Well having read the thread, and as Viv pointed out a great debate is helped by the right questions being asked. So whilst my questions are maybe the wrong questions for a great debate,for a poster at my level:-
a) would most agree that the origin of life began over 3 billion years ago?
b) if so then would we agree direct evidence for the origin of life impossible?
C) However according to the O.P I would be incorrect in assuming the first cause of life had to be living. Not sure I fully understood the explanation though.