Last night, the Harvard Secular Society (HSS) and the Harvard- Radcliffe Christian Fellowship (HRCF) debated the existence of a Benevolent Creator, tackling the age-old question, "Does God Exist?"

The HSS was represented by Derek C. Araujo '99 and Christopher M. Kirchhoff '01. Matthew J. Peed '00 and John S. Pittard '00 represented the HRCF. Lecturer on the Study of Religion Eugene C. McAfee, who is also Lowell House's senior tutor, moderated the debate.

The event was held in Science Center D, in front of such a large audience that Kirchhoff, who is also a Crimson editor, said the room "felt like Noah's Ark" in his opening speech.

The audience's enthusiasm for the debate was first evident at their welcoming applause for McAfee, who said he wished his classes would show the same response to him.

After giving a brief summary of Plato and Aristotle's beliefs about God and a Benevolent Creator, McAfee outlined the debate's format.

Both teams were allotted 13 minutes for opening speeches, which were followed by seven-minute rebuttals. Afterwards, there were 15-minute cross-examinations and then four-minute closing statements made by each side. McAfee's kitchen timer buzzed to signal the end of speeches.

Kirchhoff, representing the HSS, began the debate with an opening speech that called for the HRCF to provide evidence that a belief in God was justified.

"Like any hypothesis, God is open to question," he said.

Kirchhoff also explained some of the benefits of Atheism.