“Does The Universe Have A Purpose?”

Last updated on: November 26, 2010 at 12:35 am by Jeffrey L. Falick

“Does The Universe Have A Purpose?” 2010-11-26T00:35:00-05:00 Jeffrey L. Falick

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I watched Rabbi David Wolpe debate Christopher Hitchens a while back and even though Hitchens seemed a bit soused, he still kicked Rabbi Wolpe’s tuchis (apparently there was a re-match I haven’t seen). I would have thought that he learned to stay away from such debates, but apparently he did not.

On November 13, Wolpe joined William Lane Craig and R. Douglas Geivett in a debate against scientists / atheists Matt Ridley, Michael Shermer, and Richard Dawkins on the topic “Does the Universe Have a Purpose?”

First of all, let me say that David Wolpe has a wonderful reputation for his open-mindedness. He even took some flack for it in 2001. As Wikipedia describes it:

Wolpe became the focus of international controversy when he gave a Passover sermon that discussed the historic validity of the Exodus from Egypt.

You’d think a guy with that ability to show some integrity would be embarrassed to be on the stage facing off against brilliant scientifically minded men, right? But a theist is a theist, so rather than standing with the smart progressive guys, he stood with the homophobic evangelicals. My respect for him is about gone.

I haven’t watched the whole debate yet. Embedding’s been giving me a headache, so here are links to both debates:

Wolpe vs. Hitchens

Matt Ridley, Michael Shermer, and Richard Dawkins vs. William Lane Craig, David Wolpe and R. Douglas Geivett

Blog Entries

Atheism

Fundamentalist Christianity

Liberal Judaism

Liberal Religions and Theologies

Morality

Non-theism

Previous Post

November 24, 2010

New Trends In Islamic Antisemitism

Next Post

November 29, 2010 In Defense Of Dawkins

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Blog Entries

Select a Month January 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 March 2015 December 2014 February 2014 December 2013 October 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 September 2012 August 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which book follows the Gospels in the New Testament?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Romans Acts 1 Corinthians Hebrews