Mano-a-Mano time to go.

It was a good idea, but it really isn't practical. It would require a lot of rules and regulation, as well as ridiculous amounts of mod participation to even be slightly successful. So I propose that we just take it down and forget it ever happened.

I second this.

It's just sitting there, Kal is expecting much from an apathetic bunch of kids who find it easier(because it is easier) to debate in the coffehouse.

It serves a purpose, and eliminating it doesn't actually accomplish anything.

I don't even know how to post on it. There are these big rules that scare everyone away.

Have you guys never been in a structured debate before? It's not a difficult concept, nor does it take obscene amounts of mental capacity to start a debate.

The reason not many people want to is because it's boring to sit there responding to 7 points at a time on ONE issue that wont get resolved anyway. The Coffee House is more convenient and has more variety.

I think it's more likely that the vast majority of the forums is incapable of handling structured debate, out of fear that they might actually have to use logic, or proper grammar. If that's not your thing, that's fine, but don't complain about it being to complex, when in reality your just incapable of handling the basic guidelines of debate. The Coffee House is cool and all, but it's really just people bickering, without any sort of point or resolution.

Waat? I disagree and never will agree

What are you talking about?

Just giving an example

Ok then, if the majority of the forum is incapable of handling a structured debate then why are we making a sub-forum only for the interests of a small minority?

The Coffee House, if anything, has more point. In the Debate Thread you will never convince anyone of anything as everyone goes in already decided with a heavy belief. In the Coffee House people are less polarized and thus debates can get somewhere.

The Debate Thread should act almost as a tournament that entertains the masses with arguments, but people don't want to READ a structured debate. People want a brawl, so while it's an interesting idea it will never be as effective as one might hope.

I don't know about you, but I don't like the idea of spending a long time on post only for it to be drowned out by 15 other ones. Now my debate with Kali & Matt has been unsuccessful thus far (to do with lack of posting & me choosing a partner first come first serve) but I would still rather debate in that format. It was much more fun looking deep into what Kali was saying as opposed to glazing over 26 poorly written posts.

I like the idea of limited discussion rather than every tom dick and harry throwing there opinion in to the convoluted mess that is the coffee house forum. If you don't want to take part in a structured debate then fine but I see no reason to remove it.

Exactly this. There is no reason. I may never use it but is it going to hurt me in any way by being there? No.

Well i don't care for debates i can't interact in it. If people don't care about my posts then well it doesnt bother me. On the mano-a-mano subforum i really don't care. I mean no offence but i really don't care about your opinions enough to just read them(it is different if i am allowed to speak). This could change if the discussion has people in it with meaningful expertise in a field of disscussion.
But i don't see why it should be removed, some people obviously like it and some don't. But it doesn't hurt if it is there. It doesn't clutter up the forum or anything, it is just another subforum i don't visit (like music or hobbys).
So no don't remove it. Just ignore it people who don't care.

I support the debate thread. But suggest it be considered more of a competitve debate, where there is a winnning team based on the quality of the arguments put forward not whether you convinced the other side which, I agree will not happen.

We need to get it flowing faster though, get the each side posting faster (though I understand their were problems with the first debate). I would also suggest maybe something like a 3 day open floor debate, where people watching the debate can ask questions and raise issues pertinent to the debate. And then in the Summary speeches the Op and Prop can adress these questions and issues as well as making closing statement.

I think that it is a good idea, but needs a revamp. We need to get the ball rolling.

I've been in structured debate before, but I'm just too lazy to do it here.

That's terrible justification to remove something that some may enjoy.

That's true, but how many have enjoyed it? Is the religious debate over, or just stalled?