Dan Barker (Freedom From Religion Foundation) talked about how those values that are shared by all religions, like helping the needy and being kind to others, are actually HUMAN values. On the other hand, rules about what you can and can’t do or eat (that are different for each religion) are religious values.

No usually, and I prefer it that way. I have lost ever debate I have been at because the audience is generally less than 50 people and they are all theists. The vote is read before and after the debate. It will be, for the proposal, against the proposal, and abstain. My goal isn't to win. My goal is to correct misinformation and allow people to hear for the first time what science is actually saying. Many theists claim they don't believe in evolution and when doing a debate my opening line is; For all of you who don't accept evolution, you might be surprised to find out that you don't understand the very thing you claim is untrue. You're being taught evolution not by the scientists but by the apologists, and they are often misinformed themselves. I'm here tonight to clear that up for you. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to explain what is actually being said by science, and then you decide for yourself if the apologetics taught to you, balance up to the real explanation provided by science. The best chance to educate people is in the question and answer period. I often forgo my rebuttal in favor of more time in question and answer. The claims asserted by the pastor aren't worth my time responding to usually, but sometimes I will and sometimes I won't. You would be shocked to hear some of the questions asked during Q&A. If our ancestors were monkeys why are there still monkeys? I am not a monkey! Why do you insist on calling humans monkeys! Since God created Adam and Eve in human form, why do you still think man evolved from monkeys? The list is endless. I feel great about doing this, and I would do it more often if I could.

What flyer did you mail out? I would love to see the content on that flyer. It would definitely inspire me to send out my own flyers. I love your comment about not caring if you win at a debate. People are definitely getting more interested and exploring atheism more, so now is the time to make the push into theist society.

Do you have specific qualifications that grant you credibility, or do you just ask? I don’t have a degree, but I love to debate and am quite talented at it, if I may be so humble. I have many PhD friends that provide the solid foundation of evidence for my arguments. I’ve never been so bold as to request a formal debate, though.

By getting out there and getting the information to those people, you are doing a great service. I have had people thank me years later.

To Hugene2002: I sent those flyers at over five years ago. I might be able to dig one up on MS word. I'll see if I can find it. All it said: Greetings to Pastor (insert his name) My name is Paul I would like to discuss holding a debate at your Church as a fundraising opportunity for your church. I volunteer my time during this event, and all video and ticket sales will be the property of the (Insert Church name). Two formats that I offer are debate and discussion. I then layout the rules I'm willing to proceed with, for example, no interruptions during the speakers time. You must wrap your speech up within 1 minute of the timer.

To ZenBear: I don't have any qualifications, no degree in biology, philosophy, or theology. I am self-taught on all of these topics, and I have tons of friends who are very qualified review my work and attend the debates. I feel I'm very prepared and I understand how to convey the actual science in ways scientist don't. People get offended when we call humans primates, I explain to them that humans are humans a chimp is a chimp, a silverback gorilla is a silverback gorilla. Science uses comparative anatomy to lump groups into classifications. I then take it away from the personnel and describe how a wolf is a wolf and coyotes are coyotes, and Bassett Hound is a Bassett Hounds, but they all share common physical traits, so they are classified as being a part of the family Canidae. Bring it back to us. I say so just as all Primates have forward-facing eyes, opposable thumbs, nails instead of claws......etc. These similarities get us grouped in with as a primate.