NationStates Jolt Archive

To all you who enjoy debating in the various controversial topics that pop up around here, I challenge you to debate the opposite of what you believe.

Example: You are for abortion, now argue against it.

Any topic: public smoking, abortion, same-sex marriage, politics, banning guns, the supernatural, etc.

The rules are simple, stick to your side of the debate (the opposite of what you believe), that means do NOT defect, and do your best. Don't give up too easily, try as hard as you would if you were debating for your own belief.

I have found that debating the opposite side has helped me understand it better, not to mention helped me in debating against it (know thy enemy).

It is also very important to understand why the other person disagrees with you. You have to go beyond the "I am right and you are wrong" and actually see why there exists an intelligent person with that opinion.

*hopes Fass chooses religion and plays the character of a hardcore christian*

that would be the funniest thing ever.

almost as funny as Keruvalia playing the role of an atheist

interesting thread though...

No matter how hard I try, I can't bring myself to argue as a hardcore Capitalist. It disgusts me that much.

No matter how hard I try, I can't bring myself to argue as a hardcore Capitalist. It disgusts me that much.

If it's really *that* hard, then try another subject.

(no longer speaking to you directly) If all subjects are unarguable from the other side, then you really should work on improving that because you're a bit arrogant.

i wrote about 4 paragraphs on 'why free markets dont work' for this one....and none of it made any sense, not just in terms of economics etc. but it was just incoherent in general....anyways thats now gone, maybe ill pick an issue i dont feel as strongly about...
i could probably argue that it should be illegal for people to have abortions.

*hopes Fass chooses religion and plays the character of a hardcore christian*

that would be the funniest thing ever.

That would work very poorly as I'm just not that good at bullshitting. Religion is so low in standing with me, I doubt I could ever imagine what it's like to have it make sense.

That would work very poorly as I'm just not that good at bullshitting. Religion is so low in standing with me, I doubt I could ever imagine what it's like to have it make sense.


i know....it would be most entertaining though. i was hopeful.

That would work very poorly as I'm just not that good at bullshitting. Religion is so low in standing with me, I doubt I could ever imagine what it's like to have it make sense.

Then you are truly inexperienced at debating matters of religion.

(not talking to you directly) You are inexperienced at topics in which you cannot argue for the opposite side. Being able to debate an issue well involves seeing the other's side perspective as well; otherwise it's just a "no, I'm right" match.

i know....it would be most entertaining though. i was hopeful.

I must, as I do, crush that hope. Sorry.

If it's really *that* hard, then try another subject.

(no longer speaking to you directly) If all subjects are unarguable from the other side, then you really should work on improving that because you're a bit arrogant.

Arrogant, eh? Funny.

Then you are truly inexperienced at debating matters of religion.

(not talking to you directly) You are inexperienced at topics in which you cannot argue for the opposite side. Being able to debate an issue well involves seeing the other's side perspective as well; otherwise it's just a "no, I'm right" match.

When it comes to religion, I am right. It really is that simple. I give religion as much thought as I do pixies and gnomes and walking under ladders. I really never do think of it as anything else than hogwash. And I really don't care to reconsider my position, as that would be a waste of time.

Arrogant, eh? Funny.

Correct. Not being able to argue for the opposite side of ANY belief you have means that you cannot conceive of someone possibly disagreeing with you (otherwise you'd at least have something). Therefore, arrogance.

When it comes to religion, I am right. It really is that simple. I give religion as much thought as I do pixies and gnomes and walking under ladders. I really never do think of it as anything else than hogwash. And I really don't care to reconsider my position, as that would be a waste of time.

Forgive me for now believing you are arrogant in this matter when you cannot accept that you might be wrong.

Correct. Not being able to argue for the opposite side of ANY belief you have means that you cannot conceive of someone possibly disagreeing with you (otherwise you'd at least have something). Therefore, arrogance.

No, I can definitely conceive the idea of somebody having a differing opinion on the subject. That's why I can't bring myself to argue on their side.

Forgive me for now believing you are arrogant in this matter when you cannot accept that you might be wrong.

What you believe I could not care less about.

What you believe I could not care less about.

*hands you a box of cookies*

When it comes to religion, I am right. It really is that simple. I give religion as much thought as I do pixies and gnomes and walking under ladders. I really never do think of it as anything else than hogwash. And I really don't care to reconsider my position, as that would be a waste of time.
pretty much says it all.... its not that im agnostic, its not that im atheist, its simply that there is no reason whatsoever for me to believe in some sort of diety/dieties, etc.etc...., its not even really a consideration....just riding accross the atlantic on the fan on my desk is simply not something i take into consideration.

What you believe I could not care less about.

If you do not care about what I believe then interaction with you is futile.

If you do not care about what anyone believes, then almost all social interaction is futile.

*hands you a box of cookies*

*stuffs his cookie hole*

If you do not care about what I believe then interaction with you is futile.

Thankfully.

If you do not care about what anyone believes, then almost all social interaction is futile.

Nope, it's just you.

In fact, Fass, you bring absolutely no contribution to any discussion with your attitude. You refuse to accept the possibility of your being wrong and you do not care about the opinions of others.

Thankfully.

Nope, it's just you.

Wow, you have just disgusted me in ways I never thought possible. You have chosen a random person and are arbitrarily ignoring their opinion in a child-like quest for satisfaction through being "mean".

I think I share almost all your views on various controversial topics, but now that I see what character you have (or lack thereof), I do not wish to associate with you.

In fact, Fass, you bring absolutely no contribution to any discussion with your attitude. You refuse to accept the possibility of your being wrong and you do not care about the opinions of others.

I do not care about your opinion. You call people arrogant and actually think someone cares what you think? Really now.

Wow, you have just disgusted me in ways I never thought possible. You have chosen a random person and are arbitrarily ignoring their opinion in a child-like quest for satisfaction through being "mean".

I think I share almost all your views on various controversial topics, but now that I see what character you have (or lack thereof), I do not wish to associate with you.


Perhaps next time, you won't resort to calling people this or that because they do not share your opinion. It really is hypocritical, and makes that high horse of yours an ass.

I do not care about your opinion. You call people arrogant and actually think someone cares what you think? Really now.

I did not make any claim without evidence. If you wish to challenge my claim, then please refute my logic instead of just refusing to acknowledge me.

Perhaps next time, you won't resort to calling people this or that because they do not share your opinion. It really is hypocritical, and makes that high horse of yours an ass.

I did not call you arrogant because you do not share my opinion. I called you arrogant because I logically deducted that you are such through your ignorance of other people's arguements.

But please do tell me why you're not arrogant by refusing to ever believe you're wrong. Please point out the flaws in my logic.

But please do tell me why you're not arrogant by refusing to ever believe you're wrong. Please point out the flaws in my logic.
i might as well go for it....how can someone believe that they are wrong?

I did not make any claim without evidence. If you wish to challenge my claim, then please refute my logic instead of just refusing to acknowledge me.

Why? When it really is that simple that I do not care what you think I am. Your hypocrisy in this thread being one of the reasons for it, and another that you think you can judge whether someone is arrogant or not on an Internet forum. It's quite laughable, really.

I did not call you arrogant because you do not share my opinion. I called you arrogant because I logically deducted that you are such through your ignorance of other people's arguements.

Oh, here comes the BSing. You deducted nothing. Deduction as to personality traits, my dear, is a luxury you can ill afford in your position.

But please do tell me why you're not arrogant by refusing to ever believe you're wrong. Please point out the flaws in my logic.

I am not wrong when it comes to religion ("believe you are wrong" - hah!), as I am not wrong about when it comes to knowing that Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother would not, indeed, survive being devoured by a wolf. Both are hogwash to me, and that is a position I won't change. Go ahead, call me arrogant. Guess how much I'll care. Now, were you not going to stop interacting with me? Stand by that promise, please.

Why? When it really is that simple that I do not care what you think I am. Your hypocrisy in this thread being one of the reasons for it, and another that you think you can judge whether someone is arrogant or not on an Internet forum. It's quite laughable, really.



Oh, here comes the BSing. You deducted nothing. Deduction as to personality traits, my dear, is a luxury you can ill afford in your position.



I am not wrong when it comes to religion, as I am not wrong about when it comes to knowing that Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother would not, indeed, survive being dewovered by a wolf. Both are hogwash to me, and that is a position I won't change. Go ahead, call me arrogant. Guess how much I'll care. Now, were you not going to stop interacting with me? Stand by that promise, please.

If you refuse to acknowledge the possibility of your being wrong and then also refuse the arrogance in taking such a position, then there really is nothing more to talk with you. You cannot conceive of how I could possibly come to the conclusion that *ignorance of others' arguments*=*arrogance* just as much as you cannot conceive of ever being wrong. It is futile then.

Not to mention that debating with you is pretty much pointless seeing as you don't care, why waste my time?

So the challenge is too difficult for this individual, any other takers?

I highly doubt we're going to get a god-fearing christian in here arguing for abortion.


JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS SO BABIES WOULDN'T HAVE TO!

So the challenge is too difficult for this individual, any other takers?

The "challenge" is not difficult at all - it is inane. It's even asking of people to troll.

The "challenge" is not difficult at all - it is inane. It's even asking of people to troll.

Ooh, we have a debate on our hands. My opinion is that it is a worthy challenge that would allow the debater to gain better insight on the views of his opponents, not to mention aid him in arguing against them better. Your opinion is that it is meaningless and brings nothing of value to the undertaker.

Oh, too bad you don't care about my opinion, so we can't debate it. :(

Ooh, we have a debate on our hands. My opinion is that it is a worthy challenge that would allow the debater to gain better insight on the views of his opponents, not to mention aid him in arguing against them better. Your opinion is that it is meaningless and brings nothing of value to the undertaker.

Oh, too bad you don't care about my opinion, so we can't debate it. :(

What the fuck?

What you're asking posters to do is insane. Some of us are secure in our opinions, meaning that while yes, we do acknowledge that other think differently, we just can't bring ourselves to think like they do. For a lot of us, it's sickening.

Oh, and more to the point: A good deal of us already have very good insight on the views of our opponents, which is all the more reason not to argue in their shoes.

Please point out the flaws in my logic.

Not being able to argue for the opposite side of ANY belief you have means that you cannot conceive of someone possibly disagreeing with you (otherwise you'd at least have something).

Is logic also covered as one of these beliefs that everyone must be able to argue against?

I could argue for the other side it's just that in order for me to do so all I'd have to do is present the case the failed to sway me without of course writing any of the reasons the arguement was rejected by me.

(obviously the opposite of what I think)

There is a reason why we aren’t in Europe

Day by day I see the immigrant scum pour from the tunnel they have come to rape our culture and steal our jobs why after we were dragged into another European war over some shit hole no one cares about did we lose our identity to those American commies the Jews dragged us into the war with the French Winston Churchill as there puppet if I was King I would of helped old Adolph but the royals are nothing but slaves to are now Polish masters

these rats that emerge from the tunnel are little more than parasites taking away the very thing that gave us the world why just when we let those filthy *racist remark beginning with M* come and live here did we lose everything?

and furthermore why do those commie fairies in parliament keep taking my money those filthy rags only spend it on drugs why do you think they got there in the first place they should work for there money maybe someday they can be human or at least have some sense of decency instead of a stinking savage

(that made me feel sick and took allot of effort)

I'll play with you, but you'll have to play as well and advocate that this thread you started is a mistake and really wrong.

Potaria says she can't argue pro capitalism, cause that sickens her, and I find it arrogant. I love war and rape, but for the good of this thread I'll say that peace and love don't sicken me and that I'd like to live in such a "perfect" world. See? Now I know what humility and sickness feel like and I feel better, agrandized I'd say. Thank you for this thread.

I'm sorry, I can't argue as a mindless CHristian fundie...

What the fuck?

What you're asking posters to do is insane. Some of us are secure in our opinions, meaning that while yes, we do acknowledge that other think differently, we just can't bring ourselves to think like they do.

Then... um... why come to a forum to debate them, then?

Then... um... why come to a forum to debate them, then?

Because debate isn't about convincing the other person. Debate is about winning.

Correct. Not being able to argue for the opposite side of ANY belief you have means that you cannot conceive of someone possibly disagreeing with you (otherwise you'd at least have something). Therefore, arrogance.

Hold on there boy(or girl, you get the point). There are subjects that is impossible to logically and scientifically debate from the other side with a straight face. Gun Control for example. Religion as well, hell, just about ANY hot-button issuie is unarguable from the other side because all too often one side relies purely on EMOTION to make its argument.