# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=398 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 399 --- ## [Why Judge The Past By Standards Of Today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-judge-the-past-by-standards-of-today/575219)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-judge-the-past-by-standards-of-today/575219 "2011-03-21T15:08:11Z")
Why do so many people judge people and events of the past by the moral standards of to-day? To give some of the most popular examples, consider the strong criticism given to the laws and actions of the Kingdom of Israel… --- ## [Does the military really 'protect our freedom'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-military-really-protect-our-freedom/574030)
**Author:** [@donnie\_darko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donnie_darko)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2011, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-military-really-protect-our-freedom/574030 "2011-03-21T14:41:51Z")
Freedom from what? Communists and Muslims taking over? There’s NO CONNECTION between the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and my freedom. None at all! I think the idea of the military ‘protecting our freedom’ is just an old … --- ## [Christian nation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-nation/575135)
**Author:** [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2011, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-nation/575135 "2011-03-21T11:05:10Z")
A thread was closed asking if this was a Christian nation.There are a Majority of People in the US that call them self Christian, but from my vantage point it is hard to tell. Too many spend their time worrying about put… --- ## [Morality of Civil Wars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-of-civil-wars/575175)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-of-civil-wars/575175 "2011-03-21T00:09:24Z")
Suppose in 2011, a state or some states decided to secede from the union, over some real or perceived difference of opinion with the PTB on the federal level. They form their own country. The federal government can crush… --- ## [Voting Constitutional Amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-constitutional-amendment/574413)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2011, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-constitutional-amendment/574413 "2011-03-20T19:23:12Z")
OK, I got it, I figured it out. And it all so simple! \*\*Representation in the lower house of Congress shall be based on the number of lawful ballots cast in the preceding election for representatives to that house. \*\* S… --- ## [Does Judaism have elements of a racial and ethnic group or is it just a religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-judaism-have-elements-of-a-racial-and-ethnic-group-or-is-it-just-a-religion/574505)
**Author:** [@donnie\_darko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donnie_darko)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2011, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-judaism-have-elements-of-a-racial-and-ethnic-group-or-is-it-just-a-religion/574505 "2011-03-20T05:39:48Z")
I would say that Judaism is first an ethnic group, as it is more the culture you are born into or choose to practice that makes you Jewish than whether you actually believe in the Torah and Yahweh (otherwise there would … --- ## [Who is Satan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-satan/574551)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2011, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-satan/574551 "2011-03-20T05:12:08Z")
What is the nature of Satan as he is described in the Bible? in my opinion we can disregard the reference to the creature that tempted Eve in Genesis because it was merely a crafty animal: \[QUOTE=Genesis 3:1\] 1 Now th… --- ## [Why does this racial disparity exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-this-racial-disparity-exist/574603)
**Author:** [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2011, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-this-racial-disparity-exist/574603 "2011-03-20T04:39:42Z")
Why are we still seeing this level of racial discrimination in the 21st century? --- ## [Is Sarah Palin turning into the white Al Sharpton?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-turning-into-the-white-al-sharpton/574703)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2011, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-turning-into-the-white-al-sharpton/574703 "2011-03-19T13:47:46Z")
The folks quoted in this article seem to think so: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/51218.html Fame whore who regularly plays the victim card, doesn’t handle criticism well, plays loose with the facts and ref… --- ## [Is a policy of non-interference preferable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-policy-of-non-interference-preferable/575165)
**Author:** [@humanafterall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/humanafterall)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2011, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-policy-of-non-interference-preferable/575165 "2011-03-19T12:12:28Z")
Is it better to just never get involved in the policies and problems of other countries, or other people regardless of whether or not the outcome of a particular event will affect you or your country? What right has the … --- ## [Could the money spent on the Israel-Arab conflict have solved the Palestinian problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-money-spent-on-the-israel-arab-conflict-have-solved-the-palestinian-problem/573830)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2011, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-money-spent-on-the-israel-arab-conflict-have-solved-the-palestinian-problem/573830 "2011-03-19T07:15:44Z")
It is evident that Israel, in the 63 years of its existence, has spent an incredibly high proportion of its budget on defense. Similarly, Arab (and perhaps Islamic non-Arab) states around and near Israel have spent incre… --- ## [Impact of Japanese Earthquake on Domestic and World Economy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impact-of-japanese-earthquake-on-domestic-and-world-economy/574373)
**Author:** [@BACI](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BACI)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2011, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impact-of-japanese-earthquake-on-domestic-and-world-economy/574373 "2011-03-19T04:58:53Z")
The world is in the process of recovering from the GFC, and Japan’s domestic economy has had more than its fair share of difficulties (including as I understand it very low growth and interest rates around zero). What w… --- ## [Can a good person fight for an evil cause?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-good-person-fight-for-an-evil-cause/574594)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2011, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-good-person-fight-for-an-evil-cause/574594 "2011-03-19T01:59:30Z")
I recall having this debate years ago and never coming it a conclusion. Can someone who in most other aspects of their life be considered a ‘good person’ still lay claim to that if they find themselves voluntarily fighti… --- ## [Coworker lying on time sheet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coworker-lying-on-time-sheet/459925)
**Author:** [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2011, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coworker-lying-on-time-sheet/459925 "2011-03-19T01:42:25Z")
One of my coworkers is lying on the time sheet. She seems to be adding an extra hour a day. I know this because she and I work the same hours but where I write 6 1/2 hours, she writes 7 1/2 hours. Myob or say something?… --- ## [Why continue life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-continue-life/574865)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2011, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-continue-life/574865 "2011-03-19T01:33:51Z")
Is there a reason to continue life if all an individual does is produce wealth, pay taxes and wait for death sometime in the future. If you have no family, and no heirs, what is the purpose of existence? --- ## [Would the World Be Better If There Is No Sexual Desire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-world-be-better-if-there-is-no-sexual-desire/574491)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-world-be-better-if-there-is-no-sexual-desire/574491 "2011-03-18T20:21:18Z")
Suppose today everyone’s nature to sexual desire disappeared-pooffftttttt, gone. What would be the consequences and would the world be better off for it? There would still be love and kids (because most kids born today a… --- ## [Pay Teachers More](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-teachers-more/574532)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 160\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-teachers-more/574532 "2011-03-18T19:00:04Z")
So says Nicholas Kristof. His article says some things in it that are hard for me to agree with, because they somewhat strike at my self-interest: he talks about reducing job security and benefits for teachers and incr… --- ## [The quietest voice in America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quietest-voice-in-america/575081)
**Author:** [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quietest-voice-in-america/575081 "2011-03-18T18:28:40Z")
In this post in the thread “How far away are Americans from the “breaking point”?” Agnostic Pagan makes a sage point which I find intriguing: Is this true, even a truism of American politics? It’s not true here in Aus… --- ## [Dayton Police Dept lowering test standards to recruit more blacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dayton-police-dept-lowering-test-standards-to-recruit-more-blacks/574455)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2011, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dayton-police-dept-lowering-test-standards-to-recruit-more-blacks/574455 "2011-03-18T16:16:56Z")
Story here OK, I understand the need for a police force that reflects the community it serves but is this really the way to get there? Isn’t this insulting to African-Americans? Why not improve the damn schools and… --- ## [Beauty contest do more good than harm?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beauty-contest-do-more-good-than-harm/575129)
**Author:** [@Wayne30](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wayne30)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2011, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beauty-contest-do-more-good-than-harm/575129 "2011-03-18T14:27:24Z")
Just as the title goes, that’s a debate topic… Any view? --- ## [If you start helping someone, is it unethical to stop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-start-helping-someone-is-it-unethical-to-stop/574726)
**Author:** [@xoferew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xoferew)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2011, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-start-helping-someone-is-it-unethical-to-stop/574726 "2011-03-18T12:13:02Z")
Examples: When I was a kid I got excited about donating money to one of those “Sponsor a third-world child and they’ll write to you” charities. My dad said no, it wouldn’t be right to start if you couldn’t commit to … --- ## [Can someone explain to me why conservatives are against renewable energy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-why-conservatives-are-against-renewable-energy/574686)
**Author:** [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Replies:** 160\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2011, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-why-conservatives-are-against-renewable-energy/574686 "2011-03-18T05:35:15Z")
I can understand many conservative arguments against taxing rich people more, allowing people to buy firearms, and against all that other crap, but one thing I have never understood is the resistance to new forms of ener… --- ## [What's the real difference between O'Keefe and other media?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-real-difference-between-okeefe-and-other-media/574309)
**Author:** [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Replies:** 173\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2011, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-real-difference-between-okeefe-and-other-media/574309 "2011-03-17T20:13:27Z")
Okay. So James O’Keefe tells fibs, hides a camera, and gets people to say things on camera they might regret later. We can argue endlessly about how these remarks fit into a broader context. We can also argue about wh… --- ## [Bad ideas in education](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-ideas-in-education/571893)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 245\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2011, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-ideas-in-education/571893 "2011-03-17T01:56:00Z")
It seems like almost everyone agrees that education in the United States is in bad shape and there’s a huge array of possible explanations as to why and what we should do about it. However, most articles and editorials … --- ## [Are We Really a Christian Nation ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-really-a-christian-nation/574977)
**Author:** [@James13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James13)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2011, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-really-a-christian-nation/574977 "2011-03-17T00:02:35Z")
FHL FRUIT OF LIFE Are We Really a Christian Nation? Written by Minister MarcAlan There are two ministers. Both involved in politics, one an outspoken republican and the other an outspoken democrat. Each one putting h… --- ## [Why did we honor banker's employment contracts but not public worker's (union) contracts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-we-honor-bankers-employment-contracts-but-not-public-workers-union-contracts/574385)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2011, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-we-honor-bankers-employment-contracts-but-not-public-workers-union-contracts/574385 "2011-03-16T19:34:54Z")
In the thread about Michigan’s new “financial emergency” law, gonzomax brings up a good point: If it was so important that we taxpayers pony up to the bankers who caused the financial meltdown because they had employme… --- ## [You're Jimmy Carter. Hostages have been taken in Iran. What do you do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-jimmy-carter-hostages-have-been-taken-in-iran-what-do-you-do/574547)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2011, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-jimmy-carter-hostages-have-been-taken-in-iran-what-do-you-do/574547 "2011-03-16T17:57:58Z")
This has always been an intriguing question to me, because I think I would have pursued a targeted military rescue mission, over some sort of overt military invasion. But Carter did try that, with disastrous results (th… --- ## [King hearings under way.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-hearings-under-way/574187)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-hearings-under-way/574187 "2011-03-16T16:54:42Z")
Peter King’s Muslim bashing hearings are underway. Not much to say yet except that Keith Ellison was amazing. --- ## ["Holy Books" the keys to long-forgotten knowledge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-books-the-keys-to-long-forgotten-knowledge/574710)
**Author:** [@humanafterall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/humanafterall)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2011, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-books-the-keys-to-long-forgotten-knowledge/574710 "2011-03-16T04:51:56Z")
What if all the advances we have made were really just giant leaps backward instead of forward? What if we had already known these things millions of years ago, and are just know relearning them? I have had time to read … --- ## ["Did torrents kill SGU?" ..and deeper philosophical questions.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-torrents-kill-sgu-and-deeper-philosophical-questions/574018)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2011, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-torrents-kill-sgu-and-deeper-philosophical-questions/574018 "2011-03-16T03:57:03Z")
I saw that headline on an article somewhere, the premise being that people who downloaded a torrent of the show rather than actually watch it on television brought the ratings down sufficiently to cause its cancellation. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=397) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=399)