(August 9, 2015 at 12:35 pm)Pyrrho Wrote:I've heard people evaluate debates based on who converted the most people in the audience to their side. Which is bizarre. If most of the audience believes Christian theism is true and are Craig fans, I don't see what Craig and his ilk actually do but entertain their fans and fellow tribe members. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I like the occasional debate but I'm not as big a fan of them these days. Like you and others have said they are more about sound bites and zingers than content.(August 9, 2015 at 4:53 am)Alex K Wrote: ... This is exascerbated by the fact that he is really not a very skilled debater. ...
Yes, debating is a skill, so that who appears to "win" a debate is not necessarily the one who is most reasonable or is speaking the truth. Indeed, bold lying can be an effective strategy in a debate. I would never do a formal public debate with anyone about anything.
Anyone who is serious about a topic should research it rather than just listen to a debate about it. Who "wins" a debate is more about the debaters than about the subject under discussion.
It is very important not to mistake hemlock for parsley, but to believe or not believe in God is not important at all. - Denis Diderot
We are the United States of Amnesia, we learn nothing because we remember nothing. - Gore Vidal
We are the United States of Amnesia, we learn nothing because we remember nothing. - Gore Vidal
