R: Censor the F-word

Even one mention of the F-word in a film shifts its rating from PG to PG-13, and multiple uses of the word often result in the movie being rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America. By these standards, it is clear that society does not treat the F-word as just another term among its 4-letter peers. In many cases, this word is not even used in ways true to its own definition- it is implemented as a universal amplifier. Is it justifiable of society to seek to exclude such a seemingly versatile word from everyday conversation?

What makes language so powerful? Why do we give words such authority over our lives? Should society always refrain from using the F-word? Or is there a time and a place for its uncensored use? Would thedesensitization of the F-word lead us down a slippery path which invites more immorality into our public life? Is the F-word only obscene because we treat it as such? What does its use imply, if anything, about the prudence of theuser?

Join us this Wednesday, March 1st at 7:30 pm in the Berkeley Mendenhall Room to discuss all this and more! All are welcome!

R: Pack the Courts

While only one month into its term, the new administration is currently undergoing the enormous task of filling thevacancy on the Supreme Court due to Justice Scalia's sudden passing in early 2016. The nomination and confirmation process for appointing new judges is outlined in our Constitution, and President Obama himself was able to see hundreds of his district and appeals court judges as well as two Supreme Court Justices take office during his two terms in the White House. Likewise, President Trump has the potential to nominate a large number of people to the US court system. Without judicial term limits, how we fill our courts has the potential to shape our political landscape for decades. With such power, it is clear that we must nominate judges who respect not only the Constitution but also their limited role as described within it.  

Is this new administration a chance to reverse the course of the judicial system in America away from that of theObama administration? Or would such drastic actions only set a precedent for an overly politicized court system? Is it responsible for a President to nominate extreme justices in order to balance those put in place by his predecessors and to shield against those that may be appointed in thefuture by his successors? Moreover, If we allow theexecutive branch to pack the courts, does such a practice pose a threat to the idea of separation of power on which the Constitution was built?

Join us this Wednesday, February 22nd at 7:30 pm in the Berkeley Mendenhall Room to discuss all this and more! All are welcome!

Alumni Debate Weekend - R: Endorse the Benedict Option

When Saint Benedict of Nursia left the darkness of Rome to pray in solitude, he founded an order of monks. This order is credited today with preserving theChristian traditions and helping to rebuild a Christian society in Europe. The success attributed to Saint Benedict is what motivates many people's desire to follow in his footsteps today. Specifically, this desire is to develop a distinct community aimed at preserving a moral lifestyle that is being outpaced in the rapidly changing world.

However, in the pursuit to protect one's religion or lifestyle, is it valiant to start anew with like-minded individuals, or cowardly to condemn the society at large? When does one lose enough hope in the collective society to wish to sever his ties and to build his or her own? In a democratic society, is it better to fight to persuade your peers to embrace your values than to abandon them? Moreover, in abandoning society, does it only become more intolerable for those like-minded individuals left behind?     

Join us this Friday, February 17th at 7:30 pm in the Berkeley Mendenhall Room to discuss all this and more! All are welcome!

R: Marry Young

For many people, one of the biggest joys in life is to get married and start a family. However, if not carefully fostered, marriage can be a significant burden both emotionally and financially. Does time bring with it thetools for a successful marriage? In other words, should a person wait until he or she has a strong financial footing before seeking a spouse? Or is it important to 'tie the knot' early so a couple can develop financial stability together?   

Additionally, the likelihood of having a lasting marriage seems to be dependent on age as well. Statistics show that couples who marry when under 24 years of age are twice as likely to get divorced. What effects does a broken marriage have on society? Is it better to never have been married than to potentially divide a family through separation?

Join us this Wednesday, February 8th at 7:30 pm in the Berkeley Mendenhall Room to discuss all this and more! All are welcome!

R: Submit to Hierarchy

It is all too common for people to associate hierarchy with centuries old kings and queens, pharaohs, and emperors. However, even today we are surrounded by such systematic ordering based on rank. In fact, one does not need to look any further than corporations, churches, court systems, and even family structure to see forms of hierarchy in today's world.

Although modern forms of hierarchy are clearly present, the effects of such a societal structure are not so obvious. Do humans benefit from being assigned a rank among their peers? Or, since all men are created equal, should they remain at an equal status in society? In a broader sense, is hierarchy necessary to maintain tradition in a rapidly changing world? Can hierarchy be used as a tool to suppress those ranked low among the spectrum? Or does having seemingly layered authority bring about a more efficient and productive society?

Join us this Wednesday, February 1st at 7:30 pm in the Berkeley Mendenhall Room to discuss all this and more! All are welcome!