Formal debate forum?

[davo]

I reckon it would be good to have a formal debate forum, however maybe this be a subforum of the Fantasy Island? dunno, just pondering

You can challenge someone to a debate, publicly or via PM, if they accept, inform a moderator to create a thread in the formal debate forum.

No others may contribute to the debate, there is another thread made for observers in the general chit chat area, linked in the debate thread in the moderators first post as introduction.

First post is by a moderator stating the rules, the topic and a link to the observer thread

An introduction post by first the challenger, then the challenged.

Up to ? posts each, decided by debaters

closing statements, first by the challenger, then the challenged.

locked thread.

All claims must be referenced by evidence, no figures pulled from thin air, or statements not sourced.

Scripture is not evidence, reason nor fact.

No cut and paste allowed, material that is cut and paste forfeits the debate.I think this would be great to have discussions with theists willing to partake in a one on one :eek:

Or indeed other atheists!

[youngmoigle]

I like that idea. I often feel sorry for a newcomer who writes a single post and when (s)he returns there are heaps of responses and dozens of questions waiting to be answered. It must be daunting for them...and it gives them the opporunity to side-step the difficult issues and simply answer those questions which suit them.


A formal debate sounds good to me.

[SchizoDeluxe]

I have seen this on other forums, seems to be quite popular. I say go for it, there is always an argument happening on these boards, at least this way it saves having to moderate topics continuously. I just hope it doesn't take the fun out of some of these topics if it just happens to turn into a debate.

[davo]

well having a thread that allows others to discuss, means that the topic can continue, it as youngmoigle points out, allows two people to approach a subject without being inundated.

There's more and more people entering the forum, and I can only see it getting worse, a fundy comes on, then bang 20 posts and 80 points to reply too

[Atrax Robustus]

Proposal seconded!:D

[Fearless]

I think this would be great to have discussions with theists willing to partake in a one on one :eek:

You missed out the clause in being able to put up an argument without resorting to quote throwing from that damned book of theirs.

I too feel a little sorry for a few newbies who walk in a little half cocked and cocky, but when some come in and go: "Hi All... Atheists annoy me because of x, y, z.... btw I am an Atheist (of course)" and then immediately go offline then well what do they expect.

If you ask me it smells fishy most of the time and the responses are usually justified.

Back on topic, sounds like an interesting concept but I don't trust fundies and verbatim babblers not to ruin it.

[davo]

You missed out the clause in being able to put up an argument without resorting to quote throwing from that damned book of theirs.

Ok I edited that in to OP, as well as 'cut and paste'


I too feel a little sorry for a few newbies who walk in a little half cocked and cocky, but when some come in and go: "Hi All... Atheists annoy me because of x, y, z.... btw I am an Atheist (of course)" and then immediately go offline then well what do they expect.

If you ask me it smells fishy most of the time and the responses are usually justified.

For sure, but there are others that make an effort. Considering the fact a debate takes acceptance etc, they should be more than trolls, and a debate will clearly show them for what they are.


Back on topic, sounds like an interesting concept but I don't trust fundies and verbatim babblers not to ruin it.

Well see how it goes, rules aren't set in stone.

[GenericBox]

Surely there would be a php system you could develop for a debate. Seems relatively simple. Or find a debate system on the net.

[Fearless]

Surely there would be a php system you could develop for a debate. Seems relatively simple. Or find a debate system on the net.

If there's not let me know because I can smell potential for it he he

[eclectic]

just piping up to say I think it's a great idea. As mentioned, it can get a bit out of control at the moment, with so many points for one person to counter (and then they don't). Putting it in a formal one-on-one would at least give the CHANCE of a proper debate.

[youngmoigle]

I wonder if we could (very early in proceedings) inform newcomers that they can avoid an avalanche of questions by opting for a one-on-one debate.

There could be a message in the FAQ's of course - but a lot of people don't read them.

Maybe the message could appear at the time of registration - or it could be as informal as one of the "regulars" mentioning the option before the newcomer's initial thread gets too long.

[Cosmic Teapot]

I haven't really been around long enough for my opinion to hold any sway but I like the idea of debating.
As previously mentioned, special rules need to be invoked to avoid the usual scripture flooding and cut-&-paste responses but if we could construct the framework for intelligent verbal jousting, that could be quite fun.
Bear in mind that I'm rather argumentative by nature, so my idea of "fun" might not be mainstream, even here.

[Dave]

I think the formal debate forum is a fantastic idea :o Having had little to no experience in formal debate I expect to learn a great deal from the experts.At first I shall sit back ,watch & learn this will be my education.So to all the debators out there don't mind me, I will be quietly sitting in the pews scrutinising every move you make .:D It sure does sound a lot more civil than being beaten over the head with someones arguement from authoriy and them saying "do you believe me now":rolleyes:

[GodwinGrey]

Well i'm up for it :-)

[KeithW]

Hey Davo,

We could wait for the National Broadband Network to kick in then it will be possible to have multi-site video debates. No hiding places then.

[Cosmic Teapot]

Hey Davo,

We could wait for the National Broadband Network to kick in then it will be possible to have multi-site video debates. No hiding places then.
Can't see much point. By the time the NBN is up and running, even if god did exist, he'd be dead of old age, making any debate rather moot.