Instigator / Con

TheRealNihilist

1650

rating

debates

77.27%

won

Topic

#1244

Is Christianity A Good Moral System To Follow?

Status

Finished

The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.

Winner & statistics

Better arguments

Better sources

Better legibility

Better conduct

After 3 votes and with 7 points ahead, the winner is...

Speedrace

Tags

Philosophy

Parameters

Publication date: 08.07.2019 04:03PM
Last updated date: 08.26.2019 02:15PM
Type: Standard
Number of rounds: 4
Time for argument: One week
Max argument characters: 30,000
Voting period: One week
Point system: Multiple criterions
Voting system: Open

Contender / Pro

Speedrace

1641

rating

debates

65.08%

won

Description

-- INTRO --
This is about whether Christianity is a good moral system to follow or not. It is focused on the New Testament and it's teachings, as it is called Christianity for a reason, that reason being that it focuses on Jesus Christ and his teachings. Therefore, all arguments should center primarily around Jesus Christ/the New Testament.

KJV Bible as the source we are agreeing to use.

-- STRUCTURE --
1. Opening (State your positions. No rebuttals.)
2. Rebuttals (Attempt to debunk opponents augments)
3. Rejoinders (Attempt to defend your case with the rebuttals given)
4. Rebuttals/Close (Rebuttals and conclusion)

When I say attempt. That is the bare minimum. You can do more and would help your case a lot.

-- DEBATER OBJECTIVES --
Pro - must sufficiently prove that Christianity is a good moral system while simultaneously disproving Con's arguments. (Basically Christianity is good and demonstrate it)
Con - must sufficiently prove that Christianity is a bad moral system while simultaneously disproving Pro's arguments. (Basically Christianity is bad and demonstrate it)

-- DEFINITIONS --
Christianity - the religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, or its beliefs and practices.
Good - to be desired or approved of.
Moral system - a system of coherent, systematic, and reasonable principles, rules, ideals, and values which work to form one's overall perspective.
Follow - act according to (an instruction or precept).

-- RULES --
1. No forfeits
2. Citations must be provided in the text of the debate
3. No new arguments in the final speeches
4. Observe good sportsmanship and maintain a civil and decorous atmosphere
5. No trolling
6. No "kritiks" of the topic (challenging assumptions in the resolution)
7. For all irresolution terms, individuals should use commonplace understandings that fit within the logical context of the resolution and this debate
8. The burden of proof is shared; Pro must show why Christianity is a good moral system to follow, and Con must show why it is a bad moral system to follow. Simply rebutting one's opponent's arguments is not sufficient to win the debate.
9. Violation of any of these rules merits a loss.

Round 1

TheRealNihilist

08.10.2019 11:06AM

Con

I thank Speedrace for accepting.

To get an idea of what a good moral system is. I will simply give some things I would consider to be a good one.

Doesn't exclude people and stating they will go to hell
Tries to condemn wrongs in order for change to occur to make people's live better
Advocate for equality so that people are treated fairly

Basically what I am going at is it tries to make people happy.

I'll stick to that. This might not seem like a lot but it is enough in my book to consider Christianity a bad moral system to follow.

Homosexuality

Homosexuality: is romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or sexual behavior between members of the same sex or gender.

Homosexuality is condemned in the Bible. I don't think I need to show Bible quotes to show this but I will. I will also mention saying homosexuality is a sin is you pretty much saying if they carry on with their lifestyle they will go to hell. So basically a Christian has openly allowed their God to punish gays in hellfire for eternity for something that could've only occurred for 40 years. The hyperlink I added before this specifically talks about gays being sentenced to an eternal fire.

Romans 1:26-27: For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

The Bible call both instances of same sex actions "vile affections". Given this I am safe to assume this is sinful. This would mean they eventually given a gays lifestyle will be punished forever in hell. Christianity permits torture of people forever for something that happened for a limited amount of time compared to being hellfire for eternity. This is of course is bad because there is no way of gays to simply leave hell and not be tortured forever. They are there forever for something as a society we have agreed upon is not something that can be changed on a whim.

Given that a good moral system is implied to be followed by everyone. If this was implemented in the US 3.5 percent of the population in 2011 are gay, lesbian or bisexual.

Slavery

Slavery is never really stated whether it is allowed or not. It does state how to treat your slaves. This to me means slavery is an assumption of Christianity and they are building upon that foundation.
1 Timothy 6:1-2
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

This source states the servants of the master should treat them with honour. Since there were less liberal societal norms back in the day. People had less choice to change things in their life. Given this a servant back when this was written would be considered human property whereas now it wouldn’t be the same given the lesser importance Christianity has and more rights people have been given. Since Christianity was around during slavery. The Bible told servants to be submissive to their masters not try to get their freedom. This is bad because controlling people doesn’t lead to happiness since the necessity of control requires the person to be restricted in what they can do. If they are restricted, they have less choices that can lead to happiness.

Given that a good moral system is implied to be followed by everyone. If this was implemented 12.5 million blacks who were would have been told to obey their masters not to see their freedom.

Women

I left the best for last. If it wasn’t clear already that Christianity is not good moral system as in attempts to make people happy then these quotes would be enlightening. Freedom can lead to happiness and given the lack of freedom women are given, women would have to find happiness in control which I don’t think is fair given men are not held to the same standard.

1 Corinthians 11:3
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

1 Timothy 2:11-12
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

I have painted a real clear picture that women should be treated, if we follow the Bible, submissive to their husband while other things. Not being allowed to speak in Church to name one. This is bad because a moral system if good should treat people equally given that it means people are not given unfair rulings or judgements.

Given that a good moral system is implied to be followed by everyone. If this was implemented across the world 49.5% of the population will be treated differently than the remaining number.

Speedrace

08.17.2019 11:06AM

Pro

Forfeited

Round 2

TheRealNihilist

08.17.2019 11:10AM

Con

"1. No forfeits"

Guess I win.

Speedrace

08.19.2019 01:29AM

Pro

FORFEIT

Yes, I forfeited. However, as many of you know, I'm very busy as a student. I thought I had two weeks to post this and could finish over the weekend, but I woke up on Saturday to an email saying I had forfeited. However, I can still easily complete the debate by posting both my opening and my rebuttal (which I fully intend to do).

And yes, the description does say that forfeits should merit a loss, but nowhere in the COC does it say that debate descriptions are binding upon voters. In fact, nothing is, except the COC itself and sometimes mods and admins. In many debates, such as this one, voters only take the conduct point for forfeits, even though the debate description has the same policy on losses for forfeits.

In the end, nothing the description nor I nor omar can say can force you, the voters, to do anything. However, I am sincerely asking you to take all of this into consideration and to give me a chance. Now I hope you enjoy the rest of the debate.

OPENING

A good moral system simply outlines how people should live and act in an orderly fashion and manner. The great thing is that the Bible does this for us!

Galatians 5:14: "For the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

Clearly, anything that is moral and part of the law is covered by love. So we know that we are acting right, according to the Bible, if we are loving others. Is stealing loving? No, so don't do it. Is giving someone cash when they need it loving? Yes.

Now, of course, to anticipate some rebuttals, yes, the law is there in the Bible, all 613 commandments. And yes, Jesus said that he didn't come to abolish the law in Matthew 5:17. However, he never said that the law is still binding upon Christians. Read the following:

Romans 6:14: "For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace."

Galatians 3:23-25: “We were held in custody under the Law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the Law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian”

The law was put in place to show us that we were not perfect, and therefore that we need a perfect savior, Jesus. Once we accepted him, we no longer became under the law, and that is when we became under the Law of Love.

REBUTTAL

Homosexuality

All I have to say to this is that the Law, which this is under, doesn't apply to Christians, the Law of Love does. And where is this under the Law of Love? I would ask my opponent to find it.

Slavery

1 Timothy 6:1-2 clearly says "servants," not slaves. I don't see slavery being discussed anywhere near here. Secondly, servants were not treated badly.

ebed is translated as 'slave' in some cases and 'servant' in others... 'Servant' and 'slave' used to overlap much more in meaning, but now have different meanings. Servants are no longer seen as slaves. The meaning of the word ‘ebed is not inherently negative, but relates to work. The word identifies someone as dependent on someone else with whom they stand in some sort of relation. Being an ‘ebed could be a position of honour. Everyone is a servant / slave of someone else. The majority meaning of ‘ebed is 'servant', but can also be translated 'slave'. It is not an inherently negative term, and is related to work. The term shows the person is subservient to another. All subjects of Israel are servants of the king. The king himself is a servant of their God. So in the time of the Old Testament, no-one is free – everyone is subservient to, an ‘ebed of, someone else. Translating ‘ebed as 'slave' is problematic because of its negative connotations, which were not originally there but we associate from other historical contexts. This generally leads to inconsistency in translation and it becomes hard for readers not to read into the word ideas from subsequent, very different systems of slavery (eg. in Greece, Rome and North America). [1]

So, obviously "servants" doesn't translate to slave. You can also check out this graphic to see how supposed "slaves" were treated. It was not badly at all.

https://imgur.com/OWlHCTQ [1]

Also, Deuteronomy 23:15-16 forbids returning runaway slaves to their masters. That is much different than the conditions we think of.

Women

1 Corinthians 11:3 (But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.)

Firstly, this was from Paul. However, we already know that he had been spreading a message of love all over the place.

Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female"

Acts 2:18: "Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy."

So we already know that Paul was trying to promote equality. So why did he say what he said?

"Head" as used in greek means someone's literal head or the metaphorical source of something. [2] It doesn't indicate dominance over anyone.

Firstly, this isn't his first letter to the Corinthians. This is Peter's response to their response to his letter. He is spending this letter (more than just 1 Corinthians 11) correcting abusive applications of his teachings. Corinthian women had not only been taking a part in equality in the church, but had also been taking off their veils in public. That is not to say that this was bad, but it was, in a way, disrespectful to the other members of society.

This is kind of like arguing that you should respect your grandmother. No one would argue that your grandmother is more important than you, or should have authority over you, and yet most of us would think it’s tasteful to show some kind of deference to the fact that she helped bring you into existence.
I don’t know about you, but when I spend time with my grandmother, I try not to embarrass her in public. If we’re in a store, or walking somewhere, I don’t feel the need to constantly point out that I’m a grown man and can do whatever I want. I don’t wear clothes that she’ll find terribly offensive, or do some of the ridiculous things that I might feel comfortable with, but would make her nervous. [2]

Paul is saying not to get the husband's mocked by the rest of the community, and certainly not to cause a ruckus that is unnecessary. This is like someone telling slaves recently freed after the Civil War not to go drink at white fountains. Even though it may be right, they'll still be targeted by racists and what-not.

Paul continues this argument in verse 6: "For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered."

What he's saying here is that, if they don't care about what people think, go ALL the way. Shave your head! But if they can't bring themselves to shave their head, that means that they DO care what others think, and therefore they should also cover their head as well to respect the community guidelines.

But Paul still goes on to say that women and men are equal!

1 Corinthians 11:11-12: "Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God."

He also says that women, in the end, have the choice of whether they want to do this or not (verse 10): "For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels."

So no, this was not sexism, simply a verse grossly taken out of context.

1 Timothy 2:11-12 (Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.)

Firstly, the imperative here is "to learn." In this culture, women were told not to learn, so this is progressive firstly. Secondly, when it is said to go "quietly," this is the same term as in verse 2 of this chapter. "Quietly" simply means "without turmoil." They are being told not to be disruptive. However, they can still participate and what-not, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11 when he said to pray and prophesy! When he says not to usurp authority, he's saying not to overrule the rulers of the church, who were men.

Colossians 3:18 (Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.)

Submit means the following:

"put yourself under, arrange yourself under someone, for a good and proper purpose." It is a totally voluntary action.

How is that sexist? Plus, the next verse literally tells husbands to love their wives and not to be bitter towards them.

1 Corinthians 14:34-35

The same argument for 1 Timothy applies here.

Sources

[1] https://www.bethinking.org/bible/does-the-bible-support-slavery

[2] http://micahredding.com/blog/2011/10/30/how-1-corinthians-11-actually-statement-about-female-equality

Round 3

TheRealNihilist

08.19.2019 11:28AM

Con

"-- RULES --

1. No forfeits"

"9. Violation of any of these rules merits a loss."

Speedrace

08.19.2019 12:53PM

Pro

My opponent did not extend his arguments, or try to further his case at all in this round. That sounds like a forfeit to me. Then, by my opponent's own argument, he deserves a loss.

In that case, if voters are taking the loss for forfeits seriously, then me in my opponent are tied in forfeits, and therefore no points should be taken off for them.

However, remember, nowhere in the voter guidelines does it say that voters are binded by the debate description. In fact, the word "description" isn't even mentioned in the COC. So losses don't have to be given for forfeits of you, the voters, don't feel that it is right to do so.

As no rebuttal was given from my opponent to defend, I extend my arguments.

Round 4

TheRealNihilist

08.19.2019 01:03PM

Con

"-- RULES --

1. No forfeits"

"9. Violation of any of these rules merits a loss."

"6. No "kritiks" of the topic (challenging assumptions in the resolution)"

This rule was broken at the start of Round 2 and Round 3. You are supposed to accept the resolution as in rules not question them during the debate.

Not accepting the resolution questioning it:

"However, remember, nowhere in the voter guidelines does it say that voters are binded by the debate description. In fact, the word "description" isn't even mentioned in the COC. So losses don't have to be given for forfeits of you, the voters, don't feel that it is right to do so."

If it wasn't clear Speedrace did not follow 2 rules which resulted in the entire debate structure being ruined. This if it wasn't clear already merits a loss because of Speedrace's non-argument in Round 1.

Speedrace

08.19.2019 02:15PM

Pro

"6. No "kritiks" of the topic (challenging assumptions in the resolution)"

This rule was broken at the start of Round 2 and Round 3. You are supposed to accept the resolution as in rules not question them during the debate.

The "resolution" is the topic in the title. A kritik would be something like me saying "Christianity doesn't even exist," or something along those lines. It has nothing to do with the debate description.

This if it wasn't clear already merits a loss because of Speedrace's non-argument in Round 1.

My opponent himself defines a forfeit as a "non-argument." By that logic, both his round 3 and round 4 are forfeits, because neither had any arguments pertaining to the debate resolution. That means that he has more forfeits than me, by his own logic.

Besides that, as I have stressed so much, rule 9 is not binding on you, the voters, so you can do almost anything you want in the end as long as it complies with the COC.

Conclusion

All I have to say is that I showed that Christianity is based entirely on love. I also showed how the arguments my opponent presented from the Bible were either misinterpreted or nuanced arguments for something else. In the end, I believe that a moral system based on love is a pretty good moral system.

All previous arguments extended.

Speedrace

08.17.2019 02:29PM

#37

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@TheRealNihilist

Are you still up for a rematch though? If you make it this weekend then I can finish my argument today or tomorrow, you had great points and I think this could been awesome if I wasn't busy

TheRealNihilist

08.17.2019 02:28PM

#36

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@Speedrace

You would be wasting both of our time. You are still losing. Just will have to wait a while longer.

I don't see the point. When you are done with this. You can accept a new debate or do something else entirely. Now by delaying this you will be reminded every week of your forfeit then the eventual loss when you could've dealt with that right now.

Speedrace

08.17.2019 02:26PM

#35

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@TheRealNihilist

Lol I know, if that's the case then it shouldn't matter to you whether I drag it along or not lol

TheRealNihilist

08.17.2019 02:15PM

#34

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@Speedrace

Drag it along then.

I win given the rules you didn't follow which you accepted.

Speedrace

08.17.2019 02:09PM

#33

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@TheRealNihilist

No, I'm gonna drag this out for as long as possible, I don't want a loss sir lol, you're doing the same thing to me

TheRealNihilist

08.17.2019 02:08PM

#32

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@Speedrace

Can you post your not argument?

Speedrace

08.17.2019 01:46PM

#31

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@TheRealNihilist

...

TheRealNihilist

08.17.2019 01:29PM

#30

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@Speedrace

That is a no.

If I allow you to do this I am going against the rules I laid out that you used.

I don't expect you to make changes from agreed upon rules either.

TheRealNihilist

08.17.2019 01:11PM

#29

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@Speedrace

"1. No forfeits"

"9. Violation of any of these rules merits a loss."

Speedrace

08.17.2019 01:10PM

#28

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@TheRealNihilist

Ok, so I'll do both my opening and rebuttal here and you do both your rebuttal and rejoinder next round, ok?

TheRealNihilist

08.17.2019 01:07PM

#27

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@Speedrace

I don't really create or accept debates that much. So whatever I did here would be wasted. I don't want that.

Basically no.

Speedrace

08.17.2019 01:05PM

#26

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@TheRealNihilist

So is that a no? Lol

TheRealNihilist

08.17.2019 01:04PM

#25

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@Speedrace

Like I said earlier:

I like winning so my ratio looks better.
That is the only reason why I don't want to delete this.

Speedrace

08.17.2019 12:50PM

#24

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@TheRealNihilist

By deleting and reposting you're basically reversing time to before I forfeited

TheRealNihilist

08.17.2019 12:39PM

#23

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@Speedrace

Can you say what you said in a different way?

Speedrace

08.17.2019 12:38PM

#22

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@TheRealNihilist

Lol well it would be a fair win on the other one technically 😂 it would be like I never forfeited at all and then you still have a high chance of winning

TheRealNihilist

08.17.2019 12:36PM

#21

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@Speedrace

I like winning so my ratio looks better.

That is the only reason why I don't want to delete this.

Speedrace

08.17.2019 12:21PM

#20

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@TheRealNihilist

Gahhhh I don't want this loss though, plus this was REALLY INTERESTING

Could you repost it and delete this one? I'm not at school today and I can guarantee that I'll get it done today, I know I make a lot of promises but I'm trying to not destroy my ratio

It's up to you though and I understand if you don't want to, if not then I'll just try to do it on here instead, my bad dude :(

TheRealNihilist

08.17.2019 12:17PM

#19

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@Speedrace

Rematch after this ends?

Speedrace

08.17.2019 12:16PM

#18

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@TheRealNihilist

I was gonna do it this weekend, I thought I had more time, gah I guess you win

TheRealNihilist

08.17.2019 11:10AM

#17

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@Speedrace

What happened?

Speedrace

08.08.2019 01:56PM

#16

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@TheRealNihilist

That's fine

TheRealNihilist

08.08.2019 11:53AM

#15

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@GuitarSlinger

>>Defending Christianity and defending the OT (Bible) are two different things

I used what Speedrace used. Basically Christianity excluding the Old Testament.

Next time I'll include it.

GuitarSlinger

08.08.2019 11:41AM

#14

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@TheRealNihilist

alright. Looks like SpeedRace took it. Bummer. Oh well. Maybe next time lol. No worries-- my usual normal self will be chiming in on this one though.

GuitarSlinger

08.08.2019 11:40AM

#13

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@TheRealNihilist

** So you want to defend the old testament as well? **

Wait a minute. Is the debate about defending the Bible or is it about defending Christianity? Your title and first sentence is about arguing whether or not Christianity is a good moral system, and you go on to state that it's based on the NT.

Defending Christianity and defending the OT (Bible) are two different things....very similar, but still different. Which is it?

** I mainly use it because it is easier for me to find people who use it."

I can certainly see that. But In my opinion the KJV is not the authoritative "Bible". The Canon of the Bible was developed some 1600-1700 years ago, and has been in use by the Catholic Church since then. Then, in the 1600's the KJV came about, pretty much the product of the Reformation.

TheRealNihilist

08.08.2019 10:25AM

#12

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@Speedrace

Sorry. I am not going to finish it by today. I have 6 days so I think it is best to use. Come back to my argument and add in what I think is required for my point to be convincing.

Speedrace

08.08.2019 12:52AM

#11

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@TheRealNihilist

Cool

TheRealNihilist

08.08.2019 12:52AM

#10

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@GuitarSlinger

Do you still want to debate this like after I have completed this debate with the modifications?

TheRealNihilist

08.08.2019 12:51AM

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@Speedrace

I'll post my argument tomorrow.

TheRealNihilist

08.07.2019 11:49PM

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@Barney

>>Why 30,000 characters?

It is a cap. Not really intended to be filled. If that does happen then I had the character limit to allow for either mine or my opponent's argument to be filled.

I don't want to personally have to remove arguments because I didn't meet the character limit. With this character limit it reduces the chance and since it is the highest it can go it is the most I am capable of doing. Going back to what I said earlier, I don't want to personally have to remove arguments I doubt my opponent would like too either.

TheRealNihilist

08.07.2019 11:45PM

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@Speedrace

Do you want to accept or do you want GuitarSlinger to take your place?

TheRealNihilist

08.07.2019 11:45PM

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@GuitarSlinger

>>Christianity is not a faith that is just solely focused on the NT. One must also include the OT (Jesus and others in NT make reference to it). Plus it was "Christianity" after all that developed the canon of the Bible in the first place, which includes the OT.

So you want to defend the old testament as well?

>> I refuse to use the KJV.

I mainly use it because it is easier for me to find people who use it.

>>New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE)

Okay? I'll wait for Speedrace. If he wants you to take it then I'll make the changes.

TheRealNihilist

08.07.2019 11:43PM

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@Speedrace

If you want too. Sorry about not accepting before.

Speedrace

08.07.2019 06:49PM

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@TheRealNihilist

Want me to accept? Lol

GuitarSlinger

08.07.2019 06:46PM

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@TheRealNihilist

Also, "Christianity" is a broad umbrella that covers many sects/denominations. Which one(s) are you looking to prove as "bad".....one in particular, a couple or all of them? There are significant differences between the denominations (their history, their beliefs, etc).

I really don't want to be defending my faith (denomination) while at the same time your using what another faith/denomination believes to debunk mine...make sense?

GuitarSlinger

08.07.2019 06:41PM

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@TheRealNihilist

I'm not willing to accept the debate as it's written, here is why:

- Christianity is not a faith that is just solely focused on the NT. One must also include the OT (Jesus and others in NT make reference to it). Plus it was "Christianity" after all that developed the canon of the Bible in the first place, which includes the OT.
- I refuse to use the KJV. Here's why: The King James version, when looked at from the history of Christianity, is a relatively new version-- having first been published in the early's 1600's, some 1570 years or so after Christ's death and roughly 1100 years after the canon of the Bible was first incorporated. The KJV is basically a product of the Protestant Reformation

The OT must be used and I prefer we use the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE):

http://www.usccb.org/bible/index.cfm

Barney

08.07.2019 05:25PM

Why 30,000 characters?

Pinkfreud08

08.23.2019 12:37AM

Criterion

Con

Tie

Pro

Points

Better arguments

3 point(s)

Better sources

2 point(s)

Better legibility

1 point(s)

Better conduct

1 point(s)

Reason:

I’d like to start off by thanking both participants for the debate. Afterall without you guys I wouldn’t have a debate to vote on.

All formalities aside I’ll now begin my vote.

Arguments:

Pro offered Con clear rebuttals to several of pro's points which went un disputed by Con.

Including Pro never addressing Con's rebuttals on Law of love and Slavery.

Instead Con spends the entire debate regarding Pro losing out on conduct points.

While this is fair, this doesn't excuse the fact that Con never countered most of Pro's rebuttals.

Conduct:

Pro must lose a point due to Forfeiting which by the rules merits a loss.

Ramshutu

08.20.2019 01:15PM

Criterion

Con

Tie

Pro

Points

Better arguments

3 point(s)

Better sources

2 point(s)

Better legibility

1 point(s)

Better conduct

1 point(s)

Reason:

Forfeit Rule. I have often enforced these rules when unchallenged. However pro challenged this rule and gave me a reason not to enforce it. Moreover, given the reasonable request from pro, cons denial constitutes poor sportsmanship, and so this balances itself out.

Arguments:

Pro argues that CMF is good as it promotes loving one another and being good to one another. This was unrefuted by conZ

Con argues homosexuality is considered immoral, pro argues that it is not part of the “law of love”. I do not find this particularly convincing, but it is unrefuted and unchallenged.

Con argues the bible indirectly supports slavery by citing some examples where the bible supports slaves honouring their owner - and this is inherently a bad thing. Pro argues this is merely a translation issue; remaining unrefuted and unchallenged by pro.

Con argues that women are not treated equally to men, and this is supported by a number of biblical quotes. Pro mainly argues a combination of context being incorrect, and that the meaning of these passages is actually different. I do not find everything pro said convincing, and I feel con could have obliterated this point in the next round, but con didn’t bother to refute.

In general, pro scraped through by the skin of his teeth, due to the arguments being dropped by con. It’s a bit of a shame, as I felt that many of pros points could have been easily dealt with.

While I appreciate the frustration of forfeits, and I am not penalizing con for suggesting that the forfeit rule be invoked, I do feel in this case, con should have continued the debate.

Barney

08.19.2019 05:37PM

Criterion

Con

Tie

Pro

Points

Better arguments

3 point(s)

Better sources

2 point(s)

Better legibility

1 point(s)

Better conduct

1 point(s)

Reason:

Interpreting the resolution:
Christianity’s rules are more beneficial than harmful.

Gist:
Pro wanted to debate more than con. With all arguments dropped through multiple rounds, there isn’t much to consider.

If doing a follow-up, an alternative moral system should be pointed to for comparison.

1. Homosexuality (con)
Con cites multiple parts of the bible preaching burning people to death (or worse) for non-crimes. Pro responds by saying that if they’re Christian they can do what they want... This strikes me as a dangerous standard which did not refute the problem to begin with.

2. Slavery (pro)
The bible normalizes slavery. Pro argues that was servants not slaves, and that the bible further tells people to assist runaway slaves in fleeing captivity.

Side note: Surprised I did not see reference to the principles of jubilee, or that time God commanded an abused slave to return to her master.

3. Women (tie)
We have competing interpretations of the same passages, without context for which one Christians practice (I know it’s both, but the debate should have gone to which is more often followed... a con case for any frequency of abuse would have gone a long way).

Instructing that if women get out of line to shave their heads... I’m reminded heavily of Britney Spears, and not in a good way. Granted, pro did not say she should be forced to do that, but that she should willingly do it herself (honestly, it’s really weird without more context).

4. Law of Love
Unchallenged, but really could have used some clarifications...

5. K the rules
Pro K’s the no forfeit rule,
Con weirdly brings up the no K rule, to which was specific to the resolution anyways, plus was in violation of the “Observe good sportsmanship” rule (which pro really should have mentioned...).

Continued under conduct.

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Arguments:
See above review of key points. On #3 I am calling it tied more as a reminder of how incomplete it felt, but with it outright dropped by con through multiple rounds, it goes to pro.

Conduct:
“Violation of any of these rules merits a loss.”
Yup, it totally merits a loss of the conduct point.