Debate: Is this a Free Country or a Christian Nation?
Written by Administrator   
Sunday, 23 June 2002

Debate, sponsored by the Humanist Friendship Group of Central Indiana, featuring Dr. Edward M. Buckner, Executive Director, Council for Secular Humanism and Rev. Greg A. Dixon, Senior Pastor of the Indianapolis Baptist Temple.

Secular Humanism is a way of thinking and living that aims to bring out the best in people so that all people can have the best in life. Secular humanists reject supernatural and authoritarian beliefs. We affirm that we must take responsibility for our own lives and communities and the world in which we live. Secular humanism emphasizes reason and scientific inquiry, individual freedom and responsibility, human values and compassion, and the need for tolerance and cooperation.

The Council for Secular Humanism, with world headquarters in Amherst, New York, cultivates rational inquiry, ethical values, and human development through the advancement of secular humanism. To carry out its mission the Council for Secular Humanism sponsors publications and programs and organizes meetings and other group activities. The Council's specific objectives are:

* To promote secular humanist principles to the public, media and policymakers
* To provide secular humanist activities and communities to serve the needs of nonreligious people and to foster human enrichment.
* To demonstrate the viability of the secular humanist eupraxophy (good conduct and wisdom in living) as an alternative naturalistic life-stance.
* To engage in research relating to the critical examination of religious and supernatural claims and the humanist outlook.
* To conduct educational programs for all age levels.

The Council for Secular Humanism publishes Free Inquiry, the Secular Humanist Bulletin, and other publications. Dr. Paul Kurtz, professor emeritus of philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo, founded the Council in 1980 and serves as its chairman.

Humanist Friendship Group of Central Indiana (HFGCI) is one of the more than a hundred independent local humanist and freethought societies across the United States that have aims similar to those of the Council for Secular Humanism, and is a member of the Alliance for Secular Humanist Societies (ASHS). HFGCI provides group support, discussion, and social activities for freethinkers of all ages. Regular meetings are held at 2 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month, and smaller groups meet at other times for special activities. For more information about HFGCI, contact:

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Coordinator
317-885-1612
 
 
 

Debate format:

Dr. James Pennell, Moderator
Professor of Teacher Education, University of Indianapolis

Opening remarks by each debate participant
(20 minutes each)

Questioning of each debater by the other
(10 minutes total)

Audience questions
(30 minutes total)

Concluding remarks by each debate participant
(5 minutes each)

 

Dr. Buckner's Biography

Dr. Edward M. Buckner is the executive director of the Council for Secular Humanism, headquartered in Amherst, New York. The Council is a worldwide organization that cultivates rational inquiry, ethical values, and human development.

Dr. Buckner has a B.A. in English form Rice University (1967), a master's degree in education from Georgia State University (1975), and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Georgia State University (1983).

He has taught at Cattahoochee Technical Institute and Georgia State University and has been director of planning (research and development) for Atlanta Technical Institute. He is the author of numerous articles and co-editor of Quotations that Support the Separation of State and Church.

Dr. Buckner's wife of over 30 years, Diane, and his son, Michael, are also secular humanist leaders.

Rev. Dixon's Biography

Rev. Gregory A. Dixon is senior pastor of the Indianapolis Baptist Temple. The Indianapolis Baptist Temple is an independent, unregistered Baptist congregation. It is a New Testament congregation made u of scripturally baptized believers. "We exist to exalt Jesus Christ, edify the saints through the Word of God, and evangelize our world" [from the Temple's Web site].

Rev. Dixon is a graduate of Indianapolis Baptists High School (1974) and a graduate of theology from Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO (1977). He was ordained in 1978.

Rev. Dixon has been youth pastor, Indianapolis Baptist Temple (1977-1982); assistant chaplain, Marion County Jail (1980-81); pastor, Baptist Temple West (1982-84); co-pastor (1988-1996), administrator of all ministries (1984-2001), and senior pastor (1996-present) of Indianapolis Baptist Temple. He succeeded his father, Gregory J. Dixon, who was pastor of Indianapolis Baptist Temple for 41 years and continues to work with pastors across the country in the area of religious liberty.

Rev. Dixon is the author of Baptist History Book. He and his wife of 22 years, Kathleen, have four daughters: Shannon (18), Lindsay (15), Hannah (9), and Olivia (6).