# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=412 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 413 --- ## [Do Christians follow the 10 commandments? Specifically the one about the Sabbath.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-christians-follow-the-10-commandments-specifically-the-one-about-the-sabbath/566853)
**Author:** [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-christians-follow-the-10-commandments-specifically-the-one-about-the-sabbath/566853 "2011-01-13T03:03:56Z")
I cannot remember knowing a Christian that observed the sabbath. Most seem to instead observe the lord’s day on Sundays, which is not the sabbath. Do any of the branches of Christians follow the ten commandments? Are th… --- ## [Am I a hypocritical little Lib?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-hypocritical-little-lib/567201)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-hypocritical-little-lib/567201 "2011-01-12T21:09:01Z")
Not really a Lib, per se, but I consider myself forward-thinking, progressive and in most social situations am quite liberal in what I feel others can do if they are so inclined. Keeping that in mind… Like most Liberal-… --- ## [Women: your opinion of orgasmic birth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-your-opinion-of-orgasmic-birth/566098)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-your-opinion-of-orgasmic-birth/566098 "2011-01-11T23:55:07Z")
Last night, during our hard partying new years eve of babysitting for our grandson and drinking sugar free Hawaiian Punch, we saw a show about Orgasmic Child Birth. My wife, the mother of my 3 children, looked at me and… --- ## [Wanted: a sensible explanation of why parents don't want kids exposed to sex but violence is okay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-a-sensible-explanation-of-why-parents-dont-want-kids-exposed-to-sex-but-violence-is-okay/566783)
**Author:** [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-a-sensible-explanation-of-why-parents-dont-want-kids-exposed-to-sex-but-violence-is-okay/566783 "2011-01-11T21:39:30Z")
Never quite understood this bizarre values system. Is the only way to understand this through the lens of America’s Puritanical past? Any insight, parents? --- ## [Sporting obesity vs. Societal obesity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sporting-obesity-vs-societal-obesity/567018)
**Author:** [@The\_Niply\_Elder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Niply_Elder)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sporting-obesity-vs-societal-obesity/567018 "2011-01-11T20:47:13Z")
So, it’s a Sunday morning and I find myself watching Baltimore vs. KC whilst I down some Pyramid Snowcap Winter Warm ales, and eating some guac and chips, and got to thinking “hey, maybe this isn’t all that healthy a pra… --- ## [What if U.S. military returned to the M1 Garand rifle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-u-s-military-returned-to-the-m1-garand-rifle/565823)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-u-s-military-returned-to-the-m1-garand-rifle/565823 "2011-01-11T20:47:11Z")
A debate topic suggested by Una Persson in this thread: Firearm experts - is/was the M16 a piece of crap? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board What do you think? Good idea? Or is the M4 better, or at le… --- ## [Would the Gettysburg Address have been improved if Lincoln used emoticons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-gettysburg-address-have-been-improved-if-lincoln-used-emoticons/567115)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-gettysburg-address-have-been-improved-if-lincoln-used-emoticons/567115 "2011-01-11T19:21:08Z")
I started a hijack in this thread and was admonished to start a new one so here it is. In the above linked thread kanicbird said: I responded: I’ll admit in one sense that I agree that the more ways one has to expre… --- ## [Chemical and biological weapons: what's the big deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chemical-and-biological-weapons-whats-the-big-deal/253674)
**Author:** [@Da\_Cissy\_Pimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Da_Cissy_Pimp)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2011, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chemical-and-biological-weapons-whats-the-big-deal/253674 "2011-01-11T18:01:10Z")
At the risk of coming across as a complete HYPOCRITE (at least, to those who read a question I posted in GQ in which I expressed my disgust at the thought that the military would devise a laser weapon designed solely to … --- ## [Mind Control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mind-control/567102)
**Author:** [@fuzzypickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzypickles)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2011, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mind-control/567102 "2011-01-11T05:15:21Z")
Simple question (inspired by last weekend’s events): Does the government use mind control techniques to control the populace? Resolved: Yes, absolutely. Why wouldn’t they? Because, most people’s minds are easy to cont… --- ## [Is the childhood obesity epidemic mostly media hype?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-childhood-obesity-epidemic-mostly-media-hype/566531)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-childhood-obesity-epidemic-mostly-media-hype/566531 "2011-01-11T02:04:41Z")
If the topic of kids and nutrition comes up these days it seems every media outlet is on the childhood obesity bandwagon and think all kids do these days is sit in front of the TV, play video games, and eat McDonalds. I… --- ## [Scalia says the 14th amendment doesn't apply to women](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scalia-says-the-14th-amendment-doesnt-apply-to-women/566476)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scalia-says-the-14th-amendment-doesnt-apply-to-women/566476 "2011-01-10T15:57:48Z")
So, can Congress simply legislate away women’s rights with regard to sexual discrimination? Is Scalia’s position consistent with originalism, or is he interpreting the Constitution to be more limited than what it actu… --- ## [Should I believe in God/Aliens (hypothetical)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-believe-in-god-aliens-hypothetical/566418)
**Author:** [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-believe-in-god-aliens-hypothetical/566418 "2011-01-10T14:30:10Z")
I would identify myself as a skeptic. As with most skeptics, I refuse to believe in something if there isn’t any reliable evidence for its existence. I don’t believe in a God because there seems to be no evidence for it. … --- ## [Why do atheists insist that atheism is a 'non-belief'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-atheists-insist-that-atheism-is-a-non-belief/564281)
**Author:** [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Replies:** 801\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2011, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-atheists-insist-that-atheism-is-a-non-belief/564281 "2011-01-10T13:39:13Z")
It seems to me that atheism is a belief about there not being a God. Granted, this is a statement of non-belief towards any deity, but the belief that there definitely is no God is a belief, just as believing that there … --- ## [Liberals should support tort reform](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-should-support-tort-reform/566979)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2011, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-should-support-tort-reform/566979 "2011-01-10T04:58:47Z")
Democrats are sometimes accused of helping tort lawyers for the sake of campaign donations. I’m afraid this may be true. I’ll consider medical malpractice specifically, but many of the following comments would apply, a… --- ## [I knew Che Guevarra...and Osama Bin Laden is no Che Guevarra...Is he?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-knew-che-guevarra-and-osama-bin-laden-is-no-che-guevarra-is-he/241701)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2011, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-knew-che-guevarra-and-osama-bin-laden-is-no-che-guevarra-is-he/241701 "2011-01-10T01:39:19Z")
Are we being well governed? The following from todays Times lays out some real world public relations problems that flow from Crawford Regijme policies. "Even among prosperous, upper-middle-class Saudis it is possible… --- ## [Has Noam Chomsky ever been noted to exaggerate or provide false info?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-noam-chomsky-ever-been-noted-to-exaggerate-or-provide-false-info/566450)
**Author:** [@MattProle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MattProle)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-noam-chomsky-ever-been-noted-to-exaggerate-or-provide-false-info/566450 "2011-01-09T15:46:05Z")
I’ve watched a few lectures of his, which I found interesting, and while not exactly shocking, some of the information he provides seems like a possible exaggeration of the facts. However, as far as I can tell the man se… --- ## [Why is Pakistan such a basketcase?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-pakistan-such-a-basketcase/566411)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2011, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-pakistan-such-a-basketcase/566411 "2011-01-09T13:36:30Z")
I’ve always been curious as to why Pakistan in particular since 1947, has in contrast to India, found it difficult to remain stable. Why is Pakistan appearing now to be coming apart at the seams? What precipitated all t… --- ## [Obama on Guantanamo: damned if he does...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-on-guantanamo-damned-if-he-does/566371)
**Author:** [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2011, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-on-guantanamo-damned-if-he-does/566371 "2011-01-09T13:18:32Z")
…damned if he don’t. Damned to be compared to Bush, that is. According to the New York Times, the White House is currently trying to figure out how to overcome a new restriction imposed by Congress that basically preve… --- ## [Gabrielle Giffords Shot; Sheriff Blames Conservative Rhetoric.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gabrielle-giffords-shot-sheriff-blames-conservative-rhetoric/566957)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2011, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gabrielle-giffords-shot-sheriff-blames-conservative-rhetoric/566957 "2011-01-09T07:12:18Z")
So I think there is something to the belief that the Republicans have been stirring up the crazies with their rhetoric. The tone and language that they use almost made this sort of incident inevitable. --- ## [Had Mussolini Avoided WWII-Would He Be Honored and Loved Today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/had-mussolini-avoided-wwii-would-he-be-honored-and-loved-today/566609)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2011, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/had-mussolini-avoided-wwii-would-he-be-honored-and-loved-today/566609 "2011-01-09T02:30:10Z")
I think so-after talkng with an Italian friend, the case for “good” Mussolini is this: -alone, he broke the power of the sicilian mafia-he put them all in jail. For the firts time in its history, dams got built and road… --- ## [Tort Reform and Federalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tort-reform-and-federalism/566746)
**Author:** [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2011, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tort-reform-and-federalism/566746 "2011-01-08T22:41:46Z")
How is the Republicans’ idea of having the federal government pass tort reform consistent with their views on federalism? --- ## [Reading the constitution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-the-constitution/566693)
**Author:** [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2011, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-the-constitution/566693 "2011-01-08T22:24:05Z")
What will/did the Republicans accomplish by reading the constitution aloud accomplish? Especially since two of their members weren’t yet sworn in; they missed the swearing in ceremony due to participating in a fund raise… --- ## [The GOP attempt to repeal healthcare reform will backfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gop-attempt-to-repeal-healthcare-reform-will-backfire/566570)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gop-attempt-to-repeal-healthcare-reform-will-backfire/566570 "2011-01-08T21:25:37Z")
Sure they will get it through the House but everyone knows that it won’t get through the Senate. They will then spend much time and energy ineffectually attempting to defund it and holding hearings about it. The end resu… --- ## [How to evict someone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-evict-someone/565989)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-evict-someone/565989 "2011-01-08T18:28:35Z")
I really debated sending this to GQ, but since there is no “factual” answer AFAIK, I thought it may be a GD on the best way to evict someone. This may get modded over there eventually. Let’s say I own a house and I mak… --- ## [whether it's possible to deny the existence of something without presupposing it exists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whether-its-possible-to-deny-the-existence-of-something-without-presupposing-it-exists/566548)
**Author:** [@miragesyzygy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miragesyzygy)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2011, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whether-its-possible-to-deny-the-existence-of-something-without-presupposing-it-exists/566548 "2011-01-08T17:53:14Z")
I read the title (somewhat of a paraphrase from memory) somewhere but the author didn’t include possible resolution and the first few pages of Google results return no results attributing it to someone or naming it what… --- ## [Are News Sources Inherently Biased?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-news-sources-inherently-biased/566641)
**Author:** [@MattProle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MattProle)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2011, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-news-sources-inherently-biased/566641 "2011-01-08T12:20:29Z")
Recently I’ve developed an interest in acquiring a general understanding of world events. The immediately suggested source for such information would supposedly be programs developed from one of the major news networks. … --- ## [An Income Tax Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-income-tax-question/565977)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2011, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-income-tax-question/565977 "2011-01-08T08:11:00Z")
Consider, if you will, two identical twins, living identical lives. Each is given a piece of paper and a pencil, and each draws a picture. The drawings are NOT identical. And so at auction one sells for $100, the other… --- ## [Why Is Communism Such a Joke in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-communism-such-a-joke-in-the-us/566573)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2011, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-communism-such-a-joke-in-the-us/566573 "2011-01-08T04:28:27Z")
Some years back, I was watching the British puppet comedy Spitting Image on a local Canadian channel we used to get back then. And from one joke in a skit, apparently the British public thinks Americans are guilty of mod… --- ## [Courts - Legal to search cell phone without warrant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courts-legal-to-search-cell-phone-without-warrant/566513)
**Author:** [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2011, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courts-legal-to-search-cell-phone-without-warrant/566513 "2011-01-07T23:39:54Z")
In California the court ruled that it is legal for police to search the cell phone of anyone who has been arrested. Link. This seems to be a rather scary development. If you are arrested and have an IPhone (or other sm… --- ## [2011: Economic growth to hit 3-4%!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-economic-growth-to-hit-3-4/565890)
**Author:** [@HRoark43](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HRoark43)\ **Replies:** 159\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2011, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-economic-growth-to-hit-3-4/565890 "2011-01-07T21:42:10Z")
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Who-Will-Struggle-in-usnews-1712944905.html?x=0 The U.S. just had a near all-time record shopping season and they’re looking at the best growth in 10 years. All this, and consumers are usin… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=411) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=413)