Wednesday night on ABC-TV, two televangelists took on nonbelievers from the Rational Response Squad in a bid to prove the existence of God.The TV polemics come in the wake of a rash of bestselling books by atheists challenging religion. Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens, among others, go beyond questioning God to charge that religion is a plague that needs to be eliminated. Their vehemence, some suggest, is in response to Chris?tian attacks on evolution and stem-cell research. Some atheists compare believing in God to the tooth fairy, and Santa clause, and deny the existence of the holy spirit. Well they do need proof! Christians say their holy book they speak from what they know is true, and they care about giving them the Gospel that can change the heart of anyone. Well everyone does have diverse and many beliefs! Here's what one atheist said about this debate/war:
"It's Christian militancy that has evoked a backlash of atheist militancy," says Michael Bleiweiss, a physicist and atheist from Methuen, Mass.
Amid the rising heat of this latest culture clash, though, a few people on both sides are finding calmer ways to engage, seeking to build bridges and even learn from one another. Some Christians, concerned that millions of Americans never cross the threshold of a church, want to understand why, as well as learn what it is in evangelistic efforts that turns people off. Some atheists, worried that polls show they are the least accepted social group in the country, want to break down stereotypes and change people's attitudes.
So both are willing to sit down together in different venues, discuss their divergent perspectives, and, in some cases, jointly visit church services across the United States. As a result, they are sparking a growing Christian-atheist dialogue on the Web. At a conference in Salem, Mass., last Saturday, for example, Christians from several states listened to atheists and neopagans talk about who they are, the origin of their ethics and beliefs, and what challenges they encounter in a society that is predominantly Christian.
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Justice MH's Thoughts: I personally like atheists! I think they act more christian than the ones who profess to be a christian. I think the reason some religions like Christianity turns them off is the dogma, rules, and falliable books! I also think silly concepts turn them off like the once believe "limbo" by catholics. They are the type in the world that need proof, and believe in reason! Now the debate they had was good. One side said they can prove scientifically that God exist, and the other said they couldn't! The dialogue has started, but it's getting very interesting! What you think? Does God exist or why doesn't God exist? Explain your response.
