Rhetorical Mastery

Debate Review: Part of Course ST506 Philosophy and the Christian Faith

Dennis Prager v. Frank Zindler.

Just finished listening to a debate entitled "Does the Jewish God Exist." Arguing for the affirmative was Dennis Prager (well-known talk show host) and defending the negative was Frank Zindler (well-known atheist writer and symphony composer). The argumentation from Prager was different than any I have heard. His argument consistent of existential appeals to the foolishness of existence without God. There was no appeal to the classical argument for God existence (Cosmological, Teleological, etc...) I liked his statement regarding serotonin level in the brain being label as love. If God does not exist than all human are is complicate pond scum. Of course, this is not an argument per se but it is a powerful thought experiment that the human experience seems to confirm. Prager main thrust was that he gives no argument for God's existence. He seems to promote a modified form of the Ontological argument for the existence of God. The existence of the World is proof enough for the reality of God. Or as C.S. Lewis said, "A slow miracle is equally as amazing as a fast miracle and the world was a slow miracle." The debate came down to a fundamental difference in presupposition. Zindler's anti-supernatural presupposition precludes the existence of God a priori. I still have yet to hear a debate where one side clearly declare that they have changed their position based on the debate. As Prager always says on his radio show "I prefer clarity to agreement." The debate certainly clarified the vast gulf that exists between the theistic and atheistic position. I highly recommend the debate!
check is out here:
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