Debating is used effectively in business. It used to be an honorable means to determine truth and/or the best course of action in both politics and religion, and it has proven to work well when opponents are well qualified and behave themselves honorably and with integrity.

Unfortunately, people often refuse to debate a powerful opponent because they realize that their position on a subject cannot be defended and that they will lose credibility, acceptance, and their following. (“Global warming” is a great example. Proponents decline when asked to defend it.) Because they know they cannot prevail they resort to various evil tactics to win the minds of people (or at least keep them from the truth), such as personal attacks against those who oppose them. These assaults often are untrue and are designed to build prejudice and even create hate in the minds of the audience or the reader. It is a common practice, especially in informal debate, such as on Facebook, to make inflammatory remarks designed either to derail a discussion or make one’s opponent angry and therefore unable to think clearly. Another common evil tactic is to create a “strawman”; that is, to invent a factious position (one the debater knows he can defeat) and attribute it to one's opponent. This is sometimes done due to failure to listen or read, but other times it is done intentionally. Beware of such tactics and, when you can, tell the person who uses them you would more nearly be willing to accept his position if he would debate honorably.

Religious apostasies and destructive political positions always reveal themselves among those who refuse honorable dialogue. David Lipscomb, a well-known gospel preacher, said, “To suppress discussion is to deprive truth of all of its vantage ground." When someone suggests that debate is a bad thing you can be sure that person has been overly influenced by liberals and or leftist philosophy.

When a debate turns out to be fruitless it is usually the fault of one or both of the people involved. However, if the hearer (audience) has a “party spirit” or just feels certain he is right and has no interest in hearing and evaluating the validity of all arguments with a disposition to change in order to be right, then even a great debate will be of no profit. “Most brilliance comes from healthy and passionate conflict. The challenge occurs when people argue or create conflict without a positive purpose.”
https://deepstash.com/idea/12513/try-to-appear-open-minded

Those who know the truth and stand for it have confidence that results in calmness and patience in discussing issues with people who seek truth. On the contrary, those who hold a weak, unprovable position exhibit arrogance, impatience, and frustration designed to create bitter resentment against those who dare to question them.