I actually think that the strategy of taking the other sides position and debating is very useful. What are you afraid of?
I think there's a difference between playing 'devil's advocate', and what's being discussed here. It is good to play devil's advocate when sparring off with a person who shares one's viewpoint. Doing so will allow both people to better examine their viewpoint, and--if it is worthy of defense--defend it more effectively.
To effectively play devil's advocate, however, one must be debating someone who shares one's true point of view. In the scenario being discussed here, people are required to argue against their point of view, against someone who is also against their point of view. Not devil's advocacy, and not something I'd condone.