Reflections on an Atheist/Christian Discussion

Last week I had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion between national and world atheist leaders and a few local Austin pastors. We met for nearly two hours in front of a packed audience of over 200. I would say that it was overall a very cordial and fruitful discussion.

For me, the most meaningful part of the event was what took place afterwards. I was approached by several atheists in the crowd who wanted to continue the conversation. There was no debating or arguing, just good, honest dialogue. In the hour-and-a-half I stayed after the event, email addresses and phone numbers were exchanged, a few follow-up appointments were set, and I think even a few friendships formed.

I asked a group of atheists what they would want me to say to the Christians I would stand in front of on Easter. Their response: Don’t hate us. These were not the chest thumping, in-your-face, Jesus-attacking stereotypes that we often think of when we hear about atheists today. These were people who are struggling with the concepts of faith, reason, eternity, secularism and religion. For the most part, they weren’t there to pick a fight.

Below are links to the audio, video and an editorial about the event. Check them out for yourself and let me know what you think. In the meantime, I hope to be having a beer with a new atheist friend of mine.

Click the image to watch the video

Click here to listen to the audio only

Click here to read an Austin-American Statesman editorial about the event