Our Debates

The life of the Chester-Belloc Debate Society centers around its debates on Christ­endom Col­lege's campus. There, students perfect their rhet­orical abilities, delivering extemp­oraneous speeches on cont­roversial topics.

Upcoming Debates

February 26:
The value of music is completely subjective.
March 18:
Under-age Drinking

Previous Debates

Disclaimer: The resolutions below are statements resolved based on the rhetorical merit of the winning side decided by simple majority vote. The resolutions do not reflect the views and/or opinions of CBDS, Troika, Duma, or any of its founding members but are meant to help stimulate conversation and debate.

  • There is no morally licit solution to the problem of frozen embryos. February 12, 2012
    Pro:
    17
    Con:
    16
    Abstensions:
    11
  • America needs Ron Paul. January 29, 2012
    Pro:
    37
    Con:
    29
    Abstensions:
    14
  • The mass media undermines a free society. January 22, 2012
    Pro:
    6
    Con:
    25
    Abstensions:
    6
  • Under all circumstances, life issues must be the voter's foremost consideration. December 4, 2011
    Pro:
    1
    Con:
    16
    Abstensions:
    9
  • St. Patrick's Battalion ought to have been hanged like the vile and filthy traitors they were. November 20, 2011
    Pro:
    22
    Con:
    12
    Abstensions:
    2
  • Without God, everything is permitted. November 6, 2011
    Pro:
    12
    Con:
    8
    Abstensions:
    6
  • There is no God. (DAG) October 9, 2011
    Pro:
    10
    Con:
    25
    Abstensions:
    19
  • Deport illegal immigrants! September 25, 2011
    Pro:
    24
    Con:
    17
    Abstensions:
    5
  • The killing of Osama bin Laden was just. September 11, 2011
    Pro:
    30
    Con:
    19
    Abstensions:
    3
  • The First Amendment protects pornography. August 28, 2011
    Pro:
    20
    Con:
    15
    Abstensions:
    4
  • Catholics should avoid films depicting graphic demonic possessions May 1, 2011
    Pro:
    3
    Con:
    28
    Abstensions:
    3
  • The American Revolution Was Fundamentally a Product of the Enlightenment April 17, 2011
    Pro:
    7
    Con:
    9
    Abstensions:
    8
  • The United States Ought to End Support to Israel April 2, 2011
    Pro:
    8
    Con:
    14
    Abstensions:
    3
  • Emotional Expression is Essential to Music. March 20, 2011
    Pro:
    21
    Con:
    13
    Abstensions:
    2
  • Voluntary Euthanasia is Moral. (DAG) February 27, 2011
    Pro:
    18
    Con:
    24
    Abstensions:
    6
  • Burn Heretics. February 13, 2011
    Pro:
    14
    Con:
    20
    Abstensions:
    2
  • A Market Unregulated by the State Best Ensures a Just Economy. January 30, 2011
    Pro:
    12
    Con:
    23
    Abstensions:
    6
  • Man is More Rational than Woman. December 6, 2010
    Pro:
    17
    Con:
    23
    Abstensions:
    9
  • If a Law is Not Unjust it is Morally Binding. November 20, 2010
    Pro:
    15
    Con:
    20
    Abstensions:
    4
  • Abraham Lincoln Defended the Union Justly. October 10, 2010
    Pro:
    10
    Con:
    24
    Abstensions:
    10
  • Contraception is Wrong. (DAG) October 3, 2010
    Pro:
    14
    Con:
    22
    Abstensions:
    8
  • Habitually Smoking is Morally Wrong. September 16, 2010
    Pro:
    28
    Con:
    22
    Abstensions:
    7
  • The Film The Dark Knight Depicts a Moral Victory of Good Over Evil. September 5, 2010
    Pro:
    16
    Con:
    23
    Abstensions:
    8
  • Strategic Nuclear Weapons May be Used in a Just War. August 29, 2010
    Pro:
    35
    Con:
    12
    Abstensions:
    6
  • The United States Should Not have Invaded Iraq in 2003. April 25, 2010
    Pro:
    17
    Con:
    15
    Abstensions:
    3
  • The Public Exercise of Islam Ought to be Outlawed. March 18, 2010
    Pro:
    12
    Con:
    24
    Abstensions:
    5
  • The Legal Protections of Marriage Ought to be Extended to Homosexual Couples. (DAG) March 7, 2010
    Pro:
    32
    Con:
    16
    Abstensions:
    12

DAG stands for Devil's Advocate Game. During a Devil's Advocate Game, some of the members of the Society adopt a heterodox position to test the apologetical mettle of the rest of the Society.

© CBDS 2010-2011