(2003-2004)
The following is a formal debate between two noted scholars on philosophical arguments for and against the existence of the Christian deity.
Chris McHugh is an independent scholar and Christian apologist. He has written articles in Philo (of the Society of Humanist Philosophers), offering scholarly critiques of nontheists’ arguments. Chris McHugh is also a referee for that journal. He has engaged in debates with such philosophers as Graham Oppy, George H. Smith, and Richard Gale as well as Ted Drange. Chris McHugh has also debated Doug Krueger for Internet Infidels on the topic of theism vs. atheism.
Ted Drange is a Professor Emeritus of philosophy, having served at West Virginia University with specialties in philosophy of religion, philosophy of language, and theory of knowledge. He earned his Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1963. He has written articles in Philo, Religious Studies, Free Inquiry, and other publications. Ted Drange has submitted several articles to the Secular Web Modern Library.
The topic of this debate deals with the existence vs. the nonexistence of God (in particular, that of evangelical Christian theism) with two components. Both will take an affirmative position and a negative one:
- Ted Drange will attempt to show that the argument from nonbelief provides good objective evidence for the nonexistence of the God of evangelical Christianity, while Chris McHugh will attempt to show that it fails to make the case.
- Chris McHugh will attempt to make a case for the existence of the God of Christianity, while Ted Drange will attempt to show that it fails to do so.
The format of this debate will not take the standard course. The debaters’ posts will be shown concurrently (i.e., simultaneously) after both statements from each debater have been submitted according to an agreed deadline. The debate will go for 6 rounds.
Here is the schedule for concurrent statements:
November 30, 2003: opening statements
December 31, 2003: first rebuttals (i.e., rebuttals to the other’s opening statement)
January 31, 2004: second rebuttals (i.e., rebuttals to the other’s first rebuttal)
February 29, 2004: third rebuttals (i.e., rebuttals to the other’s second rebuttal)
April 15, 2004: fourth rebuttals (i.e., rebuttals to the other’s third rebuttal)
May 15, 2004: closing statements