Is academic debate the same as religious debate?

Submitted by admin on Wed, 04/28/2010 - 04:16

Editor’s note: This article was excerpted from the speech delivered by the author as guest speaker in the launching of a debate society of a university in Quezon City, Philippines on August 25, 2006

ACADEMIC DEBATE is very much related to Religious Debate. In fact, I believe that if you want to be a good religious debater, academic debate is a very helpful training ground in the same way Muay Thai and Wrestling are quite useful in Mixed Martial Arts.

The basic difference between the two (2) types of debate is that, Religious Debate is a search for true faith or teaching; while Academic Debate is nothing but just a contest in argumentation, usually about secular matters.

The proposition in Religious Debate is so crucial for it determines the truth or falsity of a particular doctrine, whereas in Academic Debate, the proposition is just like the chessboard in a chess game, that what’s really important are the chess players or their respective skills in playing the game well.

If the proposition for instance in an Academic Debate is about implementation of death penalty and the negative side happens to win, it does not necessarily indicate that death penalty is bad or wrong. It only shows that it just happened that the debaters in the negative side appeared to be better than their opponents in that particular debate in the sight of the judges.

In Religious Debate, the focus is not much on the personality, skill, or talent of the debaters (though they do matter too), but on the ‘truth’ of the teaching they are advocating. After all, it’s the audience who serves as the judges in a Religious Debate, for unlike in Academic Debate, it usually has no official adjudicators.

Since Academic Debate is a contest in argumentation, there is at least one subject in college curriculum that could really help you in enhancing your ability to reason out—Logic or Philosophy 1. So if you want to be a good debater, better review the lessons taught to you in that subject…


Related article/s:

On Delivering a Speech: 5 Important Tips

Is ‘pagtatalo ng mag-boyfriend’ a debate? @ http://ourhappyschool.com/debate/pagtatalo-ng-mag-boyfriend-debate

Notes on Categorical Syllogism @ http://ourhappyschool.com/philosophy/notes-categorical-syllogism

How to cite this article:

Jensen DG. Mañebog..“A Lecture on Academic Debate.” @ http://www.OurHappySchool.com

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Comments

Jie (not verified)

Thu, 06/24/2010 - 05:56

As a student, Religious Debate differs from Academic Debate. Academic Debate helps a lot to learn and improve our debate skills. The moral significance of this topic is that the students to be sensitive enough to know their limitations in their topics especially in Religious Debates.

Twinkle (not verified)

Thu, 07/22/2010 - 02:52

For me as a christian and as a student I believe that both academic debate and religious debate are they same. Given that, every topic in each area gives us an opportunity to find the truth not only in our selves but of course in our environment.

vHine (not verified)

Sun, 11/14/2010 - 10:53

This blog was about the two kinds types of debate. and also it proves that even if you are in the affirmative side its not automatically that you are the one who will win. It will depend on how you are going to defend your proposition.

zhel (not verified)

Sun, 11/14/2010 - 22:51

"The basic difference between the two (2) types of debate is that, Religious Debate is a search for true faith or teaching; while Academic Debate is nothing but just a contest in argumentation, usually about secular matters." I agree, as a student and christian, a Religious Debate is a search for true faith, since it argues more on the truth or falsity of a doctrine whereas Academic Debate argues more on the facts of a profane matter which are sometimes inconstant.

lloyd (not verified)

Mon, 11/15/2010 - 05:32

In Religious Debate, the focus is not much on the personality, skill, or talent of the debaters (though they do matter too), but on the ‘truth’ of the teaching they are advocating. After all, it’s the audience who serves as the judges in a Religious Debate, for unlike in Academic Debate, it usually has no official adjudicators. I agree in that statement, because in academic debate there are persons who stand as a judge that evaluate/judge the skill or talent of a debater.

letletg (not verified)

Mon, 11/15/2010 - 14:02

Religious Debate is a search for true faith or teaching; while Academic Debate is nothing but just a contest in argumentation. without a doubt, its truly true. we should not be confused with it. a religious debate talks about our faith and its not good to compare it with just a contest of arguing.

PhiL (not verified)

Mon, 11/15/2010 - 20:09

In my point of view and as stated in this article, I fully agree that there is an enormous difference between a religious debate to an academic debate. In the sense that in a religious debate which is very delicate/crucial focuses on the truth of a specific religious topic, whereas in an academic debate moreover on the interest of each debater.

jus (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:16

academic debate is like a chessboard in a chess game because you can not win without thinking of what your opponent will do.

jus (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:19

academic debate is like a chessboard in a chess game because you can not win without thinking of what your opponent will do.

DIMZ (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 13:52

Yes, there are relations between the two but for me, when we do an academic debate, we should avoid trying to put and enter the religioius things in. This is because this cannot help a lot since people do not have unite or only one belief. One believes in, while the other does not.

Mekkoy (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 15:35

The article states that academic debate and religious debate is quiet similar to each other the only difference between the two ; in religious debate is for searching for true faith or teaching; while Academic Debate is nothing but just a contest in argumentation, usually about secular matters. It also changes in their propositions, like for example death penalty.

Melai (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 01:30

"The basic difference between the two (2) types of debate is that, Religious Debate is a search for true faith or teaching; while Academic Debate is nothing but just a contest in argumentation, usually about secular matters." I agree. Though academic debate and religious debate are in one way or another related to each other, the result of how the these two debates have been performed are entirely different. Religious debate is a quest for truth, while academic debate is a pure battle of minds and strategies which performance matters the most. As a last thought, the former talks on complex and sacred issues while the latter deals on issues deemed possible.

che (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 01:46

"Religious debate is a search for true faith or teaching;while academic debate, is nothing but a just a contest in argumentation ,usually about secular matters." I agree with this statement,the two mentioned type of debate differs in the sense of their purpose, religious debates are for proving the truth pertaining religious matters while academic debate is for the test of skills and ability of people in terms of public speaking and argumentation.

ko (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 04:33

The basic difference between the two (2) types of debate is that, Religious Debate is a search for true faith or teaching; while Academic Debate is nothing but just a contest in argumentation, usually about secular matters. i agree that in a religious debate is different in academic debate. because in religious debate they are focused in bible basis. while in academic there are many basis and just a contest in argumentation.

dj (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 04:40

Religious Debate is a search for true faith or teaching; while Academic Debate is nothing but just a contest in argumentation, usually about secular matters. This article opens our mind that even though academic debate is not the same with religious debate they are still very much related to each other. In religious debate it focuses on the ‘truth’ of the teaching they are advocating, its all about their religious beliefs while on academic debate it focuses on the skill and talent of the debaters and their proposition must be controversial . In Academic debate winning is what matters to the debater because it is a contest while in religious debate searching of true faith is what matters to them.

nice (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 04:42

The article states that "Academic debate is very much related to Religious debate". I agree with that statement, because both are trying to prove something though they differ on their fields of proving. Because in religious debate it searches for true faith or teaching, while academic debate is just a contest in argumentation.

JM (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 04:49

This article discuss the basic difference between a religious and academic debate. It shows that a religious debate is more on spiritual matter and that an academic debate is more on secular topics. This can help on enhancing your ability in argumentation or debate.

al (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 05:05

religious debate is a search while academic debate is a contest. i agree with the given statement since academic debate focuses more on the skill of the debater and the "game" itself while religious debate gives emphasis on the significance on determining the truth

monmon (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 05:11

"Religious Debate is a search for true faith or teaching; while Academic Debate is nothing but just a contest in argumentation, usually about secular matters." i agree to the statement because a religious debate is a serious and applies critical knowledge because it is for the search of the true faith. we should be careful with a religious debate because it may give wrong interpretation to people sometimes.

Den (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 07:36

"ACADEMIC DEBATE is very much related to Religious Debate." as it was stated in the above article, yet they differ in some ways in terms of their purpose, proposition,their speakers/debaters and their judges."Academic debate is a very helpful training ground..." In my opinion, i agree that academic debate is the same with religious debate. Because, we should first learn the basics of debate through studying/mastering the academic debate, before we explore the different types of debate. In short, academic debate is the stepping stone to religious debate.

kimmoi (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 13:36

Academic debate let the students to be more suitable for those who are willing to be a good religious debater, religious debate examine/search for something that is true and base on the teaching of faith that find out the truth and being untrue while academic debate defends on how the contestant develops his/her skills in contest that should indicate wrong in particular matters in debate.

beng (not verified)

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 13:36

winning an academic debate depends on the skill and knowledge of the debater. Whether he/she is on the negative or positive side, if he is better than the opponent, he will win. On the other hand, winning in a religious debate is not according to the skill of the debater but it focuses mainly in determining the truth on a certain doctrine or belief. :)

jus (not verified)

Thu, 11/18/2010 - 03:39

it is like a game of chess you should know your opponents move

ED (not verified)

Mon, 11/22/2010 - 06:00

..the above article says that..the pagtatalo ng mgboyfriend is not a debate..although there is a conversation..because the topic in merely change from the time the converstation is arise..

jus (not verified)

Thu, 12/09/2010 - 01:52

it is said thatasadenic debate is more often to use than the religious debate.

jus (not verified)

Thu, 01/06/2011 - 07:49

i prefer to academic debate because it is more useful than relidious debate.

jus (not verified)

Sat, 01/08/2011 - 03:52

academic debate is more useful than religious debate because it is more useful to the students

Thea Cadigal (not verified)

Sun, 06/23/2013 - 08:29

I am pro death penalty. Crimes that are considered heinous according to their graves should be punishable by death penalty. It should be restored in the Philippines because i think reclusion perpetua is not enough to those who are liable for the maguindanao massacre ( for example)and other crimes alike and/or crimes that are extreme and gross abusive to the victims.

Thea Cadigal (not verified)

Sun, 06/23/2013 - 08:31

I am pro death penalty. Crimes that are considered heinous according to their graves should be punishable by death penalty. It should be restored in the Philippines because i think reclusion perpetua is not enough to those who are liable for the maguindanao massacre ( for example)and other crimes alike and/or crimes that are extreme and gross abusive to the victims.

Thea Cadigal (not verified)

Sun, 06/23/2013 - 08:32

I am pro death penalty. Crimes that are considered heinous according to their graves should be punishable by death penalty. It should be restored in the Philippines because i think reclusion perpetua is not enough to those who are liable for the maguindanao massacre ( for example)and other crimes alike and/or crimes that are extreme and gross abusive to the victims.

Junier Inabangan (not verified)

Sun, 06/23/2013 - 09:39

in my own perspectives, I'm Pro-death penalty. It is because the other countries implementing this penalty are now well-developed and economic vibrant countries regardless of their religion.

Junier Inabangan (not verified)

Sun, 06/23/2013 - 09:46

In my own perspectives, I'm Pro-Death penalty. it is because those countries implementing this penalty are now well-improved in their economy.

Alexis SIson, Jr. (not verified)

Sun, 06/23/2013 - 11:13

I'm Pro Death Penalty because of the rising rate of the unsolved cases and heinous crimes which appears to be disrespected by the offenders which are hardened criminals, for which the imposition of Death penalty will decrease the strong will of the offenders to commit crimes.

Alexis SIson, Jr. (not verified)

Sun, 06/23/2013 - 11:24

I'm Pro Death Penalty because of the rising rate of the unsolved cases and heinous crimes which appears to be disrespected by the offenders which are hardened criminals, for which the imposition of Death penalty will decrease the strong will of the offenders to commit crimes.

Andrew Navor Bayot (not verified)

Thu, 08/15/2013 - 16:01

i respect your opinion. but i just want to correct it based on my opinion. defining academic and religious both has a far definition to each other. therefore both academic and religious has a different topics. then in debating you cannot implicate academic to religious and religious to academic because both of them has a different concept. i hope you perceive my opinion.

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