1. How do you describe the origin of the human race and the world?
The origin of the world is a complicated matter. I do not think physicists and cosmologists have yet anything resembling a consensus or clear answer regarding its origin. It's an open quest as far as I'm concerned, and a possible hypothesis, though not one that serves any explanatory utility from what I can see, is that of a Designer. The origin of the human race is easier to answer. There is a wealth of evidence from evolutionary biology that we are evolved creatures. There are still open questions here to be sure, but no one who does their due diligence in studying the matter can question the idea that we are evolved animals.
2. Who are “we” as the human race? Are we an accident? Do we have intrinsic value?
"We" are the most cognitively developed and advanced animals on Earth. It appears we are an accident, but you might be concerned about the constraints naturalism places on the investigations of existential and ethical relevance. As above, I am open to the idea that a Designer somewhere had a hand in our development, but I'm rather skeptical that such a hypothesis serves any explanatory utility (for interesting thoughts from one of the best living philosophers of religion on this issue, see Alvin Plantinga's recent book on naturalism and religion). Do we have intrinsic value? Great question! We are the only species in a position to bestow value on things at all, and I do not find it in the least bit surprising that we decided (e.g., Kant) that we alone have intrinsic value, inherent worth and dignity. Historically, however, this is an idea that came very late to the scene - we didn't always believe this. I think it is actually an idea that Christ made possible with egalitarianism, the idea, for him, that we are all equal because equally loved in the eyes of God. This was a radical idea for its time and place. I grant that we have very strong feelings and intuitions about our having intrinsic value today, and while I am open to attempts that try and ground our having it, I am generally skeptical that any such attempt will ever work. (If you're interested more in this topic, look up the controversies surrounding theories that attempt to ground moral status in humans. If you Google "SEP moral status," written by one of my professors, that would be a good start).
3.What is the meaning and purpose of life?
There is no one meaning and purpose to life. There are many meanings and purposes one could find within life, and some have argued that for those to be worthwhile they must have at least some "objectively" recognizable good making features (i.e., some philosophers deny that one could have a meaningful life that consisted of pulling and counting blades of grass, see Thomas Nagel or Susan Wolf's articles). My intuitions are not as strong regarding the need for objective goods, but I still think the idea that there are multiple meanings, and not just one, is the right one.
4.Where does the idea of right and wrong come from?
Our evolutionary and especially our social/cultural history. We are the most cognitively developed species that we know exists, at the same time, physically we are among the most frail. From early on we started forming and living in groups. If you live in groups, and you want to do that at all in a functional way, there are going to have to be some rules. Over thousands and thousands of years we have internalized those rules, mostly through gruesome practices of punishment (cf. Nietzsche's Genealogy of Morality, esp. the second essay). I am an ardent defender of Nietzsche's thesis - I think this is how we developed a conscience, and especially bad conscience, the capacity to feel guilt, which is his focus in the essay.
5. What do you think happens to people after they die? Do you believe in heaven and hell? Who decides or how does one get to heaven versus hell?
"The whole is a riddle, a complete mystery." That is a paraphrase of a quote from David Hume. I don't know what happens to people after they die. Both of my parents are now dead and I am not yet 32. I hope there is an afterlife, but you won't see me promoting it. I also know that the people who developed and came up with the idea of heaven didn't know either. If you look at the controversies surrounding life after death in the early church, it seems likely that immortality was an idea adopted by the early Christians to convert pagans. Paul, e.g., seemed to believe in bodily resurrection, and it seems that was a resurrection that would take place on this earth. Where did this idea of a metaphysical heaven come from?
6. What is your opinion of Christians in general?
Mixed. Know some great ones. Know some real bastards. No point in making a general statement about Christians. Get to know people and then see how their faith informs their personality. Sometimes it does so for the better, sometimes for the worst. I'd say it usually does so for the better.
7. If a Christian were to sit down and talk with you about their faith, what would it take to convince you that it was worth looking into or accepting?
I've had so many such conversations over the years. I don't find it hard to "look into" Christianity. I was once a very devout Christian, and it had a profound impact on my life. I also "look into" Christianity more or less on a daily basis. Here are some policies that are non-starter for getting me to take you seriously. Don't try to "save" me - demonstrate an independent interest in establishing what we know to be true. Related to this, don't assume I don't have good reasons for not being a Christian, part of this conversation has to be your taking my reasons seriously too. Don't use or focus on the Bible as evidence. You can point to things in history, archaeology, skeptical puzzles, or what have you, and use the Bible and the Christian worldview as background evidence for your claims, but don't open up the Gospels, and sure as heck not the Book of John, and then tell "Christ said X, so X is true." (Why not the Book of John? The picture of Christ it presents is by far the most controversial and subject to scrutiny). Don't belittle my life and act like something is missing from it because I don't have your faith, not only is that extremely arrogant, it assumes that I don't find my life fulfilling. I think one of the most persuasive things a Christian can do is to have real and meaningful relationships with people, be a paragon of the faith, give all glory to God, and make others see that the best self you put forth daily really is made possible because of your commitment to that form of life. If people know that side of you, then you can have real conversations about the importance of Christianity. Proselytizing is often little more than an empty sales pitch. Let your deeds, grace, compassion, and humility do the talking.
I wrote that very quickly, so I apologize for mistakes and unclarities. I have a deadline for a paper abstract due 4/1. I'll try my best to respond and elaborate if needed.
