# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=293 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 294 --- ## [What executive orders could Obama give vis-a-vis gun control?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-executive-orders-could-obama-give-vis-a-vis-gun-control/646665)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2013, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-executive-orders-could-obama-give-vis-a-vis-gun-control/646665 "2013-01-21T16:58:06Z")
This is really a general question, but I figured it would wind up here. Mods, if you disagree, by all means move it. According to Biden, Obama is exploring the use of executive orders in order to somehow reign in gun v… --- ## [Objective summary of this atheist dude's view on Israel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objective-summary-of-this-atheist-dudes-view-on-israel/647777)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2013, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objective-summary-of-this-atheist-dudes-view-on-israel/647777 "2013-01-21T07:15:00Z")
I don’t want to pollute this dicussion with my own views much, so I will simply link you to this guy: As said above, I do know quite a lot about the vid - but will say nothing until a good number of some … --- ## [The government should study the role of religion in gun violence.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-government-should-study-the-role-of-religion-in-gun-violence/647470)
**Author:** [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2013, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-government-should-study-the-role-of-religion-in-gun-violence/647470 "2013-01-20T21:23:13Z")
Obama laid out a plan to reduce gun violence today, which in part proposed studying the effects of violent video games on crime and lifting the CDC “ban” on gun violence studies. I propose that since religious texts are… --- ## [Is it legal to fire employees for not getting a flu shot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-fire-employees-for-not-getting-a-flu-shot/642191)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2013, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-fire-employees-for-not-getting-a-flu-shot/642191 "2013-01-20T05:28:00Z")
I’m not sure this has a GQ answer. So I’m putting it in Debates. I have a hunch this will eventually get settled after a prolonged legal battle. :stuck\_out\_tongue: Is it legal for any employer to require flu shots? Ca… --- ## [Is white culture unassailable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-white-culture-unassailable/646249)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-white-culture-unassailable/646249 "2013-01-20T00:32:19Z")
I have an Indian friend with whom I’ve been discussing how he feels about depictions of Indians in works by non Indians (Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire, Sita Sings the Blues, etc). I’ve been trying to create an analogo… --- ## [3 in 1 had a son? / Doctrine of the Trinity a logical contradiction? \[merged threads\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-had-a-son-doctrine-of-the-trinity-a-logical-contradiction-merged-threads/646811)
**Author:** [@virtually\_yours](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/virtually_yours)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-had-a-son-doctrine-of-the-trinity-a-logical-contradiction-merged-threads/646811 "2013-01-19T19:35:50Z")
Hope this the correct forum for this I guess it’s a toss between a question and an opinion statement… here goes: Some Christians say God is three in one, does that mean whenever they say God did something, the three in … --- ## [Hugo Chavez might be too sick to attend his own inaugural](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hugo-chavez-might-be-too-sick-to-attend-his-own-inaugural/643903)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2013, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hugo-chavez-might-be-too-sick-to-attend-his-own-inaugural/643903 "2013-01-19T19:15:45Z")
Or even to leave Cuba for it. It doesn’t look good for him. Chavez has at least had the foresight to name a successor: So, there could be a smooth succession and a continuation of the “Bolivarian Revolution” under es… --- ## ["An End To the Ban on Gun-Violence Studies"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-end-to-the-ban-on-gun-violence-studies/647032)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-end-to-the-ban-on-gun-violence-studies/647032 "2013-01-19T01:47:06Z")
Okay, yeah, I’m listening to ultra-left-wing National Public Media, but… In a story about the Biden Gun-Control panel, one of the items they said that Biden would likely recommend was an “End to the ban on gun-violence … --- ## [God must be a sadist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-must-be-a-sadist/645080)
**Author:** [@TheCrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCrow)\ **Replies:** 407\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2013, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-must-be-a-sadist/645080 "2013-01-18T17:19:54Z")
What if there is a God/creator/whatever and he/she/it is a sadist? After observing the world around me which contains; pestilence, war, genocide, famine, and human suffering (loneliness, frustration, fear, guilt, shame, … --- ## [Do you think this reasoning make sense? \[dying for your beliefs instead of killing for them\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-this-reasoning-make-sense-dying-for-your-beliefs-instead-of-killing-for-them/647450)
**Author:** [@alnewman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alnewman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-this-reasoning-make-sense-dying-for-your-beliefs-instead-of-killing-for-them/647450 "2013-01-18T16:45:46Z")
I met a person who said “I have the greatest respect for those who would die for their beliefs as opposed to kill for them.” I’ve come to agree with that viewpoint myself. Does anyone else agree with it, disagree? --- ## [Who REALLY runs the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-really-runs-the-us/619951)
**Author:** [@SomeBodyUK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SomeBodyUK)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-really-runs-the-us/619951 "2013-01-18T16:26:54Z")
I’ve often heard that the US President is often a “front man” or a “puppet” of other organisations - how true is this assertion? This will never happen for obvious reasons, but there are many articles stating that Herma… --- ## [God and the Problem Of Evil.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-and-the-problem-of-evil/639411)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 305\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2013, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-and-the-problem-of-evil/639411 "2013-01-18T16:16:28Z")
Here is a question I have been struggling with myself literally for years now. Why would a loving merciful God allow so much suffering in the world? This question is obviously directed at the people on these boards who … --- ## [A decent way of differentiating between right/left wing basic economics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-decent-way-of-differentiating-between-right-left-wing-basic-economics/647598)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2013, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-decent-way-of-differentiating-between-right-left-wing-basic-economics/647598 "2013-01-18T15:24:10Z")
Because I am inclined that way, I often think about how I am going to explain things to my kids. Anyway, while this is is certainly not how I would differentiate the entirety of the difference between left and right wing… --- ## [Neurosurgeon: Near Death Experience](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neurosurgeon-near-death-experience/637182)
**Author:** [@Naive\_Evian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Naive_Evian)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2013, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neurosurgeon-near-death-experience/637182 "2013-01-18T14:38:29Z")
This guy’s story does not seem to add up to me. He claims there was no activity in his cortex. Is that possible if his cortex recovered? Wouldn’t it have to be getting oxygen the whole time or it would die off very fast?… --- ## [Is it right to imprison weirdo Tony Bennet for disgusting slander of poor victims McCanns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-right-to-imprison-weirdo-tony-bennet-for-disgusting-slander-of-poor-victims-mccanns/647578)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2013, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-right-to-imprison-weirdo-tony-bennet-for-disgusting-slander-of-poor-victims-mccanns/647578 "2013-01-18T09:11:47Z")
I made the title how it is so my personal bias is entirely obvious. I will however try to sum up the facts in a neutral way. Almost everyone in the UK will remember the disappearence of Madeline McCann - and I suspect t… --- ## [Creationism vs evolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-vs-evolution/631281)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2013, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-vs-evolution/631281 "2013-01-18T05:40:03Z")
I fail to see a contradiction between creationism and evolution. Most all Christians that I know personaly believe in evolution, they believe that God found the perfect mechanism for dealing with an ever changing planet.… --- ## [Will Muslim World have to cope with humanism and rationalism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-muslim-world-have-to-cope-with-humanism-and-rationalism/619943)
**Author:** [@Otkakonmiskilic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otkakonmiskilic)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2013, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-muslim-world-have-to-cope-with-humanism-and-rationalism/619943 "2013-01-18T03:54:24Z")
\*Catholicism and Protestantism had to cope with humanism and rationalism for hundreds of years. Thus the influence of religion on the Western World gradually have perished / have been perishing. When the statement above… --- ## [Yaacct... \[Yet another anthropomorphic \[sic\] climate change thread\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yaacct-yet-another-anthropomorphic-sic-climate-change-thread/646245)
**Author:** [@CheapBastid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheapBastid)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2013, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yaacct-yet-another-anthropomorphic-sic-climate-change-thread/646245 "2013-01-18T02:57:09Z")
…Yet Another Anthropomorphic Climate Change Thread. So conservative friend of mine sent me a link to PowerLineBlog: Rather than jump in with the fact that the general scientific consensus seems to be on the other sid… --- ## [How would world religions deal with discovery of sapient alien life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-world-religions-deal-with-discovery-of-sapient-alien-life/645401)
**Author:** [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2013, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-world-religions-deal-with-discovery-of-sapient-alien-life/645401 "2013-01-18T01:00:58Z")
I’m sorry if this type of discussion has been done to death, but what do you think would happen? Would they accept that the aliens have souls, can go to an afterlife, etc? Would they look to religious texts for proof/v… --- ## [The Role of Dogs in Different Cultures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-role-of-dogs-in-different-cultures/647454)
**Author:** [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2013, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-role-of-dogs-in-different-cultures/647454 "2013-01-17T23:34:49Z")
While dog was the first animal domesticated and has been co-living with humans in some capacity for tens of thousands of years, dogs have very different “roles” in different societies. In middle/upper class white (and t… --- ## [Jesus Christ and The Second Coming...Are we waiting for Him to be physically reborn or](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576)
**Author:** [@pchaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pchaos)\ **Replies:** 164\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2013, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576 "2013-01-17T14:19:27Z")
is it just a metaphor. Hmmm…tough question, but it looks like a metaphor to me. The Second Coming is a metaphor for when we meet our Maker. It is a time when we need to answer tough questions from our Father in Heaven… --- ## [was Hitler a Christian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-hitler-a-christian/646455)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2013, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-hitler-a-christian/646455 "2013-01-17T12:31:43Z")
If so, is he in heaven? --- ## [Can the Federal Government issue scrip to bypass the debt ceiling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-federal-government-issue-scrip-to-bypass-the-debt-ceiling/647143)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2013, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-federal-government-issue-scrip-to-bypass-the-debt-ceiling/647143 "2013-01-17T04:16:15Z")
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/opinion/an-escape-hatch-for-the-debt-ceiling.html?\_r=0 This sounds more reasonable and legal than the platinum coin nonsense. Is it legal? Would it be a good idea? Would banks be willi… --- ## [Fair & Balanced? PROVE IT!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fair-balanced-prove-it/646816)
**Author:** [@Hottius\_Maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hottius_Maximus)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2013, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fair-balanced-prove-it/646816 "2013-01-17T01:42:35Z")
This is for BOTH left wing liberals and right wing conservatives! Now’s your chance to really show the SDMB how truly fair and balanced you are! Conservatives: I challenge you all to tell us about some conservatives t… --- ## [Is Britain slipping out of the EU?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-britain-slipping-out-of-the-eu/647267)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2013, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-britain-slipping-out-of-the-eu/647267 "2013-01-16T23:17:42Z")
Cameron is set to deliver a big speech in Amsterdam on Friday on Britain’s involvement with the EU. He’s expected to promise a straight in-out referendum following new EU treaty negotiations in a few years time on the s… --- ## [Sanctioned suicide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanctioned-suicide/647294)
**Author:** [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanctioned-suicide/647294 "2013-01-16T21:36:18Z")
Inspired by The Pit thread about suicide by train, where Flight asks: I responded: And Maastricht responded to that: So - a GD topic. Should suicide be unstigmatized and assisted, even encouraged in some cases? … --- ## [Are women more thoughtfull than men?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-women-more-thoughtfull-than-men/646694)
**Author:** [@alnewman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alnewman)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-women-more-thoughtfull-than-men/646694 "2013-01-16T19:43:51Z")
Women tend to be more emotional then men in my experience (not putting a value on that… simply stating an hypothesis), but are women as a whole more thought full then men? --- ## [Should we increase the age at which people become entitled to Medicare/SS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-increase-the-age-at-which-people-become-entitled-to-medicare-ss/647303)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-increase-the-age-at-which-people-become-entitled-to-medicare-ss/647303 "2013-01-16T17:46:00Z")
Should we gradually increase the age at which you can receive your SS/Medicare benefits to, say, age 70 by, say, 2020? This is really general question, but it remains controversial. It seems like a good idea to me, but… --- ## [Individual actions vs. statistical likelyhood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/individual-actions-vs-statistical-likelyhood/646967)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2013, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/individual-actions-vs-statistical-likelyhood/646967 "2013-01-16T12:41:59Z")
Obviously inspired by, but not necessarily limited to, the gun debate. My question here is, when should human behavior be regarded as the actions of individuals, and when should it be treated statistically as the populat… --- ## [Flag protests in Northern Ireland.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flag-protests-in-northern-ireland/643437)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2013, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flag-protests-in-northern-ireland/643437 "2013-01-16T06:06:19Z")
Don’t know if this has made the news beyond these islands. On Monday Belfast city councillors voted for the restriction of flying the union jack on City Hall to certain designated days. These designated days are the day… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=292) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=294)