Big debate at the University of Minnesota

People love a good fight.  Because of this, debates can bring people out to events about topics they would otherwise never come to see.  Debates are likely to be the largest events you run. Many group leaders shy away from debates precisely because they are fights.  They worry that freethinkers and religious folk are already too divided and that debates are only going to make things worse. 

These are legitimate worries, but far from the whole picture.  First off, debates aren’t really fights.  They have a competitive element, but no one in a public debate without formal judges really wins or loses.  At the end of the debate, the debaters are going to smile at each other and shake hands.  Hell, they might even go out to dinner afterwards.  Also, how wonderful would it be if all disagreements could be settled with words rather than blows?  The world is full of competition—we might as well model nonviolent competition.

Before deciding to hold a debate, you may want to assess the social climate of your school to ensure this would be appropriate.  For example, some smaller schools or communities would likely prefer a panel discussion or  “Controversial Discussion.”  These set a somewhat different tone for the event, while still getting across the idea that people with different opinions on an issue will be arguing for their ideas.



Few people that come to the debate will change their view—at least not simply because of the debate itself.  The debate will encourage many people that attend to take more interest in the subject at hand.  Competition makes people passionate and when people get passionate they tend to listen, talk, read, and write more.  This is a good thing. Hopefully the debate will at least let attendees know some of the major arguments on each side, and be able to explore the topic with more perspective than before. 

Also, people will actually get to see other people they don’t agree with at the debate.  Some folks have never met someone who is openly atheistic before.  This could be that person's first chance.  It is also quite likely that freethought folk might learn a bit about people who are different from them.  Even if we don’t all agree, we do have to share this world—spending time in the same room together is a good start.

He's got the right idea.

To cosponsor or not
Many freethought groups just starting out have limited resources. By comparison, many Christian campus groups have huge budgets and numerous resources available to them. Some groups choose to approach a campus student group (such as Campus Crusade for Christ) about cosponsoring an event. Both groups can then split the cost of the debate facilities, and are responsible for bringing in the debater for their “side.”  This approach also lends a great deal of credibility to the debate.  You should cosponsor unless you have a really good reason not to.


Topic
Now that you and your group have decided to have a debate, what should the topic be? If you are cosponsoring with another campus group, then, obviously the other group will have input into the topic. Many debates are related to the God question, but don’t limit yourself to just that--there are an infinite number of possibilities.  At the very least, try to get expand the dialog beyond just Christianity vs. atheism.  The world is much more complex than that, so try to represent that in your debates.

Debaters
There are lots of sources for debaters.  Academic departments are an okay source.  However, beware that knowing a lot about a topic and being a smart person does not necessarily translate into being a good debater.  Excellent public speaking skills are required, along with the ability to think on one’s feet.  Debate experience is critical.  There are a handful of folks that are happy to debate on the side of the freethought point of view.  If you are having trouble finding people, contact the SSA or contact some of the groups in the directory in the last chapter of this guide.

What other students have to say:

Mike Fox, University of Delaware: “We hosted a debate between Rob Boston of Americans United and Peter Lillback of the Westminster Theological Seminary over church-state separation issues. With a public turnout of 150 people, it was our most successful event from last year.”

Charlie Lopez, Wabash College: “We co-sponsored a seminar discussion on 'Religion and Meaning in Life' with both the Newman Club here at Wabash and nearby Purdue University's Campus Crusade for Christ. Both events turned out successful with over 150 people in attendance between them.”