THE LIST OF RULES...
1) This is the Private Debate Board; only the agreed upon Participants are invited to Debates occurring here, though Members can Start their own Debate Threads. Before a Debate starts, all Participants should acknowledge they've read these Rules. Topics should be clearly defined, and pertain to Calvinism's Doctrines; or closely related Topics. Pasting a Linked Sentence or small Paragraph is allowed. Theology is a Valid form of Argumentation, and will not be called Eisegesis. A Verbatim Verse is not needed to Score Points, though Prooftexts ARE Biblical and will be allowed in a Debate. We all should know our Bible; if your Opponent alludes to a Verse without giving you a Citation, claiming no Scripture was given is out of bounds. Do not Arbitrarily dismiss your Opponent's Position. Bald Assertions as Answers, are Fallacious; such as, 'All Calvinism is Hyper Calvinism'. Staying on Topic is necessary, and changing the Subject can be considered a Foul (IE changing a Topic from Unconditional Election to Unconditional Reprobation, etc). Fouls may also be called for Rudeness, long Posts, not answering questions, etc; anything your Moderator considers to be out of Order under these ten Rules...
2) The volunteer Moderator should check in daily, to moderate per request; or in Fairness, moderate of his own Volition. CCAM Forum Rules apply. Per CCAM's Statement of Faith, Evangelicalism will be considered Orthodox...
3) The Debaters will jointly choose their Moderator from CCAM Members. If a request for Moderation is made, both Debaters should wait for Moderation before proceeding; to keep from overwhelming the Moderator. The Moderator is expected to be very Fair, and not Favor friend over foe...
4) The Pro Position goes first by asking a question. Turns will only be taken after each Debater agrees on the answer to a question, or after the Moderator judges an answer to a question. New arguments won't be presented in a rebuttal; please keep your responses Short and Consise. If the Debaters choose a different Format of Debate, and other Rules; this should be made clear from the start, in the OP of their Debate Thread. No changes in Format/Rule will be allowed during the Debate, unless the Debaters AND the Moderator agree; so choose your Moderator wisely...
5) All participant's Scores start at Zero. The Moderator will Score the Debate by adding a singular point for an answer he Fairly Declares to have Won the Turn, and by subtracting points for each Broken Rule in a turn; even if keeping Score means someone moves into the Negative. The Moderator will not Add a Point when Participants agree, nor when he feels a Turn falls short; then he will end the Turn...
6) Failing to answer a Yes or No question will result in a Warning, afterward Fouls are called for every subsequent failure to answer any Yes or No question; even if the Score moves into the Negative. Quitting a Debate is a Forfeit. Not Posting for a week is a Forfeit. If the Moderator declares a Strawman, it will result in a Warning then Fouls as needed. Five Fouls of any Nature will result in a Loss. Conceeding ends the Debate. Participants will not agree to disagree; if so, the Moderator will declare the Debate a No Contest...
7) In Case of a tie, the Moderator will declare the Debate a Stalemate, and it's accepted by all participants. Once the Moderator gives his final Ruling, a Debate cannot continue. If the Participants want to continue, a new Debate is required; and the Moderator can then be substituted...
8) Each Debater will agree to Mind the Moderator, and accept the Moderator's Scores/Ruling. This is not Court or a Council; the Moderator isn't your Advocate, nor is he to be a Tyrant. The Moderator will avoid helping a Debater answer a question during the Debate. The Moderator can hurry-up the Debate, even decide to return to the question later; or not allow an irrelevant question. If a Debater's Argument depends on a question, satisfy the Moderator...
9) If a Debater feels wronged by the Moderator of a Private Debate, report it to a Forum Administrator. Please wait to Report until after the Debate; unless Others intervene or harass you. The Administration will judge the Moderator, and if found unfair; he should be rejected from moderating future Private Debates. Your Moderator will have broken CCAM Rule #18, and face the Consequences for it...
10) If you don't want to abide by these Rules, please Post elsewhere. Have Fun, Love your Brother; and Glorify God...
