Christians use debate to offer proof of God

Christians use debate to offer proof of God
ABC broadcasts matchup with 'Rational Response Squad'
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By Bob Unruh
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

Christian evangelist Ray Comfort and former child actor Kirk Cameron have used a televised debate with a pair of atheists to present the Gospel message to an audience estimated in the millions.

"I'm very, very encouraged," Comfort told WND after the first part of the 90-minute program was broadcast at ABCNews.com. A shortened version of the program was aired on the network's "Nightline" as well.

"I don't think you can argue people into the Kingdom of Heaven," Comfort said. "It's a moral issue. People love their sins and they're going to hold onto them. But we're talking about eternity and it's not to be trifled at."

But he said he takes seriously the biblical instructions to preach the word. "Our agenda is just to preach the Gospel, to make a very clear Gospel proclamation that people can understand," he said.

As WND reported, the idea for the debate developed after several atheists launched the Internet site Blasphemy Challenge, which offers to send people a DVD if they post on Youtube.com a video of themselves condemning themselves to hell.

The self-described "Rational Response Squad" said its DVD, "The God Who Wasn't There," was described by the Los Angeles Times as "provocative – to put it mildly."

"There's only one catch: We want your soul," the website said. "It's simple. You record a short message damning yourself to Hell, you upload it to YouTube, and then the Rational Response Squad will send you a free 'The God Who Wasn't There' DVD."

"You may damn yourself to Hell however you would like, but somewhere in your video you must say this phrase: 'I deny the Holy Spirit,'" the website instructed. "Why? Because, according to Mark 3:29 in the Holy Bible, 'Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.'"

ABC told of the website and the hundreds of responses in a story, getting Comfort's attention.

He contacted the network and offered a debate challenge to the atheists.

He was given 13 minutes in the debate to present his proof of God, and he used the simple illustration of a soda can. Holding it up, he asked if there had been a design and manufacture process to reach that stage – a cylindrical container with a message printed on the outside and a product on the inside.

If so, there must have been a designer and maker, he concluded.

He said a similar proof is available with a painting: Take a dozen scientists into a lab and show them a painting, then ask whether there was, in fact, a painter, he said. Looking at the creation the world is documents the Creator, he said.

"You cannot have a creation without a Creator," he suggested.

He also offered the proof of a conscience, which every person has, and third, a conversion.

"The greatest truth is when God reveals himself to you," he said.

He said the underlying problem was significant. "There is something more sinister here than a few people not believing in God," he said. "Why would so many be so bitter against Christianity in particular?

"Why aren't they making videos that blaspheme Buddha or Muhammed or Gandhi?" he asked. "We made our own video clip and posted in on Hollywoodblasphemy.com to expose why."

The debate was moderated by Martin Bashir.

ABCNews said the taping, which took place last weekend, was done before "a mixed crowd of atheists and Christians at Calvary Baptist Church in Manhattan.

"It wasn't long before temperatures began to rise inside the auditorium," ABCNews said.

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