They Have to Do Better Than That
by Teresa Tomeo | April 14, 2011 1:00 pm
“You’ve got to be kidding me? Is this the best atheists can do?” These were the questions running through my mind as I was monitoring a debate between former Evangelical pastor turned atheist, Dan Barker and president of the Freedom from Religion organization, and well-known Christian author and apologist Dinesh D’ Souza. Barker is a major force behind the “just be good for goodness sake” anti-Christmas billboard. He has authored several books on his religious about-face and has been featured regularly on major talk shows and news programs concerning the on-going discussion over church and state issues.
Given his journey, which I had to admit sounded interesting, I was waiting for this supposedly experienced debater to be at least a little bit convincing. Not that he was going to cast major doubt in any of those attending that night. After all, the debate was the wrap-up event for a dynamic pro-life conference put on by Cleveland Right to Life and pro-lifers are a pretty faith-filled bunch. For most pro-lifers I know or have interviewed over the years, it is normally their Christian faith that in some way brought them to the pro-life movement in the first place. But again I thought a man who makes apparently a pretty good living at attempting to debunk Christianity must have at least a few persuasive tricks up his sleeve. Boy was I wrong.
The theme of the debate was “God, Morality, and the Dignity of Life.” I am paraphrasing a bit here, but the following are just a few of the “points” I think Barker tried to drive home as he attempted to knock Christianity and defend abortion as a perfectly moral and acceptable act that should be kept legal:
- Jesus never mentions the word abortion in the Bible so therefore Christians can’t claim abortion is wrong or immoral.
- The Bible contains a number of verses – namely in the Old Testament – that mention killing, war, and slavery, so the God Christians and Jews serve, according to Scripture, is really a God that promotes violence and other immoral behaviors.
- Mr. D’Souza can’t be a strong Christian because he wasn’t actually carrying a Bible and referencing it the night of the debate.
- If you don’t like abortion, don’t have one.
There were a few pathetic attempts at painting Planned Parenthood as this wonderful warm and fuzzy organization that does nothing but help women. On top of that he insisted most women who have abortions make “informed and rational” decisions. Now keep in mind the debate was conducted in a room filled with dedicated men and women who have first-hand experience with Planned Parenthood. Many of them have also been touched by abortion personally, work with post abortive clients, and know all too well the damage abortion leaves behind. Nice try.
Dan Barker does deserve at least some credit for showing up in Cleveland that night. Apparently he had never debated at a pro-life conference before. That’s about all the kudos he’ll get from me. His arguments came across to me as sophomoric, given his theology and seminary background. And although most of us wouldn’t put ourselves in the same category as the well-respected Dinesh D’Souza, I think just about any good Christian with even a minimum amount of Scripture knowledge could have won the Cleveland challenge hands down.
It is frustrating to see the Dan Barkers of the world receive so much media attention. At the same time, apparently, this is the about the best the atheist or secular humanist movement can do. Score one for our side.
Source URL: https://integratedcatholiclife.org/2011/04/tomeo-they-have-to-do-better-than-that/