It's not because I don't like them. I never said these debates should be forbidden and whatnot.

It's just that this science vs. religion, evolution vs. genesis seriously serve no purpose but to start arguments (internet drama).

This is because science and religion actually have different purposes. That comes if you merely try to define each of them. They both suit us. That's because humans are emotional and rational beings.
Science is for the rational part. We explore the world, expand knowledge, etc.
Religion is for the emotional part. If you need it to give you hope, trust, self-confidence and strength to surpass the problems we meet every day ... that depents on an individual, doesn't it? Who cares what you believe in? Who cares what I believe in?
None of them would win in a "battle" because they serve a different cause.

That's why these debates are pointless. It's almost as if I would try discusssing, for instance, drawing and sculpturing. Drawing is two-dimensional, while sculpturing is not, etc.

However, don't you think these debates can help bring information to people who didn't have it before in a more personal manor? Some people are repressed and ignorant because they don't have the information. Does this not help?

These are the only good debates imo.

@Jeremy:
Hrm, you're kind of right. Hearing advantages and disadvantages of each side and then studying them from a critical point of view might help learn something about it.

But how can a spectator learn from something like this? Seeing as people are actually arguing about it, he will do the same. Whithout knowing what is really the purpose of science or religion.

Then its really the responsibility of the debaters to inform their opponents on the facts, providing links and things to research, and to admit when they themselves are wrong. Good debates happen when everyone is relaxed and carries an open mind.

i only have 1 word to say and that word is: God...... all this other evolution bullshizen is all a load of shizen, made up by a man who obviously lost faith and has gone against religion

makes me sick

Quote from Jeremy

Then its really the responsibility of the debaters to inform their opponents on the facts, providing links and things to research, and to admit when they themselves are wrong. Good debates happen when everyone is relaxed and carries an open mind.

How often do you see that happen?

In any case, science vs. religion debates are pointless. Either you discuss religion or science. As I've said, about thousand times, both serve a different purpose.

When was the last debate that happened here and was actually good about this matter? I see lots of arguing, throwing hissy-fits over something that actually depends on an individual. Example: see Edward0's post.
Because faith in something divine (or lack thereof, doesn't matter) takes an emotional part of us. How can we respond rationally on attacks on our personal beliefs?

Its not like we are talking about bears and space flight. Both religion and science deal with how humans came to be how they are now, which is why debates happen.

And people who cant support their beliefs shouldnt have those beliefs in the first place. Sure its their right to believe those things, but they shouldnt come to the debate section and get offended when people actually try to debate them.

Science and religion are similar indeed, but not the same. Just like we can't be ignorant and transcend everything into an omnipotent being, we're not robots to gulp down the scientific data.

How can one even debate about this?

Something I simply can't comprehend.

I have to agree with Mantha. For almost everyone, religion ISN'T a way of life. You guys treat it like this topic is going to decide the fate of the world. It just doesn't matter. I mean, look at Ash's 3 post long copy/pasta a few pages back. That's ****ing ridiculous. Is it really worth all the effort? Really?

Jeremy and Ash are fixated on the subject.

Actually, religion is a pretty important world issue. It does matter for billions of people on this earth, I mean it pretty much deals with the meaning of life, and existence in itself and the creator of all life. I don't see how it could not be important. I mean really? Do you not see how much stuff has happened because of all of this?

And I like how you only call out me and ash. Not counting Steiner, Xelectroid, pagan, you, dudeman or any of the other regular debaters on this subject.

So Ash you're as brainwashed as the people who believe in God seeing as you were turned to Atheism by reading debates on a stick animation forum.

Nice job being a sheep.

if we were discussing a broad topic of "religion vs. science" i would agree with you mantha, but we're not saying "should you believe in god or should you only follow science" this is a debate over the validity of evolutionary theory, steiner and doomdooer and others are saying "this is why evolution is wrong" and we on the other side are saying "no look this is why it's right." post like edward0's contribute nothing to this, so they're overlooked. if he had said "evolution doesn't make sense because X Y Z" then i or someone would have quoted him and told him what's wrong with his argument.

Quote from Deathwish

So Ash you're as brainwashed as the people who believe in God seeing as you were turned to Atheism by reading debates on a stick animation forum.

Nice job being a sheep.

Wow that was poor. First, it wasn't reading the debates, it was participating in them. Second, how the **** is that brainwashing? I debated and eventually began to examine my beliefs and a learned how to reason. Thats not brainwashing, its just learning. Instead of resorting to personal attacks, why don't you actually DEBATE?

Also, albout this "Why do it" questions:

I continue to debate because it helps me learn and debating is good entertainment. It's like doing push-ups with my brain.

I thought this was a debate on the theory of evolution and not if you're atheist or Christian or something other.