Richard Dawkins at the University of Texas at Austin

Ray Comfort, author of the new book, "You Can Lead an Atheist to Evidence but You Can't Make Him Think," is challenging celebrity atheist Richard Dawkins to a debate – and sweetening the offer by offering him $10,000, win, lose or draw.

"Richard Dawkins is arguably the most famous living atheist, now that Anthony Flew doubted his doubts and backslid as an atheist," said Comfort, bestselling author and co-host, along with actor Kirk Cameron, of the award-winning TV show "The Way of the Master." "Flew said that he simply followed the evidence. I would like to see Richard Dawkins follow his example."

Comfort has spoken at Yale University on the subject of atheism. In 2001, American Atheists, Inc. flew him from his home in California to Orlando, Fla., to be a platform speaker at its national convention. He debated atheistic evolution on ABC's Nightline in 2007, and early in 2009 debated on the BBC. He is the author of some 60 other books including "God Doesn’t Believe in Atheists," "How to Know God Exists," and "Evolution: the Fairy Tale for Grownups." He is the publisher of "The Evidence Bible" and more recently, "The Atheist Bible (Unauthorized Version)" and, "The Charles Darwin Bible." His booklet, "The Atheist Test" has sold over a million copies.

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On Darwin Day (Charles Darwin's 200th birthday – Feb. 12), Comfort's latest, "You Can Lead an Atheist to Evidence but You Can’t Make Him Think," published by WND Books, pushed Dawkins' "The God Delusion" out of the No. 1 spot in the atheist category on Amazon.com.

"One of Dawkins' major gripes is against religion," said Comfort. "I am in total agreement on that one. I abhor religion. It is the opiate of the masses. It has left a bloody trail of destruction and human misery throughout history. Hitler even used it for his own ends. His other big beef is that he believes that the God of the Old Testament is a tyrant. If I had the image of God Dawkins has created in his mind, I, too, would be an atheist. The problem is that the god Mr. Dawkins doesn't believe in, doesn't exist."

Comfort added, "I will donate $10,000 to him, or give it to any children's charity he names. All I ask is that he goes into a studio and gives me 20 minutes on why there is no God and why evolution is scientific. Then I will give 20 minutes on how we can know God exists and why evolution is nothing more than an unsubstantiated and unscientific fairy tale for grownups. Then we both will have 10 minutes to respond.

"Sadly, I have found that even evolution's most staunch believers are afraid to debate, because they know that their case for atheism and evolution is less than extremely weak," Comfort said. "I would be delighted (and honored) if Mr. Dawkins has the courage to debate me, but I'm not holding my breath."

Comfort recently became the "Creationism Examiner" on the website of the secular newspaper, the Examiner.

Related offers:

Get Ray Comfort's latest book.

"Intelligent Design vs. Evolution – letters to an atheist" by Ray Comfort

"Nostradamus: Attack on America" by Ray Comfort

"What Hollywood Believes: An Intimate Look at the Faith of the Famous" by Ray Comfort

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