I’m really not interested in debate (well, it depends on what you mean by that)

In our society, I think the term “debate” ends up being seen as something in which there are only winners and losers. It’s about throwing facts and figures and stats at an argument and opponent. It’s often about finding holes in opposition arguments. It’s about getting in one-liners that score some kind of imaginary points against your opponents.

Just watch a political debate — it’s about who wins the debate. And the criteria? It’s extremely subjective. And more often than not, it has no lasting impact. This seems to be the case in many religious debates too. The object becomes about winning a debate.

There’s a few problems with that. First, that idea of debate doesn’t even match the definition of debate.

American Heritage Dictionary defines “debate” this way:

1. To consider something; deliberate.
2. To engage in argument by discussing opposing points.
3. To engage in a formal discussion or argument. synonym: discuss.

That actually sounds pretty good. And no where in the definition is there a concern for winning and losing, as if discussion is a contest.

Secondly, the way we often debate ends up dehumanizing your opponent. It’s no longer about seeing the humanity in someone else and considering that because of their life circumstances they might just come to a different conclusion than yourself. Nope, too…