We will be trying an experiment in Formal Debates on AvC2, our back up site.

Here are the rules that I'm proposing which will be used for the first
debate.

If anyone wishes to add, modify or remove them please go to the open thread
on the Moderator Board and make your suggestions there.

These ones will stand for the first debate though and changes will apply
only to future debates.

To start a Formal Debate:
1. Two members will have to agree to the Topic, the one on one debate, and a
Moderator will have to agree to set it up and supervise it.
2. The Moderator will create a Formal Debate thread and a Peanut Gallery
Thread on AvC2 as per the following General Guidelines.
3. The Moderator will announce the Formal Debate and details on AvC in a
Pinned Post.
4. Each member will prepare an Introductory post which covers their points,
support for those points, with reference links attached.
5. The Introductory posts will appear first one right after the other.
6. The Debate will begin *after* each member has posted their Introductory
post.

General Guidelines:
1. The Formal Debate will be One and One only and identified as FD: in the
subject line with the Topic and members aliases. The member will have (A) or
(T) after his/her alias to identify their "side".

Eg. FD : Abortion : Rupert (A) vs Alan (T)

2. A Peanut Gallery thread to match the debate will be created for the rest
of the members who wish to comment either on the debate or make their own
comments on the points raised and will be identified as PG: in the subject
line with the Topic and members aliases.

eg. PG : Abortion : Rupert (A) vs Alan (T)

3. Debate winners will be determined by whoever ends up with the most stars.

4. Debate end will be determined by the Moderator supervising the debate and
who will have the last word.

This will be assessed based on repetition of points, going off track,
flaming, and other such criteria. As long as the debate content is fresh and
on point, the debate will continue. The Moderator will announce the Debate
end and Close the thread.

5. After Debate end, members will be able to continue debating freely and
informally in the Peanut Gallery thread.

--
“You can safely assume you have created God in your own image when it turns
out that God hates the same people you do.” --Annie Lamott (paraphrased)