Alex
Administrator
I've been saying I'd be happy to debate any publicly known Atheist. It was a anytime-anywhere kind of challenge that one Skeptiko listener (Brian) took me up on by arranging an interview with Matt Dillahunty. After I couple of emails Matt and I decided that this thread might work better than an recorded interview... here goes.
BTW Matt asked we not open the thread up to everyone so we can focus on the exchange between he and I, but I certainly encourage a parallel thread for your input.
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Matt's Bio (from our friends at Wikipedia :))
Matt Dillahunty (born March 31, 1969) is a public speaker, internet personality and was the president of the Atheist Community of Austin until May, 2013.[2] He hosts the Austin-based webcast and cable-access television show The Atheist Experience, and formerly hosted the live internet radio show Non-Prophets Radio.[3] He is also the founder and contributor of the counter-apologetics encyclopedia Iron Chariots and its subsidiary sites.[4]
He is regularly engaged in formal debates and travels the United States speaking to local secular organizations and university groups as part of the Secular Student Alliance's Speakers Bureau.[5]
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To: Matt Dillahunty, 1/8/14
I've done a number of shows on Atheism and the problems resolving the New Atheist creed with consciousness science. Would be delighted to dialog with you about this on Skeptiko.
Suggested dates/times:
2/11 9am, 10am or 11am pacific... or same times on 2/13. Or other times that might work for you.
Relevant Skeptiko episodes:
http://www.skeptiko.com/221-atheist-john-loftus-biological-robot/
http://www.skeptiko.com/219-dr-stephen-law-extraordinary-claims/
http://www.skeptiko.com/victor-stenger-slams-parapsychology-calls-stanley-krippner-charlatan/
http://www.skeptiko.com/217-gary-marcus-near-death-experience/
Dopey Science (Atheism) Creed
1. There is no purpose to anything. I maintain that my life has no purpose, no meaning, and no destiny. The same is true of the entire universe.
2. There is no "right" or "wrong". Free will is an illusion. I affirm that my morals come from my genes and my conditioning rather than any decisions I make, because there is no "me". It's an illusion.3. And there are no "good people". Nor have there ever been any mystics, sages, prophets, or saints. There are no "bad people" either.
4. All reports throughout history of encounters with spirits, angles, ghosts and supernatural beings are bunk, regardless of the credibility of the witnesses or there number.
5. I am my brain. The death of my body is the death of me and my consciousness. All encounters with those who have died are an illusion.
Looking forward to talking with you,
Alex
BTW Matt asked we not open the thread up to everyone so we can focus on the exchange between he and I, but I certainly encourage a parallel thread for your input.
---------------------------
Matt's Bio (from our friends at Wikipedia :))
Matt Dillahunty (born March 31, 1969) is a public speaker, internet personality and was the president of the Atheist Community of Austin until May, 2013.[2] He hosts the Austin-based webcast and cable-access television show The Atheist Experience, and formerly hosted the live internet radio show Non-Prophets Radio.[3] He is also the founder and contributor of the counter-apologetics encyclopedia Iron Chariots and its subsidiary sites.[4]
He is regularly engaged in formal debates and travels the United States speaking to local secular organizations and university groups as part of the Secular Student Alliance's Speakers Bureau.[5]
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To: Matt Dillahunty, 1/8/14
I've done a number of shows on Atheism and the problems resolving the New Atheist creed with consciousness science. Would be delighted to dialog with you about this on Skeptiko.
Suggested dates/times:
2/11 9am, 10am or 11am pacific... or same times on 2/13. Or other times that might work for you.
Relevant Skeptiko episodes:
http://www.skeptiko.com/221-atheist-john-loftus-biological-robot/
http://www.skeptiko.com/219-dr-stephen-law-extraordinary-claims/
http://www.skeptiko.com/victor-stenger-slams-parapsychology-calls-stanley-krippner-charlatan/
http://www.skeptiko.com/217-gary-marcus-near-death-experience/
Dopey Science (Atheism) Creed
1. There is no purpose to anything. I maintain that my life has no purpose, no meaning, and no destiny. The same is true of the entire universe.
2. There is no "right" or "wrong". Free will is an illusion. I affirm that my morals come from my genes and my conditioning rather than any decisions I make, because there is no "me". It's an illusion.3. And there are no "good people". Nor have there ever been any mystics, sages, prophets, or saints. There are no "bad people" either.
4. All reports throughout history of encounters with spirits, angles, ghosts and supernatural beings are bunk, regardless of the credibility of the witnesses or there number.
5. I am my brain. The death of my body is the death of me and my consciousness. All encounters with those who have died are an illusion.
Looking forward to talking with you,
Alex