I read an interesting post on social media a few minutes ago. The poster listed a number of subjects that they stated were not open to debate and suggested that anyone who thought they were should take a long look in the mirror. I feel this is total tripe.
There is no subject that is not open to debate especially if several people hold opposing points of view. That is by definition what debate is. You may not want to debate a person holding the opposite point of view. You may not find it a useful endeavor as either you, they or both are unlikely to change your minds based on a discussion yet the debate can still happen and some may even find it valuable. The value of debate would be increased if both sides avoided traps such as strawman arguments, ad hominem attacks and other logical fallacies. Indeed even if the opinion of the debaters remains unchanged, that does not mean that others observing or participating would be unaffected.
I would go even further and give an exercise that I have found useful. If you feel strongly about something and know that many disagree, assume the opposite position and argue that. This both opens you up as to the reasons (and facts) for opposing your point of view, countering these conclusions with facts of your own will strengthen your arguments and it might even open up alternative possibilities as there is often a range of thought behind any one topic of discussion. The truth or the solution may not be as either-or as you thought.
An unwillingness to debate a topic tho has always seemed to me to be cowardly in the extreme.
In Service to Her (redux) by GAR
Three Warriors (Redux) by GAR
Becoming Myself by GAR