Sample Header Ad - 728x90

Looking for references to skeptical debates on the subject of rebirth

7 votes
2 answers
375 views
I am a huge proponent of scientific skepticism, rationalism and critical thinking. As a former Christian, I enjoy watching debates and more recently, discussions on YouTube. I like the debate format because it allows for the use of cross-examination, which is a real art in my opinion; especially as demonstrated in the masterful use of rhetoric by say, the late Christopher Hitchens. Likewise, I enjoy a format geared more toward discussion as it allows me to truly "step inside the head" as it were, of people who I disagree with on a fundamental level and if the conversation is good, to grasp the concepts from angles that may never have occurred to me. As an example of the difference between the two, let me recommend that you watch two videos. The first one being the debate between Sam Harris and noted Christian apologist, William Lane Craig that took place at Notre Dame. https://youtu.be/yqaHXKLRKzg Contrast that one with Craig's performance in any of the three videos that were filmed in Australia, mainly in the discussion format with physicist Lawrence Krauss. https://youtu.be/-b8t70_c8eE https://youtu.be/V82uGzgoajI https://youtu.be/7xcgjtps5ks Now, honesty dictates that I admit my bias going into these. It is that I suspect that the natural world is all there is and that my experience after I die will probably be much like it was before I was born. However, the aforementioned should in no way be taken as a discounting or criticism of personal experience, i.e. of the numinous or transcendent. I think that people have a basic right to believe whatever they want. What they don't get to have though is automatic immunity from criticism about things they tell others as matters of fact, and **this is where my question begins...** Where are the **Buddhists engaging in either debate or discussion** wherein they are asked simple and direct questions about their epistemology? Debates with the form > "So you believe in and espouse **the doctrine of rebirth**? That's great, but **how do you know it's true**?" or > "By what method of inquiry did you come to this knowledge?" and, "Why is that method of determining what is true equally as or more valid than traditional western methodology?" The only person I know about who has been willing to attempt this, to his credit, has been Ven. Brahmali in both [debate](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuHi9Zpx7zo) and discussion with Stephen Batchelor. I just wish that more people for whom I have a lot of respect due to their accessible teaching, like Ajahn Brahm and Mattieu Ricard, would follow suit. **Recommendations to videos and books are most welcome**.
Asked by user117619 (113 rep)
Aug 16, 2015, 02:26 PM
Last activity: Aug 21, 2015, 07:14 PM