If everyone gets an opportunity, Thuderfoot, the renowned anticreationist on YouTube, discuss creationism and other topics with Ray Comfort, the Christian evangelist here:
The Thunderf00t - Ray Comfort Discussion
I am still watching the video's on YouTube but would like others to weigh in. I will add more comments as I get through the succeeding videos.
I thought this would make an interesting discussion.
Enjoy.
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. Dr. Carl Sagan
I'm at 3 minutes of Part I, and what a horrible performance by Thunderfoot. One of the comments on that webpage was very apropos, that public debate is a skill.
So far it's just Comfort quizzing Thunderfoot, and though I share Thunderfoot's views, he's expressing them so stumblingly and torturedly and sometimes even evasively that he's convincing me he's wrong.
At 7 minutes Thunderfoot has yet to ask Comfort a question and is still stumbling along. He's telling Comfort that the flat-earth theory was actually a very good approximation. True, I guess, but a real loser of an argument.
Whoa, 7:50 and Thunderfoot has finally asked Comfort a question. Comfort took all of a second to turn it back on Thunderfoot.
Whoa again, 8:30 and Thunderfoot attempts to challenge Comfort with the account of Satan taking Jesus above the Earth that the text implies is flat, and Comfort deflects with a deft, "Figure of speech," then turns it back on Thunderfoot.
Independent of the content, Comfort's smooth Australian accent stands in stark contrast to Thunderfoot's nasal, fumbling delivery.
That was so painful I don't think I can watch the rest of this.
I agree with you Percy. Thunderfoot lost all his cool points on this debate/discussion. Where was the mounds of evolutionary evidence he is always spouting.
This was thoroughly disappointing and I didn't get past the 4th video.
I was hoping for better. To me it was Rational Squad vs. Ray Comfort & Kirk Cameron all over again.
If you wan't to discuss theology one must be a form theologian. I think sometimes atheists and other non-religious people seriously underestimate the power of irrationality exuded by those of Ray's calibre. Thunderfoot should have to stuck to what he does best, debunking bogus creationist claims.
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. Dr. Carl Sagan
Yep, truly awful. That Resurrection of Jesus debate I watched last week was better, and that was the worst thing I'd seen up until that point
If you wan't to discuss theology one must be a form theologian.
Exactly - there is this inexplicable desire on the part of the atheist to try to argue from the INSIDE of a worldview he does not believe in. I can't help but think that those of us who have been on the inside for large parts of our lives would make much more suitable opponents.
I couldn't waste more than 3 minutes watching this "debate." Ray Comfort is just about the biggest dumbass I've ever heard. It's painful to try and stomach it.
"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. "Thomas Paine
Independent of the content, Comfort's smooth Australian accent stands in stark contrast to Thunderfoot's nasal, fumbling delivery.
Seems everyone on here is familiar with "Thunderfoot." Someone want to clue me in, as I have no idea who that is? I know he's an atheist, and a shitty one judging by your comments, and that's all I know.
"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. "Thomas Paine
Actually, he's pretty good. He just doesn't do the head-to-head thing very well. Far better are his series of videos "Why Do People Laugh at Creationists?", which I highly recommend.
I will say one thing in Thunderf00t's favour; he doesn't come across as combative or aggressive in this debate, the way someone like Dawkins or Hitchens might. He appears to be trying to reason with Comfort (fat chance!). To some viewers, this might be a good thing. I'm not sure it is a good thing, but it might make him seem less threatening to a theist audience, even if he isn't combative enough for my tastes.
Mutate and Survive
"A curious aspect of the theory of evolution is that everybody thinks he understands it." - Jacques Monod
Far better are his series of videos "Why Do People Laugh at Creationists?", which I highly recommend.
Oh, okay, he's that guy. Yeah, actually I've seen that video before. So I take it he's gotten popular via YouTube. It's amazing how many people become popular through YuTube these days. I'm guessing Comfort saw one of his videos and challenged him.
"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. "Thomas Paine
I'm guessing Comfort saw one of his videos and challenged him.
Actually no. Thunderf00t challenged Ray. Whos first didn't respond, then said he'd do it for (I believe) 100.000 dollars, and then finally accepting it free of charge.
I am still watching the video's on YouTube but would like others to weigh in. I will add more comments as I get through the succeeding videos.
Thunderfoot did a good job at being nice, but he did a shitty job at debating. They were all over the place and he never stuck to certain topics. When Comfort simply rejects a common ancenstor, Thunderfoot doesn't jump on him. That was one that stuck with me, there are others like that.
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