# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=182 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 183 --- ## [Oregon college shooting = religious hate crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-college-shooting-religious-hate-crime/733472)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2015, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-college-shooting-religious-hate-crime/733472 "2015-10-06T00:22:49Z")
News sources are reporting that the Oregon college shooter specifically singled out Christians to be killed. Technically, is this sufficient to meet the definition of a “hate crime?” --- ## [Americans: Would it upset you if China or Russia landed on Mars before the United States?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-would-it-upset-you-if-china-or-russia-landed-on-mars-before-the-united-states/727543)
**Author:** [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2015, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-would-it-upset-you-if-china-or-russia-landed-on-mars-before-the-united-states/727543 "2015-10-05T13:06:34Z")
I was thinking about this recently. I’m admittedly not up on the space race like I probably should be, but I seem to recall some articles suggesting that there is a real possibility that, unlike the race to the moon, the… --- ## [Who exactly wins the 2004 Democratic nomination and the 2004 Pres. election if 9/11 doesn't occur?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-exactly-wins-the-2004-democratic-nomination-and-the-2004-pres-election-if-9-11-doesnt-occur/733479)
**Author:** [@Futurist110](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futurist110)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2015, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-exactly-wins-the-2004-democratic-nomination-and-the-2004-pres-election-if-9-11-doesnt-occur/733479 "2015-10-04T22:36:26Z")
If 9/11 is somehow prevented (and there are no other successfully attacks by al-Qaeda on U.S. soil before the 2004 Presidential election), then who exactly would have won the 2004 Democratic nomination and the 2004 U.S. … --- ## [Workplace structure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-structure/733453)
**Author:** [@tafowler87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tafowler87)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2015, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-structure/733453 "2015-10-04T06:20:15Z")
There are currently 27 states said to have the ability to hire and fire at free will (having no real obligation to consider skill or experience when hiring nor one’s performance when firing)… Meaning I could hire someone… --- ## [Austerity: Is it working?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/austerity-is-it-working/732759)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2015, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/austerity-is-it-working/732759 "2015-10-04T03:04:02Z")
We are living in the age of Austerity, cliche to say, but it is true, but is it working? There’s nothing wrong with balancing the governments budgets and working towards eliminating deficits, however, is it improving our… --- ## [Are Human Rights Just an Outgrowth of Christian Culture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-human-rights-just-an-outgrowth-of-christian-culture/731539)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2015, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-human-rights-just-an-outgrowth-of-christian-culture/731539 "2015-10-03T20:12:17Z")
I was inspired to write this thread, by this Wikipedia article. As you can see, some Muslim nations and cultures are skeptical of the western notion of universal human rights: (BTW, here is the link to the “UDHR”, he i… --- ## [Explanations for Quantum Physics weirdness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explanations-for-quantum-physics-weirdness/733219)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2015, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explanations-for-quantum-physics-weirdness/733219 "2015-10-03T14:13:21Z")
(sorry I’m a beginner at this) A video about some of the basics of quantum physics weirdness (e.g. the “observer” behaviour) and how this might seem like we’re in a computer simulation. https://vimeo.com/126833477 It … --- ## [Is religious brutality and war in line with Darwinian thinking ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-religious-brutality-and-war-in-line-with-darwinian-thinking/732971)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-religious-brutality-and-war-in-line-with-darwinian-thinking/732971 "2015-10-02T20:09:39Z")
Rather than being a foolish, anti-scientific body of work, religion is a clever and time-tested tool of Darwinian struggles for survival - like advertising and political propaganda. And if this is so, does the fact that… --- ## [1975 UK EEC Membership Referendum: What were they voting on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1975-uk-eec-membership-referendum-what-were-they-voting-on/733117)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1975-uk-eec-membership-referendum-what-were-they-voting-on/733117 "2015-10-02T01:33:54Z")
So, you may be aware that the UK Government, under pressure from an increasingly vocal eurosceptic tide and mindful of 4 million people voting for UKIP in our recent election, is legislating for a referendum on membershi… --- ## [Adult success is inversely proportional to high school popularity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adult-success-is-inversely-proportional-to-high-school-popularity/581611)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2015, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adult-success-is-inversely-proportional-to-high-school-popularity/581611 "2015-10-01T19:38:13Z")
I happened to come accross this article today: http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog\_thelookout/20110510/us\_yblog\_thelookout/why-geeks-make-better-adults-than-the-in-crowd Basically the gist of it is more or less the old trope… --- ## [Libertarianism vs liberalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarianism-vs-liberalism/732691)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2015, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarianism-vs-liberalism/732691 "2015-10-01T18:02:47Z")
This is an x-post from a different thread. For context: Velocity: Liberals and conservatives both tend to be authoritarian. LinusK: I disagree: in my opinion, liberals are anti-authoritarian. Libertarians tend to see… --- ## [Time to end the war on drugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-end-the-war-on-drugs/732553)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2015, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-end-the-war-on-drugs/732553 "2015-10-01T15:53:57Z")
Too many people have been killed or thrown in jail for non-violent victimless crimes. Putting someone behind bars for years, or seizing their car because they might have smoked a joint should not be acceptable. The dru… --- ## [OK, so where are all the "enlightened" revolutions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-where-are-all-the-enlightened-revolutions/733003)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2015, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-where-are-all-the-enlightened-revolutions/733003 "2015-10-01T15:11:53Z")
Several recent threads have reminded me to start a topic which has always made me wonder. If you look around at history since the American Revolution, it is hard to find one as enlightened as ours seemed to be. Now, ri… --- ## [Could science go too far and destroy the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-science-go-too-far-and-destroy-the-world/732935)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2015, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-science-go-too-far-and-destroy-the-world/732935 "2015-10-01T14:54:06Z")
I admire scientific progress when its used for the good. Ex. alternative sources of energy, methods of curing disease, or methods to grow more food. But at the same time I wonder if its possible that some group of scien… --- ## [War between the US and China is likely / inevitable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-between-the-us-and-china-is-likely-inevitable/733027)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2015, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-between-the-us-and-china-is-likely-inevitable/733027 "2015-10-01T05:06:53Z")
An interesting article here: Summary: Historically in 12 out of 16 cases where there was a rapid shift in the relative power of a rising nation that threatened to displace a ruling state, the result was war. It’s a g… --- ## [Circumcision of infants and minors without consent should be outlawed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circumcision-of-infants-and-minors-without-consent-should-be-outlawed/728203)
**Author:** [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2015, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circumcision-of-infants-and-minors-without-consent-should-be-outlawed/728203 "2015-10-01T04:32:56Z")
My apologies - I can’t articulate this well. Maybe someone else can explain it better. Mutilation of infant boys without their consent is unconstitutional. It infringes their freedom to choose whether they want to be … --- ## [Non-profit health insurance co-ops failing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-profit-health-insurance-co-ops-failing/733106)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2015, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-profit-health-insurance-co-ops-failing/733106 "2015-10-01T04:24:31Z")
One little-known facet of the Affordable Care Act (better known as “Obamacare”) was the creation of non-profit health insurance cooperatives. The law requires everyone to buy health insurance, and unless you’re old enou… --- ## [How likely is it that Muslims recognize the Qur'an is flawed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-muslims-recognize-the-quran-is-flawed/732918)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2015, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-muslims-recognize-the-quran-is-flawed/732918 "2015-09-30T19:42:03Z")
The argument goes that the Qur’an’s teachings were acceptable or downright liberal and enlightened…1500 years ago. We muslims believe that the Bible was intended to be the word of God, but was distorted by some of the h… --- ## [Noah's flood and the leaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/noahs-flood-and-the-leaf/732444)
**Author:** [@Mel789](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mel789)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2015, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/noahs-flood-and-the-leaf/732444 "2015-09-30T15:14:58Z")
If everything died on earth during Noah’s flood then where did the leaf come from that the bird brought back to the ark? --- ## [Mass immigration- what's to be done?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-immigration-whats-to-be-done/729909)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 402\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2015, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-immigration-whats-to-be-done/729909 "2015-09-29T20:59:23Z")
So I’m reading the news about the varying European immigrant crises- one being the number of unwanted African immigrants dying in droves while trying to cross the Mediterranean in rickety boats, and the other being huge … --- ## [Did Jesus Christ have Asperger's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-christ-have-aspergers/600388)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2015, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-christ-have-aspergers/600388 "2015-09-29T20:22:06Z")
Looking at this site…specifically Sherlock Holmes: It made me draw a conclousion…correctly or incorrectly…that most if not all savants have some degree of autism spectrum disorder. As a child, Christ was portrayed as… --- ## [misprision of a felony - US only?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misprision-of-a-felony-us-only/731715)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2015, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misprision-of-a-felony-us-only/731715 "2015-09-29T15:25:08Z")
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Joey Meek, a friend of admitted Charleston shooter Dylann Roof, on Friday pleaded not guilty to two charges related to the June massacre that left nine people dead at a historic black church. Meek, 21… --- ## [Fitness selection in humans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fitness-selection-in-humans/732654)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2015, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fitness-selection-in-humans/732654 "2015-09-29T01:20:18Z")
A few weeks ago I saw the humongous ornate tree lizard that lives in our backyard. It was acting strangely. Usually it keeps at least one eye on me, if there’s a line of sight between us. But this time, it wasn’t paying … --- ## [Would Jesus be a Liberal or a Conservative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-jesus-be-a-liberal-or-a-conservative/732285)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2015, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-jesus-be-a-liberal-or-a-conservative/732285 "2015-09-28T17:49:00Z")
In my mind, he would be a Liberal. Is there even a debate to be had here? --- ## [Jesus prays on Yom Kippur: What do Christian theologians say about what he was repenting for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-prays-on-yom-kippur-what-do-christian-theologians-say-about-what-he-was-repenting-for/732272)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2015, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-prays-on-yom-kippur-what-do-christian-theologians-say-about-what-he-was-repenting-for/732272 "2015-09-28T14:38:38Z")
Jesus presumably observed Yom Kippur for 20 years (I don’t know if he went to the Temple or not). Every Jew must attempt to atone for himself (and his family, and, if High Priest, for the nation) before God on this day. … --- ## [What's the big deal about birth control?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-birth-control/731549)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 173\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2015, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-birth-control/731549 "2015-09-28T13:31:20Z")
Lately Democrats have been rushing to the defense of Planned Parenthood. Some are recycling the old claim that Planned Parenthood provides mammograms to those who couldn’t otherwise afford them–which is not true. Harry… --- ## [Libertarians in favor of anti-trust now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarians-in-favor-of-anti-trust-now/732530)
**Author:** [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2015, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarians-in-favor-of-anti-trust-now/732530 "2015-09-28T06:43:36Z")
I saw this article today, and I think that the level of irony could wipe out anemia across the nation if it could be harvested. As someone who used to identify as a libertarian, I’ve read a quite a bit of literature and … --- ## [What did Reagan do that wouldn't please Republicans today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-reagan-do-that-wouldnt-please-republicans-today/731695)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2015, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-reagan-do-that-wouldnt-please-republicans-today/731695 "2015-09-28T02:59:31Z")
After hearing Wednesday’s homage to Reagan, it seemed that a lot of the people on stage ignored a lot of the things Reagan did that Republicans today would find anathema. Such as? --- ## [Has anyone adequately answered the question of the Syrian refugees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-adequately-answered-the-question-of-the-syrian-refugees/732576)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2015, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-adequately-answered-the-question-of-the-syrian-refugees/732576 "2015-09-27T23:16:45Z")
That question being, “why aren’t the Muslim nations opening their borders to all the Muslims fleeing Syria?” Has the question been answered? Why aren’t the Muslim nations doing so? --- ## [Obama on colleges and universities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-on-colleges-and-universities/731718)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2015, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-on-colleges-and-universities/731718 "2015-09-27T17:06:48Z")
This is a quote from Esquire: The Esquire writer took him to task because “the political attitudes of the people behind trigger warnings are less threatening than the political attitudes of the people who have their fi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=181) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=183)