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Author Topic:   Ray Comfort to "debate" on ABC Nightline
sidelined
Member (Idle past 5908 days)
Posts: 3435
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
Joined: 08-30-2003


Message 1 of 26 (399388)
05-05-2007 11:15 AM


In scanning the creationwiki home page I came across this news item and
here is the story from The Christian Post.
NEW YORK - A prominent Christian best-selling author is asserting that he can prove the existence of God without using the Bible, and has challenged two atheists to a debate.
Ray Comfort, author of God Doesn't Believe in Atheists, alongside fellow Christian and actor Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains) will butt heads with two ardent nonbelievers using only scientific fact in a debate sponsored by ABC. Comfort says that the evidence will “absolutely” confirm that there is a God, and he will not speak about his faith.
"Most people equate atheism with intellectualism," explained Comfort in a statement, "but it's actually an intellectual embarrassment. I am amazed at how many people think that God's existence is a matter of faith. It's not, and I will prove it at the debate - once and for all. This is not a joke. I will present undeniable scientific proof that God exists.”
The debate is in reaction to the “Blasphemy Challenge” that started late in 2006. The two creators of the movement encouraged all people to tape themselves with a short message that will “damn themselves to hell.” Participants must recite the line "I deny the Holy Spirit,” and then upload their video onto YouTube.
Comfort and Cameron felt that these two would be some of the most difficult people to convince that God does indeed exist, so contacted them about having a discussion.
ABC has said that they will film the debate, which will take place on May 5 in New York City, and will stream it live on their website as well as use footage for their program Nightline. Martin Bashir, co-anchor of Nightline, will moderate the event.
Cameron will use the event to also speak out against evolution, which he thinks is not credible and a major contributor to the growth in atheism.
"Evolution is unscientific. In reality, it is a blind faith that's preached with religious zeal as the gospel truth. I'm embarrassed to admit that I was once a nave believer in the theory,” said the former television star in a statement. “Atheism has become very popular in universities - where it's taught that we evolved from animals and that there are no moral absolutes. So we shouldn't be surprised when there are school shootings.”
Comfort felt impelled to hold the debate, because he is worried about the state of Christianity around the world, especially in Europe. According to a Zukerman study, in Sweden as many as 85 percent of the population are non-believers; Japan has 65 percent; France with 54 percent; and 44 percent of British citizens do not believe in God.
The Christian writer also noted that there is a genuine attack against Christian beliefs, more than other religions.
"[T]here is something more sinister here than a few people not believing in God,” concluded the author. “Why would so many be so bitter against Christianity in particular? Why aren't they making videos that blaspheme Buddha or Mohammed or Ghandi? We made our own video clip and posted it on http://www.Hollywoodblasphemy.com to expose why."
Comfort has spoken at several atheist events, one in which he was a platform speaker at the 2001 convention for the American Atheists, Inc.
This has got to be fodder for the late show circuit in coming months.
Edited by sidelined, : No reason given.
Edited by sidelined, : No reason given.

Replies to this message:
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kuresu
Member (Idle past 2513 days)
Posts: 2544
From: boulder, colorado
Joined: 03-24-2006


Message 2 of 26 (399404)
05-05-2007 11:46 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by sidelined
05-05-2007 11:15 AM


Since when was Japan part of Europe? Methinks they need to check a map.
anywho, should be interesting to see. Cameron's an idiot, so I'm betting the theo team will lose.

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
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sidelined
Member (Idle past 5908 days)
Posts: 3435
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
Joined: 08-30-2003


Message 3 of 26 (399413)
05-05-2007 12:32 PM
Reply to: Message 2 by kuresu
05-05-2007 11:46 AM


kuresu
My interest lays in finding out just how Mr. Comfort {Is that really his name?} plans to prove the existence of God scientifically and never refer to the bible. I hope he brings up the banana example again.
Interestingly while checking out the blasphemy challenge I found one Penn Gillette among those who took the challenge. Now he should be included in the debate.

" Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well-preserved body but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow!!What a ride!"
-----------------------------------------
What delightful hosts they are-Love and Laughter!
Lingeringly I turn away at this late hour,yet glad
They have not withheld from me their high hospitality.
So at the door I pause to press their hands once more
And say,"So fine a time!Thank you both...and goodbye.

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Zhimbo
Member (Idle past 6012 days)
Posts: 571
From: New Hampshire, USA
Joined: 07-28-2001


Message 4 of 26 (399415)
05-05-2007 12:43 PM
Reply to: Message 3 by sidelined
05-05-2007 12:32 PM


I'd pay a goodly amount of money just to sit in on a conversation between Gilette and Comfort.
Whoever does debate Comfort should try to get their hands on a wild-type banana.
Edited by Zhimbo, : No reason given.

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cavediver
Member (Idle past 3644 days)
Posts: 4129
From: UK
Joined: 06-16-2005


Message 5 of 26 (400126)
05-10-2007 3:02 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by sidelined
05-05-2007 11:15 AM


Check here for the debate Does God Exist? The Nightline Face-Off - ABC News
I've only listenedd to a small part so far (the evolution bit) and it's painful listening on both sides. Very frustrating...

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Coragyps
Member (Idle past 735 days)
Posts: 5553
From: Snyder, Texas, USA
Joined: 11-12-2002


Message 6 of 26 (400128)
05-10-2007 3:10 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by sidelined
05-05-2007 11:15 AM


Why aren't they making videos that blaspheme Buddha or Mohammed or Ghandi?
Ghandi? Let's ask about Reagan, or Teddy Roosevelt, or Princess Di! How the hell can you blaspheme Ghandi?

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New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 7 of 26 (400133)
05-10-2007 4:23 PM
Reply to: Message 3 by sidelined
05-05-2007 12:32 PM


What's the proof?
My interest lays in finding out just how Mr. Comfort {Is that really his name?} plans to prove the existence of God scientifically and never refer to the bible.
Me too.
Anybody watch/listen long enough to hear what his proof was?
I'm curious but I don't have time to watch it

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Clark
Inactive Member


Message 8 of 26 (400137)
05-10-2007 4:39 PM
Reply to: Message 7 by New Cat's Eye
05-10-2007 4:23 PM


Re: What's the proof?
He used the analogy if there is a painting, there must be a painter. If there is a creation, there must be a Creator. For the next proof he started talking about the 10 Commandments. So much for not using the Bible.

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JustinC
Member (Idle past 4844 days)
Posts: 624
From: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Joined: 07-21-2003


Message 9 of 26 (400138)
05-10-2007 4:43 PM


Is the atheist position in this debate supported by reputable atheists or just your run of the mill kind?

  
Heathen
Member (Idle past 1284 days)
Posts: 1067
From: Brizzle
Joined: 09-20-2005


Message 10 of 26 (400140)
05-10-2007 4:51 PM
Reply to: Message 7 by New Cat's Eye
05-10-2007 4:23 PM


Re: What's the proof?
So I can't view this debate,
Did anyone see it?
Did he produce undeniable scientific evidence that God exists?
I'm eager to see this evidence

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Archer Opteryx
Member (Idle past 3598 days)
Posts: 1811
From: East Asia
Joined: 08-16-2006


Message 11 of 26 (400142)
05-10-2007 5:08 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by sidelined
05-05-2007 11:15 AM


abc = 3 rings
Send in the clowns.
Oh--don't bother. They're here.

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Asgara
Member (Idle past 2303 days)
Posts: 1783
From: Wisconsin, USA
Joined: 05-10-2003


Message 12 of 26 (400151)
05-10-2007 7:04 PM
Reply to: Message 10 by Heathen
05-10-2007 4:51 PM


Re: What's the proof?
Comfort did nothing except repeat his normal sermon.
He started with a definition of scientific as "producing knowledge" and then used that definition as the basis for his "evidence"
  • creation produces knowledge of a creator
  • a conscience produces knowledge of a need for the creator's forgiveness
  • conversion produces knowledge of god experientially
He didn't pull out the banana but he did pull out the coke can (and his satire "theory" that the can evolved over millions of years).
The atheist team called themselves the The Rational Response Squad. They were responsible for The Blasphemy Challenge.
The debate was held in a church but the audience was a mixed house of Christians and atheists. The squad got a lot more applause and audience response than Comfort / Cameron.
They did not prove anything, they went straight to the use of faith and the bible. Cameron did talk about science. He basically showed his total and complete non-understanding of evolution and science. At one point he brought out graphics of expected transitionals, such as a "croca-duck" and a bull-frog totally unlike the one we have currently . At this point one member of the squad audibly groaned and mumbled something about a "numb-nut."
They are, however, offering $10,000 to anyone who can produce a genuine "living transitional."

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Wounded King
Member
Posts: 4149
From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Joined: 04-09-2003


Message 13 of 26 (400191)
05-11-2007 2:45 AM
Reply to: Message 12 by Asgara
05-10-2007 7:04 PM


Re: What's the proof?
They are, however, offering $10,000 to anyone who can produce a genuine "living transitional."
As the saying goes 'The stupid, it hurts!!'.
TTFN,
WK

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Jon
Inactive Member


Message 14 of 26 (400196)
05-11-2007 3:17 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by sidelined
05-05-2007 11:15 AM


sidelined writes:
creationwiki writes:
Comfort writes:
I am amazed at how many people think that God's existence is a matter of faith.... I will present undeniable scientific proof that God exists.
Even if he shows scientific evidence, that does not refute the fact that billions of people have/do believed/believe in God without that evidence, and so do it on their faith. To these people, God exists in faith, and is a matter of faith, whether it's a matter of science to this guy or not.
In other words, let's get out the popcorn and put on our laughing caps
Jon

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Jon
Inactive Member


Message 15 of 26 (400197)
05-11-2007 3:21 AM
Reply to: Message 2 by kuresu
05-05-2007 11:46 AM


The Nature of the Intended Audience
kuresu writes:
Since when was Japan part of Europe? Methinks they need to check a map.
C'mon man, they aren't looking to convince any members of the public who actually know anything; they're just after those who don't .
Jon

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