Over the past few weeks, I have seen countless debates. This site is full of them, and it's a great thing. It forces people to think about their views and back them up with support. It's always interesting to hear others opinion, I think, even if you don't agree with such opinions.

However, I have also seen people get very defensive over their positions when someone questions them. Or when someone (namely myself) uses certain terms in describing a position. Which is what has inspired me to write this blog.

Dictionary.com defines debate [1] as: a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints. This is most certainly what this site is all about. We present our opinions, and others respond with theirs. We discuss, and sometimes change our minds. It's a good mental exercise, as long as you're willing to hear other viewpoints.

Of course, there are those who come here and express their viewpoints under the assumption that they will be accepted without question. They then get very defensive when someone does not accept their opinion, and claim that they were merely stating an opinion, rather than trying to start a debate. While that may be a valid statement, it sort of goes against the idea of this site. You are free to express your opinions, certainly, but by placing them in a public domain, you are open to criticism, and in almost every instance, there will be those that disagree with you. The only way to avoid such disagreement is to present facts with absolutely no bias. That doesn't happen all that often.

Which brings me to another point. Since you are open to criticism by posting here, you will likely engage in a number of debates. And the moderators and administrators of the site expect you to be civil in your debates. This is made clear by the terms of service [1], which prohibits the posting of anything that is: is libelous, obscene, pornographic, harassing, or abusive; violent, hateful, or threatening to anyone or any group.

So, this is where the topic of the blog comes in. There is a difference between debating and fighting. Debating does not involve an attack of the person, only of his/her opinions. Fighting is petty, and results in personal attacks above all else. I know that there are many on this site that enjoy provoking people (ahem), but please do not fall into the trap of fighting. It won't be pretty, and may result in unnecessary censorship. Hopefully by the next contest the moderators will have a way to warn users to minimize this activity, but in the meantime, please be civil.

Now, for some more vocabulary. This does not necessarily apply to everyone, merely my usage. I often use the term 'argument' when discussing various viewpoints of others. I mean this in the debate sense, not in the 'fight' sense. When you state your opinion with supporting evidence, you are making an argument. That is all I mean by the term. Now you have been warned :-).

I ask all ProU blogger to take this to heart, and avoid any altercations in the future. It makes the mod's lives a whole lot easier.