The Rules

The following are the agreed to rules for this debate:

1. Tone of discussion 
   Each participant will maintain a godly attitude during the discussion.  Language should be kept  professional, there shall be no personal name calling, foul language, or other offensive language during the course of the discussion.

2. Moderator
   Each participant will have a moderator who will receive each set of articles, and will ensure that these rules are guidelines are kept. 

3. Debate Structure
   The participant having the first affirmative position will begin by posting his first affirmative. This will be followed by the first rebuttal from the participant in the negative position. This will continue for a total of four(4) affirmatives and four(4) rebuttals.  In the contrasting proposition, at the conclusion of the third rebuttal, the participant who has affirmed the contrasting proposition will begin by posting his first affirmative, and the other participant will then follow with his first rebuttal. This also continues for four(4) affirmatives and four(4) rebuttals.

4. No new arguments may be presented in the last rebuttal. 

5. Duration/Timing
   Each installment should be written in Times New Roman 12 point font and being 1.5 line-spaced.  It should be sent to both moderators and the other participant.  The page length should be no longer than 10 type-written 1.5 line-spaced pages.  For the sake of timeliness, each installment of the discussion should be sent within the span of two weeks, after the previous installment (though this can be extended due to unforeseen circumstances).

6. Published Format
   The debate may be posted on a blog, or other media, but only in groups of  affirmative and negative sets ( i.e. a participant, or reader may not simply post the article in the debate with which he agrees, but give no place for the article answering the points contained in the article, both must be posted).   Also, if posted on a blog, or other public view webpage, reader comments, which also may be viewed by the public should be disabled throughout the course of the debate.

7. Questions
   Each disputant will be given the option, but not obligation, of asking the other disputant up to, but not more than, 5 questions per installment. That is, a total of 20 questions may be asked per proposition. Each disputant agrees that they MUST answer those questions during or before their next installment. Failure to answer all the questions will result in an admission of defeat in the discussion.

8. Each disputant must adequately define his terms at the beginning of his affirmative.

9. Bible Translation
   We agree to generally use the New King James Version.  This does not preclude referencing other translations in comparison or contrast to the NKJV.  No paraphrased translation, such as the Living Bible or the Message will be used.

10. Proofreading
    We agree to use proper grammar, punctuation and spelling. We agree to have a college-educated person proofread each installment we offer for entry into the discussion.