Well....I'm sure this will torque a lot of jaws.
What is missing in most debates is the same thing that is missing here...sticking to the subject, and using logic and sound argumentation.
Most debates are not so much a matter of getting the "other guy" to change their mind, but in convincing those who "listen" by the weight of argument.
In Christian argument (predominantly evangelical) form, reliance upon and presentation of an abundance of applicable scripture in well-formed arguments is what is missing.
Granted that most of the "debates" are a combination of ad hominems, appeals to authority, guilt by association and so on ad nauseum, but that is a function of the individuals inability to properly construct their argument to begin with.
And there will always be those who refuse to reason, relying instead upon what they have learned, been taught, or heard from someone else.
"my people perish for a lack of knowledge".
i agree debators should back there opinion up but also be tolerant to others opinion and not act as if there way is right and everyone else is wrong