this...

Do they know that even at the time at St Paul (when christianity was not even founded), you may interpret the resurrection - Pneuma - as a spiritual one and call yourself a christian?

1800 years ago?

[DoctorE0]

Sorry it's useless to debate this.. shall we debate Harry Potter, Spiderman, Batman...

Did Batman exist.. .did he fly.. did he get stuck in Spiderman's web..... insane folks

[ONEon7Billion]

Prof. McCormick, As a former student, it was great to see you at the debate, sharp as ever (though a wee bit more gray than I remember) :-) I do wish there was more time to have heard your complete arguments. Perhaps you can expound further on a follow-up video here. I reviewed the debate on all of the video links & have a couple questions.

[ONEon7Billion]

Are there any documented cases of multiple individuals experiencing the same bereavement hallucinations, at the same time? Is it reasonable, by past or present psychology, to publicly disclose those experiences, knowing it would lead to persecution & death? Jesus' followers were terrified after seeing what happened when the Teacher of their same ideology spoke out; they were in hiding.  Even one of his best friends, Peter, is said to be so scared that he publicly disowned his Teacher.

[ONEon7Billion]

Q2 - By the proposed standards and propensities associated with "Fidelity Degradation", should we allow ourselves to accept ANY accounts of Ancient History? The phenomena would apply to non-supernatural events as well. Should this Resurrection account simply be weighed by standards of veracity, which are employed when looking at other historical texts and events?

[ONEon7Billion]

Q3 - If the evidence could have been better, as guided by the mind of an ominscient God, then could the process of Canonization not have also developed a better, more perfect story as well? It seems to me that the embarrassing, deeply personal and inglorious details are part of what has made this story endure the test of time. Such adherence to unflattering history does not seem to coincide with Pious affectations of grandeur.