Instigator / Pro
1
1500
rating
27
debates
61.11%
won
Topic
#6153

Kissing on the lips should be illegal

Status
Finished

The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.

Winner & statistics
Winner
1
3

After 4 votes and with 2 points ahead, the winner is...

TheRizzler
Parameters
Publication date
Last updated date
Type
Standard
Number of rounds
2
Time for argument
Two days
Max argument characters
5,000
Voting period
Two weeks
Point system
Winner selection
Voting system
Open
Contender / Con
3
1486
rating
10
debates
70.0%
won
Description

No information

Round 1
Pro
#1
Okey.

So my case is simple here. We will be comparing current state of things with my suggestion, to see which is better.

If something greatly improves health, then that is probably good.

Banning kissing is actually very good, because kissing is dangerous.

There are no benefits to kissing.

But the harms are many.

First, the most obvious harm could be spreading bacteria which could harm teeth and health.

Then another obvious one would be spreading diseases and viruses.

But the worst part about kissing is that it spreads sexually transmitted diseases which cant be cured.

Thats right.

The best example of this is herpes.

Herpes is usually an STD, but often transmitted through mere kissing.

The worst part about this is that it is often transmitted to children by kissing.

There are many adults who believe its okay to kiss children on the cheek, often near lips. Usually relatives and family.

"Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are very common. About 20% of children will have been infected by the age of 5 years, and about 80% of people will have been infected by the time they are adults."

The problem here is this:
1. It cannot be cured
2. It lasts for life
3. It is transmitted to others then
4. It literally affects billion of children
5. It hurts really a lot
6. It can be transmitted not just by kissing, but also from mouth to genitals much later in life, making sexual life uncomfortable.

I dont know what my opponent argues for here now, but I argue for adults to stop giving children herpes.
Con
#2
Before making something illegal, it needs to fit in at least one of these criteria:

Does it DIRECTLY cause physical, emotional, or economic harm to people or society?
No

Does it infringe on the rights of others?
No

Is enforcement feasible?
No

Is it morally or ethically agreed upon as 'wrong' or 'evil'?
No

Therefore, although my opponent may have shown that kissing could improve general health, he has not provided a strong enough basis for it being 'illegal'.
Round 2
Pro
#3
Does it DIRECTLY cause physical, emotional, or economic harm to people or society?
Yes, as shown by my arguments.


Does it infringe on the rights of others?
Yes, as shown by my arguments.


Is enforcement feasible?
Ban would reduce amount of kissing.


Is it morally or ethically agreed upon as 'wrong' or 'evil'?
We are not debating here what is agreed by most. If all other people thought rape was okay, it wouldnt mean that I cant argue that rape should be illegal, or that they are any right in keeping it legal. This argument is essentially backwards logic. My opponent is using conclusion as premise there. He uses the fact that people agree to something as argument that they should approve of it. However, point of debate is to actually debate your position, not to merely say that you agree with your position. Making something illegal means good part of society agrees it is wrong. I argue that should happen in case of kissing there. My opponent must argue that it shouldnt happen. He produced no arguments to defend why kissing is safe or improves people's freedom. Kissing on its own is not any great freedom now. Due to spread of diseases and harm to health, kissing reduces both health and freedom there.

As ban of kissing would reduce kissing, it would reduce spread of diseases, especially to children.
Con
#4
Does it DIRECTLY cause physical, emotional, or economic harm to people or society?
Yes, as shown by my arguments.
No. While it may INDIRECTLY cause harm (such as spreading disease) it does not cause DIRECT harm (such as murder or assault). INDIRECT harm simply is not a valid basis for illegalizing something. By that logic my opponent would make not washing hands, scratching your balls, sneezing or coughing without covering your mouth, or sleeping with more than one person criminal offenses. 

Does it infringe on the rights of others?
Yes, as shown by my arguments.
No. Things that infringe on rights include restricting freedom of speech, searching a home without a warrant, etc. If anything, outlawing kissing would be an infringement of rights.

Is enforcement feasible?
Ban would reduce amount of kissing.
Publicly? Sure. Privately? Not really possible to monitor by law enforcement.

Is it morally or ethically agreed upon as 'wrong' or 'evil'?
We are not debating here what is agreed by most. If all other people thought rape was okay, it wouldnt mean that I cant argue that rape should be illegal, or that they are any right in keeping it legal. This argument is essentially backwards logic. My opponent is using conclusion as premise there. He uses the fact that people agree to something as argument that they should approve of it. However, point of debate is to actually debate your position, not to merely say that you agree with your position. Making something illegal means good part of society agrees it is wrong. I argue that should happen in case of kissing there. My opponent must argue that it shouldnt happen. He produced no arguments to defend why kissing is safe or improves people's freedom. Kissing on its own is not any great freedom now. Due to spread of diseases and harm to health, kissing reduces both health and freedom there.
My opponent has become dreadfully confused here. I did not say "if it doesn't fit all the questions then it shouldn't be illegal", but I a said "if we want to make something illegal, it should fit in at least one of these criteria first". My opponent is also trying to shift the burden of proof onto me by saying I must prove that society will be better off with kissing, but the proof is on Pro since he wants to change the status quo. He did not provide sufficient reason for kissing to be made illegal. Therefore I urge the voters to side with me. Thank you.