# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=298 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 299 --- ## [What If We Were All Reptiles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-were-all-reptiles/643818)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-were-all-reptiles/643818 "2012-12-17T15:55:47Z")
Apparently there is this theory that if the dinosaurs weren’t all killed by that comet, we’d all be “Dinosauroids” (as opposed to humanoids, or whatever–you know, Mammals). My question is, what would our civilization be… --- ## [Why isn't The Bible the Official Law of The Land in any country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-the-bible-the-official-law-of-the-land-in-any-country/643819)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2012, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-the-bible-the-official-law-of-the-land-in-any-country/643819 "2012-12-17T15:28:48Z")
I’ll preface this by saying that in no way do I think making The Bible the official law of a country is a good idea. (And I’m strongly Christian, although a liberal Christian). But many Arab countries follow sharia law… --- ## [Why are those in favor of greater gun control opposed to concealed carry licenses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-those-in-favor-of-greater-gun-control-opposed-to-concealed-carry-licenses/643757)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 206\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-those-in-favor-of-greater-gun-control-opposed-to-concealed-carry-licenses/643757 "2012-12-16T20:28:02Z")
Concealed carry licenses are essentially a form of firearms registration. It also requires the applicant to more extensive background checks as well as submit to things like, in Texas anyway, not being able to drink at … --- ## [Breaker Morant- Was He A Scapegoat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaker-morant-was-he-a-scapegoat/616754)
**Author:** [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2012, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaker-morant-was-he-a-scapegoat/616754 "2012-12-16T13:30:10Z")
I’ve used the mae Breaker Morant as it is far more recognisable than the person killed by firing squad alongside him, Lt Handcock. The majority od members I assume have heard of the movie about Morant, and there have be… --- ## [Theists: can you explain why you think of God as male (or female)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theists-can-you-explain-why-you-think-of-god-as-male-or-female/642985)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2012, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theists-can-you-explain-why-you-think-of-god-as-male-or-female/642985 "2012-12-16T12:49:25Z")
A while ago, somebody started a GD thread called “Build a God.” I’d link to it but I don’t remember who started it and God is too few characters to search for and I don’t know how to use Google search or to embed links i… --- ## [Should US citizens be allowed to have heavy weapons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-us-citizens-be-allowed-to-have-heavy-weapons/644072)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-us-citizens-be-allowed-to-have-heavy-weapons/644072 "2012-12-16T01:35:54Z")
I understand that one of the major reasons for the 2nd amendment is to have an armed citizenry 1) to deter tyranny 2) overthrow the tyranny if step 1 fails. Given that, shouldn’t the armed citizenry have access to weap… --- ## [Patriot missiles on Turkey's border with Syria: Why the excitement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patriot-missiles-on-turkeys-border-with-syria-why-the-excitement/644127)
**Author:** [@Inbred\_Mm\_domesticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inbred_Mm_domesticus)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2012, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patriot-missiles-on-turkeys-border-with-syria-why-the-excitement/644127 "2012-12-16T00:30:32Z")
Over the past few weeks I’ve read many articles reporting on Turkey’s request for Patriot missile batteries. I don’t think I’ve understood anything about this request or the responses of many of the nations in the region… --- ## [Just how religious is the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-religious-is-the-us/589580)
**Author:** [@HumanBear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HumanBear)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-religious-is-the-us/589580 "2012-12-15T21:47:07Z")
I suspect this may lead to a debate, but feel free to move it elsewhere moderators. I’ve only ever visited Seattle in the US, and that was for a couple of days. I did live in Vancouver for a while, and was surprised whe… --- ## [Should Heroin Addicts Be Given Heroin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-heroin-addicts-be-given-heroin/642359)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-heroin-addicts-be-given-heroin/642359 "2012-12-15T16:36:01Z")
I don’t have it in front of me now. But I once read a very interesting magazine article (I also saw the story once on a tv special). In Britain, Heroin addicts are given Heroin to deal with their withdrawal symptoms. I … --- ## [Conn shooting suspect's brother's possessions being searched](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conn-shooting-suspects-brothers-possessions-being-searched/644071)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2012, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conn-shooting-suspects-brothers-possessions-being-searched/644071 "2012-12-15T06:20:29Z")
I know that this is soon after a tragedy, but surely there must be more than this to be able to search someone’s stuff: http://news.yahoo.com/official-gunmans-nj-brother-cooperating-230221516.html \[QUOTE=The Article\] … --- ## [Is it true that nudity is more offensive than violence in America? If so why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-nudity-is-more-offensive-than-violence-in-america-if-so-why/643830)
**Author:** [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2012, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-nudity-is-more-offensive-than-violence-in-america-if-so-why/643830 "2012-12-15T01:36:33Z")
It seems to be common knowledge that Americans are more offended at the sight of a nipple than at, say, the sight of somebody getting shot to pieces in the name of entertainment. The Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction de… --- ## [God and judgment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-and-judgment/643703)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-and-judgment/643703 "2012-12-14T20:53:38Z")
Where did Noah keep all the fish? Which deck held the blue whale? --- ## [Taxation of the Rich, or Oppression of a minority?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxation-of-the-rich-or-oppression-of-a-minority/643765)
**Author:** [@Endopotential](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Endopotential)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxation-of-the-rich-or-oppression-of-a-minority/643765 "2012-12-14T15:13:27Z")
Apropos of the ongoing debates in Washington, wondering to what extent can the majority vote to oppress a minority? Carried to an extreme, can the 99% demand that anyone in the 1% each pay a million dollars to help out … --- ## [Is Robertson v. Baldwin still held to be valid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-robertson-v-baldwin-still-held-to-be-valid/644027)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2012, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-robertson-v-baldwin-still-held-to-be-valid/644027 "2012-12-14T14:44:26Z")
ROBERTSON v. BALDWIN, 165 U.S. 275 (1897) was a case involving involuntary servitude by sailors. But the ruling potentially goes way beyond that; the majority opinion was that the Bill of Rights had “exceptions” from tim… --- ## [Planet Earth - Max Capacity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/planet-earth-max-capacity/643197)
**Author:** [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2012, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/planet-earth-max-capacity/643197 "2012-12-14T12:18:16Z")
So this months (or maybe last) issue of Wired magazine has a great series of articles on the history or apocalyptic predictions and doomsayers. One of the more interesting facets was the timeline of past predictions from… --- ## [Is it time women took some responsibility for sex?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-women-took-some-responsibility-for-sex/643341)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2012, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-women-took-some-responsibility-for-sex/643341 "2012-12-14T03:58:26Z")
Ok, I know this is a delicate subject. Up until the 1960’s nearly all the blame for sex was placed on the woman. Her entire life was examined and judged. Clearly that was wrong. The pendulum has shifted way too far in… --- ## [The National Counterterrorism Center: major threat to freedom or overblown?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-national-counterterrorism-center-major-threat-to-freedom-or-overblown/643946)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-national-counterterrorism-center-major-threat-to-freedom-or-overblown/643946 "2012-12-13T21:59:52Z")
The Wall Street Journal has an article on the NCTC, which (as it has been characterized by blogs and other non-professional sources) has the power to get any record they want on any citizen, whether accused or suspected … --- ## [What's an "entitlement?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-entitlement/643795)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2012, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-entitlement/643795 "2012-12-13T20:47:28Z")
Republicans have turned “entitlements” into quite a negative thing, something that comes about because lazy and shiftless Americans feel “entitled” to something (that Republicans feel they don’t really deserve). But the… --- ## [Federal Judge Rules 'Pro-Life' Plate Unconstitutional - Good Ruling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-judge-rules-pro-life-plate-unconstitutional-good-ruling/643787)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-judge-rules-pro-life-plate-unconstitutional-good-ruling/643787 "2012-12-13T18:35:14Z")
Story. So because the North Carolina legislature allowed pro-life specialty license plates (some of the money of which goes to support “Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship”), and didn’t allow Planned Parenthood, or other… --- ## [What if Edward VIII had never met Wallis Simpson?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-edward-viii-had-never-met-wallis-simpson/643669)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2012, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-edward-viii-had-never-met-wallis-simpson/643669 "2012-12-13T13:02:41Z")
Would he still have been forced to abdicate, later, just for being a Nazi sympathizer, as war with Germany approached? If not, how could he possibly have worked with Churchill? --- ## [The adamu "slave to the gods"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-adamu-slave-to-the-gods/643788)
**Author:** [@blacktophat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blacktophat)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-adamu-slave-to-the-gods/643788 "2012-12-13T02:17:10Z")
so… in my quest for spritual understanding, ive come across this. it has totally opened my mind to a whole new perception of reality. it basically fits right in with every other theory ive read. just connects all th… --- ## [Mad Magazine's 20 Dumbest People, Events, and Things of 2012](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-magazines-20-dumbest-people-events-and-things-of-2012/643623)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2012, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-magazines-20-dumbest-people-events-and-things-of-2012/643623 "2012-12-13T01:54:08Z")
It’s a tradition for me, about this time of year, to start a thread for discussing and predicting Time’s Person of the Year. This year I won’t bother, first because Time will probably just choose President Obama and als… --- ## ["Conservative" And A Sense Of Humor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-and-a-sense-of-humor/643658)
**Author:** [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2012, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-and-a-sense-of-humor/643658 "2012-12-12T19:46:10Z")
So before I even start, Dennis Miller is not funny. Now then, where are the “Conservative” comedians? And please note the Dennis Miller admonishment…I’m talking about people who are actually funny. Who is the voice of … --- ## [Could quantum physics ever be able to predict the future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-quantum-physics-ever-be-able-to-predict-the-future/643109)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-quantum-physics-ever-be-able-to-predict-the-future/643109 "2012-12-12T17:26:02Z")
This probably is not a new idea to a lot of you here, but it is new to me, since I haven’t studied much, if anything, about quantum physics. I heard today, that quantum physics has a theory that time doesn’t really exist… --- ## [Just how bad a dictator was Napoleon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-bad-a-dictator-was-napoleon/643206)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2012, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-bad-a-dictator-was-napoleon/643206 "2012-12-12T16:27:20Z")
We remember his military genius, but how was he as a ruler? Certainly he didn’t set out to destroy entire religious or ethnic groups like Hitler did, but just how heavy-handed was he in his governance of the French, and… --- ## [What if there were NEVER fossil fuels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-were-never-fossil-fuels/642466)
**Author:** [@Scholar\_Beardpig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scholar_Beardpig)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-were-never-fossil-fuels/642466 "2012-12-12T16:11:53Z")
Dear all - After reading the thread here - No Fossil Fuels - What would happen? End of OR Better Earth? - Great Debates - Straight Dope Message Board - I got to wondering… What if there were never any fossil fuels in t… --- ## [Is therapy a scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-therapy-a-scam/643603)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2012, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-therapy-a-scam/643603 "2012-12-12T15:25:14Z")
This may belong in GD, but I am curious if there is any evidence that talk therapy (not sure if I have the term correct) does any good? It seems like a lot of money is spent, but I don’t know anyone who says, “thanks to… --- ## [If you had the power, how would you structure the tax system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-the-power-how-would-you-structure-the-tax-system/643444)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2012, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-the-power-how-would-you-structure-the-tax-system/643444 "2012-12-12T13:05:49Z")
I see a lot of debates in a lot of places about who should be taxed and how much they should pay. Let’s just say, for the sake of discussion, that the current tax code has been totally scrapped, and Congress (or whatever… --- ## [Illinois Rebuked: Can't Forbid Concealed Carry No More!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illinois-rebuked-cant-forbid-concealed-carry-no-more/643737)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2012, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illinois-rebuked-cant-forbid-concealed-carry-no-more/643737 "2012-12-12T07:24:05Z")
Good. Well, not unequivocally. I think the Constitution does not, in fact, grant the right to carry concealed, although I do think it grants the right to carry. But I also think that this reading of the Second Amendmen… --- ## [What'll happen with the debt ceiling this time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatll-happen-with-the-debt-ceiling-this-time/643785)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatll-happen-with-the-debt-ceiling-this-time/643785 "2012-12-12T02:10:28Z")
Republicans like Lindsay Graham are threatening not to raise it, even though they acknowledge the financial devastation it’ll cause, a threat top leaders are more than willing to back up. Now, while they’d like to get r… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=297) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=299)