God’s existence debated at VCU

Atheist author Christopher Hitchens and Christian apologist Frank Turek debated God’s existence Tuesday night, drawing a crowd of about 500 people to the University Student Commons’ Commonwealth Ballroom.

The debate, which was sponsored by the United Secular Alliance of VCU, filled the ballroom, as well as two overflow rooms to capacity. Some people were turned away because of the overwhelming turnout.

Dr. Timothy Hulsey, dean of the Honors College, acted as moderator. He started the night with the question “Does God exist?” before giving the floor first to Turek, who supported the assertion of God’s existence.

Turek presented three arguments for the existence of God and four reasons for being atheist. His arguments included the idea that nothing is created by chaos, so there must have been a supernatural being to initiate the “big bang.”

” ‘Thanks to the microscope and the telescope, religion offers no important explanation for anything,'” Turek said, quoting from Hitchens’ book “God is Not Great.” “I think this is wrong.”

After Turek presented his initial arguments, Hitchens took the floor, where he presented his approach to denying God’s existence.

“Reason, common sense and decency rebels against this mind-forged manacle of religion,” Hitchens said.

After the opening statements, each man rebutted the other’s statements.

Turek focused on Hitchens’ argument that, because people sometimes use religion for evil purposes, God does not exist.

“Just because the children commit evil doesn’t mean the parents don’t exist,” Turek said.

Hitchens replied by attacking an idea of Christian and Jewish people still paying for the sins committed by the characters in the Bible.

“What a shame we aren’t perfect. What a shame there’s nothing we can do about it,” Hitchens said. “What a shame we are created in prison; I tell you again, this (is) servility to the ultimate power.”

In Hitchens’ final remark, he said he speaks about atheism in order to help prevent the spread of theocracy, which – Hitchens said – leads to conflicts such as the 9/11 attacks.

“Religion wants us to die. It’s yearning for this world to be over,” Hitchens said.

Turek, however, ended his argument on a lighter note.

“God thinks there is a Christopher Hitchens and loves him,” Turek said.

Hulsey said the discussion is necessary for the university.

“These events are the kind of intellectual community VCU needs,” he said.

Roxanne Splitt, a kinetic-imaging major, thought the debate was lively even though she did not agree with Turek.

“Even though (Turek) didn’t convince me, he was at least likable,” Splitt said. “It could have been a lot worse.”

Victoria Powell, a research specialist at the MCV campus, found Hitchens’ demeanor disappointing.

“Even though I agree with Hitchens, I thought he was rude and dismissive,” Powell said.

Turek said, whether the debate changed people’s minds, he enjoyed participating in it.

“People have come up to me and said I’ve done very well, and they were atheists,” Turek said.

Hitchens, however, was not concerned about changing people’s minds.

“It’s not changing what people think but how they think that matters,” Hitchens said.

Hitchens offered advice to those who could not attend.

“Read your Bible, read your Quran, your Torah – and read it carefully,” Hitchens said.