This site engages two separate arenas of participation of members [I ignore a third, gaming, which has no conversant relation to the other two.]
Forum is an open conversation wherein claims are made and have no formal requirement to provide scholastic credibility of any claim [though it may still be a credible idea].
Debate is a structured conversation wherein two opposing positions are held, generally pro and con of a stated resolve. The Burden of Proof [BoP] exists on both sides of the Resolve, in favor of, and opposed to the stated Resolve. Proof, being the burden, must provide evidence of the stated BoP. It will not suffice to merely use the Resolve as a claim as if it is obvious without evidence that it is either true or false. The Resolve cannot be assumed to be proven merely by its claim. Which ever opposing side that is judged more complete in its supporting evidence of the BoP is generally the winner of the debate, and generally requires the unbiased judgment of each voter.