THE DEBATE VIEWER

Is there evidence for God?

Craig presents arguments from contingency, the universe, morality and the resurrection. Krauss contests their evidential force and challenges the use of physics within them.

North Carolina State University · 30 March 2011

DEBATE RECORDING

KEEP THE QUESTION IN VIEW

Are the speakers using the same standards for evidence and the same meaning of nothing?

Compare the assertion, its supporting reason and the response.

IN THIS EXCHANGE

13 sections · 110 passages.

SECTION 1

Introduction

Supplied text · Original source order

Introduction

Paul Newby (Moderator): Good evening! My name is Paul Newby. I am an associate justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. I am the moderator of tonight’s debate. Campus Crusade for Christ and North Carolina State wishes to thank you for attending this evening.

Tonight you will grapple with one of the greatest questions facing mankind: the existence of God. You will hear from two experts as they debate whether there is evidence to prove the existence of God. We are fortunate enough to have two of the best and brightest minds in the country participate, Dr. Lawrence M. Krauss and Dr. William Lane Craig.

Dr. Krauss will be arguing that there is insufficient evidence to prove the existence of God. Dr. Krauss is a professor of physics at Arizona State University. He received his undergraduate degree in both mathematics and physics at Carlton University and his PhD in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He’s the author of numerous books, including a national best seller The Physics of Star Trek. Thank you, Dr. Krauss, for joining us this evening!

The other guest this evening is Dr. Craig, who will be arguing there is sufficient evidence to prove the existence of God. Dr. Craig is a professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology in California. Dr. Craig received his B.A. in Communications at Wheaton College, a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Birmingham, England, and a Doctor of Theology from the University of Munich. He’s author and editor of more than thirty books. Let’s thank Dr. Craig for joining us this evening!

If you refer to your program, you will see the format of tonight’s debate. Dr. Craig will speak first for a twenty-minute introductory statement; Dr. Krauss will then have twenty minutes for his statement. Each panelist will then have a twelve-minute rebuttal, followed by an eight-minute counter-rebuttal. Each will then end with a five-minute summary. I encourage you to listen closely to the arguments presented, take notes, if necessary, because at the conclusion of the formal debate, you will serve as jurors. You will be asked to cast your vote on whether there is sufficient evidence of the existence of God. After the votes have been cast, I will then open the floor for thirty minutes of questions for our panelists.

Before we begin, I’d like to emphasize the etiquette that is expected during this debate. I anticipate that you will have strong reactions to some of the points presented tonight. However, out of respect for our panelists and other audience members, I ask that you refrain from any outbursts of support or disapproval during this debate. Like members of a jury, you have one vital role this evening, to carefully listen to and evaluate the arguments presented. And like members of a jury, you are not to respond audibly to the arguments that are made. I also ask that you please, at this time, silence your cell phones.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, let us begin! As I said before, the question before us this evening is whether there is sufficient evidence for the existence of God. Dr. Craig, the floor is yours!

THE QUESTION UNDERNEATH

Introduction

Identify the claim, the reason and the reply.

PREPARE BEFORE YOU DEBATE

Study the questions underneath.

Has science made God unnecessary?

The world we investigate is sustained by its Creator.

Why is there something rather than nothing?

Creation depends on the self-existent God.

Can we be good without believing in God?

No one is righteous by nature. God's image remains, and common grace is real.

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