The topic of apology can be a subject of debate.  If one is planning such a thing, one needs to be aware that certain rules apply.  A well-planned debate prevents participants’ talking over one another or yelling at one another. Gentleness and respect should guide the meeting.  Below is an outline based on a document entitled, “Debating: A Brief Introduction for Beginners,” published by Debating SA Incorporated taken from the internet.

1.  The debate has a moderator and timekeeper.
2.  There are two teams–one in the affirmative and another in the negative.
3.  Each side has three members.
4.  The debate begins with an affirmative speaker and then from the other side a negative speaker.  The second speaker is in the affirmative with negative   response from the other side.
5.  Each speaker has a certain amount of time.  Near the end a warning bell is rung indicating only so many seconds are left.  The final bell rings twice giving the   speaker thirty more seconds.  After this, the bell rings continuously.
6.  Each speaker begins by saying, “Good afternoon (morning and evening) Mr. or Madam Chairman and Ladies and Gentlemen.
7.  No interruption is allowed except when a participant is addressed by the chairman.
8.  At the end of the debate team members shake the hands of the participants on the other side.
9.  An adjudicator decides the winner

 

Format

 

 

Affirmative Team                                 Chairman/Timekeeper                                    Negative Team

Speaker Area

Audience

Adjudicator

A debate need not declare a winner.  The debate itself is the outcome.  Members of the audience will make up their minds about who was more effective

Much more can be said about debate and preparation for it; but, what is said above are the essentials of the debate itself.

What kind of assertions are placed before the debating teams?  Here are some examples in the context of apology and witness.

A.  God exists despite efforts to disprove Him.

B.  The Bible is a human record, not an account of the acts of God.

C.  Suffering in the world disproves the existence of a compassionate God.

D.  In history the Church has perpetrated much violence.

E.  God answers/does not answer prayer.

F.  Religion holds back human progress.

G. Christ was a good man, but not the Son of God.

H. Christian faith contradicts natural science.

I.  Christianity is an effective response to modern nihilism.

J.  Belief in miracles contradicts the idea of causation.

Any debate, no matter what the setting, must be carefully planned.  Each side must know the rules and pledge to follow them.

 

Michael G. Tavella

October 2, 2024