The Problem With Atheist Debates?

It was the Atheists, Agnostics and Freethinkers student group at the University of Illinois that was approached to suggest someone to debate Dinesh D'Souza. I didn't know until now why they suggested me. In December one of them said he has been disappointed with the atheists who have debated recently:

I have always wondered why every single "Does God exist?" debate doesn't end with the atheist side dominating over the other. After all, there is little decent evidence for the existence to God, and just about everything that a theist can bring up has relatively easy and well documented responses. So why can't we easily win debates?...but the sad thing is that audiences are also largely influenced by the debaters' charisma as well.

So, what's the solution? Should we dumb down our argument to appeal to the common folk? Make ourselves more entertaining? I think that we have to find debaters that are likable and connectible to the common audience, regardless of belief. Dan Barker does a good job with this, but unfortunately it seems that most people agree that his debating skills are not on par with his intelligence.

So, are there atheists out there that have the charisma and the debating skills (which are seeming more and more to be intertwined?). Maybe our best option is to be more ridiculing; after all, we do think that their opinions are ridiculous, especially if we're talking about creationism. Isn't it silly to believe that people existed at the same time as dinosaurs? That everything we know about ancient history is simply wrong? That for some reason evolution works but only while things are really small (micro vs. macro evolution)? Maybe our best option is to make sure we get across how ridiculous the assertions people are making really are (in addition to why they are, of course). Maybe. Unless you have any better ideas.

Link.

Then yesterday he posted an announcement about my upcoming debate with Dinesh and said:

Loftus does have some debating experience, but, unlike Barker, has yet to debate any of the "Christian big dogs", a category in which Dinesh D'Souza would be in....I see Loftus' lack of debating big Christians as a good thing; debating at U of I with a big Christian will be a great chance for him to move up in the debating world. And, while I haven't personally seen him debate, we at the U of I get the chance to add someone new to the atheist debating pool. And, as I have previously stated, I think we could use some fresh people in it. And from what I've heard about his debating style, he might live up to my expectations. It is quite exciting. Hope to see you there!

Link.

Well, I'm a bit flattered that they suggested me.

I plan on living up to their expectations.

I'm having a fund raiser in the sidebar for out of pocket expenses which they will reimburse me for after the debate. It looks like we'll meet the goal but if you wish to donate after meeting the goal I would sure appreciate it.