# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=195 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 196 --- ## [What if a sentient AI came to faith? (not a witnessing thread)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-a-sentient-ai-came-to-faith-not-a-witnessing-thread/720714)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-a-sentient-ai-came-to-faith-not-a-witnessing-thread/720714 "2015-05-29T18:33:44Z")
Inspired by a rather random recollection I had today of a particular scene in the eminently forgettable ‘Alien: Resurrection’ movie. At one point Ripley arranges to meet a gynoid named ‘Call’ in a little chapel on the sh… --- ## [How do you argue against someones dogma \[axiom--not necessarily religious\]?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-argue-against-someones-dogma-axiom-not-necessarily-religious/711860)
**Author:** [@Salvor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salvor)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-argue-against-someones-dogma-axiom-not-necessarily-religious/711860 "2015-05-29T16:11:42Z")
I am a liberal squish, I have some views that some might consider conservative, but I am at my core fairly liberal. My problem when having arguments with conservatives (and some liberals where I disagree) is that I feel… --- ## [Federal government finances](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-government-finances/720661)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-government-finances/720661 "2015-05-29T05:22:52Z")
Regardless of political party, there’s a simple thing going on regarding funding the federal government : Both political parties are choosing to borrow money instead of raising taxes/cutting spending so that the money… --- ## [The UK and the fox hunting ban](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-and-the-fox-hunting-ban/720042)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-and-the-fox-hunting-ban/720042 "2015-05-28T22:05:20Z")
So in recent days, in among fears of the new Government repealing the Human Rights Act and a referendum on the EU, the other concern is that an attempt will be made to repeal the fox hunting ban which has been in force f… --- ## [How weak is the Iraqi army, and why are they so weak?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-weak-is-the-iraqi-army-and-why-are-they-so-weak/720335)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-weak-is-the-iraqi-army-and-why-are-they-so-weak/720335 "2015-05-28T19:36:37Z")
The news today is that Ramadi has fallen to ISIS. It seems the Iraqi army failed again in open combat against a group of terrorists. I just don’t understand how a national army could loose this kind of fight. How weak i… --- ## [Spanish Civil War - the right result for Spain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-civil-war-the-right-result-for-spain/720888)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-civil-war-the-right-result-for-spain/720888 "2015-05-28T18:04:10Z")
OK, I’m perfectly willing to be shown the error of my ways here, there’s a lot I don’t know about the period, but here’s what I’m thinking. Couldn’t a good case be made that Franco’s victory in the civil war was the best… --- ## [No, getting a job or school admission through AA does not show one is unqualified for it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-getting-a-job-or-school-admission-through-aa-does-not-show-one-is-unqualified-for-it/720560)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2015, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-getting-a-job-or-school-admission-through-aa-does-not-show-one-is-unqualified-for-it/720560 "2015-05-28T14:10:56Z")
In this Elections thread about the possibility of Hillary Clinton tapping Julian Castro as her running mate, the following exchange came up (posts have been excerpted and cut apart, and the segments’ order arranged, to c… --- ## [Let's segregate the races - new liberal solution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-segregate-the-races-new-liberal-solution/720798)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2015, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-segregate-the-races-new-liberal-solution/720798 "2015-05-27T11:34:46Z")
The new liberal solution to the problems of racial tension in America today is to have third-graders fill out a questionnaire identifying their races and then spend time once a week with people who look just like them. … --- ## [History - When did Wars Fought in the Name of Christianity End?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-when-did-wars-fought-in-the-name-of-christianity-end/720580)
**Author:** [@Clarence01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clarence01)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2015, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-when-did-wars-fought-in-the-name-of-christianity-end/720580 "2015-05-27T02:46:07Z")
Christianity (the body of people at large not the religion per se) at some point became more tolerant of other religions (to the extent of not murdering outsiders). When did wars fought in the name of Christianity end? … --- ## [Is it sexual assault? (Columbia Mattress Girl Related)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-sexual-assault-columbia-mattress-girl-related/720576)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2015, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-sexual-assault-columbia-mattress-girl-related/720576 "2015-05-26T23:18:29Z")
The second such thread this week! (It sounds like some perverse game show, too…) A student who claims to have been sexually assaulted by Paul Nungesser (who allegedly raped Emma Sulkowicz, who carried around a 50 lb mat… --- ## ["The Bible says that God wants us all to be millionaires." Say what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bible-says-that-god-wants-us-all-to-be-millionaires-say-what/717877)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bible-says-that-god-wants-us-all-to-be-millionaires-say-what/717877 "2015-05-25T23:39:42Z")
A work friend got baptized out of the clear blue on Easter. He had no plans for it, but had dropped by the church across the street, and the rest was a whirl. He’d been baptized as an infant, but this congregation take… --- ## [Conspiracy Buffs: Why Kill JFK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conspiracy-buffs-why-kill-jfk/713832)
**Author:** [@The\_Winkler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Winkler)\ **Replies:** 176\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conspiracy-buffs-why-kill-jfk/713832 "2015-05-25T18:14:38Z")
My question is, why go to all the trouble of assassinating JFK? Pulling off a presidential assassination would be incredibly risky and the odds of the guilty parties getting found out would be huge. Plus, to even success… --- ## [Graduating Class of 2015 most debt-burdened in history](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graduating-class-of-2015-most-debt-burdened-in-history/720731)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graduating-class-of-2015-most-debt-burdened-in-history/720731 "2015-05-25T16:32:18Z")
Graduating class of 2015 most debt-burdened in history There have been warning cries of a student debt bubble for a few years now. I have only an amateur’s understanding of a “bubble” and it is based on what happened w… --- ## [Did there used to be anti-Jewish quotas at Ivy League universities?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-there-used-to-be-anti-jewish-quotas-at-ivy-league-universities/720262)
**Author:** [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2015, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-there-used-to-be-anti-jewish-quotas-at-ivy-league-universities/720262 "2015-05-24T00:56:20Z")
Until today, I would have thought that anyone claiming that there were no quotas designed to limit the number of Jews admitted to Ivy League universities starting in the early 20th Century and not ending until roughly th… --- ## [Principal suspends high school students for "Liking" hateful video](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/principal-suspends-high-school-students-for-liking-hateful-video/719569)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2015, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/principal-suspends-high-school-students-for-liking-hateful-video/719569 "2015-05-22T02:18:51Z")
Story here: 11 Booker T. Washington students suspended after social media post of vandalism, gay slur The principal of Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa Oklahoma, (my alma mater of 34 years ago) has suspended 9 … --- ## [A thought about the death penalty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thought-about-the-death-penalty/720457)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2015, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thought-about-the-death-penalty/720457 "2015-05-22T00:09:19Z")
A lot of people have gotten the death penalty for commiting a single murder. Should somebody who committed one murder really get the exact same punishment as someone like Dzokar Tsarnaev or Timothy McVeigh? Yes, murder… --- ## [Are the Navy SEALs becoming too glamorous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-navy-seals-becoming-too-glamorous/720259)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2015, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-navy-seals-becoming-too-glamorous/720259 "2015-05-20T03:04:25Z")
With books like No Easy Day, movies like Act of Valor and otherwise, and media coverage, I’m starting to wonder if the Navy SEALs are, in terms of image, becoming the opposite of what military special forces ideally ough… --- ## [Does conscience distinguish us from other animals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-conscience-distinguish-us-from-other-animals/720093)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2015, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-conscience-distinguish-us-from-other-animals/720093 "2015-05-19T23:51:46Z")
I’ve been debating this question with a psychology student who believes conscience does not differentiate human beings from other animals. To make his point, he has put forward the following cite from a lecture delivere… --- ## [Why Do We Even Need an Establishment Clause?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-even-need-an-establishment-clause/719917)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2015, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-even-need-an-establishment-clause/719917 "2015-05-19T23:08:39Z")
I was wondering. Why did the framers of our constitution think we needed both an establishment clause ("Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment or religion…") and a free-exercise clause (of religion, of c… --- ## [Phase out oil heat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phase-out-oil-heat/720031)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2015, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phase-out-oil-heat/720031 "2015-05-19T18:07:09Z")
We use a lot of oil every winter to heat our homes and businesses here in the USA, and often we need to go to war in order to make sure we have a supply of oil. Why don’t we start requiring alternative methods? IMO, we… --- ## [Should it be illegal to work on your own car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-it-be-illegal-to-work-on-your-own-car/719631)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2015, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-it-be-illegal-to-work-on-your-own-car/719631 "2015-05-18T22:43:24Z")
What do you think of this?. \*\* From the article:\*\* "In arguing against an exemption, John Deere and General Motors have argued that motorists don’t necessarily buy a car; they merely buy a license to use the car for t… --- ## [Will Cameron and his Government Gut the Welfare State in the Next 5 years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-cameron-and-his-government-gut-the-welfare-state-in-the-next-5-years/719567)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2015, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-cameron-and-his-government-gut-the-welfare-state-in-the-next-5-years/719567 "2015-05-18T09:30:02Z")
Since the Liberal Democrats are no longer part of the government I think Cameron will try to gut the welfare state much more than he did in the last 5 years. Any thoughts? --- ## [Why isn't there a law against dogs peeing/pooping in other people's yards?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765)
**Author:** [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2015, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765 "2015-05-17T18:52:36Z")
It seems there are so many people that don’t get the common sense of not letting their dogs pee/poop on other people’s yards (because it happens 24/7), that there should be a law against it so as to clear up the matter. … --- ## [Would the death penalty be more fair if there was a special level of proof for it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-death-penalty-be-more-fair-if-there-was-a-special-level-of-proof-for-it/720085)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2015, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-death-penalty-be-more-fair-if-there-was-a-special-level-of-proof-for-it/720085 "2015-05-17T15:05:55Z")
Reading about all those innocent people let go from death row (it’s dozens and dozens by now, isn’t it?), it’s clear that part of the reason why the death penalty is a bad thing is that it is virtually certain that it ki… --- ## [B-1 bombers to be moved to Australia -- a Freudian slip?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-1-bombers-to-be-moved-to-australia-a-freudian-slip/720086)
**Author:** [@iLemming](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iLemming)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-1-bombers-to-be-moved-to-australia-a-freudian-slip/720086 "2015-05-15T20:34:35Z")
SMH Was this a simple case of misunderstanding of military policy or did the senator in question let slip details of actual U.S.-military-proposed machinations not yet in bud and thereby perhaps sunk yet-to-sail ships … --- ## [Presidential Libraries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-libraries/719932)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-libraries/719932 "2015-05-15T19:27:56Z")
I’m putting this here because it’s one of my gripes, and people might want to dispute it or argue in favor (or against). Barack Obama announced his Presidential Library is going on the South Side of Chicago. While they … --- ## [Guns in bars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guns-in-bars/531588)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Replies:** 234\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guns-in-bars/531588 "2015-05-15T05:03:29Z")
Virginia has a concealed carry law. One of the provisions of the law says that you’re not allowed to carry a concealed weapon in bars or restaurants where alcohol is served. Just the other day, the Virginia General Ass… --- ## [If we pulled an Iraq in North Korea would the results be any better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-pulled-an-iraq-in-north-korea-would-the-results-be-any-better/719842)
**Author:** [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-pulled-an-iraq-in-north-korea-would-the-results-be-any-better/719842 "2015-05-14T19:28:32Z")
I’m not actually advocating this, I don’t think the U.S should be in the nation-conquering business, just wondering in a theoretical type way. Say the U.S. and South Korea acting as allies launched a full scale surprise … --- ## [I Steadfastly Reject This Sudden Rush to Redefine "Thug" as a Racial Slur](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-steadfastly-reject-this-sudden-rush-to-redefine-thug-as-a-racial-slur/718959)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 745\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-steadfastly-reject-this-sudden-rush-to-redefine-thug-as-a-racial-slur/718959 "2015-05-14T18:25:35Z")
What the hell? Suddenly “Thug” is the new racial epithet we aren’t allowed to use? I find this absurd. I have never, in all my years, heard it used as anything more than a “brute” or “ruffian.” In fact, for me the first… --- ## [On the Future Governance of the United Kingdom](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-future-governance-of-the-united-kingdom/719617)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-future-governance-of-the-united-kingdom/719617 "2015-05-13T17:37:28Z")
Now that the election is over we have some indication of the future of the British State. Whatever that future is, it will not be the status quo Cameron has indicated that he intends to solve the Scottish Problem withi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=194) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=196)