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On September 26, 1999 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Jeffery Jay Lowder, President of Internet Infidels, Inc., and Phil Fernandes, President of the Institute of Biblical Defense, discussed the following important issues:
The debate was skillfully moderated by Dr. Doug Jesseph, Professor of Philosophy, North Carolina State University.
"I thought [Lowder] did a terrific job. I'm not as impressed as [he
is] by [some of his arguments], but I thought [he] presented them very
well. ... [Lowder's] rebuttals were masterful. [His] opponent never knew
what had hit him. ... Throughout, [Lowder was] clear, spoke right to the
point, and [was] right on top of the argument throughout the debate."
-- Wes Morriston,
Christian and Professor of Philosophy, University of Colorado at Boulder
"The Lowder-Fernandes debate is one the most decisive victories for
naturalism to be caught on tape. Through his clear and eloquent opening
presentation, and his virtually flawless rejoinders to Fernandes' misunderstandings
and appeals to authority, Jeffery Jay Lowder demonstrates how multiple
lines of evidence combine to form a powerful cumulative case for naturalism
over theism. Lowder is both a gifted thinker and a talented speaker, and
I hope for many more debates to come."
-- Mark I. Vuletic, doctoral
candidate in philosophy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
"Jeffery Jay Lowder and Dr. Phil Fernandes set a high standard for debates
between theists and non-theists. The debaters presented arguments commmanding
the respect of scholars but accessible to the layman, engaging the concern
felt by people on both sides of the question of God's existence. Equally
important, each treated his opponent with consummate courtesy, creating
an atmosphere of genuine cordiality not only between themselves, but with
the audience."
-- Barbara Forrest, Professor of Philosophy, Southeastern Lousiana
University
"I think the debate video is wonderful! Any student or group planning
a debate should watch this, even if the topic of their debate is not the
same. It was a high quality video and my roommate (a doubting Catholic)
was deeply impressed as well. While the debate does seem to go in the favor
of the naturalists, the debate itself was very fair and organized. I was
very impressed with the way the video captured the feel of the debate itself!"
-- Melissa Anne Robinson, freshman, Winthrop University
"This excellent debate between two knowledgable proponents of their
respective view points should be required viewing for anyone who wishes
to defend nonbelief in a public forum. Lowder combines logical arguments
and rhetorical skills in a most impressive way that will delight naturalists
and challenge theists."
--Michael
Martin, author of Atheism:
A Philosophical Justification
"Lowder presented the naturalist position exceptionally well. The debate
was very effective and rich in content. One of the finest debates I've
attended."
--Amanda Chesworth, Executive Director, Campus
Freethought Alliance
"Lowder did a superlative job. I was amazed at the way he kept separate
issues distinct and had instant command of all relevant data! The movement
simply must contrive for Lowder to be among the vanguard of its leaders
in the next generation."
--Robert
M. Price, editor, The Journal of Higher Criticism, and author,
Beyond
Born Again: Towards Evangelical Maturity
"Lowder's performance was great. I look forward to Lowder becoming a
major spokesman for atheism."
--Victor
J. Stenger, Professor of Physics, University of Hawaii, and author
of
The
Unconscious Quantum: Metaphysics in Modern Physics and Cosmology
"The Lowder-Fernandes debate is a pleasure to watch. Jeff Lowder's defense
of naturalism is calm, confident, and exceedingly well-prepared, and he
skillfully skewers the arguments of his opponent. I anxiously anticipate
a future debate between Lowder and William Lane Craig."
-- Jim
Lippard, M.A. in Philosophy (University of Arizona)
"I attended this debate. It is remarkably varied and complete with regard
to the many different arguments presented on both sides. I recommend it
highly to anyone interested in acquiring both evidence for and against
the existence of God."
-- Theodore
Drange, Professor of Philosophy, West Virginia University, and author,
Nonbelief
and Evil
"For anyone interested in a vigorous debate on the topic of naturalism
vs. theism, I can highly recommend this video. Lowder and Fernandes ably
show how one can address highly technical issues in a manner understandable
to the general public. In addition, their civility and obviously respect
for each other helps to complement their unyielding advocacy of their positions."
--Timothy
J. Madigan, PhD, Chair of the Editorial Board, Free Inquiry
Magazine
"Jeffery Lowder presented a far more plausible case for his position
and explained his arguments better than his opponent. Many of Phil Fernandes'
'arguments' were not arguments at all but merely assertions. Fernandes
also relied too heavily on the far from conclusive 'First Cause' cosmological
argument. Overall Lowder presented a better case because the existence
of animal suffering and other points are inconsistent with Christian theism
but exactly what one would expect if naturalism were true. Lowder made
it clear that on the basis of empirical evidence naturalism has far better
evidential warrant than Christian theism. By contrast, Fernandes made a
case for Christian theism based on obscure philosophical arguments whose
conclusions are only binding if one already accepts his dubious assumptions."
--Keith
Augustine, philosophy graduate student at the University of Maryland
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