Professor Richard Dawkins
The Archbishop of Canterbury is to debate with one of the country's leading atheists, Professor Richard Dawkins, in Oxford. Reuters

So the day has come! The debate on the Origin of Nature between the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams and his opponent - ethnologist and evolutionary biologist, Richard Dawkins will be streamed live on www.originsOfNature.com

The event, organised by Oxford University's Theology Department, is scheduled to take place between 4 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. GMT.

The discussion will be held in the Sheldonian theatre and is on the topic "The nature of human beings and the question of their ultimate origin".

Philosopher Sir Anthony Kenny will be chairing the discussion. The Chancellor of the University will also attend and give the welcoming address. According to the organisers, the hope is that "sound, academic discussion will pursue, as issues are considered by three leading academics with expertise in their own areas of study".

Updates of the discussion will be tweeted under the hashtag #dawkinsarchbishop. Also, a recording will eventually be posted on the Web site after the discussion has ended.

The two lead participants (Williams and Dawkins) have exchanged views on evolution and the existence of God in the past.