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CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Oregon State University Socratic Club will sponsor a debate on the topic, "Heaven, Hell, and the Afterlife," which begins at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24, in the Austin Auditorium of LaSells Stewart Center on campus.

The debate explores the question of whether death brings about a complete and utter extinction of the human personality or whether, as some religious faiths believe, there is a continuing life after death.

Dinesh D'Souza will argue that the case for life after death is probable from a scientific point of view and that the Christian view of the afterlife best suits the evidence. Daniel Barker will argue that an afterlife is a popular illusion that ought to be discarded in this scientific age.

D'Souza is a nationally known author, educator, columnist, and debater, whose books appear regularly on the New York Times list of best sellers.  His books include "Illiberal Education, What's So Great About America?" and "What's So Great About Christianity?" He formerly served as a policy analyst for the Reagan administration and is a fellow of the American Enterprise Institute and the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He is president of King's College in New York City.

Barker is co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, a national organization of atheists and agnostics working to keep state and church separate. He is co-host of the national radio show, "Freethought Radio," along with his wife Annie Laurie Gaylor. A former minister who preached for 19 years, Barker gave up his faith in 1983. He is author of "Godless: How An Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading Atheists" and "The Good Atheist: Living A Purpose-Filled Life Without God."

The debate is free and open to the public. For more information visit the OSU Socratic Club online at http://oregonstate.edu/groups/socratic/