Dan Barker participated in a debate at Arizona State University-Tempe, with Bob Siegel of “Mission to the Americas” on April 11. The event was arranged by the Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix, spearheaded by hard-working Foundation member Susan Sackett, and co-sponsored by the ASU Freethought Society.
Almost 600 people attended the overflow debate. Many were seated on the floor and stood in the foyer, with about 100 turned away.
The Arizona Republic featured a pre-write in its Sunday edition.
Dan’s father was in the audience, the first time he was able to attend one of Dan’s debates. “I want you to meet Norman Barker,” Dan said, when introducing him, “my only father.”
During the debate, Siegel said he knows a god exists because he has a “personal relationship” and has had “personal encounters” with him, even hearing his voice.
“What does God’s voice sound like?” Dan asked Siegel during the cross-examination. “Is he a tenor or a baritone?”
“He’s a baritone,” Siegel responded with a straight face.
After the event, a young man told audience member Joy Berry, a children’s author: “I hadn’t thought about it very much before, but I guess I’m an atheist!”
Dan extends thanks to Susan Sackett and the ASU Freethought Society, who were able to arrange the successful debate on less than a month’s notice.
