False View
I was watching a video the other day, in the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination, and the professor asked a student why she didn’t like Charlie Kirk. She responded that Charlie Kirk was disingenuous because even tho he sat behind a sign stating ‘prove me wrong’, he wasn’t really open to being convinced.
This was such a huge contrast with with the purpose of what the ‘prove me wrong’ sign was about that I thought it deserved a whole post. Having not only watched this kind of debate but participated in it, let me state, hopefully clearly: the point is not to convince the other person. Let me state that again: When arguing with Charlie Kirk, the point was not to convince Charlie Kirk.
What was the point? Well, that’s what this post is about :)
Talk to Me
The first thing that the ‘Prove Me Wrong’ sign means is… let’s talk. Let’s have a conversation.
Indeed, let’s have an important conversation. It has become rather standard that in some settings… work, family dinners… the rule is ‘no discussions about religion or politics’. Ie, ‘let’s not talk about anything important’. You might be afraid to talk about these things with some of your friends, for fear you would lose them. Charlie Kirk was saying, “You and I, we can talk about these things. I will be your friend regardless.”
Get out of your Silo
Another thing it means is… ‘get out of your silo’. One of the most amazing (and revealing) thing about the whole movement was how unhinged the opponents got. They went insane over the very idea that someone holding other views might be willing to talk about them. To them!!
Nature of Proof
One thing about the CK arguments is that he challenged you to bring a real case… not your feelings. What evidence do you have? How is your logic? What are the facts?
All too often these college students think that they have accomplished something brilliant when they merely regurgitate ‘facts’ which have been spoon fed them by their teachers.
Warning: Language
Other Views Exist
Just by existing… and being willing to debate, CK showed that other views existed. It is amazing how ignorant modern college students are. About a lot of things, but in particular about the existence of other views. And their prevalence.
One of the jobs that the center left has been having recently is in literally educating their own audiences. The young, progressive parts. Saying things like, “This is actually what a lot of people believe” “This is something pretty much all Christian’s believe” “This was what everyone believed until a few years ago”. Indeed there are a lot of Barak Obama and Bill Clinton quotes which could get you shouted down as a right winger.
Big Boy Pants
Charlie Kirk challenged college students to put their big boy pants on. To leave their safe spaces, ignore trigger warnings, and be willing to battle against ideas they disagree with.
And to have fun doing it! No, seriously, a mark of maturity, mental and social maturity, is to be able to have fun in a disagreement. To enjoy hearing your opponents points and giving your own. To escape the boredom of the same view all the time, and revel in hearing a different view! To be a CS Lewis arguing with George Benard Shaw!
And to listen to your opponent!
Audience
Now, for my last point, I think the biggest mistake this young lady was making is that she had the wrong audience, the wrong subject. When two people get up to debate, they are debating their opponent… but they are trying to convince the audience. Surely it would be silly for a Baptist and a Presbyterian to debate baptism and hope that they would convince the other one.
The whole point of the CK debates was to convince the audience! To come up to him with good facts, logic, reasoning… to present yourself well… and have the audience say, “Wow, that’s a good point! I agree with them.”
And, of course, for that good result to last through CK’s rebuttal. To have prepared your argument to not only win praise from those who already agree with you, but
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Thanks again, God Bless, Soli Deo gloria,
Von