For many students, college is the first time that they have their views challenged, and virtually everyone is exposed to new ideas. I will be the first to admit that for the first 18 years of my life, I lived in a virtual bubble where I was exposed to little diversity of opinion or background.

My views during college have changed quite a bit. On some issues I have moved more towards the center and for others, the exposure to more open discussion has only strengthened my positions. My views have been shaped by debating the merits of my positions with others.

I think the most important factor in shaping my views and helping me to develop my critical thinking skills took place inside Demosthenian Hall. Although many student groups on campus have tried to isolate themselves from debate and talking about the issues, this is both expected and encouraged at the Demosthenian Literary Society.

As many readers of The Red & Black opinion page already know, I hold very strong views on many issues, which I voice often here. Some of these columns that I have produced have been influenced by debates that I have participated in.

One column in particular has forced me to defend my beliefs in the face of considerable resistance in the past few months.

In April, when I wrote a column arguing Athens-Clarke County needs to keep its abstinence-only sex education, some accused me of trying to bait liberals, and others said I didn’t believe what I wrote. But many who have debated me on this column now realize I truly feel this way.

If you hold beliefs but refuse to put yourself in positions where those beliefs can be questioned or challenged, then how strong can those beliefs be?

Every time I enter Demosthenian Hall, whether it is to attend a meeting or just to take a break between classes, the conversation always turns into a debate or a heated conversation on some issue or current event. The dialogue found within this society is available nowhere else on campus.

If you are looking for a level of discussion that exceeds the empty rhetoric of television news, if you want to get beyond the talking points of politicians, or if you want to become more persuasive, then Demosthenian is for you.

Demosthenian’s style of debate encourages critical thinking and challenges members to think on the spot because, unlike other groups on campus, the society practices extemporaneous debating. Anyone is welcome to present a resolution and, unlike other debate groups, no one knows what the topic will be ahead of time.

Every column I write for The Red & Black seems to get many people up in arms. I encourage you, instead of writing online comments behind a pseudonym, to join me on a Thursday night this fall at 7 p.m. in Demosthenian Hall and challenge me.

- Greg Wilson is a sophomore from Marietta, majoring in political science.