Opening Statement:
Argued that God gives us morality and values. Without God morality and values would not exist. Proposes that religion provides the foundation of good and bad. Stated that God is the greatest conceivable being. This allows him to transfer his wisdom and goodness upon us which he has done with the 10 commandments. He also argued that God separates humans from other animals. It is him that gives us values since we are the only species that is free. Without God we would allow evil. William also stated that science can only tell us what we are. However, it cannot tell us why we are like a certain way or what is wrong with what we are. He follows up by stating that humans are just animals and animals do not have moral obligations to one another. He backed this up by using a lion killing a zebra is simply killing zebra, however it does not murder the zebra. This example was very effective on explaining how our values and morals are different from other animals.
Rebuttal 1:
William organized his rebuttal perfectly. He first reminded the audience of his contentions. He also goes on to strengthen his argument that religion is the foundation for values and ethics. He also goes on to say that with religion it encourages human flourishing rather than suffering, however atheism does not promote humans flourishing. He also rebutted Harris’ use of the word “good” in terms of ethics and well-being to tear down his argument. Overall he pointed out the flaws in Harris’ arguments while also empowering his own.
Rebuttal 2:
Overall Craig simply pointed out that Harris simply missed the point of his debate. He does not respond to any of his contentions in his previous rebuttal. William then goes on to strengthen his previous arguments.
Closing Statement:
In his closing statement he went on to explain the goodness of God. He then used this to explain that it is because of God and due to us worshipping him, we receive our values from him. He once again rebutted Harris’ arguments on the goodness of God and the fact that God allows suffering within things such as the holocaust. He states that God did not make them do those things, instead humans commit those acts of evil. He also goes on to explain further why God is the reason for our morals.