I was contacted about this by Rev. Alex Farmer [alex@servantsanglican.org] to host a debate in August. As of now, the Christian professor plans debate the topic, "Is Christianity based on a lie?" I think he is a professor of religious studies, but I am not sure b/c I cannot find his website. Dr. Green has written a plethora of books on religious studies in general, and Christianity in particular, and he has already been slated to come here that Friday to debate anyone who will. You can view his expansive publications HERE.
I think he would take the historical angle on debate [given his background and the statement of topic]: it doesn't seem that I have a lot of people who would be well-matched to him on that front, as most of these sorts of debates (and thus the seasoned debators) are "purely" philosophical in nature. But, I have written the few people I know would be fairly well-equipped to deal with his arguments: Dan Barker, Robert Price and Frank Zindler. As of now, I'm waiting for their replies and continuing to look for someone with pretty solid background in historical Christianity in the event that these three are unavailable. I contacted Debbie Goddard at the CFI and asked her to help me with suggestions for other potential speakers.
I have already put in a room request with the registrar's office, and with Shands for the HPNP facilities. Alex has contacted some resources with Touchdown Terrace and others. As of right now, we're working on a venue and on the debate opponent. That's where we are.
For more details on the event, I have copied & pasted the email that I sent those three potential speakers for you to look over below.
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I think he would take the historical angle on debate [given his background and the statement of topic]: it doesn't seem that I have a lot of people who would be well-matched to him on that front, as most of these sorts of debates (and thus the seasoned debators) are "purely" philosophical in nature. But, I have written the few people I know would be fairly well-equipped to deal with his arguments: Dan Barker, Robert Price and Frank Zindler. As of now, I'm waiting for their replies and continuing to look for someone with pretty solid background in historical Christianity in the event that these three are unavailable. I contacted Debbie Goddard at the CFI and asked her to help me with suggestions for other potential speakers.
I have already put in a room request with the registrar's office, and with Shands for the HPNP facilities. Alex has contacted some resources with Touchdown Terrace and others. As of right now, we're working on a venue and on the debate opponent. That's where we are.
For more details on the event, I have copied & pasted the email that I sent those three potential speakers for you to look over below.
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Dear Dr. (Mr.?) Zindler,More details as they come in.
I am writing you today because I wanted to find out if your busy schedule would allow you to participate in a debate at the University of Florida with Prof. Michael Green (PhD). We would arrange travel for you such that you would bear no out-of-pocket expenses, as well as give you an honorarium. I picked you from the atheists.org speakers bureau because you claim to have some background in the origins of Christianity.
I was contacted about this by Alex Farmer [alex@servantsanglican.org] to host the debate in August. As of now, the Christian professor plans to come here August 24th to debate the topic, "Is Christianity based on a lie?" I think he is a professor of religious studies, but I am not sure b/c I cannot find his website. Dr. Green has written a plethora of books on religious studies in general, and Christianity in particular, and he has already been slated to come here that Friday to debate anyone who will. I think he would take the historical tack [given his background and the statement of topic]: it doesn't seem that I have a lot of people who would be well-matched to him on that front, besides yourself, Bob Price and perhaps Dan Barker. You can view his expansive publications here:
http://tinyurl.com/3b2c95
I have already put in a room request with the registrar's office, and with Shands for the HPNP facilities. Alex has contacted some resources with Touchdown Terrace and others. As of right now, we're working on a venue and on the debate opponent. That's where we are.
It is very important to us to have the debate. UF is the third largest school in the nation and the turnout should be great. We will be doing lots of PR and advertisement, and I will video-record the debate and distribute it for free via Google Video, as well as sending the participants a DVD hard copy.
I wanted to FW the below email between myself and Alex to you. The subject involved the terms of the debate, and Alex and I spoke by phone later and agreed that a cross-examination period should be proposed to Michael, as yet no response has been reported to me. I would predict that he will allow/want the cross period. Please reply, if you'll be available and are interested, with your preferred terms of the debate / format.
Don't hesitate to call me with questions, or I can call you to save you the toll charges. Also feel free to write Alex if you have anything for him [alex@servantsanglican.org].
Warmly,
--
President of Gator Freethought
http://www.gatorfreethought.org
Alex Farmer wrote:
>
> Michael said each speaker should speak for 20 min. then take questions from the floor with an opportunity for each speaker to respond to each question. Finally, each speaker should have 5 minutes to do a wrap up summary of their position.
>
> In addition, he suggested a possible topic of “ Is Christianity based on a lie?” . Let me know if this information is helpful and what other questions your speaker might have. I should add, that we, of course, are willing to help fund the cost to bring your speaker in. I should have mentioned this earlier.
>
> Alex Farmer
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