The Preliminary Formal Debate Thread

This is a prelminary thread to the formal debates we hope to start at ZU. The main purpose of this is just to see how many of you would be interested in debating in a more structured and demanding format, and to see what topics you would be interested in discussing. This new format will give us an opportunity to debate issues that didn't work in our current format, such as issues dealing with opposing religions, embryos or fetuses. Of course, these debates should definitely not be exclusive to those areas.

The debates will consist of two opponents who have clearly expressed their opinion and who have shown that they are capable of carrying out a serious debate. Each side will agree upon a set of rules before the debate, and must stick to those rules all the way to the end. There will be a moderator (not necessarily an official ZU mod) who will introduce the thread and make sure these rules are enforced. The rules may include a limit to the total amount of posts, a limit to the sources that can be referred to (i.e. no quoting Wikipedia), and can also include the boundaries of the topic, to avoid drifting to other subjects.

These debates should help everyone learn not only about these issues, but also to help people learn what a proper argument looks like. Because of this, there should be strictly no flaming, bickering, or ad hominem. If you want to be in a debate, be prepared to write very long posts, back up your points with legitimate sources, and put lots of time and thought into your writing.

If you are interested in being in a debate like this, please reply. We want to hear not only if you're interested, but what topics you'd be willing to debate. Make sure your topics aren't too general - the existence of God, abortion, and the origins of the modern day univere are all too broad. You're welcome to narrow them down, though. For example, you could debate the legal aspect of abortion, creation of species, or more specific things. Just don't pick anything you have no experience with. Let's try to keep the topics varied, too. We don't want 5 debates on abortion.

I would like to participate in one of the debates. I won't have the time to do so for a few days, but some time soon I'll try.

Oh, by the way, this topic is ZU Approved! Guaranteed to reduce cavities!

Given the right topic, I'll be happy to debate, however, I too have a time problem for the immediate future. I'll be happy to merely moderate the topics for now. Once some debates are set, I'll either mod them directly myself, or choose other people to oversee them.

I'll join in. Theres alot of Dinnian Debators, and they will probably want to join as well. I still don't like the one on one thing, but I would love to join in.

I'm in, although my time will probably also be limited. As for topics,
Conspiracies: I'm opposed to pretty much every conspiracy theories out there, as in, I think they're false.
Alternative medicine: Also opposed to, these two work well because I have several sources I could refer to for both.
Evolution: I'm pro-Evolution
Technology related topics (namely computers): That is incredibly vague, I know, but at least with that I'll also be able to cite sources and have experience with the topic, not that I can think of any computer/technology debates that would fit in SD, but should one come along, I'd be more then willing to argue in it.

A few suggestions

Are ID Cards necessary?
Evolution vs. Creationism
Should Cannabis be legalised?
Human Cloning: Right or Wrong?
The Death Penalty: Right or Wrong?
Do we have the right to Euthanasia?
Are violent video games to blame for violent behavior?

Ummm...if this is your response to my challenge of disproving the Bible, I guess you can count me in.

Originally Posted by TXgamer

Ummm...if this is your response to my challenge of disproving the Bible, I guess you can count me in.

no, this has nothing to do with it.
generally debates like that go nowhere. but if you want, you're welcome to prove the occurance of every part of the bible. if you can do that, I will accept it as a historical document. but let's keep this part of the discussion outside this thread.


I think Humira and I are going to start these debates with a discussion on evolution. if anyone is unclear as to how these work, they can check it out.

I'll participate in debate. I'd like to debate on ceratin things like, social outlook on drugs, political parties outlook on each other, and the influence of religion in politics.

I'd be interested, can it be team vs team? That would be much better..

I'd be willing to discuss bassicaly anything as long as it's not religon or abortion related. As those are the two things I feel most strongly about and where my emotions takeover, not my logic..

Quote: "no, this has nothing to do with it.
generally debates like that go nowhere. but if you want, you're welcome to prove the occurance of every part of the bible. if you can do that, I will accept it as a historical document. but let's keep this part of the discussion outside this thread.


I think Humira and I are going to start these debates with a discussion on evolution. if anyone is unclear as to how these work, they can check it out"

Answer: Oh okay. Sorry MH! Cool idea for this forum, I might sign up anyway, that is, if I have the time...

I know I have not been that active for a member so far but that is due to lack of interesting topics to debate in. I would be extremely happy to debate on global topics that range over almost anything except religions of which I have spent more than enough time debating in my life.

I am particularly interested in topics concerning law, government and justice, especially if it is based on/in or concerns Britain. Sadly Suspected terrorists to held for 90 days never made it into existence, something of which I would be very happy to debate for if anyone was willing to debate against it.

This sounds interesting to me; I'd love to see how debates played out with formal rules and restrictions in place. It would give participants ample time to prepare and address their thoughts; rather than trying to reply to twelve persons at once, a participant could focus their conversation on one or two persons, one topic/facet of a topic at a time.

Those observing would gain a greater understanding of the reasoning behind a participant's opinions, as well.

So, yes, I'd like to participate.

Possible topics:

• The rebuilding of New Orleans (fiscal aspects, etc.)
• The quality of education (more specifically, what we ought to expect of parents, teachers, and students, and when certain parties overstep their authority)

I would love to sign up. Anything in religion count me in as I am an inspiring theologist. I am not so big in Politics and Government issues. I am looking forward to this so much. Nothing like watching a debate and getting two different views of one topic. It is like Christmas morning for me.

Originally Posted by goronknight

I would love to sign up. Anything in religion count me in as I am an inspiring theologist. I am not so big in Politics and Government issues. I am looking forward to this so much. Nothing like watching a debate and getting two different views of one topic. It is like Christmas morning for me.

Perhaps you could be a bit more specific? Are you an aspiring Christian theologist? I usually enjoy debating Christianity, so, I may be open to doing such a thing eventually here.

Ok, now: ATTENTION.

A decent amount of people have signed up here with interest in debating. The next step is to literally challenge someone who you want to debate. I.e., "You want to debate this subject Person _____, and so do I. I want to take the affirmative, will you take the defense?" And if both agree in the topic, it'll clear the way for the person arguing in the affirmative to post the initial thread.

Have fun.

EDIT: For now I'm going to want to OK each one individually. So, unless I expressly give permission, do not begin a new thread.

Perhaps you could be a bit more specific? Are you an aspiring Christian theologist? I usually enjoy debating Christianity, so, I may be open to doing such a thing eventually here.

Not an aspiring Christian theologist, a theologist on all religions. I want to study as many religions as possible. I want to retain every single scrap of information ever written down, spoke of, or even heard about all religions. I want to learn why people live there lives the way they do just because of religion. I can't understand fully the way some people live their lives according to their religion. Why do people die for religion. Even if it is proven false people will still stick by their religion with undenying loyalty. Why? I want to know why and won't stop trying to understand these concepts until I have full understanding. For, I will not be faced with ignorance on a topic I feel I should know.

^^That got out of hand quick. Sorry about that.