RE: The attributes of the Christian God exhibit logical contradictions.
October 16, 2009 at 1:48 am
And with that, the debate at last comes to a close.
Nobody ever wins or loses in formal debates. Winners and losers are declared in subsequent conversations, of course, but it is no surprise that people's opinions about the debate seem to coincide with the prejudices they had before the debate. So there are no real winners or losers; just support from each side's fan club, which really amounts to only so much noise. While I would not begrudge anyone from throwing their support behind the participant who argued for what resembles their side on the issue, I would encourage people to elevate their thinking beyond mere applause. This was not simply a writing exercise; speaking for myself, an authentic and genuine exchange of ideas was attempted here. Both of us agreed to debate and invested it with real intellectual capital because we thought the perspective we each had to share was worthy of consideration. Disregarding how either Saerules or myself fared in the debate, I want people to carefully and thoughtfully digest the points that were made and how they looked after the opposing arguments were in. If you can come away from this debate having changed your mind about something, or even just having learned something new, then the real winner of the debate was you.
I want to offer my appreciation and thanks to Saerules for the investment she made in this debate (and at a bit of a personal cost, it seems). Although it was short-lived, I nevertheless really enjoyed the exchange. I only wish her experience had been more positive and enjoyable, instead of stressful and tedious. And thank you, Adrian, for this opportunity. I guess the thread can be closed now.
Nobody ever wins or loses in formal debates. Winners and losers are declared in subsequent conversations, of course, but it is no surprise that people's opinions about the debate seem to coincide with the prejudices they had before the debate. So there are no real winners or losers; just support from each side's fan club, which really amounts to only so much noise. While I would not begrudge anyone from throwing their support behind the participant who argued for what resembles their side on the issue, I would encourage people to elevate their thinking beyond mere applause. This was not simply a writing exercise; speaking for myself, an authentic and genuine exchange of ideas was attempted here. Both of us agreed to debate and invested it with real intellectual capital because we thought the perspective we each had to share was worthy of consideration. Disregarding how either Saerules or myself fared in the debate, I want people to carefully and thoughtfully digest the points that were made and how they looked after the opposing arguments were in. If you can come away from this debate having changed your mind about something, or even just having learned something new, then the real winner of the debate was you.
I want to offer my appreciation and thanks to Saerules for the investment she made in this debate (and at a bit of a personal cost, it seems). Although it was short-lived, I nevertheless really enjoyed the exchange. I only wish her experience had been more positive and enjoyable, instead of stressful and tedious. And thank you, Adrian, for this opportunity. I guess the thread can be closed now.
Man is a rational animal who always loses his temper when
called upon to act in accordance with the dictates of reason.
(Oscar Wilde)
called upon to act in accordance with the dictates of reason.
(Oscar Wilde)
