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What Wins a Debate?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by John of Japan, Nov 25, 2010.

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  1. Yes, abrasiveness helps win a debate.

    6.5%
  2. Abrasiveness neither helps nor harms your cause.

    9.7%
  3. No, abrasiveness harms your position in a debate.

    61.3%
  4. I don't know.

    3.2%
  5. Other

    19.4%
  1. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Luke and I have a running disagreement about what wins a debate. Specifically, he believes that being abrasive is a help in winning a debate.

    Here is what I said wins a debate in one thread:
    What say ye?
     
  2. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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  3. BobinKy

    BobinKy New Member

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    John...

    You are, without a doubt, a model for all of us.

    I agree: Badgers have got it wrong. But . . . I must confess I am guilty of badgering more than I care to admit.

    I also agree: the attitude should be confidence.

    ...Bob
     
  4. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Thanks Bob!

    My only problem is, debates here on the BB have monitors (and thank God for them!) but no judges. We never know who wins the debate, officially! They're wide open, so anyone can claim victory. The Internet means that absolutely anybody can debate and feel good about their skills.

    But I think in a formal (judged) debate, the judges are looking for logic and proof, and can even be prejudiced against a debater through the debaters attitude.
     
  5. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    In my opinion, nobody "wins" a debate - two ideals are exchange and those listening have a chance to see two different points of view
     
  6. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    Being abusive and/or abrasive indicates, to me, that the person participating in these negative activities knows they have a weak position and are trying to divert attention away from their weakness.
     
  7. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    I have just about stopped posting here because of the ugliness and abrasiveness in so called 'debate.' I try not to be ugly, but I can be abrasive and I know it is not right.
     
  8. SRBooe

    SRBooe New Member

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    I suppose that by "abrasive," you are actually referring to the insulting or arrogant remarks that are made.

    Those have no place in a debate at all, they are used in an argument - and an immature one at that.

    The problem on any forum is that some opinions are so strong, there is never room for debate. At that point, it is probably better for the participant to resign with the claim that it is fruitless to persue any farther. If that happens early enough, nobody gets insulted.

    It is just so easy for someone who shares an opinion to respond to those who offer different ones to sink into an argument.

    As stated before, winning a debate is rare.
     
  9. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Well, in what is called team debating, with judges and strict rules, there are winners and losers. But I think you're right about Internet debates. I've seen websites that tried to have competitive debates, complete with propositions, rebuttals and the like, but it didn't seem to fly well.
     
  10. Old Union Brother

    Old Union Brother New Member

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    Arrogance and rudeness are a turn off. In the short time I have been a member of the board I have often thought about posting the verse from 1 Corinthians :

    8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

    8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

    But I guess that would be rude.
     
  11. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Yep! :smilewinkgrin:

    It's like the preacher who had in his notes at one place, "Weak point. Yell louder here."
     
  12. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    I know what you mean. It seems easy to get in the flesh in an Internet debate. I quit the debate forums for awhile myself, but now I occasionally participate if it is about something I strongly believe in.
     
  13. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    Advice and suggestions when debating:

     
  14. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Luke posted a definition of "abrasive" on another thread to defend his position. Maybe he'll post it here. What I remember in particular in the definition is the word "belligerent." I don't find anywhere in the Bible that commands us to be belligerent.

    This is a good point. There is a clear difference between an argument and a debate that some on the BB don't seem to understand. My simplistic way of telling the difference is that in an argument, neither side is listening to the other anymore.
     
  15. Old Union Brother

    Old Union Brother New Member

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    I'm the same way.
     
  16. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    I saw this somewhere defined as "Smith's Rules." Most of it is pretty good, and of course it never recommends being abrasive. Quite the opposite!
     
  17. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Reminds me of a preacher who had penned a marginal note in his sermon outline: "Pound pulpit here. Weak point."
     
  18. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Sometimes beligerance may win a debate, but it never wins a soul. Winning a debate is knowing when to shut up; let the opponent fool himself.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  19. drfuss

    drfuss New Member

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    That is the way I take someone using strong or abrasive words. When someone uses strong or abrasive words, I assume his position is weak and he needs some way to cover for himself.

    Also, exaggerating or misrepresenting the other person's position is another sign of weakness. This occurs on BB quite frequently.


    Remember the old saying: "The stronger the words, the weaker the argument."
     
    #19 drfuss, Nov 25, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 25, 2010
  20. Jon-Marc

    Jon-Marc New Member

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    As to who "wins" a debate (euphemism for argument) depends on who is stronger willed and who gives up or gives in. In my opinion, it has little to do with who is right or wrong, but who is willing to surrender.
     
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