Comments for Destructing David

Comment on T,bate or not t’bate. William Lane Craig (Oxford) and Dawkins by NM

NM — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 19:59:28 +0000

Craig has said numerous times that he is open to evolution. His main issue lies within naturalism.

Comment on T,bate or not t’bate. William Lane Craig (Oxford) and Dawkins by Destructing David

Destructing David — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:14:49 +0000

Perhaps I was not clear in my original post, admittedly it was typed out in a rush, despite having thought about this quite a lot before hand.

What I was trying to say is that there is little to no point debating the existence of God philosophically with someone that holds a view of the nature of reality that is diametrically opposite. Craig and Dawkins would have to find common ground to even begin the debate. I don’t believe Craig would explicitly concede the fact of evolution by natural selection, i.e the overwhelmingly supported theory that explains the illusion of design in the diversity of life around us.

Craig is stuck on this tightrope where he can’t be taken seriously academically if he denies evolution, but also he woulld alienate many of his supporters if he expressed his complete endorsement of it.

He can’t have it both ways. What I find disingenuous is to use the scientific method and bleeding edge physics to lend weight to philosophical ‘proofs’ that support a god, but at the same time deny or ignore that very same scientific method (of evolution) that is far better evidenced and ‘factual’ but one that undermines a literal biblical worldview that he holds.

Craig’s stance on evolution is very relevant to any potential debate because it provides the ground rules on which to go forward. I don’t know for sure if Dawkins would accept if Craig was crystal clear on his views of design/creation/evolution but I certainly guess it would soften Dawkins attitude somewhat.

If they did debate with a clear understanding of one another’s position, and nobody was playing with a stacked deck, then Craig very well might ‘beat’ Dawkins in a debate setting. This is fair enough, no one is denying Craig’s showmanship and combatative skill, and it’s with this that you win a debate, it necessarily with the strength of your arguements.

Hope this makes my own position on the debate controversy clearer!

Thanks for commenting, I hope to review lt nights event in full at some point this week.

Comment on T,bate or not t’bate. William Lane Craig (Oxford) and Dawkins by kumar

kumar — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:01:58 +0000

I think you’ve missed the point. Evolution only would be relevant to the issue of whether GOd exists or not, only if it is claimed that God evolved. Nobody claims God evolved. Whether evolution is fact or fiction has nothing to do with the question that WLC wanted to debate.

BTW if evolution was AT ALL relevenat… you can be sure that Dawkins 12th excuse as to why he doesn’t want to debate WLC was because of this evolution issue that you speak of.

Comment on Sam Harris Part II @ Festival of Ideas: Post talk thoughts by Destructing David

Destructing David — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 06:27:32 +0000

Questions are hard to formulate and even harder to express out loud, at least you had a go, and I know what you meant I think.

I think the reason he’s oblivious is partly to do with what Sam told me afterwards (and I guess what I have been thinking for a while about apologists), it’s that he’s not logically reasoning to begin with. So no amount of rebuttal will grease the wheels.

Sam has since mentioned that he didn’t rebut every WLC remark point by point because of this, and the fact that if he did that he’d have no time to make his own points.

David

ps. ale is always the answer! hehe

Comment on A Week of Sam Harris by Destructing David

Destructing David — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 06:23:07 +0000

Hi there Shawn glad you enjoyed Bristol, we had a great time too! The talk was really good and that Thai restaurant down the road was lovely too. We only stayed the one night as we had to get back to Leeds. I’ve been pretty knackered for the last couple of days, but have managed to charge my batts and get excited for Cambridge today.

We are north east leeds, but originally from the midlands, I moved up in 2000 to go to university. Where are you from?

David

Comment on Sam Harris Part II @ Festival of Ideas: Post talk thoughts by Shawn Dimery

Shawn Dimery — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:53:32 +0000

My question to Sam came out all backwards, I was curious as to William Lane Craig’s bold assertion of morality from God, Sam debunked these in his recent debate with Craig, yet Craig persisted with his assertion, and I was curious as to why he seemed so oblivious to Sam’s explanation and arguments.

My question came out nothing like that, blah!

Nerves got the better of me on that occasion, (The ale in the bar before hand did not help matter either!)

Comment on A Week of Sam Harris by Shawn Dimery

Shawn Dimery — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:34:49 +0000

Just got back from Bristol, and what a great talk.
Even asked a question at the event, in regards to Hitchens moral challenge, got my book signed and shook his hand, great evening overall!

I found it ironic that his talk was in a church, but what can you do?!

PS. Bristol is such a beautiful town, albeit very religious, wondered into a book store to discover it was all Christian literature!

How did you find your stay?
And what part of Leeds are you from?

Shawn

Comment on A Week of Sam Harris by Destructing David

Destructing David — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:05:00 +0000

It’s a small world huh! Wow you are off early, we’re only just getting on the road. I didn’t get home until gone 2 though. Looking forward to a lazy day tomorrow! Have a safe journey down there mate

Comment on A Week of Sam Harris by Shawn Dimery

Shawn Dimery — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 04:39:56 +0000

Haha thats strange we are coming down from leeds also!
Just about to set off, yeah maybe ill see you there my friend.
Shawn.

Comment on A Week of Sam Harris by Destructing David

Destructing David — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 01:15:29 +0000

Hi Shawn, that’s great! Where are you and your fiancee coming from? We’re driving down from Leeds, I only just got in from the Dawkins Harris chat! Going to be frazzled come Sunday.

Sam’s a wonderfully lucid speaker with a fascinating mind, controversial perhaps on both sides of the fence, but certainly not at all dull.

There was book signings this evening, I’d assume there will be another tomorrow.

Glad you’re excited, have a great time. Tweet me when you’re there, maybe we can meet for a post/pre talk drink to discuss.

Take it easy,