Taunton thinks Hitchens respects the fact that Taunton believes in what he’s saying.

“And I think he also knows I mean him well, that my affection for him is genuine,” Taunton said.

The two got to know each other when Taunton organized and moderated a few of Hitchens’ debates in the U.S. and the U.K., bringing together people on opposite sides of the faith issue. Since its inception in 2004, Fixed Point has, in part, sought out the most vociferous opponents of Christianity and challenged them to public dialogues and debates.

“We’ve endeavored to do it fairly,” Taunton said, and with gentleness and respect.

“Our desire is not to hold people up to ridicule. We hope to win over many unbelievers to our cause. Sometimes that happens. Sometimes they just send me hate mail,” Taunton said with a chuckle.

Another goal of the foundation is to teach Christians how to intelligently discuss their faith.

“We hope Christians will leave encouraged and come away having heard what the other side is saying and formulating some arguments of their own,” Taunton said. “Maybe they won’t remain silent around the water cooler or over the back fence.”