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Debate Proposal

Discussion in 'Philosophy' started by TheRiz, Aug 23, 2006.

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  1. #1 TheRiz, Aug 23, 2006
    It seems that in the last month there have been several debates on about 4 different threads which have all evolved into the same thing....a topic suggested, and then people with conflicting views (i.e. atheists vs. christians) continue to battle it out. Here is my suggestion.

    We create a thread dedicated to this sort of debate. We can have 2 "teams" or sides, Atheists/Agnostics/Science etc. VS. Theology/Christians/Creationism etc. Here is how I suggest it could work:

    1. I think the best way to do this is have someone or more than one person be a sort of mini-moderator. They will suggest a topic to the debate teams, such as Homosexual Rights, or Evolution, etc.

    2. Atheists, etc. will post your response in red. Theologists/Religion advocates will post in blue. Now, we can either predetermine sides, i.e. people say that they would like to particpate on whatever side, then only allow those people to respond. Or, we could have an open forum.

    3. I also can suggest a sort of format...if the mini-moderator/topic suggestors propose a topic, the following could happen:
    a) Point-counterpoint. If one side responds, they cannot respond again until the
    opposing side makes a rebuttal.
    b) And/or when one person from a team responds, they cannot respond again for
    their team until someone else on their team does, and then they can post again.
    c) Topics can be open for say like 3 days. This would allow people time to respond,
    time for people that may be away to return and comment, etc. After three days, it
    is closed and a new topic suggested.

    I think this would help organize the 4 or so threads that have ultimately become the same thing. It can also help those threads maintain their original intent. Is anyone interested at all? As a preliminary nomination, I would nominate Digit as a topic proposer....anyone else may nominate themselves if they wish, or indicate which team they would vouch for. Use this thread for proposals, and we coudl start another for the actual debating.
     
  2. #2 flower_child, Aug 23, 2006
    Sounds like an idea.

    I second your nomination of Digit.
     
  3. #3 Ktwizzy, Aug 23, 2006
    Yes I do agree we should do this.
     
  4. #4 runner's high, Aug 23, 2006
    Sign me up.
     
  5. #5 cheebaa, Aug 23, 2006
    Thats a good idea
     
  6. #6 Altered_Reality, Aug 23, 2006
    Sounds really good. Ill definitely give my input/opinions when applicable.

    good idea. :cool:
     
  7. #7 AndyPL, Aug 24, 2006
    Seems kinda pointless to me. You're trying to split a line in between science and religion over issues where they shouldn't really be in conflict.
     
  8. #8 runner's high, Aug 24, 2006
    If you've been reading the forums you'd realize there actually is a line and yes, the two sides are conflicting in the aforementioned issues.

    I'm not saying science and religion are necessarily opposite or incompatibile, but in these forums people tend to fall one way or the other. I think athiesm vs. theism might be safer sides, however, if we had to pick them.

    PS: I too nominate Digit for mod, if he wants it.
     
  9. #9 TheRiz, Aug 24, 2006
    Seems like we have some decent interest in this. What I guess I will do is wait for Digit or someone who would like to be the proposer of topics. I would do it but I would like to contribute to the discussion. The mod would probably be someone that is either for both sides or is fairly indifferent, or just would rather watch the discussion. We will make this an open forum, and run it point-counterpoint style. I will start a new thread or have the mini-moderator do it....

    If you would like to post in favor of Atheism/Science/whatever please post in RED. If you would like to contribute to theology/creationism/whatever, or make an opposing point to the above, please post in Blue. This will help us see who is vouching for what, and also allow point-counter point to flow more easily. The thread will be up shortly, it should be interesting and I'm sure we will all learn something.
     
  10. #10 Opivy, Aug 24, 2006
    Count me in... I think
     
  11. #11 Opivy, Aug 24, 2006
    Can we start with something different for a breath of fresh air?

    Like William S. Burrough's 'Word Virus' theory, I'd really like to have a discussion ont hat. I'll try to find some links,
     
  12. #12 Tbika, Aug 24, 2006
    Yea why does the main theme of the thread have to be religion. cant we have a general debate thread. The only problem would be moderating it. We'd probably need very strict moderation, because these debates can sometimes get personal very fast.
     
  13. #13 TheRiz, Aug 24, 2006
    Hah you don't have to post in color for this thread, but for the actual debate thread...

    Well the main reason behind this was because we have started a few threads which ultimately become a religious debate, even though the original focus wasn't necessarily that. This will let people post here for religious or scientific arguments and allow other threads to continue as they were intended.
     
  14. #14 chronictoker, Aug 24, 2006
    + rep. I agree.
     
  15. #15 Maitereya, Aug 24, 2006
    i dont like the idea of this, its just going to produce more negative energy on this board.

    but if you insist. lol

    how and why the universe? thats the first question. :D
     
  16. #16 weedseed, Aug 24, 2006
    good idea....

    i dont feel like starting over from the beginning and bitch about the same stuff...

    its like im talking to a wall......so im cutting my losses here.i cant get anywhere with this debate.

    you think your right and i think im right....i doubt thats going to change and i dont see what starting over will help..who wins? nobody! its everlasting.....

    and besides, i havent seen many people speak up on my behalf so it seems that i would be alone...(i appreciate the private kudos though guys)

    why would i need a team now, ive had to take on everyone myself without help..

    youve had a team the whole time..im high and i think im repeating myself but its ok.


    ill just be an outsider looking in on this one.anyone else wanna carry the torch on behalf of christianity go for it...

    PS: shouldnt you guys have an unbiased mod? if im not mistaken i believe digit is on the atheism side...
     
  17. #17 TheRiz, Aug 24, 2006
    I completely disagree. Perhaps science vs. religion is a bit broad or unclarified, but there are certain issues that clearly are in conflict because of someone's religious beliefs, or someone's confidence in scientific evidence or idealogies. For example, we have been heavily debating on why someone may be gay. The religion side says that the Bible says its an abomination, therefore they burn in hell because they chose to be gay. You can't tell me that statements like this would not cause "conflict." It can be the source of a well-thought out discussion.
     
  18. #18 AndyPL, Aug 25, 2006

    You shouldn't feel like you have to defend your religious views, weedseed. Faith and rational discourse aren't in opposition, they're two different playing fields all together. One is the domain of the mind, the other is centered in the heart. The silly science versus religion war has been going on lately is rooted in confusion and lack of communication on both sides since neither is speaking the same language.

    You should all reread one of the best topics posted on this forum, my homeboy Maitereya's how do you speak. Are you trying to understand or defeat one another?


    This is the kind of confusion I'm talking about. Saying that the religious stance on homosexuality is that "gay people burn in hell" is a glib way of throwing all spiritualists into the same boat. Not only is "hell" a badly-understood concept that deserves a topic of its own, but you're also trying to have scientific observations duel it out with a moral stance. What does science have to do with morality, and how does a moral stance explain why people are gay?

    If you were to say that science and literal interpretation of the Bible are incompatible, then you'd be right, but if that's the kind of fight you're looking for, then I can tell you right away that it won't go anywhere.
     
  19. #19 Shouse1018, Aug 25, 2006
    I think this would be a fun thing to do. Everybody just has to keep in mind we all are

    using the same evidence, just different interpretations. This blue is kinda cool :smoking:

    A great man once said something to the effect of

    The purpose of debating is not to win anyone over but rather give them another

    perspective. I think it was The Colonel who said that.

    As long as we keep this Friendly I think it would be a great tool to help those who don't

    believe to understand where we (believers) come from and Vice versa.


    I understand what you're trying to say. I've had people try and talk to me logicaly and didn't like it. Just the same I'm sure at

    one point I've done it too.

    So let's not call it debate. More philosphical than anything.
     
  20. #20 TheRiz, Aug 25, 2006
    Heh I see you too like the colors, but you can save them for the actual thread for the time being. As I mentioned before, I think there is something to learn in all of this...perhaps 'debate' is the wrong way to look at this. Perspective is probably a better where Shouse, I agree....well I think we should give it a try....I'm still looking for someone to be a moderator of sorts for this.
     
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