Everest Academy recently opened the stage for discussion.
Two teams of eighth grade boys recently held a school-wide debate over the war in Iraq.
Team A supported the war, arguing the action was just defense to the attacks on September 11. Team B opposed claiming the war was unjust because people are dying.
‘I support the war anyway, so it was easier for me to find facts to support my ideas,? said Team A representative Ben Parker.
‘After researching, we realized that war was not our last resort,? said Team B representative Richard Foster.
Both teams feel strongly about the war, and used religion as a way to narrow down the differences between right and wrong.
‘According to the Catholic church: war must be in defense; no greater evils as a result of war; object of war has to be peace; has to be realistic hope of peace; has to be grave damage caused in order to go to war; must abide by the rules of the war; and war has to be the last resort,? said Parker.
Both teams made very valid points, but in the end, there can only be one declared winner. Judges consisted of faculty members and the winner was chosen based off facts, clarity and teamwork.Team A won the debate with clear arguments.
‘Our main argument was the pope did not support the war,? said Parker. ‘The pope’s views were to do everything you can before going to war and prevent the loss of life.?
Both teams agree that the debate was an excellent experience. The teams were able to debate on their personal beliefs.
‘I think we got our point across,? said Foster. ‘We learned a lot about the war.?