They've been bearing false witness for much of their lives. This is just one more log on the fire.

The use of a foil is quite common. Plato and Galileo both used them in a phoney debate to promote their ideas. The difference here is the deception involved. Of course they could not have invited a real atheist, the risks would been too great. Although some of the guys from the conservative group on here might have been dumb enough to get their arses kicked by kids.

Well, look at it this way; when they meet an actual atheist they will be so unprepared that they won't know what to do. It may also knock them down a notch or two and force them to actually listen.

I doubt it though, but it's a thought.