Discussions on absolute truth cause heated discussions
Feb 28, 2008 - 03:58 PM
By Josie Newman
DURHAM -- A controversial -- and sometimes heated -- series of debates over the weekend between scholars from four different religions did little in changing anyone's beliefs, but proved to be an effective forum for discussion.
Dubbed War of the Worldviews, each debate featured 81-year-old Christian Dave Hunt, an internationally renowned Biblical scholar and prophecy teacher, arguing the merits of his religion against well-known Hindu and Muslim authorities and University of Ontario Institute of Technology assistant professor and humanist Christopher diCarlo.
Scientist and creationist Frank Sherwin conducted a lecture about creationism versus evolution after his opponent, scientist and humanist Christopher Rheaume, dropped out.
Mr. Hunt was also the keynote speaker for three previous conferences convened by local Christian Paul McGregor. Near the beginning of the debates, Mr. McGregor said to the crowd, "It's no secret that this event is put on by Christians with an agenda -- and the agenda is that you all get to hear the truth about Christ."
Kicked off on Friday night by Mr. Hunt and Hindu scholar Budhendranauth Doobay, and moderated by broadcaster Michael Coren and local integration consultant Peter Koropatwa, the debates grew in intensity and the number of attendees as the weekend progressed. Almost 400 people attended Friday night's meeting, while about 600 came to Saturday night's debate between Mr. Hunt and Muslim scholar Shabir Ally, spilling out into the foyer of All Saints Catholic Secondary School.
Open to the public and free of charge, the debates brought people from a variety of faith backgrounds and for a variety of reasons. Several people from the Creation Research Institute flew in from California, while close to 25 people from Calvary Chapel near Rochester, N.Y., travelled to the event because they appreciate Mr. Hunt's books and lectures and have frequently invited him to their church.
"He's great at giving grounded lectures about Biblical facts," Tyler Goden said. "When we heard he was coming up here to Canada, a bunch of us decided to drive up because we like him so much."
The Rochester group was friendly and cordial, but unflattering comments by Dr. diCarlo about President George W. Bush's profession of Christianity not lining up with his encouragement for the war in Iraq had several in the group looking alarmed and shaking their heads.
Attiya, an 18-year-old Muslim from Ajax who attended the Saturday night debate with her parents, said she came to hear more about Christianity and to hear other people's religious viewpoints.
"It gave me a broader understanding and I thought it was a fair debate. It confirmed my own faith more," said Attiya, referring to the debate between Mr. Ally and Mr. Hunt. Her father seemed disgruntled because he felt Muslims were portrayed by some as terrorists who promote violence.
Phyllis Spriggs of Burlington came with her husband because they have seen Mr. Hunt in several venues before.
"He's solid in scripture," she said. "There's too much entertainment in churches these days -- young people need to think their faith through so they know where they stand."
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