# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=243 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 244 --- ## [Postal bank](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/postal-bank/680589)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2014, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/postal-bank/680589 "2014-02-17T01:50:06Z")
Seems like a good idea (which will obviously face huge opposition by the payday lenders and other folks). I say we do it. What say the masses? Is there a downside that I am not seeing (other than reduced shareholder… --- ## [God hates people who ask for forgiveness!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-hates-people-who-ask-for-forgiveness/681474)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2014, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-hates-people-who-ask-for-forgiveness/681474 "2014-02-16T18:41:53Z")
I have a message to the world. God hates when people ask for forgiveness for their sins. Your sin remits when and only when you stop wanting to be forgiven for it. God placed Man upon Earth to use the intellect of Her so… --- ## [The locker room, and homosexuality.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-locker-room-and-homosexuality/681268)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2014, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-locker-room-and-homosexuality/681268 "2014-02-16T13:01:59Z")
I was discussing this with my friends, and I want to know what you Dopers think. So, if there was a man in the woman’s locker room, people would freak. My friends argue that if there’s a homosexual in the locker rooms,… --- ## [What Makes a Christian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-christian/680009)
**Author:** [@llcoolbj77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/llcoolbj77)\ **Replies:** 222\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2014, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-christian/680009 "2014-02-16T11:59:09Z")
In its simplest, what set of beliefs qualify one as a Christian?? I was on Facebook (mistake) talking about the new Mitt Romney movie. I commented that while I disagreed with his politics, I believed he was a good man…… --- ## [A Christian ethnic cleansing against Muslims in CAR?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-christian-ethnic-cleansing-against-muslims-in-car/681382)
**Author:** [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2014, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-christian-ethnic-cleansing-against-muslims-in-car/681382 "2014-02-16T05:06:19Z")
I will preface this by saying that I have been an amateur student of conflict in the Central Africa Republic (CAR) for many years now. I’ll tell anyone who listens that the ongoing instability there is a regional threat.… --- ## [Japan and the Yasukuni war memorial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japan-and-the-yasukuni-war-memorial/677206)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2014, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japan-and-the-yasukuni-war-memorial/677206 "2014-02-16T00:43:11Z")
The current Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has stirred international outrage by paying a visit to the Yasukuni shrine. Never heard of Yasukuni? You can read here about the shinto shrine in general, and you can re… --- ## [Benghazi Attack for Dummies.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-attack-for-dummies/673466)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 1119\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazi-attack-for-dummies/673466 "2014-02-15T22:49:36Z")
As a Canuck, I was never hugely interested in the ‘Benghazi Attack’. Then, when various versions of the truth began to circulate, and the whole thing seemed to have become “political”, any interest I had vanished. In ret… --- ## [What is a functioning democracy and why I suspect it's an empty, ignorant term](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-functioning-democracy-and-why-i-suspect-its-an-empty-ignorant-term/680995)
**Author:** [@Inbred\_Mm\_domesticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inbred_Mm_domesticus)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2014, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-functioning-democracy-and-why-i-suspect-its-an-empty-ignorant-term/680995 "2014-02-15T18:14:18Z")
The question came to mind after reading this post and the reply it caused. I thought that the Turkish government functions as a democracy, but maybe I am missing something. In searching I found that Jimmy Carter thinks … --- ## [Peanut allergies: Should extreme cases be permitted on commercial flights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peanut-allergies-should-extreme-cases-be-permitted-on-commercial-flights/675526)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peanut-allergies-should-extreme-cases-be-permitted-on-commercial-flights/675526 "2014-02-15T17:29:35Z")
I am currently on a flight from Denver to Baltimore, and they just announced that due to a passenger with severe peanut allergies, no free peanuts will be distributed. Furthermore, passengers are requested to refrain fr… --- ## [BREAKING: Libya](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-libya/681317)
**Author:** [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-libya/681317 "2014-02-14T16:11:36Z")
Reports that all communication has been cut in Libya. Parliament and Government suspended and ex Military general has taken control. Waiting for news out of Libya --- ## [Who will win in an India versus Pakistan nuclear and non-nuclear war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-in-an-india-versus-pakistan-nuclear-and-non-nuclear-war/680966)
**Author:** [@CuriousSourabh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CuriousSourabh)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2014, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-win-in-an-india-versus-pakistan-nuclear-and-non-nuclear-war/680966 "2014-02-14T06:24:39Z")
Hi Cecil, I have done a lot of reading on the subject question but am not able to get a well calculated answer. Thought I should turn to the smartest man on Earth. Well, given the current strengths and weaknesses of bot… --- ## [To what extent can a group member's character be inferred from others'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-can-a-group-members-character-be-inferred-from-others/680677)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2014, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-can-a-group-members-character-be-inferred-from-others/680677 "2014-02-14T03:01:05Z")
Spinoff from this thread, which was getting hijacked. There are racists in the GOP – that is, that is where most white American racists who vote ended up after they exited the Dems in the 1960s and 1970s. No one (on th… --- ## [No, the free market will not protect civil rights (or 'why the Civil Rights Act is still needed)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-the-free-market-will-not-protect-civil-rights-or-why-the-civil-rights-act-is-still-needed/680982)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 244\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2014, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-the-free-market-will-not-protect-civil-rights-or-why-the-civil-rights-act-is-still-needed/680982 "2014-02-13T23:59:17Z")
Some asshole restaurant owner in Enid, OK has made it rather clear that many types of people are not welcome in his establishment. At times, some idiots in politics and the media have suggested that the Civil Rights Act… --- ## [Did anyone follow the Kelly Thomas trial? Cops' use of force caused a death; cops aquitted](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-follow-the-kelly-thomas-trial-cops-use-of-force-caused-a-death-cops-aquitted/678785)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 283\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2014, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-follow-the-kelly-thomas-trial-cops-use-of-force-caused-a-death-cops-aquitted/678785 "2014-02-13T21:28:54Z")
Kelly Thomas died as a result of injuries meted out by police officers. The officers, charged with 2nd degree murder and manslaughter, were acquitedyesterday. The jury acquitted after deliberating for less than two days… --- ## [African-American neighborhood does not want a Trader Joe's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/african-american-neighborhood-does-not-want-a-trader-joes/680538)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2014, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/african-american-neighborhood-does-not-want-a-trader-joes/680538 "2014-02-13T21:05:07Z")
Community activists in an African-American neighborhood of Portland, OR are against the idea of a Trader Joe’s opening in their neighborhood. Link. I find this interesting, as I have heard African-Americans complain t… --- ## [Qatari's protesting against US base now](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qataris-protesting-against-us-base-now/680928)
**Author:** [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2014, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qataris-protesting-against-us-base-now/680928 "2014-02-13T17:34:49Z")
Qatari’s outside US base protesting to have the base closed down and American military to leave. https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-c.ak/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/1610039\_820474081311699\_951987465\_n.jpg I would think that current… --- ## [Homosexuality Is More Accepted In Canada than France?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexuality-is-more-accepted-in-canada-than-france/680973)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2014, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexuality-is-more-accepted-in-canada-than-france/680973 "2014-02-13T11:53:12Z")
“Homosexuality is more accepted in Canada than France?” I didn’t believe it myself. But here is the graph. 80% in Canada. 77% in France. Forgive me if it is just a cliché. But isn’t France a very “liberal” society, whi… --- ## [Secular Humanist Morality and Forgiveness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-humanist-morality-and-forgiveness/680952)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2014, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-humanist-morality-and-forgiveness/680952 "2014-02-12T10:15:58Z")
One of the major criticisms of Christianity (and in particular Protestant Christianity) is that virtually anybody can become forgiven simply by professing faith in Jesus Christ and expressing repentance even a serial kil… --- ## [What if we did something different on Sunday morning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-did-something-different-on-sunday-morning/680490)
**Author:** [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Replies:** 296\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2014, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-did-something-different-on-sunday-morning/680490 "2014-02-12T02:02:02Z")
I wonder how things would change if everybody who attends church and tithes, instead took a couple hours on the weekend to learn about science. Maybe some lessons in logic and debunking medical woo. While we’re at it, … --- ## [Religion vs. Non Religion: Take 2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-vs-non-religion-take-2/681000)
**Author:** [@jmliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmliny)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2014, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-vs-non-religion-take-2/681000 "2014-02-12T00:48:08Z")
My last thread was closed because I didn’t give enough detail. Indestructibility vs. Destructibility I think religious people think they’re indestructible, whereas non religious people think they are destructible. Tha… --- ## [Michael Sam in the NFL: What's the over/under?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-sam-in-the-nfl-whats-the-over-under/681064)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2014, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-sam-in-the-nfl-whats-the-over-under/681064 "2014-02-11T21:49:44Z")
He’s good enough to be picked. He’s not Reggie White but he’s useful. Of course his team will not quite be ready for a gay player. No team will be until there is one. --- ## [Thoughts on the TPP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-tpp/681041)
**Author:** [@Oedipus\_Flex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus_Flex)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2014, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-tpp/681041 "2014-02-11T15:35:11Z")
What are everyones thoughts on the Trans-Pacific Partnership? What do you think are the positive effects that could come from the deal and what are the negatives? Overall, do you think it would be a good thing or a bad t… --- ## [What is the realpolitik reason we went to war in the Balkans in the 90s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-realpolitik-reason-we-went-to-war-in-the-balkans-in-the-90s/680881)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2014, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-realpolitik-reason-we-went-to-war-in-the-balkans-in-the-90s/680881 "2014-02-11T05:02:39Z")
There are usually two reasons a nation goes to war. The reason given to the public (self defense, protecting human rights, stopping or containing an aggressor, etc) and the real reason (promotion of ideology, political s… --- ## [Disaster for Israel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disaster-for-israel/680925)
**Author:** [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2014, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disaster-for-israel/680925 "2014-02-11T02:40:41Z")
Jordan is the only semi friendly face that the zionists have in the region. To lose them is a big disaster. How much longer will Americans support the zionist entity and wage war on the rest of the region for them? --- ## [Is religion adaptive or maladaptive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-religion-adaptive-or-maladaptive/680906)
**Author:** [@Desert\_Dumpster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Dumpster)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2014, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-religion-adaptive-or-maladaptive/680906 "2014-02-10T14:06:45Z")
This is an interesting question IMHO. Does religion confer net benefits or net penalties on a society/people? I personally reject religion in all its forms, but I acknowledge that it can have benefits. When your child d… --- ## [If humans vanished, would dog breeds merge or speciate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-humans-vanished-would-dog-breeds-merge-or-speciate/680399)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2014, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-humans-vanished-would-dog-breeds-merge-or-speciate/680399 "2014-02-09T19:49:44Z")
Suppose all humanity goes extinct overnight. Because of some plague, like the Superflu in Stephen King’s The Stand, or for some other reason, it doesn’t matter so long as it leaves the world otherwise intact. Most dogs… --- ## [How Do You Comprehend Russia's Turbulent History?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-comprehend-russias-turbulent-history/680816)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2014, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-comprehend-russias-turbulent-history/680816 "2014-02-09T05:46:17Z")
I can’t even begin to formulate this question properly. In short, how does one begin to understand how the Russian power continually changed hands without anything ever really changing. Did their leaders write the book… --- ## [Is the real health care disaster yet to come?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-health-care-disaster-yet-to-come/674269)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 196\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-health-care-disaster-yet-to-come/674269 "2014-02-08T18:35:50Z")
The not-so-successful rollout of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has a lot of people unhappy. Millions have lost their insurance, millions can’t get insurance because of faulty exchanges, and millions are… --- ## ["People don't go hungry in a capitalist economy"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-go-hungry-in-a-capitalist-economy/680058)
**Author:** [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2014, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-go-hungry-in-a-capitalist-economy/680058 "2014-02-08T14:21:49Z")
(I am putting this in General Questions since I don’t have a debate side to argue, and really just want to understand the theory.) Last night’s Daily Show featured a pundit commenting on the fast food workers’ strike an… --- ## [What reforms can progressives implement on the city, county or state level](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-reforms-can-progressives-implement-on-the-city-county-or-state-level/680633)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2014, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-reforms-can-progressives-implement-on-the-city-county-or-state-level/680633 "2014-02-08T14:03:48Z")
If progressives want to live in a progressive society, or feel our ideas are better what can be implemented on a city, county or state level to achieve these goals? On the state level you can get health reform (Vermonts… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=242) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=244)