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November 3, 2011 at 1:35 pm 
Matt Dillahunty The debate will be live-streamed at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/humanist
Here’s part of the press release:
GOOD WITHOUT GOD? LIVE DEBATE.
Matt Dillahunty from The Atheist Experience
To debate
Mark Allison from Covenant Connections Church
The South is full of people who believe that to be good you must have God. The
Gainesville State College Secular Student Alliance disagrees with that statement.
The Secular Student Alliance has arranged a debate between Matt Dillahunty,
atheist, and Mark Allison, Christian, on the topic of Good Without God. There
will be 5 questions presented by the moderator then time for questions from the
audience. The debate will be held on Thursday November 17th at 7:00PM. The
debate will be held on the Gainesville State College Campus in the Academic IV
building, on the 3rd floor in the multi-purpose room.
Posted in 
Looking forward to this. Best of luck to you, though I don’t think you’ll need any. Go Matt!
I’ve looked up Mark Allison, and I can’t find anything about him. Am I missing something? Is he someone that matters?
Or is one of the best atheist thinkers out there, who has weekly discussed/debated religion on television for years, going up against some guy that goes to church?
Either way, I’ll listen.
It’s been very difficult finding debate opponents. Several groups have tried and failed. In this case, someone else had agreed and then backed out.
So, it’s gonna be a logic bloodbath. Cool.
I poked around on the church website and all I could find is that he’s the director of the church’s ministry school.
http://www.covenantlifesm.org/page3/index.html
He may be the presenter in the audio lectures available on that site; the presenter doesn’t sound like the other guy listed on that page (the church’s lead pastor).
The church is one of those non-denominational megachurches with a suspiciously well-to-do pastor. They appear to promote Biblical literalism, glossolalia, and personal revelation.
Check out sermonaudio.com – http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?currPage=2&keyword=Dr.%5EMark%5EAllison&SpeakerOnly=true&currSection=sermonsspeaker&AudioOnly=false&SortBy=oldest
I don’t really see the purpose behind these debates, it’s as if you are lending credence to Christian claims by acknowledging that there is a debate to be had in the first place.
What I’d like to see is, after the introductions and the Christian sermon/monologue, the atheist opens up his bible and reads from a piece of paper inserted in the bible saying “so-and-so (the other debater) is a lying sack of excrement who should not under any circumstances be believed”. Then you can use all their own arguments about what is in the bible against the objections that they raise about your quote. “Well, I found it _in_ the bible!!! What more do you need?”.
Ouch! I hope what I’ll present will have a little more substance than the circular reasoning you’re describing. Oh, and I’m definitely not the “Mark Allison” from the audio sermons you’ve linked to
Debates aren’t usaully about convinceing the other debater. Its about convincing the audience.
Debates played a huge role in my deconversion. Had they not been there I would probably be diest or even worst an “Agnostic.”
I’m pretty sure you just demonstrated why I’m doing this debate and you aren’t. I could point out all the ways you’re wrong, but since you don’t see the purpose…I just won’t bother.
Do you know the questions ahead of time and any chance you would be able to share?
I have a couple of sample questions that will probably be asked. I have no idea what the audience is going to ask.
I look forward to watching the debate. Good luck!
Such a topic reminds me of Steven Weinberg’s quote, “With or without [religion] you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.”
7 PM? Bad time for us with European time zones
Would it be possible to post the time zone of the event or better yet, at what time GMT the event will take place?
That would make it a bit easier for us international viewers.
Eastern time zone. It happens at midnight GMT.
Thank you!
Georgia is in the Eastern Time Zone. (UST -5:00), and by that time, we will not be in Daylight Savings Time.
“There will be 5 questions presented by the moderator then time for questions from the audience.”
Any more specifics about the format?
I know its scheduled 7-10. So 3 hours.
Make sure you get a written agreement that the tape of the debate will be made available. (I’m assuming you’ve been following the Coyne/Haught thing; I never got a tape of my afterlife debate with that theology guy from St. Ed’s years ago…)
Many congratulations, BTW!
Paul, you don’t need a recording. The debate lives on in your memories.
Is this open to the public? I am not too far away and would like to attend.
This is good to hear, Matt, I’m looking forward to seeing it. Just remember to keep saying to yourself “there is no HOLD button here… there is no HOLD button here…”
I remember at your last debate’s Q&A, before you bounced the loudmouth like Pat Swayze, I could have sworn I saw you istinctively poking at the tabletop trying to shut him up.
I found myself trying to “Go Back” in real-life conversations when I first got my DVR at home – technology’s a bitch sometimes.
Have fun and make us proud!
Glad to see that these debates are going on. Maybe you should think about debating Tim Tebow. You will get more exposure and I am sure he does not know much about his religion except to quote a few passages from the Bable.
I’m good without god
Well, that debate was fun.
Seriously. All he has to do is go up one stage, hug a baby, and leave. Done.
But you know at least one of the arguments will pop up:
1) We really do believe in god.
2) God wrote it on our hearts even if we don’t believe.
If it’s open to the public I will be there.
Matt,
Stay the weekend and let’s go to William Lane Craig’s Sunday School class in Marietta. You will have to pass it on the way to the Airport.
He does that shit in Georiga?
It looks as if this debate will not be in a religious setting. You should do well there Matt.
How much do you want to bet that it’ll go down like the previous one? Maybe this time the opponent won’t be off in his/her own world during the debate.
Is anyone allowed to attend the event?
For us who missed it, will it be up on Ustream or Youtube?
You didn’t miss it…it’s in 13 days. And the Ustream link to watch it live is in the post. Which part of this did you read to get so confused?
Sebastian has had a Haught Transformative Experience and is now living in the future…
I go to Gainesville state college!! Oh my fucking god, I never thought we would be mentioned.
oh my god! that comment was only after reading hte first few sentences.
i just finished. hes coming to my school!!!
Any info on if it’s open to the public? I’d love to drag my Christian dad up to the debate if it is.
I hear William Lane Craig is doing something in my hometown around that date, care to stay around for that?
According to the event posting on the GSC Secular Student Alliance facebook page, its free and says nothing about restrictions to who can come.
Most events that occur here are free for the public.
Here is a link to the event page.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=170006163094212
I know its free and is in:
Academic Building IV (next to the Physical Education Building)
3rd Floor Multi Purpose Room
Donations requested to support the Kasese Humanist Primary School in Kasese, Uganda
Matt,
My night has just been made!! I’m a Gainesville resident and baring anything catotrophic, I’ll be at the debate. If there’s a victory party afterwards, let’s plan a meetup!!
Greetings! I’m Mark Allison, the guy who gets to present the theistic perspective in Gainesville next week. I’m not a talk show host and have never participated in a debate, so this should be interesting
And I’ll join everyone for a victory party afterward, no matter who wins!
I rarely look at these things in the context of “who wins” – but I’m looking forward to meeting you and I’m hoping we have a great discussion/debate. Partying afterward is contingent (that’s sort of an inside joke, as my last debate opponent said he’d happily go have a beer with me, was pleasant through the whole debate and then used his closing remarks to start invoking Nazi/eugenics/gulag nonsense that unfortunately removed him from my ‘will-drink-with’ list.)
I’ll see you next Thursday!
As long as you don’t use the “Hitler was a Christian” argument, I’ll stay away from the whole holocaust thing. Seriously though, I was just responding jokingly to one of the prior posts about “winning.” Just hoping to clearly articulate the Christian/theistic POV. Looking forward to meeting you!
In public and private, Hitler self-identified as a Catholic. His theological ideas are a considerable mess, though, and it’s hard to say what he was – though there’s no justification for labeling him an atheist (not that you did…but it happens). Plenty of people (both atheists and theists) have done good things and bad things. Some have done so in the name of their religious views. Some have been consistent with the tenets of their religion, others have perverted beliefs to their purposes. I don’t really see how Hitler is relevant to the subject…and I’m rarely the first person to mention him.
Dues paying ACA Member in Georgia, here! I’m afraid my house is 90 minutes away, so I can’t offer that as a party venue, but I’d very much like to hang with people after the debate. We should all go out for dinner or drinks after.
Now this would be great. I think a party would be fun; I hate not ever being able to participate in “after show meetings” at… is it El oRoyos–anyway you get the picture.
I think the real question should be, “How can someone have morals if you follow a religion which has a moral code which has not changed in the last 2000 years?” I think that this is going to be an absolute push over for Matt, I would say good luck but I really don’t think he needs it.
I am VERY excited to be in Georgia and I really don’t get to say that very often.
Looking forward to seeing someone whose blog I enjoy debate in public!
Woo hoo! So glad this is being streamed – I’ll be watching from Toronto, Canada
Best of luck to you both.
I have a great idea, lets all start off on a fair playing field, lets go back say 3 billion years ago and visit planet earth. Hmmm wait a minute, theres absolutely nothing going on, ok 2 billion years, still nothing, 1 billion, still nothing, hmmmm where’s God? is he messing around with the Mars people??? OK lets go back a few hundred million years ago, hmmmm I see nothing but Dinosaurs walking around, and not one of them is praying!!!! When will this God get working on that human species?
Ok lets go back 25,000 years ago, now I see some human looking things kinda walking and limping around, there making some type of uggghrrr sounds, but still I see no praying or churches anywhere. Oh well I guess we will have to go back 2,000 years ago and go with that story! LOL
Jack Moore
The evolution vs creation debate has recently reached a point where the arguments are a bit more advanced than positing the existence of a time machine and “creationism is LOL”. While I’m sure most of us here largely agree with the second argument, it might do you some good to research the topic before trying to contribute further on the matter.
Also, the topic of the debate scheduled for tomorrow doesn’t have anything to do with evolution vs creation; the topic is “Good Without God”. Got any thoughts on that which don’t end in “LOL”?
Wonder how it will compare with Tuesday night’s “World Without Religion” debate between Grayling/Chapman & D’Souza/Wolpe? I enjoyed it even though I imagine some people thought it was pointless or not much of debate.
Will there be a vote taken of the audience before & after to see if anyone changed their minds?
Will the audience get to ask questions?
Will there be any discussion about “objective moral values or truths” or “moral relativism” or “problem of evil” or “foundationalism”?
John
Matt and Mark you both did good job in debate. Now having said that, not to be very combative to you Matt although it will come across that way, I just dont see that anyone in the room is atheist, first it seems maybe you are agnostic and others too but “atheist” that is pushing it a little. It is my personal opinion Matt you are a very serious , sincere guys who really does want truth, I am a little taken back and surprised you posture such a life and defense against God when clearly you still believe in and are really acting out frustration and hurt from the “lack of experience” or encounter you wanted to have with God. I mean “man” you act as thought you life is over and it was a one time pursuit to either get that experience or die. You know and I know life is being lived in one experience to another, and we desire to know truth and you had truth all a long in your walk for 25 years as a christian and yet you after a deep deep desire to know him, and get answers which I can only assume never came the time you wanted them or as quick as you needed them or it didn’t happen the way you wanted, makes me scratch my head and say “man” you give up to easy and why do you think you have to have all the answers to life? I am a Christian, a disciple of Christ, always learning and yes even being challenged in life and being transformed. I don’t think after 25 years as a christian it is fair to say you morals haven’t already been shaped and and part of your character formed by what you did know in Christ. I think it is awesome you seek and look for truth and yes the bible and God can stand the test. Man honestly you give up to easy in pursuit of him. I am a seeker too but have not been disappointed in my quest to know him and if any failure or weakness or shortcoming is my part not God’s. I could go on and on but I love you and bless you and God bless you Mark
I don’t have time to address this now….but try to understand what you’re talking about. Your comment sounds trollish, especially given the number of times I’ve explained the agnostic/atheist thing. Your comments are almost nonsensical…” I don’t think after 25 years as a christian it is fair to say you morals haven’t already been shaped and and part of your character formed by what you did know in Christ”
When did I say this? Do you have any clue what you’re talking about? I’ve never claimed that I haven’t been influenced by this.
Unlike most people, I’ve actually re-thought my moral positions. My moral positions now, are not in any way dependent on Christianity. Some views changed, some didn’t, but all have been reconsidered and are based on reason – not religion. There’s so much wrong in your short paragraph that I’d need to do an entire show just to correct it. I just got home, so I won’t be doing that tonight…
It’s an incredibly disrespectful and insulting act of hubris to claim that you know what a person believes or doesn’t believe better than they do.
For example, I propose that you (Derrick) do not believe in God and are merely asserting that you do in order to keep from feeling like a fool for wasting so much of your life on It.
Or, we could acknowledge that accusing the other person of holding a dishonest position is a claim that cannot be demonstrated and is therefore worthless, so we should stick to discussing things that can be proven or disproven in order to have a meaningful discussion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpHNal57ix0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIhGxEdez98
These videos explain it better than I could.. Please watch!
God isn’t my religion…God doesn’t even like religion… it’s about a relationship with my creator and my savior who loves me. It grieves my heart to watch so many people deny God because a true relationship with Him is indescribable, and I can’t understand why someone would give up and not spend their entire life seeking a relationship with God. Think about it.. when we hear a story of a person who has never talked to their father or has a bad relationship with the dad it saddens us because we know how important that is and personally I would grieve for that person because I know what it is like to have a blessed relationship with my dad. That is paralleled with our heavenly father, and it saddens me to see all these people who never talk or even have a relationship with God. Honestly, it surprises me how people who believe there is no God try to out smart God, but you can’t so stop spending your entire life trying. Everything around you including your physical body screams there is a God, so stop trying to deny it and open your eyes. My challenge to you is to go sit in the woods or outside during a sunrise or sunset, and take in the beautiful environment God has created for you to see everyday.. take a deep breath, and if you say there is no God then please tell me how something so amazing came to this Earth. Lastly, I just wanted to say that I am 20 years old and a nursing major in college, and if learning about the complexity of the human body doesn’t prove there is a God then I don’t know what else could. Just wanted to share my thoughts and let you know that wether you believe it or not God loves you and I love you. Oh and to Matt last night when you said that if God reveled himself to you that you would change your mind.. well i will never forget that and I will pray for you everyday that God drastically transforms your life and that you can truly have a relationship with Him and not the religion about Him. Good job to Mark and Matt last night you both did a good job.
Isaac Newton: “The most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.”
Albert Einstein: “I want to know how God created this world, I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element. I want to know His thoughts, the rest are details.”
What rose colored glasses. Mark and you exhibit the new age Christian “Lite”.
What saddens me is the “God” that lurks in the hearts of so many Christians divides family and creates so much violence in the world. Divisions like Gay, Straight, Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, stem NOT from the religion but from a belief in a god. At a theist’s core they believe in a God first, then work the religion into their life, picking what they like from colum A or B. That is what you and Mark have done, Chelsi.
Remove the God, the religion disappears, and with it the division and the strife. Keep the God, you keep the baggage cause God always brings something.
Mark talked about how he believed in miracles and witnessed one when an ointment was applied to his child. The description of his child’s distressed seem to be one atypical to any young child. In his mind God reached down and cured the child of this relatively minor illness. What an ego he must have to believe the creator of the universe healed his child while ignoring the good Christian prayers of parents faced with children battling cancer and other life threatening illness.
Overall, it seemed like a waste of God’s talents.
My last concern is that someone who studies nursing would have so little scientific understanding of the creation around them. From the big bang to the wonderful story of the evolution of wolves to dogs, the science and understanding of those processes is far more compelling than some iron age myths. If you don’t understand where the complexity has come from then you need to put your nursing studies on hold and commit yourself to understanding evolution. These questions have been answered. Your ignorance of the answers should not be satisfied with “God did it”.
I for one would much prefer a nurse who had complete grasp of the science of the human body, rather than one who is just “amazed” by God’s handiwork.
The complexity of the human body convinces you there’s a god? If we were designed, whoever did it did a horrible job. A few examples: our eyes are a mess and can’t pick up portions of the light spectrum that are extremely important to our survival, we use the same hole in our neck for breathing, consumption, and communication, and the whole combined urinary tract and sex organs thing causes no end of problems.
Excellent point JDog.
What about God’s amazing design in the transmission of River Blindness?
…The parasite is transmitted to humans through the bite of a black fly of the genus Simulium. The larval nematodes spread throughout the body. When the worms die, their Wolbachia symbionts are released, triggering a host immune system response that can cause severe itching, and can destroy optical tissue in the eye….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onchocerciasis
God sure is amazing! I never would have thought of doing that way!
Thought it came down to the fact that this was Mark’s first debate and just wasn’t adequate against Matt who’s experienced and a former theist. I certainly understand how difficult it is to arrange these debates as well as agreeing on the format, topic, questions, and so forth.
Also think pastors and preachers are just too used to “preaching to the choir” and providing positive support to those in need and not really involved with answering the difficult theological, moral, or ethical questions that intellectuals (be they religious or not) have.
I actually believe a lot of Christians and religious folk are really “closet agnostics” and live in fear of not having any “absolutes” to go by or find themselves in a “crisis of faith”. They’re just not going to get the personal support or confidence (uplifting emotions) they need from atheists (or themselves) like they can from the majority religious establishments.