Debate: The biblical account of the Canaanite 'genocide' was justified (Part 1)

"They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it - men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys" Joshua 6:21

What are we to make of Old Testament passages like this? Was this mass killing, this 'genocide', justified?

This was the topic for debate between and atheist Matthew McArthur and Christian, Robert Martin.

The moderator was James Fodor (President of Melbourne University Secular Society).

Matthew McArthur is a marine ecologist, podcaster and writer. Growing up in the Anglican fold, he questioned his faith in his teens and lost it in his twenties. In his thirties, concerns about the interface between religions and society prompted his current advocacy for secular governance.

Robert Martin is Melbourne Director of City Bible Forum and host of Logos Live - a radio show and podcast which explores the big questions of life. Robert regularly speaks, writes and blogs about Christianity and culture and enjoys engaging atheists on his blog Atheist Forum (http://atheistforum.wordpress.com)

The debate was held on 30th June 2016 at Melbourne Unitarian Church.

This section has both opening statements and both opening rebuttals. The Q&A and closing statements were recorded separately.