Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, an apex body of 65 atheist groups in India, uses delaying tactics to evade from the debate. In the below correspondence (starting from the last to the top), you will see how Prof. Narendra Nayak is using delaying tactics to evade from a debate with Sakshi Apologetics Network. If these atheists are “scientific” as they often claim to be (when not countered by intellectuals of other worldviews), why are they so afraid to debate? You decide.
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: SAN (INDIA) <sakshi.apologeticsnetwork@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 11:42 AM
Subject: Re: Debate Invitiation: Does God Exist?
To: narendra nayak <narenyen@gmail.com>
Dear Prof. Narendra,
We have heard these kinds of excuses several times from people who want to evade the debate but never expected it from you. It is very easy to conduct programs where your views would not be challenged. Does God exist must be discussed on a scientific ground, wherein we are sure that it would expose the shallowness of atheism and rationality of theism.
Initially, on Feb 4, you replied saying “sure. Let us see what you have to say,” which should be understood as you were ready for the debate. Then when we came for the next steps, you sought of wanted to clarify/retract/correct what you said and even mentioned about people filing “cases” and “physical violence.” Though there is hardly any precedent/evidence for such a fear from Christian side, we still tried to address your concerns. We even provided the profile of the speaker from our side with the hope that it would hasten the process. But from that time, we are seeing replies which are meant for delaying/derailing the discussion. We were patiently waiting for you and when you said you are busy, we were requesting only a time when you would revert to us.
Frankly, not even providing a time by which you would reply (which by now you must have realized that we would follow-up) can be only considered as an attempt to evade and not genuinely engage in a serious debate.
We have reached out to you for a genuine debate; offered to host the debate; tried to address your (unwarranted) concerns; and would have patiently waited further if you had given a definite date. Now that you are unwilling to give even that, we would be publishing these correspondences in our website; sharing it facebook in the weeks to come and other forums/social media as well as would be hosting open forums in exposing the shallowness of atheism and rationality of theism on scientific ground and would be mentioning about our attempt for a genuine debate with you.
However, if you are ready at any time for a genuine debate on scientific ground on the topic “Does God Exist?” we would be still happy to engage.
Regards,
SAN
On Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 6:24 AM, narendra nayak <narenyen@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear SAN,
Debates are quite low on my list of priorities and I have agreed only in principle to it.
I shall revert to you when I get the time.
regards
Narendra Nayak
On Sun, Mar 10, 2013 at 11:04 PM, SAN (INDIA) <sakshi.apologeticsnetwork@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Prof. Narendra,
We understand that you could be busy. As you would appreciate that it has been over a month (Feb 3) since we first contacted you, you could at-least let us know by when (a definite date) you would decide. This, you may agree, is a basic courtesy and respect that as humans we could show to each other and value each others time.
Thanks for your understanding.
Regards,
SAN
On Sat, Mar 9, 2013 at 6:59 PM, narendra nayak <narenyen@gmail.com> wrote:
As it is I am quite busy with my tours. Will get back to you when we decide.
Narendra Nayak
On Sat, Mar 9, 2013 at 12:11 PM, SAN (INDIA) <sakshi.apologeticsnetwork@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Prof. Narendra,
This is a gentle reminder to our debate invitation. Do let us know your decision.
Regards,
SAN
On Wed, Feb 27, 2013 at 10:34 AM, SAN (INDIA) <sakshi.apologeticsnetwork@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Prof. Narendra,
Thanks for your mail. We had internally checked and if you would like to have the program either in Pune or Kochi other than Mumbai, we would be still willing to host it. We would greatly appreciate your thoughts and decision in this regard.
Regards,
SAN
On Thu, Feb 21, 2013 at 3:48 PM, narendra nayak <narenyen@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks will keep your invitation in mind. In the meanwhile, we are also thinking of other venues also.
regards
Narendra Nayak
On Thu, Feb 21, 2013 at 10:20 AM, SAN (INDIA) <sakshi.apologeticsnetwork@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Prof. Narendra,
Greetings. We just wanted to check if you had a chance to discuss with your various organizations as well as by when you could let us know your thoughts/decision.
Regards,
SAN
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 10:37 AM, SAN (INDIA) <sakshi.apologeticsnetwork@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Prof. Narendra,
We will wait to hear from you.
Regards,
SAN
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 6:34 AM, narendra nayak <narenyen@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear SAN,
I have posted the matter for comments from various organisations and persons whom I represent. I will get back you to you after suitable deliberations with them including suitability, venue and time.
regards
Narendra Nayak
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 12:02 AM, SAN (INDIA) <sakshi.apologeticsnetwork@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Prof. Narendra,
Thanks for your reply.
We are the ones who have invited you for a debate; so, if there any religious hot heads from Christianity (if any) wants to file a case, it should be against us and not against you. While we differ with your atheistic worldview strongly, we will stand with you when it comes to the freedom of expression. We will bear the cost of hosting the program but not your travel expense or accommodation, or your own video recording etc as we are a self-financed network.
Moreover, we do not anticipate any untoward incidents. However, we can take necessary precautions to ensure that no untoward events occurs such as limiting to the crowd to 300-500 people etc with prior registration or something like that. We can discuss any such concerns and address those.
To be clear, we are looking for a debate on “Does God Exist: What Does Science Say?” topic. Further to reassure you are that we are looking forward for a scholarly debate, we have attached the profile of the speaker whom we are planning now.
Best,
SAN
On Mon, Feb 4, 2013 at 4:25 PM, narendra nayak <narenyen@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear SAN,
I am fixed in between 21st to end of May at A& N Islands.
I will let you know about other things later. But, let me know
something I do not want any crazy religious hot heads to file cases
against me under section 295 A of the IPC or create physical violence
in the premises and the costs shall be entirely borne by you if I
agree to participate in the debate.
Let me confirm that WHAT I HAD SAID WAS ” LET US SEE WHAT YOU HAVE
TO SAY” and not an acceptance of your invitation about which we have
still to decide.
with regards
Narendra Nayak
On 2/4/13, SAN (INDIA) <sakshi.apologeticsnetwork@gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear Prof. Narendra,
>
>
> Many thanks for your quick response. As the next step, please let us know
> what would be your preference:
>
>
> 1. Should the representatives from both the sides meet at a
> convenient place to finalize the terms and conditions (basically, the time
> for presentation, refutation, Q&A, venue, day, who should go first, who
> would be the moderator, video recording, etc) OR would you prefer to
> finalize it over the email?
>
>
> 2. We are looking forward for the debate to be held in May or
> thereafter at Mumbai. If you could let us know your availability any time
> from May, we would block the calendar as well.
>
>
> If you have any suggestions or clarifications, please let us know.
>
>
> Thanks and regards,
>
>
> SAN
>
>
> On Mon, Feb 4, 2013 at 8:17 AM, narendra nayak <narenyen@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> sure. Let us see what you have to say.
>> Narendra Nayak
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 3, 2013 at 10:28 PM, SAN (INDIA) <
>> sakshi.apologeticsnetwork@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello Friends,
>>>
>>> We are a Christian apologetics network and are interested in a debate on
>>> the topic “Does God Exist?” in Mumbai.
>>>
>>> Please let us know if you are interested and then we will discuss and
>>> arrive at a mutually agreed format and conditions.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> SAN
>>>
>>> www.sakshitimes.net
>>>
>>
>>
>
