# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=248 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 249 --- ## [Does The Bible tell anyone to inform, tattle, snitch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-bible-tell-anyone-to-inform-tattle-snitch/675709)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2013, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-bible-tell-anyone-to-inform-tattle-snitch/675709 "2013-12-31T05:02:22Z")
We are often advised to report wrongdoing to the authorities. Go to parents or police or professionals and report (tattle, snitch, inform) on many matters. Does the Bible instruct us to report wrongdoing? --- ## [How do Biblical literalists deal with slavery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-biblical-literalists-deal-with-slavery/677023)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-biblical-literalists-deal-with-slavery/677023 "2013-12-31T02:32:37Z")
There are a great many things that followers of Biblical Literalism take as the (forgive) Gospel truth as spelled out on the pages. But while they will take great pains to justify eschewing scientific facts in matters o… --- ## [If the NSA/ATF/FBI had existed pre-civil war, could they have prevented it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-nsa-atf-fbi-had-existed-pre-civil-war-could-they-have-prevented-it/677187)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2013, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-nsa-atf-fbi-had-existed-pre-civil-war-could-they-have-prevented-it/677187 "2013-12-30T23:45:36Z")
Hypothetical scenario : The NSA, ATF, and FBI all existed before the civil war, and through a network of informants and very advanced techniques, they had the same information on their citizens that those agencies have n… --- ## [Edward Snowden's Christmas broadcast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edward-snowdens-christmas-broadcast/677147)
**Author:** [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edward-snowdens-christmas-broadcast/677147 "2013-12-30T21:08:26Z")
Available now from ‘select’ sources, UK terrestrial tv at 4:15pm, or on the 4OD player shortly after. Also, here are a couple of links which may or may not be region-locked : The background to this is th… --- ## [What caused the polar shift between Lincoln republicans and today's modern republicans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-the-polar-shift-between-lincoln-republicans-and-todays-modern-republicans/676739)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-the-polar-shift-between-lincoln-republicans-and-todays-modern-republicans/676739 "2013-12-30T17:40:31Z")
I’m posing this as a question because I really don’t know. I didn’t post this in GQ because I get the sense that it would be moved over here anyway. Thanks for any input. --- ## [Did Nina De Chiffre sexually assault Salvatore Piccione?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-nina-de-chiffre-sexually-assault-salvatore-piccione/676529)
**Author:** [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2013, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-nina-de-chiffre-sexually-assault-salvatore-piccione/676529 "2013-12-30T07:28:18Z")
Here’s the link. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/kiss-and-yell-italian-protester-charged-with-sexual-assault-after-kissing-riot-police-officer-9007265.html For those who don’t want to read through the wh… --- ## [White-Collar Crimes With Mandatory Minimum Sentences?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-collar-crimes-with-mandatory-minimum-sentences/677142)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2013, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-collar-crimes-with-mandatory-minimum-sentences/677142 "2013-12-29T05:10:04Z")
I was just wondering, are there any purely white-collar federal crimes, with mandatory minimum sentences? I think we can agree on a definition of purely white-collar: where no violence, no true desperation (i.e., hunger,… --- ## [The Carbon Budget](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carbon-budget/677215)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2013, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carbon-budget/677215 "2013-12-28T22:12:56Z")
While AGW remains something of a controversy, it seems to be turning into a ‘controversy’ like Creationism or UFOs- sure, there’s two sides if you ask enough people, but the people who know what they’re talking about ten… --- ## [Is there an: I absolutely DO NOT stand with Phil Robertson petition?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-i-absolutely-do-not-stand-with-phil-robertson-petition/677212)
**Author:** [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-i-absolutely-do-not-stand-with-phil-robertson-petition/677212 "2013-12-28T21:13:01Z")
I am a big believer in the First Amendment and Free Speech. I have reviewed the text of the FA, and I can’t find any reference to Congress ensuring that anyone be given a TV show. And part of the idea behind Free Speech… --- ## [Not gay but want to spend your life with a friend](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-gay-but-want-to-spend-your-life-with-a-friend/677231)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2013, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-gay-but-want-to-spend-your-life-with-a-friend/677231 "2013-12-28T18:18:54Z")
If two friends of the same sex feel like they would be quite happy spending their lives together even though sexually they would continue to seek out the opposite sex should they be allowed to marry? They would essential… --- ## [Mandela Gandhi MLK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandela-gandhi-mlk/677089)
**Author:** [@MostlyUseless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MostlyUseless)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2013, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandela-gandhi-mlk/677089 "2013-12-28T01:17:48Z")
In my opinion, I would place Gandhi and MLK higher than Mandela only because they never resorted to any violence. At the same time, Mandela’s situation may have necessitated such actions. --- ## [Are we OK with religions as long as people don't publically express the beliefs of those religions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-ok-with-religions-as-long-as-people-dont-publically-express-the-beliefs-of-those-religions/676965)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2013, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-ok-with-religions-as-long-as-people-dont-publically-express-the-beliefs-of-those-religions/676965 "2013-12-28T01:55:08Z")
Regarding the latest brouhaha about one of Duck Dynasty’s stars saying that homosexuality is a sin, I don’t get why people are surprised by him having this opinion. I don’t see why this has made the news at all. If someo… --- ## [Is Childbirth as painful as riding in the Tour de France?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-childbirth-as-painful-as-riding-in-the-tour-de-france/677136)
**Author:** [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2013, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-childbirth-as-painful-as-riding-in-the-tour-de-france/677136 "2013-12-26T23:26:50Z")
No disrespect to my Mom, she gave birth to me after all, so I’m eternally grateful. That said, I often hear women reach for the childbirth card when men complain about pain of some sort. Fair enough, if you’re a gu… --- ## [Christmas stoppage WW1](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-stoppage-ww1/676315)
**Author:** [@MostlyUseless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MostlyUseless)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2013, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-stoppage-ww1/676315 "2013-12-26T13:17:02Z")
What could have happened in WW1 if the common soldier from both sides had just refused to go on? Would the world actually have changed? --- ## [A Possibility: Is Kim Jong Un purging the old guard to bring progress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-possibility-is-kim-jong-un-purging-the-old-guard-to-bring-progress/676717)
**Author:** [@Farin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farin)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2013, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-possibility-is-kim-jong-un-purging-the-old-guard-to-bring-progress/676717 "2013-12-24T20:28:10Z")
According to this, the Kaesong industrial complex is still going and might even possibly, potentially, at some point (additional qualifier, additional qualifier) open up to non South Korean labor or presence, even withou… --- ## [What is the utility of a secondary CDS market?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-utility-of-a-secondary-cds-market/676118)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2013, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-utility-of-a-secondary-cds-market/676118 "2013-12-23T07:31:16Z")
This may be a General Question, but these things can be politically charged. I had always thought of CDSs as a simple insurance policy on a bond. It turns out that I was wrong. The original owner can sell the policy t… --- ## [New Zealand should give Aristocratic titles to there Native people of Noble birth.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-should-give-aristocratic-titles-to-there-native-people-of-noble-birth/676423)
**Author:** [@Ben-wynyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ben-wynyard)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2013, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-should-give-aristocratic-titles-to-there-native-people-of-noble-birth/676423 "2013-12-23T01:52:35Z")
I am to ask the question. Why aren’t Maori Nobility of New Zealand titled? The country is full of Ariki/Royals and Rangatira/Aristocrats! So if New Zealand has a Queen with a Title then why hasn’t she titled her noble su… --- ## [Why has religious belief eroded in Europe but not the United States?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-religious-belief-eroded-in-europe-but-not-the-united-states/675198)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2013, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-religious-belief-eroded-in-europe-but-not-the-united-states/675198 "2013-12-22T07:18:32Z")
Hi, I’m curious why religious belief has faded in most of the developed world, but not in the United States. This is probably going to be a hard question to answer when comparing Japan or South Korea to the US since our … --- ## [Truthers and conspiracy theorists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 332\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2013, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174 "2013-12-22T03:56:45Z")
Is there a common psychological profile for these types? Is there a listing in the DSM for them? I mean, really. Is there some fundamental reason that they refuse to grasp logic and what the rest of the world considers s… --- ## [What if: Jesus presents himself as a mere prophet.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-jesus-presents-himself-as-a-mere-prophet/676693)
**Author:** [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2013, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-jesus-presents-himself-as-a-mere-prophet/676693 "2013-12-21T12:39:46Z")
There’s an interesting little moment in John 10 where a crowd bent on stoning Jesus (a) stops to readily admit that Jesus has of course done many good works, but (b) explains that claiming to be God equals blasphemy equa… --- ## [Why is American healthcare so expensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-american-healthcare-so-expensive/676656)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2013, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-american-healthcare-so-expensive/676656 "2013-12-21T02:46:36Z")
As I understand it, healthcare problems wouldn’t be such a problem if healthcare costs were brought under control. What is the source of these problems and what portion do they contribute to overall problem? Some issue… --- ## [Comparisons to the Civil Rights movement are overused, incorrect, and insulting.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparisons-to-the-civil-rights-movement-are-overused-incorrect-and-insulting/676105)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 194\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2013, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparisons-to-the-civil-rights-movement-are-overused-incorrect-and-insulting/676105 "2013-12-20T23:22:20Z")
In the recent thread about bakers in Colorado, the very first reply mentioned Rosa Parks, thus joining a trend of bringing up comparisons to the Civil Rights movement for everything from voter ID laws to Food Stamps. Th… --- ## [Court strikes down polygamy cohab law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/court-strikes-down-polygamy-cohab-law/676502)
**Author:** [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2013, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/court-strikes-down-polygamy-cohab-law/676502 "2013-12-20T23:17:12Z")
…and rightwingers freak out, saying they knew it would happen after sodomy and gay marriage were legalized. To which I say, yeah, and that’s good. Marriage equality means marriage equality. (Actually, the decision is o… --- ## [Finally. One that dares. Uruguay to legalize Pot.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-one-that-dares-uruguay-to-legalize-pot/676093)
**Author:** [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2013, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-one-that-dares-uruguay-to-legalize-pot/676093 "2013-12-20T22:52:53Z")
Uruguay to legalize marijuana, Senate says Those in favor say: Those against claim: I have been for years – decades really – in favor of legalizing the use of marijuana for adults, so I obviously agree with this gro… --- ## [Obama shakes hands with Raul Castro. So what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-shakes-hands-with-raul-castro-so-what/675985)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-shakes-hands-with-raul-castro-so-what/675985 "2013-12-20T17:30:53Z")
At Nelson Mandela’s funeral, Obama shook hands with Raul Castro. Liberals are excited, while the RW blogosphere seethes (partly because Obama seems to be bowing to Castro, but I think he’s just looking down because he’s… --- ## [So just how warm or cool SHOULD the planet be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-just-how-warm-or-cool-should-the-planet-be/674032)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-just-how-warm-or-cool-should-the-planet-be/674032 "2013-12-19T22:30:39Z")
This isn’t likely to be a problem for a while, because of the carbon dioxide we’ve already dumped into the atmosphere and how much more we’ll continue to for the time being. But if civilization continues I’m sure that by… --- ## [Was Mustapha Mond right? Is it socially dangerous for too many people to be smart?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-mustapha-mond-right-is-it-socially-dangerous-for-too-many-people-to-be-smart/676352)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2013, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-mustapha-mond-right-is-it-socially-dangerous-for-too-many-people-to-be-smart/676352 "2013-12-19T05:20:48Z")
From Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World: --- ## [What's the big deal about the Holy Spirit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-the-holy-spirit/676344)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2013, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-the-holy-spirit/676344 "2013-12-19T03:17:24Z")
Holy Ghost? This is not an episode of Scooby Doo! For those unawares blaspheming against the Holy Spirit is \*the \*one unforgivable sin in the Bible and Christian doctrine. The blood of the risen Christ Jesus redeems all… --- ## [Would it make sense for US Govt to intentionally leak false documents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-make-sense-for-us-govt-to-intentionally-leak-false-documents/676445)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2013, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-make-sense-for-us-govt-to-intentionally-leak-false-documents/676445 "2013-12-19T02:59:34Z")
Suppose the agency mocks up a number of documents and places an agent in a federal contractor job. After a few years (building up a cover story), the agent sends the documents to WikiLeaks and / or a foreign journalist.… --- ## [North Korea: How does it play out if Li'L Kim starts a war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-how-does-it-play-out-if-lil-kim-starts-a-war/676203)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2013, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-how-does-it-play-out-if-lil-kim-starts-a-war/676203 "2013-12-18T18:08:28Z")
From another thread: How does that play out? Suppose Kim Jong Un decides to attack South Korea. It would be suicide. If he breaks the armistice, the U.S. would have no choice but to continue the war. What would Chi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=247) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=249)