twilight fans and Bieber fans are not a cult

I thank my opponent for his opening statement. Before I present my opening argument, I shall talk about the state of the definitions thus far, as well as the Burden of Proof.

Definitions

First, it is important to point out that Pro has not addressed my definition of "fan." This indicates that he does, indeed, agree with it. The definition stands.

In fact, the only gripe he has is with my definition of "cult." However, readers, his qualm holds little water. He not only provideds no solid definition ("the evil kind" is far too vague), but provides no sources for neither his definition, nor the concept that this is what people ar saying Twilight and JB fans are like. Conversely, I have provided a clear defnition which creates a brighter line betwen what IS a cult, and what is not. Not only that, but I have also provided a reasonable source to back up my claim, as the Merriam-Webster dictionary is one of good reputation

Furthermore, readers, allowing Pro to try and provide a defintion now, in his last round of debating would be unfair. Even allowing a possible change in definitions will, by proxy, change the entire debate--this is unfair to the Con. I should not be punished ith having to address a completely new set of arguments because Pro neglected to properly provide a counter definition at the appropriae time. Therefore, the definitions provided by myself are what must be used to ensure a fair and reasonable debate.


Con's Burden of Proof

Pro makes quite a lot of directives as to what I must prove. However, at the same time, it appears that his whole reasoning behind what I must prove is founded in assertions that are unfounded in and of themselves. My overall qualm with this is that Pro makes little use of logic in regard to the resolution to support his belief of what I must prove. I, on the other hand, have shown in Round one what we must prove using logic regarding the resolution, as well as the very concepts of "Pro" and "Con." To refresh your memory, it was the idea that I only need to show that ONE of the groups is a cult to win. Remember, the resolution makes use of the word "and." And, agian, to restate, I'll be using my definition of cult, which, as I've stated earlier, is still the preferable definition.


Opening Argument

Contention 1: The definition of "fan" implies a cultish nature.

Earlier, I noted an importance in the fact that my opponent has not challenged my definition of "fan," thereby accepting it. It is also important to remember that I have aequately defended my definition of "cult" as preferable to Pro's.

This is imporant because, as the title of this contention states, the definition of "fan," was a person "marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion" toward Twilight (in the case of Twilight fans), and Justin Beiber (in the case of JB fans). Also remember that the definition of a cult was "great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work," as well as "a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion." Now that these definitions are fresh in our minds, I present two syllogisms to sum up Contention 1:

(P1) Fanatic is an adjective describing a noun which is marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion.
(P2) Twilight and JB fans are fanatic.
(C1) Therefore, Twilight and JB fans are people marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion for Twilight and Justin Beiber respectively.

Premise 1 was proven by my definition of "fanatic" in R1, which went unchallenged. Premise 2 is proven likewise; "fanatic" is the adjective that describes the noun (this concept was also uncontested). Conclusion 1 follows logically from P1 and P2. This first syllogism's conclusion then becomes the first premise of the next syllogism:

(P1) Twilight and JB fans are people marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion for Twilight and Justin Beiber respectively.
(P2) A cult is a great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book), as well as a (usually small) group of people characterized by such devotion.
(C2) Therefore, Twilight and JB fans make up cults in devotion to Twilight and Justin Beiber respectively, and are cultish in nature.

Premise 1 of the second syllogism was proven in the first. Premise 2 was proven through my definition of a cult in R1, which I have shown to be preferable. Conclusion 2 follows logically from P1 and P2. Thus the resolution is negated.

It may also be important to note that the definition of fanatic even meets Pro's demand in R1 that I prove Twilight/JB fans to be "bias." "Bias" is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as "an inclination of temperament or outlook; especially: a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment" [1]. As the definiton of fanatic, as well as common sense tell us, fanaticism is marked by an "often intense uncritical devotion." This, as common snse also tells us, implies bias. So, if my two syllogisms weren't enough for you, my definition of fanatic also meets Pro's demand for proof of bias.

Contention 2: There are examples of Twilight and JB fans becoming violent and malicious toward non-fans.

Contention 2 is aimed at another one of Pro's demand--the concept that Twilight and JB fans are violent. Remember, readers, that I still feel as though it isn't necessary, and that my two syllogisms are indeed all that is necessary to win the debate. However, it is also more interesting to examine the fans in a less theortetical way. Basically, this contention is, as its title implies, purposed to show examples of Twilight and/or JB fans being violent.

2a: Twilight fans

The examples that I give for Twilight fans being violent are all found in source 2. In this source, we learn of several instances in which Twilight fans have, in order: shot a non-fan with a flare gun, jumped a student for writing a crtical article in a school newspaper, beat a non-fan for not finishing the book, and attempted to slit a non fan's throat [2]. The source also goes on to give another website which has a myriad more examples of violence. Pro's demand for proof that Twilight fans are violent has been fulfilled.

2b: JB fans

For JB fans, I will only be touching on one example. This involved a scandal involving the young pop star, in which a woman claimed that she was pregnant with his baby, and wanted him to take a paternity test. However, once the fans got word, this wman received a littany of hate mail and death threats [3]. For Pro to call this kind of behavior merely "very passionate" would be folly at best. No: it has been indeed shown that JB fans too are malicious and potentially violent in nature, and once again, Pro's demand has been met.


So, to sum up: not only have I proven that Twilight and JB fans are cultish in nature by their very definitions (which I have shown to be preferable), but I have also satisfied Pro's demands for showing bias and violence (which, although unecessary to meet, have indeed been adequately met) through real world examples. The resolution is once again, and definitively, negated. Thank you, and I await my opponent's reply.


Sources

[1] http://www.merriam-webster.com...
[2] http://io9.com...
[3] http://www.coconutcrab.co.uk...