For the first time, I almost sat through a whole televised Christian-atheist debate tonight. Almost – I couldn’t quite make it (see here for the last one I couldn’t complete). Both Cardinal George Pell (Catholic archbishop of Sydney) and Richard Dawkins (Oxford Fellow) made some good points, some cringeworthy points, and some missing-the-points. I don’t know whether it’s because I don’t like confrontation, or because these things always lack recognition of mis-matched presuppositions, or because I’m cynical about both Christians and atheists who make money out of such debates, but I can’t really stand ‘em.
Almost sat through a whole Christian-atheist debate
April 9, 2012 by Matthew R. Malcolm
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Best statement of that whole episode. “So is it possible for an atheist or person who doesn’t believe in God to go to heaven?” – Pell “Of course it is!”. lol didn’t even have to think twice about that one. Straight into the liberal camp.
Such an embarrassment for the christian perspective. I think once Pell mentioned Jesus commonly in a sentence when he was mentioning that he envisioned him as the greatest man to have lived.
But there was so much…. so much focus put on being a good person is what it’s all about…. and love…. just love everyone.
I hate to say it and don’t want anyone to take it up with me but I think even little me may have offered better insight in to what following Christ is all about.
It was a missed opportunity indeed. Here’s an interesting and insightful take on the episode: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-10/stephens-questions-without-answers-in-the-kingdom-of-whatever/3941740