In 1860 Bishop Samuel Wilberforce (not to be confused with abolitionist William Wilberforce) squared off in debate with Thomas Huxley, "Darwin's Bulldog," at the University of Oxford's Natural History Museum. The now famous debate has been the subject of a multitude of articles, books, and films. The controversy centered around the question of human origins: was man the product of random chance and necessity or was he made in the image of God?

More than a century on, the debate continues. Spearheaded by the so-called New Atheists, the stakes are much higher. As Washington observed in his farewell address, one cannot maintain public morality apart from religious principle. History is on Washington's side, but that hasn't stopped some from wanting to try.

This fall, Fixed Point Foundation will revisit both the site and the issues of 1860 in a debate that will feature Richard Dawkins and Dr. John Lennox, both of the University of Oxford. Those of you who follow our work will know that Dawkins and Lennox debated one another last October. The two will meet once again in an event that will be much less structured and much more conversational. Follow this link to an article on the event.

We are also co-sponsoring (along with Trinity Forum) a debate with Christopher Hitchens at this summer's Edinburgh International Festival.