The 1996 debate was over whether God exists. Well, it depends on what you mean by God. The universe is a maze of mysteries. Those baffling forces are undeniably real. Or if you say, as some do, that God is the love and pity in every human heart, then God exists.
Human logic can find no trustworthy evidence to prove, or disprove, the existence of unseen spirits.
Weeping statues and holy apparitions aren't reliable proof. Lack of tangible evidence leads educated people to laugh off these imaginary beings. It's a small step to apply the same rationale to holy ghosts, resurrected saviors, blessed virgins, patron saints, etc. Sigmund Freud said the widespread belief in a father-god arises from psychology. Tiny children are awed by their fathers as seemingly all-powerful protectors and punishers.