Unbelievable? Is life meaningless without God? A live school debate between Atheism UK and Christian apologist
Dec 18, 2025
Join John Richards, President of Atheism UK and public atheist speaker, as he debates with Caleb Woodbridge, a cultural apologist and freelance writer. They explore whether ultimate meaning requires God, with Caleb arguing for a transcendent source and John advocating human-assigned values. Their lively discussion tackles morality's evolution, the role of empathy, and the effects of Christian influence on moral progress. They challenge each other's views on whether religion offers comfort or merely an illusion, engaging with audience questions throughout.
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Meaning Needs A Transcendent Source
- Caleb argues ultimate meaning requires a meaning-giver beyond human preferences.
- He claims Jesus provides an overarching story that grounds universal purpose.
Question The Question's Assumptions
- John challenges assumptions behind the question, asking which god and what 'meaning' means.
- He defines meaning as important or worthwhile qualities that humans assign.
Local Joys As Signposts
- Caleb says local meanings (family, beauty) can be signposts to a larger, objective meaning.
- He sees these experiences deepened by viewing them as gifts from a creator.