Is the RCC an evil institution?

[DMB]

Alex and I propose to have an informal discussion on this topic, with me answering "yes" to the question and Alex "no". I shall make the OP.

Each participant has at most one week to make a post in response to the posts of the other, unless this is altered by private agreement between the parties and the moderator. Similarly, the OP should have a week in which to kick off.

There will be no formal agreement on duration, but we will aim to finish by 9 Aug.

[David B]

Should be interesting.

I have some thoughts on the matter, which I'll save for the peanut gallery.

David

[rog]

I recall how the Hitchens/Fry Vs Widdecombe/Onaiyekan debate went on "the RCC is a force for good" it would be interesting to see how the arguments change to prove that it is evil[or not].

Good luck :)

[Redshirt]

For the informal debate rules, here is what we've got so far:

(1) Topic

Resolved: The Roman Catholic Church is an evil institution.

(2) Participants and positions

DMB will affirm and Alex will oppose.

(3) Additional criteria

(a) DMB will go first
(b) 1 week maximum duration between participants' responses
(c) Opening statement is due one week after the debate thread is launched
(d) The scope of the debate will not focus on semantics regarding how "evil" is defined.
(e) Tentative agreement to finish the debate by Aug. 9

Just a couple of things first. I would to confirm with Alex if he(she?) okay with parameters before I launch any debate threads.

I'd like the participants to agree that this won't get derailed into a semantic debate on how we define "evil". Unless, that's what you want and in which case the scope and resolution of the debate would have to change.

Also, please keep in mind that although there's no word limit specified, 5,000 words would be the ceiling for an individual post.

[Matty]

good luck alex, i think you are taking a completely indefensible stance,
and i look forward to the peanut gallery.

20magical brownies on DMB.

[columbus]

Should be interesting.

I have some thoughts on the matter, which I'll save for the peanut gallery.

David

Me too. I look forward to Redshirt starting it.

Tom

[DMB]

Redshirt, do you mean a limit of 5000 words on an individual post or on one participant's total contribution?

[Alex]

I've confirmed with Redshirt that I have no quibble with the deal laid out in post #4.

[Redshirt]

Redshirt, do you mean a limit of 5000 words on an individual post or on one participant's total contribution?

For an individual post.

Anyways, it looks like we've got everything finalized. I'll launch the debate thread now.

This thread will now be closed.