I've noticed in the Bible Discussion section that several topics seem to come up a lot, oftentimes going into no direction whatsoever. Some people are actually using good logic; others are simply trying to assert what they believe as correct without basis for it.
I propose what could be thought of as a more formalized version of Bible Discussion, call it "The Arena" or the like. Basically it's dedicated to orderly, thought-out debates. Not the heated kinds where people throw snide remarks at each other; rather ones we would see between philosophers or a school debate team.
If a person wants to start a debate, they would make a new topic in the section with the format "[REQUEST] topic" where 'topic' is the topic to be debated. Propose a topic that is sufficiently detailed. For example, "Calvinism" is a bad topic. What about Calvinism do you wish to discuss? Its foundation? Its Biblical support? Predestination? Better topics would be, say, "Does God Exist?" or "Is Martin Luther's 99 Theses Biblically Correct?"
A debate can be held in either one-on-one or in team format. When a person makes a request thread, they should clearly state what the topic is they wish to debate. Give people a clear idea what the topic is. Then say whether or not you want it to be team-based, individual-based, or no preference. If a person wants to argue for or against the point, they can reply and say so.
A team of moderators is needed to moderate the section. Moderators must approve a debate request, its set up, and makes sure that debates don't go out of hand. They have the right to end debates if they do. A debate can also have a panel, of at least 3 people who watch on and read. When it has been decided that the debate is over, the panel will cast votes to see who won the debate. Panelists must state their intent to be panelists in the request thread, and must be willing to remain neutral parties, judging fairly.
The moderator team will maintain a stickied thread which links to past debates.
In a debate thread, only those actually debating may post. If anybody not authorized makes a post of any kind, regardless of information they have, their post is to be deleted and they are given a warning. The aim of the Arena is to be a peaceful, rational area where tough issues are considered. Also, there is a three warning system for the debators. If they act or speak inappropriately to ANYONE, they get a strike. After three strikes they are disqualified from the debate.
Debates shouldn't go on forever. Otherwise they would get out of hand! There are methods that are used IRL to prevent this from happening. For example, two people may be given alternating 5-minute blocks of time to speak. On here we could do something similar. Say, each person is given a day to form one post. Or it could be done where each person is allowed a maximum of say, ten posts. Basically, restrain the debate enough so that people get to the point and don't resort to aimless bickering. Once the debate has reached its end, the thread is to be locked.
Some debating do's:
1. Do use Scripture whenever possible. Make sure that you are using Scripture in context.
2. Do use logic.
3. Be courteous. We are Christians, we should act as such. Throwing insults at the other person is NOT proper debating.
4. Do be precise. Define your words as needed. Here's a bad definition:
"Salvation" - being saved.
That is vague. Saved from what? From the Easter Bunny? By how are you saved? Here's a good definition:
"God" - The Christian deity, who created the universe, is morally perfect, all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful, and has transmitted his words and thoughts to us through human writers into what we call the Bible.
That's a little lengthy but good. It gives us what we need to know.
5. Do know your opponents! Research what they are likely to pose as arguments so you don't end up floundering. For example, if I'm debating for the existence of God, I can be reasonably sure they will pose questions about topics such as Hell and the existence of evil. So I should figure those things out and know how to reply to them.
6. Do pray. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide what you write and, perhaps more importantly, how you treat your opponents. What good is a debate if you deride your opponents the entire time?
7. Do remember we are family! The disagreements should extend no further than the debate forum. Outside that section, remember we are all Christians and should treat each other as such!
8. Do learn! Learn about the other side so you can better appreciate and understand them. Build up your own debate skills. As iron sharpens iron, let you sharpen one another.
9. Do have fun! Some topics don't merit much humor or casualness but if possible don't let it devolve into a flame war. Keep your words respectful and polite.
Some debating don'ts:
1. Don't use personal experiences as basis for your argument. Saying "I believe this because an angel of the Lord told me so" doesn't fly. How can we verify that?
2. Don't use unnecessarily complex vocabulary. It is painful to read, slow to process, and generally unappealing. It can also confuse your opponents and teammates, making the debate less efficient.
3. Don't be vague.
4. Don't commit logical fallacies. For example, saying a thought is wrong because the person is bad is called an "Ad hominem fallacy" and does not actually disprove the point. An "association fallacy" says a person or group are bad because of who they are associated with. Again, does nothing.
5. Don't use the debate as a way of trying to evangelize to who you think are wrong. Don't say "I won, therefore I'm right and everybody needs to believe what I believe." If, suppose, I'm Arminian debating a Calvinist, I'm not going to try and turn all the readers into Arminianists. I'm going to respond to arguments and pose my own and let whichever side is more logical win.
I propose what could be thought of as a more formalized version of Bible Discussion, call it "The Arena" or the like. Basically it's dedicated to orderly, thought-out debates. Not the heated kinds where people throw snide remarks at each other; rather ones we would see between philosophers or a school debate team.
If a person wants to start a debate, they would make a new topic in the section with the format "[REQUEST] topic" where 'topic' is the topic to be debated. Propose a topic that is sufficiently detailed. For example, "Calvinism" is a bad topic. What about Calvinism do you wish to discuss? Its foundation? Its Biblical support? Predestination? Better topics would be, say, "Does God Exist?" or "Is Martin Luther's 99 Theses Biblically Correct?"
A debate can be held in either one-on-one or in team format. When a person makes a request thread, they should clearly state what the topic is they wish to debate. Give people a clear idea what the topic is. Then say whether or not you want it to be team-based, individual-based, or no preference. If a person wants to argue for or against the point, they can reply and say so.
A team of moderators is needed to moderate the section. Moderators must approve a debate request, its set up, and makes sure that debates don't go out of hand. They have the right to end debates if they do. A debate can also have a panel, of at least 3 people who watch on and read. When it has been decided that the debate is over, the panel will cast votes to see who won the debate. Panelists must state their intent to be panelists in the request thread, and must be willing to remain neutral parties, judging fairly.
The moderator team will maintain a stickied thread which links to past debates.
In a debate thread, only those actually debating may post. If anybody not authorized makes a post of any kind, regardless of information they have, their post is to be deleted and they are given a warning. The aim of the Arena is to be a peaceful, rational area where tough issues are considered. Also, there is a three warning system for the debators. If they act or speak inappropriately to ANYONE, they get a strike. After three strikes they are disqualified from the debate.
Debates shouldn't go on forever. Otherwise they would get out of hand! There are methods that are used IRL to prevent this from happening. For example, two people may be given alternating 5-minute blocks of time to speak. On here we could do something similar. Say, each person is given a day to form one post. Or it could be done where each person is allowed a maximum of say, ten posts. Basically, restrain the debate enough so that people get to the point and don't resort to aimless bickering. Once the debate has reached its end, the thread is to be locked.
Some debating do's:
1. Do use Scripture whenever possible. Make sure that you are using Scripture in context.
2. Do use logic.
3. Be courteous. We are Christians, we should act as such. Throwing insults at the other person is NOT proper debating.
4. Do be precise. Define your words as needed. Here's a bad definition:
"Salvation" - being saved.
That is vague. Saved from what? From the Easter Bunny? By how are you saved? Here's a good definition:
"God" - The Christian deity, who created the universe, is morally perfect, all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful, and has transmitted his words and thoughts to us through human writers into what we call the Bible.
That's a little lengthy but good. It gives us what we need to know.
5. Do know your opponents! Research what they are likely to pose as arguments so you don't end up floundering. For example, if I'm debating for the existence of God, I can be reasonably sure they will pose questions about topics such as Hell and the existence of evil. So I should figure those things out and know how to reply to them.
6. Do pray. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide what you write and, perhaps more importantly, how you treat your opponents. What good is a debate if you deride your opponents the entire time?
7. Do remember we are family! The disagreements should extend no further than the debate forum. Outside that section, remember we are all Christians and should treat each other as such!
8. Do learn! Learn about the other side so you can better appreciate and understand them. Build up your own debate skills. As iron sharpens iron, let you sharpen one another.
9. Do have fun! Some topics don't merit much humor or casualness but if possible don't let it devolve into a flame war. Keep your words respectful and polite.
Some debating don'ts:
1. Don't use personal experiences as basis for your argument. Saying "I believe this because an angel of the Lord told me so" doesn't fly. How can we verify that?
2. Don't use unnecessarily complex vocabulary. It is painful to read, slow to process, and generally unappealing. It can also confuse your opponents and teammates, making the debate less efficient.
3. Don't be vague.
4. Don't commit logical fallacies. For example, saying a thought is wrong because the person is bad is called an "Ad hominem fallacy" and does not actually disprove the point. An "association fallacy" says a person or group are bad because of who they are associated with. Again, does nothing.
5. Don't use the debate as a way of trying to evangelize to who you think are wrong. Don't say "I won, therefore I'm right and everybody needs to believe what I believe." If, suppose, I'm Arminian debating a Calvinist, I'm not going to try and turn all the readers into Arminianists. I'm going to respond to arguments and pose my own and let whichever side is more logical win.
j/k