In Which An ASU Theoretical Physics Professor Shows Class

I had a post a few days ago about an MIT theoretical physics professor who wrote an op-ed about the  compatibility of science and religion.  In the video (below fold), Arizona State University theoretical physics professor Lawrence Krauss demonstrates that not all theoretical physicists are logically inconsistent.  Even more noteworthy, is he actually took the time to debate someone who has zero fame in the midst of an audience who sides with his opponent.  And did so in a foreign country.

It's a really long video at over 2 hours.  If you can't afford the time, I'd just fast forward up until the Krauss parts (the first is at about 27:30).  If you can't afford the time to watch all the Krauss parts, then the first is probably the best, it's his opening statement (about 20 minutes).

As soon as his opponent, Uthman Badar, whose opening statement preceded Krauss's, mentioned how science flourished under Muslim rule (there was an Islamic Golden Age, but then the Islamic countries fell into something similar to the European Dark Ages and most are still in it.  Afghanistan anyone?), I really sympathized with Krauss.  That guy is out of touch with reality.

It's a tricky balancing act to debate with anti-science people...to do so suggests there is some equality of stature, but to not do so allows the anti-science folks to get away without criticism and or they can claim that their opponents are scared to debate them.