Post-Debate Recap
October 20th, 2009
Last night more than 300 people came out to see Dan Waugh and Dan Barker debate the Indiana Atheist Bus Campaign’s ad “You Can Be Good Without God”. Both respected men were in excellent form and exemplified civility. We at the Bus Campaign could not be more pleased with the debate.
One of our key goals in forming INABC was to promote discussion amongst people who normally do not talk to each other due to disagreement. We wanted to encourage critical thinking on the reasons behind faith or lack thereof. Both of these goals ultimately create more understanding between theists and nontheists in our community. Dan Waugh and Dan Barker not only fulfilled our goals but did so in a very respectful manner.
We want people to feel comfortable discussing sensitive, controversial topics like religion. Oftentimes people are fearful to express their opinions or do not want to offend someone else. However, as both Waugh and Barker showed us last night, we can break down these barriers in a way that is not inflammatory or disrespectful. We can discuss religion critically whether we believe or do not believe in God.
While audience members may not have agreed with the speakers, this debate gave people the opportunity to hear well thought out arguments that may have been contradictory to the ones they held when they walked in. Events like this should happen more often! With these debates we can enter an age where critical discussion of religion is met with no hesitation, no fear. With your help, we can make strides towards a world where any idea can enter into a fair and balanced discussion where neither side feels the need to hold back.
Our work is not done. There are so many cities that have not seen our message! So many more topics that have yet to be debated! Your gift is not just a donation; it is an investment into a society of free minds, good hearts, and loud voices. Make your online tax deductable gift today.
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4 Comments Add your own
1. 4Him | October 26th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Thank you for the debate. However, Dan Barker was very offensive while Dan Waugh kept only to his belief and what Christ followers believe instead of bashing atheist. Dan Barker was very disrespectful by calling Christians idiots and never directly answered questions that were posed by Waugh (like a real policitian).
2. GeorgeRic | October 26th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Of course you can be good and not believe in God. Of course, there is a problem in ‘what is good?’ The debate on killing babies is a prime example of the problem.
It pleases me to let open-minded people know about new ways of pondering about the age-old questions. With the existence of ‘Techie Worlds’ (available at amazon.com) believers in Christianity can hold their views utilizing sound logic, clear thinking and a mechanistic view of worlds. Applying Flatland’s concept of contiguous dimensional worlds, Trinity, Resurrection, Judgment and soul are sensible and mechanically viable beliefs. ‘Techie Worlds’ follows that rule of science by which individual details are tested for their conformity to the overarching hypothesis. Admittedly, agnostics may choose not to follow such obvious and sensible logic, but no longer can they denigrate believers for fuzzy thinking. Moslems and pagans who read and understand the sound logic of the Flatland concept must adopt the reasonable Trinitarian view. ‘Techie Worlds’ will make them abandon the ways of terror an adopt the way of love. Techie Worlds is not standard preacher-prattle. Only by reading it can you open your mind to its valid way of understanding Christianity.
GeorgeRic
3. Linda | February 5th, 2010 at 12:19 am
You’re all going to burn in hell.
4. Jordan | September 18th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
You Can Be Good Without God. But Most People Arent.
God Takes The People who arent good and Cleans them up.
lets say your right. all the christian and god belivers would be living this good life doing good things.
so then we just lived a good life to be proud of.
but wait lets say there is a god and heaven and hell and all you people that dont belive are going to die and go to hell.
see that doesnt scare people because you guys dont understand what hell will really be like. its so hot that the fire burns black and your skins litteraly melts off you over and over again and your stand in a lake of fire and cant escape and your in that for eternalty.
who in there right mind would really wanna take that chance?
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