It might seem unlikely that a group of Christians could have an enjoyable evening with a group of atheists, but that’s exactly what happened when students from Moorlands College of Christian Theology got together with Dorset Humanists.

They had met up for an atheists vs Christians debate as Humanists asked the question: “Are Christian beliefs unreasonable?”

In a packed university lecture room, they challenged the rationality of Christian doctrine and students from Moorlands College defended their beliefs.

Chris Sinkinson at Moorlands College in Sopley explains that the discussion was ‘good natured but robust’.

“Both sides were well represented,” Chris said.

“The final vote saw a shift towards the view that Christian beliefs are reasonable and there was plenty of further, frank conversation after the event.

“This was the first in a series of debates between the Dorset Atheist and Humanist Society and theology students from Moorlands College.

“If they continue in the same way then they look set to cast more light than heat on these big questions.”

David Warden, chairman of Dorset Humanists explains that the evening came about after he contacted Dr Steve Brady, Principal at Moorlands. Mr Warden said: “A number of years ago some Moorlands students came to my talk against the Alpha Course, and for a long time it’s been my ambition to organise a debate with them. It's so much better than always ‘preaching to the converted’.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury and well known atheist Professor Richard Dawkins recently had their own well published debate, so is it that Christians and Atheists are trying to understand or convert each other?

A further atheists vs Christian debate, entitled: “Did Jesus Really Exist?”, will take place on April 26 at 7.30pm at Shelley Lecture Theatre in Bournemouth University. Once again the atheists will go head to head with students from Moorlands and debate the evidence for and against the existence of Jesus.