Tabash-Friel Debate at Daytona Beach 3-26-07, Talk at UF

The debate bode very well for atheism, and very poorly for any future hope for Friel at a career in philosophy. I think Eddie won handily. Friel basically sermonized and waxed emotive all night. His only arguments were from incredulity and ignorance (something I expected, from personal experience with him and the general creationist style). He honestly sounded more like a guy trying to convert a bunch of teenagers than someone attempting to make a rational case for theism. But...make up your mind for yourself, and leave a comment.

I really won't go any further than that, because I swear I don't think Friel is worth the analysis. He had nothing new, and what older arguments he did have were mangled versions (e.g., the first cause argument), which Eddie was able to refute, as he was met only with more personal incredulity and appeals to ignorance.

I was unable to tape Eddie's opening because I was limited by lack of equipment, but his arguments for naturalism were almost identical to what he presented (see below) to AAFSA last Sunday, albeit abbreviated, since he had 15 mins instead of 45 -- Eddie opened with arguments against the supernatural along Humean lines: miracles, the argument from physical minds, arguments against an afterlife, the argument from divine hiddenness, and the problem of evil. It was typical Eddie -- cogent, precise and clear.

The Center for Inquiry - Daytona came off looking great, from their representation to the graphics and banners and the ACLU table. Props to them for their hard work -- they were all really nice and appeared to have taken this project quite seriously.

My seat for part 1 gave me a poor angle to begin with, and the issue of quality was compounded because I was only able to post this in low-res as the shitty Google Video Desktop Uploader for large files wasn't working earlier (no matter what I tried) with the hi-quality versions. I have DVDs (hi-res, 3.0Mbps) burned, and if you want a DVD, email me and we'll negotiate the $^***. I also have Eddie's talk at UF encoded and burned to DVD, and am uploading it to GV right now.

Here is part 1 of 2, which I recommend watching below as GV stretches it out and makes it look even worse at their site:

Here is part 2 of 2 of the debate:


Here is part 1 of 2 of Eddie's talk at UF on 3-25-07:


And finally, here is part 2 of 2 of Eddie's talk at UF:


Please leave thoughts and comments below.
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***To cover my time and media/shipping expenses -- I think $10, including S&H, is fair. You can pay me via mailed check, but I would prefer using the PayPal function on my own webpage, it will expedite the process and make record-keeping easier. Go down to the bottom of the left sidebar, where it says "Austausch", and use it there (I prefer it over Amazon). Again, email me and we'll negotiate.

PS: I'm always amazed by how differently two eyewitnesses can report the facts about an event -- see here for someone who thinks that atheists were "humiliated" by Eddie's performance...

You be the judge.
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Technorati tags: God, Religion, Atheism, Philosophy, AAFSA

Promoting the Event via Advertising, Facebook and Emails

The big day is almost upon us, and I wanted to post a last (hopefully) note with an emphasis to help promote the event and spread the word, reiterate the link to our flyers, and encourage you to help out. I know that some of you have already seen some of this, but it is important to ensure that everyone receives the event information:

• Atheist Eddie Tabash, "Why There Really Is No God." Sunday, March 25th, 2 PM, Norman Hall 137 (SW 5th Ave & 13th St)

Eddie's title isn't "Does God Exist?" anymore, but it doesn't really matter. We are advertising the event as a lecture by an atheist, so I doubt that many of them will come in unsure as to which side Eddie will be taking.

Now, I don't ask for much of our members, but there are two things I ask of you now to help us promote and advertise the event:

1. First, you can find the flyers, generously created by Brandon, here.

Please download them, print some off, and post them around your residence, and at any available bulletin board you see. Since we are a registered student organization, and since this event has been planned and permitted, you can post the flyers basically anywhere. Here are the details concerning on-campus restrictions -- most important (and simplest) is to use a stapler, not glue or tape, and not to use trees.

I went this morning at University Copy and had 150 copies of flyer_06 made on purple paper, then I put them all around the NW area of campus, including Turlington, the Hub, Library West, and even around Reitz. I noted someone came behind me and tore down two of mine at Library West within an hour of them being posted...sad (I bet it was motivated by someone who can't stand challenges to their mindset/beliefs, but I could be wrong). Please join me, either working independently or working with me this week: if you need copies, just call my cell (number here)!

2. Second, please go to the Facebook event tool and RSVP, if you already haven't. Then, invite people!!!

As of this morning (6 AM), there are 75 "yes" and 60 "maybe" responses. We can do better. The hall has a capacity of almost 400, so please help us to keep it from looking empty.

If you don't have Facebook, or if some people you know don't, please email friends an invitation, and/or a flyer, for the event. Emphasize that there will be Q&A afterwards, and that this event is free and open to the public, and that they can bring guests.

You may have noticed that our event (finally) appears on the Reitz calendar. We also got a listing on the Gator Times. I've already noted a lot of web traffic to the AAFSA site from that URL.

Unfortunately, and I don't know why, they refused to post the event to the "Stuff to Do" Calendar, and the UF Calendar.

It's okay though, as the visibility of flyers, use of word of mouth and the Facebook tool will certainly draw in a packed crowd...IF you all help out!! Now, I'm done being the cheerleader/broken record, no more notices or posts encouraging participation, so it's up to you to help make this event what I hope for it to be.

I would love for a few of you to come a little early to the event, just in case we run into any problems with setup/sound/unforeseen issues, and need some help.

Thank you, AAFSA members, for making this group successful with your time and support. I am looking forward to a successful event. I figure that some of you will want to socialize with Eddie, so clear your calendar that evening, if you want to go out and eat and have some beer (or Kool-aid, or whatever) afterwards.

Finally, if there is anyone who is willing to video record this event, please contact me asap, and if any of you have a video camera that we can borrow, preferably digital and with either DVD or HD-recording format, please let me know. I'll see you Sunday, if not sooner.
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Technorati tags: God, Religion, Atheism, Philosophy

Tabash Debate Update

I just wanted to drop a quick note to let you all know that I am working on things with respect to the debate.

1. Co-VPs Brandon and Ryan are graciously working on our advertising flyers
2. Paul Manata, mentioned in an earlier post as a possible debate opponent, will not be able to come on March 25th; however, he will indeed be debating Eddie nonetheless -- here at UF this fall. Details will come soon.
3. I've spoken with a lot of people (at least 10) who held a lot of potential, but for one reason or another couldn't make it as an opponent. I have about five outstanding invites that I am awaiting response on that are integral to the ability to make this a debate: Richard Horner, Todd Friel (Eddie's debate opponent the next day in Daytona; trying to see if he can work it out to come a day early), George Bowes, and a few people from the Dept. of Religion I wrote.
4. I submitted a request to add our event to the Gator Times, Reitz Union Stuff to Do and UF's Calendar (I emailed calndar@nersp.osg.ufl.edu for that last one).
   
5. I downloaded the form to use the Residential TV ad program (Ch. 68), and I'll be turning it in asap; props to Jessica for that
6. I wrote Prof. Witmer about helping us procure the A/V equipment we need, I've yet to hear back from him, but I'll keep you posted

I'll keep you posted as details develop. I'm excited and I hope you are too. All info will be tagged "tabash", and you can access it here.
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Technorati tags: AAFSA

Tabash Flyer for Florida Events

Debbie Goddard at the Center for Inquiry just sent me the flyer describing all of Eddie Tabash's events here in Florida during the last week of March. Some of you may desire to attend one of these, as I'm sure some of you live at or near one of these venues:

1. March 22 -- Miami (UM)
   
2. March 23 -- Ft. Lauderdale
3. March 24 -- Tampa
4. March 25 -- Gainesville (UF)
   
5. March 26 -- Daytona Beach
6. March 27 -- Tallahassee
7. March 29 -- Orlando (UCF)
   

Download the flyer HERE (.pdf) for more details. We'll be making our own flyer for our debate.
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Technorati tags: Tabash

Eddie Tabash Campus-wide Event on 3/25

As I posted earlier, Eddie Tabash is coming to UF. I have now confirmed with Debbie Goddard from the CFI the date of March 25th for the event. As of right now, he has no debate opponent lined up at our locale -- the guy he is debating elsewhere in the state on different dates cannot make it to this one. However, I just wrote the following message to about 20 people involved in campus religious organizations, hoping to solicit a debate opponent for him, and get them to help us out with advertising and attendance: [note that I added links to the debate for this post, they weren't in the e-mail]

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Dear Staff and Officers of Campus Religious Organizations,

I'm Daniel Morgan, president of UF's student freethought group, AAFSA. The reason I'm writing you today is to ask you to co-host, co-sponsor, and/or participate in our campus-wide debate event on March 25 featuring atheist Eddie Tabash regarding the existence of God. I'm writing a lot of you, from all different denominations and faiths, for a good reason. I've also tried to reach some of you by phone.

If you are receiving this email, you are an officer or faculty advisor of one of the following organizations:

* Baptist Collegiate Ministries
* Campus Crusade For Christ
* Campus Unitarian Universalists
* Catholic Student Fellowship at the University Of Florida
* Chapel House
* Christian Campus House
* Gator Christian Life
* Islam On Campus
* Jewish Student Union
* Lambda Chi Alpha
* The Navigators

Too often debates on the existence of God are solely hosted by Protestant/Evangelical Christian groups. I would love for those groups to be involved now, but I would also love to see other faiths and denominations represented and participating. Due to the format of the debate, there will be an extensive Q&A session following, during which time the audience will ask either of the debate participants questions. That means your groups should be encouraged to attend and involve themselves, even if for no other reason than to ask questions afterwards.

Eddie has a debate opponent lined up in three venues in Florida during his trip to the state for debates, but not here at UF. Those of you in Campus Crusade for Christ may know that William Lane Craig has debated Eddie (also see here), as well as Richard Swinburne (reviews: link 1, link 2, link 3). I invite and ask you to please work with us to line up a debate opponent. If I get more than one offer, then great! We'll talk to those persons and figure out who might be best suited to represent each denomination. Perhaps we can have a debate involving multiple theistic positions, with Eddie as the atheist. Although that is atypical, it may be a more educational experience for our collegiate audience. That possibility could be considered. Most importantly, we need an experienced, qualified representative of your faith group who is capable of participating in defense of the existence of God.

There is not yet a time set for March 25. Because many of you do special things on Sunday, we are very flexible on the time, and we thought that perhaps an early afternoon time would work best for everyone -- perhaps 2 or 3 PM. We are also looking into reserving a room on-campus that afternoon -- perhaps Carleton Auditorium, or some other very large hall. If you have suggestions on either of these two considerations, please let us know.

If you are interested in co-sponsoring/co-hosting this event, and if you want to help line up an apologist for your faith to debate Eddie, please reply to this email, or call me at 352.870.4413. You can read more about Eddie at his website, or at the Secular Web:

* http://www.tabash.com/
* http://www.secweb.org/index.aspx?action=viewAuthor&id=323

Please feel free to FW this message to anyone and everyone whom you think would be interested in attending, or in participating in this event. Thank you so much!

With warm regards,
Daniel
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So I'm really hoping we get at least one good opponent for Eddie set up. I'm really excited about this, and I'm going to need your help in spreading the word, putting out ads and flyers, and getting all the details squared away. As of this moment, details on whether it will be a lecture or a debate, what time of day it will be, where it will be held, etc., are still being worked out. However, you can spread the word that he will be here that day, and to keep your calendars clear. I'll keep you posted on developments as they arise.

(Please Digg this story (vote for it to spread the news), use the little grey button 8th from the left, below the email icon.)
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Technorati tags: God, Religion, Atheism, Philosophy