High school Public Forum Debate resolutions should not confront sensitive religious issues.

Thanks for posting so quickly! I'll answer your questions: 1. I agree with all but the definition of Sensitive, as it is confusing. 2. Comparative religion is teaching students about religion. Not telling them they should believe this but simply, some people believe this and this is what it is. It is crucial to ensuring tolerance. James Moore said, "Knowledge of Islam will enable the American people to make rational decisions and increase religious tolerance and social justice." He went on to say Islam education will, "abolish harmful stereotypes, reduce prejudice and discrimination, and improve intercultural understanding." Clearly, religious education will increase tolerance, and the education gained by debaters is key to increasing tolerance. Schools that teach comparative religion are helping raise the next generation to be a tolerant one. 3. My contention was that students will be exposed to religion anyways, and futher exploring it in a debate setting is very positive. As I have said, education is a must. Stephen Prothero, a religion professor at Boston univerisity, said "Even if religion doesn't make sense to you, you can't make sense of the world without knowing something about the world's religions" Comparative religion education can do nothing but encourage full understanding and tolerance. As we have established, America is a nation in severe need of tolerance. 4. No, they will not have to debate against their beliefs. They can opt out of debating public forum for that month or debate another type of debate. They can also run backwards cases, which I will explain in my 6 answer. Eric English said, " Just as walking a mile in unfamiliar shoes lends perspective, switch-side debating increases appreciation of contrary opinions as the debater ‘‘tries on' an unfamiliar idea rather than relying on simplification, reduction, or rejection." They don't have to believe what they are saying to debate. In fact, every debater WILL debate against their own beliefs. Everybody has a opinion, and because of switch-side debate, they will debate against their opinion. Though many resolutions don't directly address sensitive issues, many debaters will have to debate against their strong, personal opinions. The best debaters are the ones that can argue against their own opinion. Not only does this foster understanding, but it improves the debaters skills. If you would answer this question (though you do not have to as I have already asked my questions, its up to you), what makes sacred, personal beliefs any different then religious beliefs? 5. There is no way of knowing. There is no way of knowing that a topic that confronts sensitive religious issues will offend anyone either. Personally, I have heard very offensive statements and contentions in my debate experience, even if the topic itself didn't confront sensitive issues. 6. For example, a case that doesn't directly address this debate would be you arguing that debate should be avoided all together. Running a case like this allows debaters to debate and win without talking about the issues that they wish to avoid.