Doesn't anyone know how to debate anymore?

Patrick mentioned a while back that people don't know how to have discourse. My husband says many things, and most are true. I'm finding this in particular to be more and more true.

Let me first open by saying, "This is an Op-Ed piece." Meaning, my opinion. There, now we're clear.

Someone on Facebook today posted to their profile an article entitled 6 Reasons to Have Casual Sex. I read the article and found it to be a terrible source of information. Several times the article poses an opinion (which is fine) but then argues the opinion with findings from a poll or survey (also fine). The problem is, the polls and surveys were not cited or listed anywhere on her article. There is a link however to her current survey (one you can actually take). What's the problem? Data, or lack thereof. I don't understand how a person can state his/her opinion and support it with non-cited findings. Doesn't that make you question the source right away? It did me. I won't even go into the ridiculous "comments" at the end of the article...well, maybe I'll save that for last. :o)

So I posted on this friend's wall something to the effect of, "there's no citing of the sources, don't believe everything you read." RIGHT AWAY was a response to my own that said, "Are you saying casual sex is bad for you? If so, cite your sources." I had no idea I would get such a response, because I wasn't arguing that at all (although I have very strong convictions about the subject) that wasn't even my point. We (responder to my comment and I) cordially, I think, discussed the idea that this article wasn't concerned with facts, rather it was an opinion piece. In the end I don't think my point got through. I only commented to make her (the person who posted the article to FB in the first place) think through what's being presented a little more thoroughly. The whole "don't believe everything you read" idea. But someone was looking for a fight I guess.

Which brings me back to the fact that people don't debate well anymore. I remember another situation, also on Facebook, where person A stated something political in nature and person B attacked with words like, "you're uneducated" and making assumptions that were not there. Now tell me, regardless of how you feel politically, wouldn't you think person A a much more credible person than person B? Attacking does not equal a sound argument. In fact, I would say the opposite is true. Attacking makes you look like a fool. Yup, I said it, a FOOL. Have I attacked before, yes. Have I appeared foolish, you betcha. And certainly I realize my mistakes and tried to learn from them.

So why do people attack in discussion? Why is it a necessity for your voice to be heard above everyone elses? As if speaking louder will get the point across. I think debating is ok, as long as it's only a debate. If we disagree, ok. But there's no need to attack. In the end, we'll all be judged by a just and fair God. There's no debate on that one-you'll just have to wait and see.