# In re: Atheists v. Christians debate **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 19, 2015, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153 "2015-10-19T17:19:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/1 "2015-10-19T17:19:52Z")
I saw an announcement in the local newspaper about a scheduled atheists-versus-Christians debate scheduled for later this week in a Presbyterian Church in Torrance, CA. If the response to this statement warrants I will add details. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/2 "2015-10-19T17:22:00Z")
Shit. I thought you were starting a debate. Weakest Pitting ever. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/3 "2015-10-19T17:48:05Z")
Weakest comeback ever. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/4 "2015-10-19T17:52:20Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Weakest comeback ever. Weakest response to the weakest comeback ever. ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/5 "2015-10-19T17:57:10Z")
I’m confused about what’s being pitted. And about what will be debated in that Presbyterian church. Perhaps my confusion on the first point could be partially obviated through clarification of the second… ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/6 "2015-10-19T17:57:50Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Weakest response to the weakest comeback ever. Weakest 4th post in a thread, eVERRRR!! ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/7 "2015-10-19T17:59:58Z")
> [@xenophon41](#): > > I’m confused about what’s being pitted. And about what will be debated in that Presbyterian church. Perhaps my confusion on the first point could be partially obviated through clarification of the second… Maybe we should generally post here about what people in various cities are debating each week. We have a city council race going on in Seattle. Not as exciting as “Atheists v. Christians.” ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/8 "2015-10-19T18:09:11Z")
And not _nearly_ as exciting as “Christians v. Lions.” ETA: or “Atheists v. Aliens” Or “Alien v. Predator” ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/9 "2015-10-19T18:10:52Z")
> [@xenophon41](#): > > And not _nearly_ as exciting as “Christians v. Lions.” The Lions had the more effective rebuttal. ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/10 "2015-10-19T18:13:29Z")
It was forceful and vehement. But a bit of a _non sequitur_. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/11 "2015-10-19T18:14:48Z")
I live in Torrance, will it be open to the public? ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/12 "2015-10-19T18:23:02Z")
See [www.branchofhope.org](http://www.branchofhope.org) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/13 "2015-10-19T18:30:03Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I live in Torrance, will it be open to the public? As far as I know, Torrance is always open to the public. But is the public open to Torrance??? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/14 "2015-10-19T18:33:22Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > See [www.branchofhope.org](http://www.branchofhope.org) I’m not seeing a mention of any debate. ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/15 "2015-10-19T18:33:46Z")
Depends, **John**. Does Torrance conform to community standards? Also, has Torrance accepted Christ as its savior? ETA: In response to this: > [@John\_Mace](#): > > As far as I know, Torrance is always open to the public. But is the public open to Torrance??? ---
**Author:** ![Askthepizzaguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askthepizzaguy/32/9405_2.png) [@Askthepizzaguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askthepizzaguy)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/16 "2015-10-19T18:33:53Z")
I have no idea what is being pitted here, but in my desire to contribute, I have decided to discuss the history of the sock. As you might imagine, the earliest known socks were actually animal skins. The ancient Greeks actually wore them, and the Romans wore leather socks or socks with actual woven fabrics. In the middle ages they were a sign of wealth. When the knitting machine was invented, socks could be made six times faster by machine than by hand. Later, socks were made from blended fabrics, in blatant defiance of Leviticus 19:19. This was after farmers had already been planting different types of seed in their farms in order to more efficiently cultivate the soil. And after this, God became very angry. Or, depending on your perspective, no one became very angry except for certain fundamentalist believers in this deity. Also, it seems like this decree is on the same level of severity as the prohibition against homosexuality, but it also seems to be one that modern Christians seem to not care about as much because they like their blended fabrics and their cheap vegetables and fruits and grains. It is also a possibility that they simply expect gay persons to masturbate using a sock, as opposed to living a life of couplehood and fulfillment. Also, socks are traditionally hung during the Christmas holidays for ornamental reasons, and are sometimes filled with small gifts or candies. In the distant future, socks will gain sentience due to being implanted with electronic devices, and will one day rule over us, which wouldn’t have been possible if we had just stuck to normal socks without any blended fabrics or add-ons of any kind. Just say no to blended fabrics, kids. It’s in the Bible, not that you atheists would know that. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/17 "2015-10-19T18:39:08Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I’m not seeing a mention of any debate. On the calendar, there’s a three day conference, 22-24. Probably part of that. No details. Hey, why let anyone know? If no atheists show up, you win by default. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/18 "2015-10-19T18:41:56Z")
> [@xenophon41](#): > > And not _nearly_ as exciting as “Christians v. Lions.” > > ETA: or “Atheists v. Aliens” > > Or “Alien v. Predator” Or “Atheist Aliens v. Christian Predator” ---
**Author:** ![Askthepizzaguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askthepizzaguy/32/9405_2.png) [@Askthepizzaguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askthepizzaguy)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/19 "2015-10-19T18:44:09Z")
“Socks versus the Human Resistance” ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153/20 "2015-10-19T18:45:29Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > Or “Atheist Aliens v. Christian Predator” Would a Christian Predator look anything like [this](https://www.google.com/search?q=praying+mantis&num=100&newwindow=1&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMI7d6qt5jPyAIVTHA-Ch346g6m&biw=1280&bih=586)? (Possibly not Christian, but definitely pious.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-re-atheists-v-christians-debate/735153.md?page=2)