A must read for all aspiring debaters

[Emproph]

This is from carm.org, Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry.
-Apologetics is the 'defense' of Christianity.

Though most of this site hails from the - ‘It’s true because the Bible says so’ - format, this particular part appears to be demonstratively ‘flawless’ in defining aspects of illogic. For what it's worth it's a comprehensive site.

The link below is titled “Logical Fallacies or Fallacies in Argumentation.” There are 18 of them listed here, all Short, simple, and to the point.

If you’re a logic lover like me, or just your run of the mill human breathing, you'll love the idea of being able to describe the very nature of truth while you're telling it.

These are eternal gems of logic useful in and for any argument or debate.

http://www.carm.org/apologetics/fallacies.htm

("Basic Christian Doctrine" by Matthew Slick, http://www.carm.org/index/copy.htm )

[Emproph]

This goes with the above link on logical fallacies. It’s an easy 1 page read on defense mechanisms. For purposes here I'm referring to projection, or the ‘art of hypocrisy’ as I like to call it. As far as I’ve seen, it’s the most prevalent and insidious trait exhibited by the religious right and their republican counterparts, those in power and flock-of-sheep-wise.

There is one silver lining. When they do this (and we all do it to a certain extent), you can be sure you're getting the unfiltered truth about them without their even knowing it. They'll describe precisely what they themselves are doing to a person or party, based on the accusations they make. If you watch C-Span you may know I mean. :)

For them, nothing is possible outside of the decided upon mindset or framework (again, all guilty of) everything outside of it must be made to fit within it, except of course the 'impossibility of being wrong.' All who disagree then become: THEY think they can't be wrong, THEY are deluded, THEY have an agenda, THEY want to force their beliefs onto society, etc. The very ideas they espouse to.

If you're religion is the only one that's right, the idea of 'live and let live' IS an attack on that. 'Live and let live' doesn't account for 'me not you' mentality, intolerable to anyone whose proof of 'universal' truth includes proof of their own superiority.

How do I know I'm not projecting? I don't, and by taking the time to consider that possibility, I learn that being right requires learning from being wrong. But that's only possible if one's inerrant truth includes the possibility of being wrong about it. THAT'S the difference.

Point being, there's a name for their accusations of attack. It's called Projection.
'Name it and claim it baby.' :tup: :eek:

http://www.uwmc.uwc.edu/psychology/defense_mechanisms.htm

Below are just the focal points of this link that are the reason for this post.
(Link-Level 2 Defensive (non-delusional) projection)
-my example- It is because of a society that accepts homosexuality that there is a 50% divorce rate.
(Link-Level 1 Delusional projection)
-my example- Quintessential Dobson; Gay marriage is just a front to not only destroy the idea of marriage but civilization as we know it.

[Emproph]

I found this site the other day doing a google search for 'political tactics.' I think it's the best site I've found so far that articulates the most effective strategy that needs to be employed to turn things around.

I spent several hours reading the articles and essays on The Tactical Project and The Framing Project. The framing (the argument) part relates to a lot of the things that have been said here at Soulforce lately and explains the necessity of it in regard to effectiveness of message. There's much useful information that details especially how to effectively approach and engage in debate.

It's in regard to American politics in general but can be employed and applied to any 'political issue' situation and is of course already being done so by the 'other' side. Possibly even more importantly, the concept of the overview is that all issues of freedom have the same solution and that we need to be working synergistically.

Lots of good intellectual yet practical understanding and ideas here to understand the political mindset of the 'culture war’ we face. And technically, what we're 'fighting' is 'us vs. them' mentality, how's that for irony?

Check out the home page. The Tactical Assault Project and The Framing Project are on the menu to the left just slightly down the page, out of the two I'd say read the Framing (the argument) part first.

http://www.politicalstrategy.org