The nature of atheism, Christianity, and the state

First Things Web Editor Joe Carter and Barrett Brown, author of Skeptical Inquirer as well as the author of Flock of Dodos: Behind Modern Creationism, Intelligent Design (and blogger at the League of Ordinary Gentlemen), are debating “the nature and existence of God and his proper relation to the state.” According to Carter, “the format will include the posting of quotes chosen by each participant followed by at least three rounds of exchanges with one post on each side (the level of interest will determine if it will continue after that agreed upon minimum limit).”

The quotations chosen by the participants are here.

And Carter’s first contribution is here. An excerpt: “All political problems, contends political philosopher Glenn Tinder, are rooted in estrangement—the various kinds of disunity among human beings. Without estrangement there would be no need for either politics or the State. The primary political questions are therefore questions about estrangement: Are human beings estranged in essence? Can estrangement be overcome through reason? Do we need religious faith to overcome estrangement? . . . My contention is that Christianity provides the framework for answering these concerns in a way that is superior to atheism. Mr. Brown, I suspect, believes just the opposite.”