# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=415 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 416 --- ## [What's the skeptical explanation for the events after the death of Jesus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-skeptical-explanation-for-the-events-after-the-death-of-jesus/565233)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2010, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-skeptical-explanation-for-the-events-after-the-death-of-jesus/565233 "2010-12-29T18:11:31Z")
I know the traditional Christian answer is that Jesus actually did rise from the dead, and actually is the Son of God. But what are some more skeptical explanations for the events afterwards? It seems pretty clear to me … --- ## [The Repeal Amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-amendment/563984)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2010, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-amendment/563984 "2010-12-29T14:35:02Z")
The 28th Amendment to the US Constitution: Described here by Randy Bartlett of Georgetown University Law Center and William Howell, the Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, the “Repeal Amendment” would change th… --- ## [Obama freezes federal worker pay for 2 years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-freezes-federal-worker-pay-for-2-years/562301)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 370\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2010, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-freezes-federal-worker-pay-for-2-years/562301 "2010-12-29T05:28:07Z")
"President Barack Obama announced a proposal Monday to freeze pay for federal workers over the next two years, one of several “very tough decisions” coming from the administration as it attempts to rein in government spe… --- ## [Pro-Life - the exceptions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-life-the-exceptions/192205)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2010, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-life-the-exceptions/192205 "2010-12-29T05:11:47Z")
Let me start this OP by making a request. I would like not ask pro-choice folks to refrain from posting. I certainly can’t stop you from posting, and I acknowledge that this is your forum too. But I would appreciate i… --- ## [Democrat Diving?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrat-diving/564715)
**Author:** [@freemal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freemal2)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2010, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrat-diving/564715 "2010-12-29T02:49:50Z")
My question is about the theater that seems to be going on year after year, decade after decade. This is the one where the democrats claim to be in favor of some type of legislation which they would pass if only it were… --- ## ["To believe \[in X\]" is needlessly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-believe-in-x-is-needlessly/565664)
**Author:** [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2010, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-believe-in-x-is-needlessly/565664 "2010-12-28T23:55:23Z")
Seems to me that \[please disregard, I’m not done with this post and I’ve reported it\] --- ## [Post-"election" crackdown in Belarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-election-crackdown-in-belarus/564838)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2010, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-election-crackdown-in-belarus/564838 "2010-12-28T22:36:15Z")
Story here: Wow. Issues for debate: Does anybody outside Belarus care enough about this to do anything about it, even to the extent of sanctions? Is there anybody outside Belarus – e.g., Russia? – who wants Bela… --- ## [So, what's your Social Security (US) reform proposal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-social-security-us-reform-proposal/565411)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-social-security-us-reform-proposal/565411 "2010-12-28T21:50:08Z")
Well, I don’t know what Chance’s is, but here’s mine. Instead of having a bunch of different agencies managing a bunch of different benefits for different categories of the “deserving”–this for parents of young childr… --- ## [Virgin Marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virgin-marriage/565058)
**Author:** [@AlmostPerfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlmostPerfect)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virgin-marriage/565058 "2010-12-28T21:48:59Z")
While debating with my sister about the necessity of sex in a marriage, the idea that a marriage can only be successful with a healthy dose of sex came up. I figure that it is “possible” in the most basic sense of the w… --- ## ['Net neutrality... Where to now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/net-neutrality-where-to-now/565031)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2010, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/net-neutrality-where-to-now/565031 "2010-12-28T20:43:33Z")
So new rules have been adopted, rules that are distinctly unpopular to techies and liberals, from what I’ve read. What, exactly, will be the practical effect of all this (realistically, please), both in terms of the rul… --- ## [What proportion of Chinas economy is just a bubble?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-proportion-of-chinas-economy-is-just-a-bubble/565172)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-proportion-of-chinas-economy-is-just-a-bubble/565172 "2010-12-28T20:41:11Z")
This has always made me wonder, considering the fact the economy is always generating a 7-10% increase like clockwork, and considering that parts of its financial sector are clouded in mystery, coupled with the recent gh… --- ## [Walmart makes the US tax system more progressive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-makes-the-us-tax-system-more-progressive/564901)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-makes-the-us-tax-system-more-progressive/564901 "2010-12-28T19:35:54Z")
A couple of weeks ago, the Ohio legislature was debating a law which would: \[ \](http://salemnews.net/page/content.detail/id/535714/Bolon-casts-final-votes-in-offic---.html) Republicans blocked the bill. What I find … --- ## [Will we ever nuke ourselves into oblivion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-ever-nuke-ourselves-into-oblivion/565196)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2010, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-ever-nuke-ourselves-into-oblivion/565196 "2010-12-28T18:33:05Z")
I define “nuking ourselves into oblivion” as “waging a sufficiently large-scale nuclear war that currently functional political institutions and physical infrastructure cease to exist in most of the world.” In other word… --- ## [Is a positive bias necessarily a bad thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-positive-bias-necessarily-a-bad-thing/565105)
**Author:** [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2010, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-positive-bias-necessarily-a-bad-thing/565105 "2010-12-28T17:07:17Z")
It occurred to me that I have a fairly strong prejudice in favor of a particular group. Mormons–I am not Mormon, but I have known several over the years, in different places. Some were friends, some coworkers, a coupl… --- ## [No, seriously. What the hell do you pay State income taxes for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-seriously-what-the-hell-do-you-pay-state-income-taxes-for/565014)
**Author:** [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2010, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-seriously-what-the-hell-do-you-pay-state-income-taxes-for/565014 "2010-12-28T11:28:44Z")
First off, I am not a teabagger dumbshit who thinks that taxation is bad, and is theft, bla bla bla. I’m quite staunchly in favor of collective bootstrapping - i.e. taxing everyone to provide for everyone. However, I am… --- ## [Grand Unified Palin Theory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grand-unified-palin-theory/565308)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2010, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grand-unified-palin-theory/565308 "2010-12-28T06:12:28Z")
Sarah Palin says and does a lot of things on a lot of different topics. I’ve seen many professional and armchair pundits offer elaborate, multi-part explanations for her behavior. However, to me it can be boiled down t… --- ## [Can the Nobel Prize become relevant again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-nobel-prize-become-relevant-again/565065)
**Author:** [@The\_Amazing\_Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Amazing_Hanna)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2010, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-nobel-prize-become-relevant-again/565065 "2010-12-27T18:33:54Z")
It seems that the Nobel Prize is no longer has the prestige it once did. Sure, the prizes in physics, chemistry and medicine still have meaning, I suppose. But the Peace Prize (awarded by a separate committee, in Norwa… --- ## [The best lame-duck session EVAH!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-lame-duck-session-evah/565143)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2010, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-lame-duck-session-evah/565143 "2010-12-26T09:16:54Z")
I mean, jeez, look at the list: DADT repealed, New START ratified, a budget resolution, tax cuts (although I didn’t like some of the details), and healthcare for 9-11 responders. Wow. Congress can get stuff done when… --- ## [Is Bradley Manning getting the publicity he wanted or deserves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bradley-manning-getting-the-publicity-he-wanted-or-deserves/565280)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bradley-manning-getting-the-publicity-he-wanted-or-deserves/565280 "2010-12-25T15:34:24Z")
Maybe its just me… I’m sure its just me … but still… Seems like he’d be all over the news for the last month if he was related to Sarah Palin or a card-carrying Tea Bagger. What with all the wikileaks hang wringing and… --- ## [Why Are Big Cities in America So Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-big-cities-in-america-so-liberal/564870)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2010, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-big-cities-in-america-so-liberal/564870 "2010-12-25T12:56:59Z")
Why do large cities in the US vote so consistently for the liberal party, the Democratic Party, in national elections when large cities elsewhere do not? Toronto and London both elect Tory MPs in some districts while lar… --- ## [The Future of Money](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-money/565332)
**Author:** [@Blind\_Sypher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blind_Sypher)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2010, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-money/565332 "2010-12-25T04:11:19Z")
We need to bring this interest system back in, Along with hard currency such as gold and silver If we wanna have any hope in hell of making this monetary system sustainable. Positive interest rates are the reason behind … --- ## [Gay Issues Seem Like A Boring Sideshow To Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-issues-seem-like-a-boring-sideshow-to-me/564976)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-issues-seem-like-a-boring-sideshow-to-me/564976 "2010-12-24T21:18:38Z")
I was watching MSNBC covering prospects for repeal of DADT, and I realized something … I don’t CARE about DADT. I don’t much care about DOMA either. Don’t get me wrong, I’m FOR gays being able to openly serve in the mili… --- ## [Rumor: Obama to propose cuts to SS during his SotU address...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-obama-to-propose-cuts-to-ss-during-his-sotu-address/564822)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-obama-to-propose-cuts-to-ss-during-his-sotu-address/564822 "2010-12-24T19:01:58Z")
There’s a lot of discussion (to say the least) on various liberal/progressive blogs about this piece: I’m… a little skeptical about this, and I probably normally wouldn’t have even bothered to post this, but so many of… --- ## [Predictions: Will the DADT repeal pass the Senate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-will-the-dadt-repeal-pass-the-senate/564405)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2010, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-will-the-dadt-repeal-pass-the-senate/564405 "2010-12-24T13:43:57Z")
Now that it’s passed the House it goes to the Senate. Assuming that the 58 Dems vote in favor of a repeal and Snowe and Brown do what they’ve pledged it will have enough votes to pass the Senate unless Snowe and Brown a… --- ## [Zionism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zionism/565146)
**Author:** [@pdunderhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdunderhill)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2010, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zionism/565146 "2010-12-24T01:31:32Z")
I open this thread with great trepidation. The expression ,a can of worms, comes to mind so please be patient with me. If anyone can discriminate subtle differences between an Israeli citizen and a Jew and Zionist I wo… --- ## [Are Loveless Marriages Better Than Divorce](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-loveless-marriages-better-than-divorce/564874)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-loveless-marriages-better-than-divorce/564874 "2010-12-23T21:55:41Z")
Can loveless marriages be in some cases better than divorce? If the marriage has children and neither partner is abusive wouldn’t it be more beneficial for the children that the marriage stay together? After all single-p… --- ## [What would have happened if Britain and France had rolled into Germany in '39?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-happened-if-britain-and-france-had-rolled-into-germany-in-39/565132)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2010, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-happened-if-britain-and-france-had-rolled-into-germany-in-39/565132 "2010-12-23T11:31:57Z")
Following the invasion of Poland, Europe settled into the “Sitzkrieg”. If, instead of doing that, France and Britain had attacked Germany, would the war have ended sooner with an Allied victory, or were France and Brita… --- ## [Can courts dictate how much money parents spend on their kids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-courts-dictate-how-much-money-parents-spend-on-their-kids/564340)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2010, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-courts-dictate-how-much-money-parents-spend-on-their-kids/564340 "2010-12-23T09:39:28Z")
The recent thread about child support reminded me about a question I’ve had for a while. It seems that, when a couple gets divorced, the court has the legal authority to tell the parents exactly how much they need to pay… --- ## [Was TARP the right thing to do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-tarp-the-right-thing-to-do/540181)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2010, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-tarp-the-right-thing-to-do/540181 "2010-12-23T04:04:27Z")
I think it was, but what do I know. The good part is that it will not cost $750 billion. --- ## [Lookism: Should beautiful people get more breaks because they beautify the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lookism-should-beautiful-people-get-more-breaks-because-they-beautify-the-world/173073)
**Author:** [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2010, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lookism-should-beautiful-people-get-more-breaks-because-they-beautify-the-world/173073 "2010-12-23T03:34:19Z")
A little while back 20/20 did a piece on lookism, the differential treatment that people get based on their looks. While it was not the first time that I’ve seen such stuff on the telly, it was one of the better done pi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=414) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=416)