There Are Good Secular Reasons to Disallow Same-Sex Marriage

2013-05-23T01:27:11-08:00

(Debating Period)

HonestDiscussioner and I have agreed on terms. I will launch immediately into my opening statement.

~

The state regulates marriage for a reason. It dispenses benefits for a reason. Understanding what this reason is will tell us what criteria are and are not relevant to marriage, and thus whether any rights are being denied. If the state excludes same-sex couples from entering into legal marriages on the basis of criteria relevant to the public purpose of marriage, then it is clear that no rights or benefits are being denied to them; for it is not unjust to deny a group a right that they do not deserve. Our answer to questions relating to the level of scrutiny, suspect classification, and fundamental rights will depend on what this reason is, as it provides a standard from which the debate can be framed.

This reason, whatever it is, must advance a public purpose. Social institutions are afforded l

Justin Bieber caused 9/11

2013-05-24T12:05:38-08:00

(Debating Period) Justin bieber caused 9/11. opponent must prove he didnt

The consumption of meat is ethically wrong

2013-05-15T20:20:40-08:00

(Post Voting Period)

Greetings Valladarex,

Here is the debate!

Ethics: normatively to refer to a code of conduct that, given specified conditions, would be put forward by all rational persons.

Outlines:

- First round acceptance, just so I can outline everything (you can briefly outline your arguments if you want to).

- 4 rounds because of the outlining in the first.

- No new arguments in the last round.

- The burden of proof is 100% with me.

- Prepare to have your arguments demolished

Good luck!

The Leibnizian Cosmological Argument is Sound - 2

2013-05-16T01:25:43-08:00

(Voting Period)

Resolved: The Leibnizian Cosmological Argument is Sound.

Rounds:

1. Presentation of the LCA/Initial Refutation
2. Clash
3. Weighing/Clash

No new arguments should be presented in round 3 unless in direct response to a new argument presented in round 2.

God is defined as the necessary, personal first cause of the universe.

We should rationally accept an argument as sound if the affirmation of its premises is more plausible than the negation.

The Leibnizian Cosmological Argument

Every existing thing has an explanation of its existence, either in the necessity of its own nature or in an external cause.
If the universe has an explanation of its existence, that explanation is God.
The universe is an existing thing.
Therefore the explanation of the uni

The Cosmological Argument is Sound

2013-05-18T19:06:52-08:00

(Voting Period)

Ave, ladies and gentlemen. I've decided to challenge TheHitchslap to a debate on the Cosmological Argument. He's obviously a fan of Christopher Hitchens, the late member of the New Atheist movement. I think it will be interesting, then, to see what he has to say about this argument. Perhaps he will fare better than his hero did against William Lane Craig at Biola University.

The cosmological argument for this debate will be the one that William Lane Craig uses. Everything that begins exist has a cause, the universe began to exist, therefore the universe had a cause of its existence.

God is defined as the timeless, immaterial, spaceless, omnipotent, and personal cause of the universe existing.

Does Marsellus Wallace look like a b*tch?

2013-05-19T22:31:05-08:00
(Post Voting Period) I'd like to put forth the notion that there is a possibility that "Marsellus Wallace," a powerful mob boss in Los Angeles, looks like a b*tch. Other definitions will be put up more for connotation as the argument calls for. Sources can come from anywhere, and no suggestions will be made. I will be arguing that Marsellus Wallace does, indeed, look like a b*tch while my opponent will be arguing that, no, he doesn't. First round is acceptance. Second round will be arguments. Third round will be rebuttal, but arguments may be made. Final round will only be rebuttal. "What" is not to be said in any round. Lack of adherence to these rules will cause a n*gger hiding in a bowl of rice to pop a cap in the a*s of the violator.

Most Things Are Preferable to a Sharp Stick in the Eye

2013-04-29T21:32:07-08:00
(Post Voting Period) Resolution: "Most Things Are Preferable to a Sharp Stick in the Eye" The debate will be done in rhyming poetry format, and judged based on arguments and the structuring of those arguments. Both substance and style should be considered when voting. First round is acceptance. I'd like to thank my opponent for accepting this debate. Good luck.

The Most Reliable Basis For Determining Morality Is Via Secular Means

2013-04-17T09:36:30-08:00
(Post Voting Period) I would like to start my time here at DDO with a subject that is very close to my heart, the nature of where we derive our morality from. In my view, it is via secularist means. I am issuing this as an open challenge to anyone with interest in arguing from a different position. Before we begin, I would like to clarify the terms, namely that: Morality - What we consider to be right or wrong Secularism - actions and thinking that are derived from a non-religious standpoint. Whoever decides to take up the role of "Con" in this debate, Pro requests of Con that that the debate follow this format: Round 1 - Acceptance, as well as Con briefly clarifying their position, as well as, if they deem it necessary, adding any further definitions to other terms Con may wish to include within the debate as part of their arguments. Round 2 - Opening arguments with no clash Rounds 3 and 4 - Clash Round 5 - Clash and Conclusion The Burden of Proof is shared

Wanting Someone to Not Commit Suicide Is Equally As Selfish As Wanting to Commit Suicide

2013-05-20T14:35:01-08:00
(Post Voting Period) Rules: 1. First round is acceptance. 2. Please refrain from using profanity. Quotes are the only exceptions. 3. Commanding the viewers to vote for your side is forbidden. No "vote me" or any of that. 4. This debate is based on the following definition: -selfish: characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself 5. No sources allowed. These should be YOUR thoughts in YOUR words. Examples may be used, but they are purely hypothetical. 6. The cases of suicide to be referenced here should be only those based on the suicidal intents of depressed people. No PoW or suicide out of spite instances should be referenced. 7. Burden of proof is shared.

It is most probable that a god exists.

2013-04-01T18:51:48-08:00
(Post Voting Period)
Ave!

God is a maximally great being, and by definition, you cannot conceive of anything greater than god.

'Most probable' simply means that it is more possible than its negation. If the theist side's arguments are more plausible than their refutations, then god most probably exists.

Exists means to be a part of reality.

For rules, I think we should just follow general ideas of DDO conduct. Sources are not needed for this debate, but they can be included. Burden of proof is on myself.

Ave.

I am challenging Magic, an atheist, to a debate about the soundness of the cosmological argument. Soundness means that the premises of the argument are true, and that the conclusion follows logically from the premises. God is defined as the timeless (therefore beginningless), immaterial, spaceless, omnipotent, and personal cause of the universe existing.

The cosmological argument for this debate will be the one that William Lane Craig Uses. Everything that begins exist has a cause, the universe began to exist, therefore the universe had a cause.

The first round is for acceptance. In round two, I will present my

RESOLVED: It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.

2013-01-06T03:09:44-08:00
(Voting Period)
INTRO

True love conquers all.

This is an expression which most of you are undoubtedly familiar with. But to what extent does such an expression hold merit?

For some, love is fleeting. For others, love is frequent. But regardless of the extent to which we've experienced love, many if not nearly all of us have experienced the swirling pain of lost. It is because of this feeling that many forgo the experience of love in the first place. However, it is my position that it is far bette to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.

Greetings members of debate.org. My name is Logical-Master and I shall be rep

Homosexual Acts are Immoral

2012-05-06T01:04:07-08:00
(Post Voting Period)
TERMS

Resolved: Homosexual Acts Are Immoral

Rounds:

1. Acceptance only
2. Opening arguments
3. Clash
4. Closing arguments/clash

Definitions: By "homosexual acts" I refer to sexual acts between members of the same sex. Specifically, I refer to homosexual sodomy. This is not a debate about homosexual orientation. I will have the burden of proof. No semantics.

The time limit between replies is 72 hours. If one side explicitly concedes or violates any of these terms, then all seven points will be awarded to the other. By accepting this challenge, you agree to these terms.

Resolved: The Father Should Not Have Say In an Abortion

2013-01-07T15:19:41-08:00
(Post Voting Period)
Resolution

The Father Should Not Have Say In an Abortion.

As PRO, I will be affirming this resolution by arguing that the decision should rest entirely on the mother.

As CON, you will attempt to negate the resolution by arguing that the father should have equal and/or greater say in the decision.

Burden Of Proof

Shared BoP.

Definitions

Pretty straight forward. All terms requiring clarification once the debate has started will be defined using the merriam-webster online dictionary definition that best fits the context of this debate [1]. If there is a dispute on which definition best fits the context of this debate, the final arbitration is reserved for myself.

The Cosmological Argument is Sound

2013-04-26T01:08:19-08:00
(Voting Period)
Ave.

I am challenging Cauhtcoatl, an atheist, to a debate about the soundness of the cosmological argument. Soundness means that the premises of the argument are true, and that the conclusion follows logically from the premises. God is defined as the timeless (therefore beginningless), immaterial, spaceless, omnipotent, and personal cause of the universe existing.

The cosmological argument for this debate will be the one that William Lane Craig Uses. Everything that begins exist has a cause, the universe began to exist, therefore the universe had an uncaused cause.

The first round is for acceptance. In round two, I

This House Believes That the No Difference Theory is correct

2013-02-21T19:12:11-08:00
(Post Voting Period)
Hello, and welcome to my next debate. 16kadams, probably one of the most formidable and respected debaters on this site for conservative beliefs against myself, it certainly shall be an interesting debate.

===Opening Jokes===

'My Dad used to say 'always fight fire with fire', which is probably why he got thrown out of the fire brigade.'

===Definitions===

No difference theory: The rejection of necessary difference between heterosexual and homosexual couples in the action of child-rearing.

===Rules===

No semantical squirelling.

The opponent for this debate is 16kadams.

The forfeit of a round counts as a conduct point to the opposite side. More than one forfeit from one side counts as a full seven-point concession.

The first round is for acceptance, meaning no arguments. The final round is for

This house believes in Utilitarianism over its rivals.

2013-02-19T04:23:29-08:00
(Post Voting Period)
Hello, welcome to the debate.

The debate is simply as the resolution stands. No squirreling of terminology to change the intended purpose of debate, the division of labour is mostly on myself (though my opponent should present a counterplan).

The round structures should be as followed:

R1 - Acceptance and any opening remarks.
R2 - An explanation of your ethical system. There should not be serious engagement with the opposition's argument, though it can touch upon it.
R3 - A riposte to the opposition's ethical system.
R4 - Conclusion.

A normative ethical system is defined as a system that regards how to behave in moral life, giving practical solutions to ethical dilemmas. A normative ethical system which does not, or cannot, tell us what is moral, or specifically aims to make all normative ethical systems equal, is not a normative ethical system.

Only accept if you have:

Homosexual acts are immoral

2013-02-04T13:57:40-08:00
(Post Voting Period)
Pro will offer their opening arguments in support of the resolution in R1 and will not post in R4 so as to maintain equality in case length.

===Definitions===

Homosexual acts refer to consensual sex acts between two or more members of the same sex. To keep the debate focused I will obviously not be defending male on male or female on female rape. I will only be defending consensual gay sex against the charges of immorality.

For an action to be immoral means that it is contrary to right or to moral conduct. I'll refrain from posting anything more on the definition seeing as my opponent and I will no doubt have differing views on what constituted immorality.

===Resolution and BoP===

The primary burden on Pro to provide and defend an argument in support of the resolution. Con's burden will be to deconstruct and refute Pro's case. The resolution surrounds cons

The Kalam Cosmological Argument is sound

2013-04-29T21:15:47-08:00
(Post Voting Period)
The Kalam Cosmological Argument

1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause.

2. The universe began to exist.

3. Therefore, the universe has a cause. [1]

Stipulations

Since the burden of proof is on Pro, Pro will make the first argument in this round (the first round is not for acceptance, but for my opponent to present an opening argument). My burden is to falsify, and/ or undermine at least one of the premi

Debate.org: Philosophy Debates

There Are Good Secular Reasons to Disallow Same-Sex Marriage

Justin Bieber caused 9/11

The consumption of meat is ethically wrong

The Leibnizian Cosmological Argument is Sound - 2

The Cosmological Argument is Sound

Does Marsellus Wallace look like a b*tch?

Most Things Are Preferable to a Sharp Stick in the Eye

The Most Reliable Basis For Determining Morality Is Via Secular Means

Wanting Someone to Not Commit Suicide Is Equally As Selfish As Wanting to Commit Suicide

It is most probable that a god exists.

RESOLVED: It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.

Homosexual Acts are Immoral

Resolved: The Father Should Not Have Say In an Abortion

The Cosmological Argument is Sound

This House Believes That the No Difference Theory is correct

This house believes in Utilitarianism over its rivals.

Homosexual acts are immoral

The Kalam Cosmological Argument is sound