Do you have any debates that you watched, chomping away on popcorn, like an NFL-head would watch the superbowl?
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What are your favorite RF debates?
- Thread starter The Sum of Awe
- Start date
We once had a showstopping debate about the number of angels who could dance on the head of a pin. Unfortunately, everyone started debating what a "pin" meant, how thick it had to be in order to qualify as a pin, and whether a pin was a scientific or philosophical object.
The angels had all gotten pricked by the head of the pin and fallen down by the time everyone was done, so we now need a rematch of the debate and a recount of the angels.
The angels had all gotten pricked by the head of the pin and fallen down by the time everyone was done, so we now need a rematch of the debate and a recount of the angels.
PoetPhilosopher
Veteran Member
Many times. Strangely enough, most intense debates that I've seen, were either about Baha'i vs. non-Baha'i, or somehow turned into transgender people and allies vs. Bible literalists.
I honestly don’t recall there being this many Bahai on the forums until rather recently
JDMS
Academic Workhorse
My favorite debates are the ones where two people debate each other, but really, they aren't debating at all, because they are just talking about two completely different things for some reason.
I also love threads that are 100 pages long, titled something normal like, "Is God Real?", and when I check the recent posts, they are debating whether cats are sentient or not.
I also love threads that are 100 pages long, titled something normal like, "Is God Real?", and when I check the recent posts, they are debating whether cats are sentient or not.
PoetPhilosopher
Veteran Member
PoetPhilosopher
Veteran Member
Another of my favorites: The Sun Is a Boy
The Kilted Heathen
Crow FreyjasmaðR
My favorites are the one in which neither are trying to win, but rather to learn. Sadly, those are few and far between.
Same faith debates. 
Augustus
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Yeah they are good and all that, but how the **** can I learn anything when the other person is always wrong?
Trailblazer
Veteran Member
Actually, there are fewer Baha'is in this forum now than in the past, it just seems like there is a lot of Baha'is posting since recently we have been assailed by so many people on topics that many disagree with us on.
PoetPhilosopher
Veteran Member
This.
Heyo
Veteran Member
Yes, but even if people try to win it can be good if both parties are informed about the subject and respectful of their interlocutors. And prepared to "lose".
I made the observation that many here aren't. The moment I try to steel man their position and find common ground, they run. The question "do we agree on ..." has become a debate stopper.
JDMS
Academic Workhorse
Could it stop debates because the other person realizes that you have an idea in common, and decides at that point that they are fine with that common ground? As in, they feel your opinions are close enough? Maybe they aren't necessarily running, they just feel as though there's no need to continue. Just my thoughts, though. Every case is bound to be different.
Heyo
Veteran Member
They are running because they realize I'm going to nail them.
Usually I ask about the basics, not about the subject itself, so there is little chance they think common ground is already reached. And if they agree, they can at least say so. I'd even be fine with just a frubal indicating something like approval. No, they run.
JDMS
Academic Workhorse
Ha! So you could say they've lost, even if they weren't prepared or willing to
If they realized you are about to nail them, than perhaps you opened a new perspective for them. One they realize at the very least makes sense. So while its nebulous whether someone can win or lose a debate, you've at least achieved your goal - to change someone's mind, or perhaps just make them think
Heyo
Veteran Member
I'm known for having a very optimistic image of man but that's a step too far even for me. (Especially when they repeat their position a few weeks later.)Ha! So you could say they've lost, even if they weren't prepared or willing to
If they realized you are about to nail them, than perhaps you opened a new perspective for them. One they realize at the very least makes sense. So while its nebulous whether someone can win or lose a debate, you've at least achieved your goal - to change someone's mind, or perhaps just make them think
I may have made some lurkers think, though.
JDMS
Academic Workhorse
I think you're right. I can dream though, can't I?
But yes, as someone who spends at least and hour here everyday... I rarely say much, but I'm certainly absorbing what people say. You and others have changed my perspective on things as I lurk around.