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"The God Delusion Debate" is a lively debate between Professor Richard Dawkins and his Oxford colleague Dr. John Lennox. Richard Dawkins has established himself as a world leading scientist and proponent of New Atheism, where as John Lennox is a prominent mathematician and Christian apologist.
Professor Dawkins' New Atheist perspective was pitted against that of Dr. John Lennox - a popular Christian apologist and scientist who travels the world to speak about the interface between science and religion. The debate centres on Dawkins views as expressed in his best-seller 'The God Delusion' and their validity over and against the Christian faith.
Like Dawkins, Dr. Lennox has dedicated his career to science, but he has arrived at very different conclusions. Remaining true to their goal of engaging secular culture on critical issues in a thoughtful, respectful manner, Fixed Point Foundation sponsored a debate on what is arguably the most critical question of our time: the existence of God.
"Darwin's Rottweiler is about to get a run for his money" - BBC
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34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Dawkins is a world renowned scientist, and probably the leading proponent of "New Atheism"; John Lennox is a leading mathematician and Christian apologist (largely using the philosophy of science). Both are professors and fellows at Oxford University, and both are are intellectually unimpeachable. So to see them debate something as important as God (or "The God Delusion Debate", to give it its official title) is truly fascinating, in a culture where the debate has become horribly cruel, hateful and polemical.
As a Christian, I feel very wary of Dawkins: I am fully aware of the scorn he would pour upon me were we to meet, and I am aware of his (reputed) unwillingness to debate people of faith. But, in this debate, he comes across as a gentleman, and it was a lovely surprise. He slips in the odd barb, and there was a smattering of undeniable venom, but he was mostly respectful, and I was thrilled at the opportunity to listen to him expound on his opinions without its being so pejorative-laced and didactic.
The structure of the debate is a little frustrating - as Dawkins himself says, he rather wishes he were permitted to respond directly to Lennox, as opposed to taking turns in expressing their views. But, the debate covers 6 main points in Dawkins's The God Delusion, so while it's not comprehensive, it gives them both ample - and, importantly, equal - opportunity to talk. The 6 points of discussion, as plucked from the book, are:
~ faith is blind, and science is evidence-based
~ science - in particular, evolution - supports atheism, and not Christianity
~ who designed the Designer?
~ Christianity is dangerous
~ no-one needs God to be moral
~ Christian claims about the nature of Jesus are not true
I don't want to use this review as an opportunity to ram my own beliefs down anyone's throat, so I won't discuss the content of the actual debate, nor how persuasive I found it, as it's subjective and, within a review, irrelevant. Suffice it to say, in watching this, my faith was strengthened. By the same token, I think an avowed atheist will find their opinion strengthened, too. People in the middle, though, may find this immensely thought-provoking and, in places, surprising and it's really 50/50 as to which side of the debate will be found more persuasive.
Towards the end of the debate, the rigid structure causes it to stumble slightly, with both chaps becoming frustrated and losing their respective trails of thought. (Lennox, incidentally, discusses his side of the debate in his own book.) But it remains polite - if slightly more prickly than it began - and given how ugly the entire debate has become, it is a genuine relief, and a salve, and be you (rational) Christian, (rational) atheist, or somewhere in the middle, chances are you'll find this fascinating.
As a Christian, I feel very wary of Dawkins: I am fully aware of the scorn he would pour upon me were we to meet, and I am aware of his (reputed) unwillingness to debate people of faith. But, in this debate, he comes across as a gentleman, and it was a lovely surprise. He slips in the odd barb, and there was a smattering of undeniable venom, but he was mostly respectful, and I was thrilled at the opportunity to listen to him expound on his opinions without its being so pejorative-laced and didactic.
The structure of the debate is a little frustrating - as Dawkins himself says, he rather wishes he were permitted to respond directly to Lennox, as opposed to taking turns in expressing their views. But, the debate covers 6 main points in Dawkins's The God Delusion, so while it's not comprehensive, it gives them both ample - and, importantly, equal - opportunity to talk. The 6 points of discussion, as plucked from the book, are:
~ faith is blind, and science is evidence-based
~ science - in particular, evolution - supports atheism, and not Christianity
~ who designed the Designer?
~ Christianity is dangerous
~ no-one needs God to be moral
~ Christian claims about the nature of Jesus are not true
I don't want to use this review as an opportunity to ram my own beliefs down anyone's throat, so I won't discuss the content of the actual debate, nor how persuasive I found it, as it's subjective and, within a review, irrelevant. Suffice it to say, in watching this, my faith was strengthened. By the same token, I think an avowed atheist will find their opinion strengthened, too. People in the middle, though, may find this immensely thought-provoking and, in places, surprising and it's really 50/50 as to which side of the debate will be found more persuasive.
Towards the end of the debate, the rigid structure causes it to stumble slightly, with both chaps becoming frustrated and losing their respective trails of thought. (Lennox, incidentally, discusses his side of the debate in his own book.) But it remains polite - if slightly more prickly than it began - and given how ugly the entire debate has become, it is a genuine relief, and a salve, and be you (rational) Christian, (rational) atheist, or somewhere in the middle, chances are you'll find this fascinating.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
A balanced presentation of the issues from both sides. WELL WORTH seeing the debate, which ever position you currently hold.
Style wise, John Lennox was a touch belligerent and occasionally ruthless in his arguments. By contrast Richard Dawkins came over as a gentleman but not so forceful in his debating style. A biologist versus a mathematician/philosopher also makes for an interesting series of exchanges.
As a Christian I found it very interesting to see the person behind the "God Delusion" book explaining why he held the views he did.
Dave Gee
Style wise, John Lennox was a touch belligerent and occasionally ruthless in his arguments. By contrast Richard Dawkins came over as a gentleman but not so forceful in his debating style. A biologist versus a mathematician/philosopher also makes for an interesting series of exchanges.
As a Christian I found it very interesting to see the person behind the "God Delusion" book explaining why he held the views he did.
Dave Gee
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Well! That was fun! :-)
I really enjoyed that - I was very impressed with Lennox, rather less so with Dawkins.
I think, as Dawkins belatedly realised, that the format was not quite right. Basically, the judge reads a passage from Dawkins' book. Dawkins then expands upon the ideas in the passage and then Lennox gets to critique it. The judge reads another passage, Dawkins speaks on that and so on. Dawkins quickly realised that that format meant that he didn't get an opportunity to respond to Lennox's criticism, so in the end he more or less had to break with the format and answer Lennox.
As I said, I thought Lennox was very impressive. A bit hesitant at the beginning, he really got into his stride about half way through. I think the trouble with Dawkins is that he is quite a good writer, he is good at explaining his ideas but he is not good at coping with criticism. He starts to get annoyed, he doesn't have a lot of patience and that makes him less fluent, not such a good speaker. It's not that he gets flustered - more that he just 'doesn't suffer fools gladly'. I reckon Lennox noticed this and quite enjoyed winding him up.
As for the arguments - yes, I did find Lennox's criticisms on the whole telling and impressive and certainly thought-provoking. But when Dawkins managed to reply, his answers were strong and, to me, finally convincing.
The audience was very polite - there was a certain amount of partisan clapping but generally Americans are rather polite. Perhaps that's why they have to get Anglos to do the arguing! (I mean, Dawkins was born in Kenya and Lennox in N. Ireland). It's perhaps interesting to note that a lot of American Christian fundamentalism really comes from Scots-Irish roots. (See, for example, Deer Hunting with Jesus: Guns, Votes, Debt and Delusion in Redneck America).
I'd really like to see a rematch with Christopher Hitchens (God is Not Great: The Case Against Religion), although I don't know who would take Lennox's part. Hitchens is a better orator, a better showman and polemicist. So here's looking forward to the 'god is not great debate' :-)
(P.S. Updated 28th September 09 - just noticed that there is a Lennox Hitchens Debate. Not seen it but sounds very interesting!)
I really enjoyed that - I was very impressed with Lennox, rather less so with Dawkins.
I think, as Dawkins belatedly realised, that the format was not quite right. Basically, the judge reads a passage from Dawkins' book. Dawkins then expands upon the ideas in the passage and then Lennox gets to critique it. The judge reads another passage, Dawkins speaks on that and so on. Dawkins quickly realised that that format meant that he didn't get an opportunity to respond to Lennox's criticism, so in the end he more or less had to break with the format and answer Lennox.
As I said, I thought Lennox was very impressive. A bit hesitant at the beginning, he really got into his stride about half way through. I think the trouble with Dawkins is that he is quite a good writer, he is good at explaining his ideas but he is not good at coping with criticism. He starts to get annoyed, he doesn't have a lot of patience and that makes him less fluent, not such a good speaker. It's not that he gets flustered - more that he just 'doesn't suffer fools gladly'. I reckon Lennox noticed this and quite enjoyed winding him up.
As for the arguments - yes, I did find Lennox's criticisms on the whole telling and impressive and certainly thought-provoking. But when Dawkins managed to reply, his answers were strong and, to me, finally convincing.
The audience was very polite - there was a certain amount of partisan clapping but generally Americans are rather polite. Perhaps that's why they have to get Anglos to do the arguing! (I mean, Dawkins was born in Kenya and Lennox in N. Ireland). It's perhaps interesting to note that a lot of American Christian fundamentalism really comes from Scots-Irish roots. (See, for example, Deer Hunting with Jesus: Guns, Votes, Debt and Delusion in Redneck America).
I'd really like to see a rematch with Christopher Hitchens (God is Not Great: The Case Against Religion), although I don't know who would take Lennox's part. Hitchens is a better orator, a better showman and polemicist. So here's looking forward to the 'god is not great debate' :-)
(P.S. Updated 28th September 09 - just noticed that there is a Lennox Hitchens Debate. Not seen it but sounds very interesting!)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very well put together
A good debate. Lennox is on equal par with Dawkins, and it shows. As Professor of Mathematics at Oxford, Lennox is worth a listen to, he is calm, and on the ball. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Wato
dawkins is not god
dawkins only says what he thinks is reality he has not died so dosent know as much as anyone els i scoff at such dilusion he thinks he is gdo himself maybe he should have a night... Read more
Published 12 months ago by timothy westwood
It was good.
"Well, ladies and gentleman, it has been an interesting discussion."
So begins John Lennox as he recites his final comments at the end of this near-two-hour-long... Read more
So begins John Lennox as he recites his final comments at the end of this near-two-hour-long... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Giordano Bruno
Rabbit in the headlights Dawkins is about to get run over!
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed [DVD] [2008]
THE BEST DEBATE EVER
It is not without reason that the BBC said "Darwin,s Rottweiler is about to get a run for... Read more
THE BEST DEBATE EVER
It is not without reason that the BBC said "Darwin,s Rottweiler is about to get a run for... Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2010 by Andrew Jack
Ever increasing circles
This debate is quite interesting and definitely worth watching for atheists and theists alike. The chair reads a passage from Dawkins' book, The God Delusion. Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2010 by Sean C.
Dawkins commits Hara Kiri in Public Debate!
This is a truly fascinating event. Neither man is the world's greatest when it comes to public speaking, and in fact I think that they are theoretically pretty evenly matched. Read more
Published on 4 July 2009 by Karl
Excellent
Hard work to listen to because the concepts involved are complex, but well worth it.
I was disappointed that Mr Lennox fell back on 'Religious Faith' , personal experience ,... Read more
I was disappointed that Mr Lennox fell back on 'Religious Faith' , personal experience ,... Read more
Published on 10 Jun 2009 by Existentialist.
Whilst you're waiting
For the benefit olf anyone visiting this page only to find that the DVD is currently unavailable, good news:
While you're waiting for new supplies to come in, you can... Read more
While you're waiting for new supplies to come in, you can... Read more
Published on 26 April 2009 by A. J. Bradbury
Thoughtful and considered debate
This is superb! I found Richard Dawkins much more thoughtful and considered, and his biographical details were some of the most interesting. Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2008 by Chris
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