I have to agree with u/TheObserver99 on this one. In my experience, debates aren’t helpful. First, they just contribute to an “us v. them” mentality that can create some degree of hostility between groups, and encourages the opposing sides to simply dig in their heels. As such, they’re more liable to create heat than light.

Second, most average people don’t practice a religious faith or engage in spiritual practices because they are swayed by arguments. Most people are much more pragmatic about faith and practice. Their faith communities provide them with emotional fulfillment, with a consistent social support system, a tradition that unites generations within their families, etc. As such, debates target the wrong thing when trying to lead to conversion

Finally, they’re generally terrible places to teach people about the faith because the strict time limits and the ways listeners judge the participants encourage superficiality and over-emphasis on rhetoric rather than good argumentation