# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=464 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 465 --- ## [Cain feared retribution for murdering his brother. Whom did he fear, exactly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cain-feared-retribution-for-murdering-his-brother-whom-did-he-fear-exactly/535148)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cain-feared-retribution-for-murdering-his-brother-whom-did-he-fear-exactly/535148 "2010-04-13T22:26:28Z")
The purpose of this thread is \*\*not \*\*to slam religion in general or Christianity in particular. I am not–well, no need to name names. Nor is the purpose to debunk or support the Genesis narrative. I think it’s a Bron… --- ## [Why does the Catholic Church still receive federal funding?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-catholic-church-still-receive-federal-funding/535207)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2010, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-catholic-church-still-receive-federal-funding/535207 "2010-04-13T22:19:08Z")
Now that we are once again all riled up over the ACORN debacle, I thought a fun exercise would be to compare and contrast the two organizations. The Catholic Church, as a religious entity, is entitled to a variety of fa… --- ## [Was Jesus' resurrection theologically necessary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-jesus-resurrection-theologically-necessary/535038)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-jesus-resurrection-theologically-necessary/535038 "2010-04-13T16:27:43Z")
My understanding of Christian theology is that Jesus accomplished his goals in his lifetime - he spread his message, taught the followers who would carry on his mission after he was gone, and redeemed humanity by his sac… --- ## [FDR and the Atomic Bomb.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fdr-and-the-atomic-bomb/532073)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2010, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fdr-and-the-atomic-bomb/532073 "2010-04-13T14:56:14Z")
Something that I have wondered for some time now, would Pres. Franklin Delano Roosevelt have dropped the Atom bomb (presumably on Japan)? I know Pres. Harry Truman didn’t even know we had it at first. So apparently he pr… --- ## [Is absence of evidence evidence of absence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-absence-of-evidence-evidence-of-absence/529720)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2010, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-absence-of-evidence-evidence-of-absence/529720 "2010-04-13T13:35:07Z")
This issue has come up in a million threads now. We can try to keep religion out of it if it makes things simpler, but I bet it will get there. My view: absence of unexpected evidence is not evidence of absence. Absence… --- ## [The Plumpy'nut Patent Debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plumpynut-patent-debate/535633)
**Author:** [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2010, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plumpynut-patent-debate/535633 "2010-04-13T11:29:19Z")
I just read this article about the Plumpy’nut patent debate. Plumpy’nut is a peanut based food product designed to feed starving children in emergency situations. The product has turned out to be revolutionary and has c… --- ## [How Do You See The Afghan War Ending?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-see-the-afghan-war-ending/535451)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2010, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-see-the-afghan-war-ending/535451 "2010-04-13T03:35:37Z")
I am a pessimist about Afghanistan. I see the latest coalition offensive as ineffective, for the following reasons: -there exists an infinite supply of weapons outside Afghanistan, which can be easily infiltrated in -t… --- ## [Liberals: Would You Support An Abortion Ban In Exchange For A UHC Bill and Immigration Reform](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-would-you-support-an-abortion-ban-in-exchange-for-a-uhc-bill-and-immigration-reform/533276)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 272\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2010, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-would-you-support-an-abortion-ban-in-exchange-for-a-uhc-bill-and-immigration-reform/533276 "2010-04-13T02:35:06Z")
In response to a thread about how many religious conservatives object to a UHC bill because they believe it will fund abortions would you support a deal with religious conservatives to support an unilateral ban on aborti… --- ## [What exactly would happen if Sarah Palin was elected president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-happen-if-sarah-palin-was-elected-president/529714)
**Author:** [@The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_With_The_Golden_Gun)\ **Replies:** 181\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2010, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-happen-if-sarah-palin-was-elected-president/529714 "2010-04-13T00:11:59Z")
Not sure if this should go here or in IMHO, but it’s more political so I’ll try here. Often on the SDMB the idea of Sarah Palin being elected as the President of the USA is cited as a virtually apocalyptic scenario, or … --- ## [The Tea Party: Beliefs vs. goals vs. tactics...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-beliefs-vs-goals-vs-tactics/534871)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tea-party-beliefs-vs-goals-vs-tactics/534871 "2010-04-12T19:18:49Z")
A CNN article about Democrats joining the Tea Party and a post on a libertarian blog praising their goals (and arguing the crazies are a small focused on minority) made me think of this topic. Right now, the Tea Party i… --- ## [Nuclear arms summit and certain nuclear-able countries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-arms-summit-and-certain-nuclear-able-countries/535865)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2010, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-arms-summit-and-certain-nuclear-able-countries/535865 "2010-04-12T18:42:42Z")
Today our president is convening a nuclear arms summit, with the avowed purpose of making sure that all material that can go to making regular nuclear weapons are under firm control of the various governments of those co… --- ## [What proof is there that Wal-Mart forces small businesses to close up shop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-proof-is-there-that-wal-mart-forces-small-businesses-to-close-up-shop/535502)
**Author:** [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2010, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-proof-is-there-that-wal-mart-forces-small-businesses-to-close-up-shop/535502 "2010-04-12T17:44:14Z")
I’ve seen this assertion in several threads over the last few days, but I’ve never seen anyone offer up any proof. Have there been any studies on this? I know, for me personally, local mom-and-pop businesses fall into t… --- ## [Australian Minister suggests new migrants should "Go Bush"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-minister-suggests-new-migrants-should-go-bush/535386)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2010, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-minister-suggests-new-migrants-should-go-bush/535386 "2010-04-12T07:10:01Z")
An Australian Government Minister has suggested that new immigrants to Australia should be required to settle in “regional” areas (ie, not the State Capitals) as part of a longer term plan to help regional areas grow and… --- ## [Are Americans becoming ... wussies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-americans-becoming-wussies/534536)
**Author:** [@Whambulance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whambulance)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2010, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-americans-becoming-wussies/534536 "2010-04-12T06:22:58Z")
I’ve been reading the forums here for 6 or 8 years and have rarely posted but my buddies and I got into a heated debate a few nights ago that I’d like your opinions on. The overall theme was that here in the U.S., reall… --- ## [Was Bush a figurehead for Cheney?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bush-a-figurehead-for-cheney/535580)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2010, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bush-a-figurehead-for-cheney/535580 "2010-04-12T04:11:11Z")
This little snipet is from the discussion on what if Palin becomes president, but it got me thinking. Is it true? Was George W. Bush a figurehead for Cheney? How much of the decision-making was Bush’s and how much wa… --- ## [How important is character?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-character/535462)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2010, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-character/535462 "2010-04-12T03:15:22Z")
‘Do unto others as they would have do unto you’ is a fantastically elegant rule of the universe, yet is the Golden Rule valid? Somewhere there exists a man or woman who would say, “Yes, he was charming and complimentary… --- ## [Your score for the Obama-Palin nuclear debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-score-for-the-obama-palin-nuclear-debate/535599)
**Author:** [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2010, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-score-for-the-obama-palin-nuclear-debate/535599 "2010-04-12T00:40:28Z")
I’ve seen just enough on Google news lately to know that former Alaska Governor Palin, during a rally this week, made a verbal swipe at President Obama over the nuclear weapons treaty he just signed, and over the nuclear… --- ## [What do you think of the 200 page Health Care Bill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-200-page-health-care-bill/535664)
**Author:** [@happydays546](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happydays546)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-200-page-health-care-bill/535664 "2010-04-11T18:59:45Z")
Ok so please debate on this, I hope you all like to do away with this bill. --- ## [Alcoholics Anonymous: Good? Bad? Indifferent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholics-anonymous-good-bad-indifferent/535084)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholics-anonymous-good-bad-indifferent/535084 "2010-04-11T16:28:12Z")
I have been in a conversation regarding the efficacy and overall usefulness of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Unfortunately the info on this seems to be all over the place from opinions they are cult-like and do more harm t… --- ## [Hainan Island April 2001 Redux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hainan-island-april-2001-redux/535717)
**Author:** [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2010, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hainan-island-april-2001-redux/535717 "2010-04-11T13:23:16Z")
In April 2001, 2 months into George W Bush’s first term there was a mid air collision between an USAF surveillance aircraft and a PLAN fighter jet which became known as the Hainan Island incident I presume Wiki gives … --- ## [God and hindsight bias](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-and-hindsight-bias/535292)
**Author:** [@curious\_mind\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curious_mind_1)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2010, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-and-hindsight-bias/535292 "2010-04-11T11:19:44Z")
Do you find that christians and other god believers have hindsight bias when they think of answered prayers? For example, a person would say, “Now that I think about it, God wanted me to quit the job and these are the r… --- ## [Must We Quarter Soldiers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-we-quarter-soldiers/534867)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-we-quarter-soldiers/534867 "2010-04-10T23:59:55Z")
There has been much debate here and elsewhere that the 2nd amendment is archaic and outdated. Let’s just assume that is the case. (I’m not conceding that, but just for discussion) If so, can we just will it away becaus… --- ## [Would Sarah Palin have overshadowed a McCain presidency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-sarah-palin-have-overshadowed-a-mccain-presidency/535477)
**Author:** [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-sarah-palin-have-overshadowed-a-mccain-presidency/535477 "2010-04-10T15:08:25Z")
Just a thought I had, a “what if.” What if McCain had won the 2008 election? Sarah Palin seems to be mainly interested in herself, and being in the media, and doesn’t really seem like the type to play second violin, so … --- ## [Articles of Secession](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/articles-of-secession/535402)
**Author:** [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/articles-of-secession/535402 "2010-04-10T14:41:39Z")
Hypothetical: A state has petitioned Congress and its fellow states to be allowed to leave the union. What conditions should be required of both the seceding state and the United States? A couple of friends and I were k… --- ## [Pharmacy and Religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-and-religion/533859)
**Author:** [@Walker\_in\_Eternity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walker_in_Eternity)\ **Replies:** 679\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-and-religion/533859 "2010-04-10T14:13:47Z")
Recently in the UK there have been a number of incidents where Pharmacists have refused to sell contraceptives to adults because of their religious views. Examples here: The pill Muslim pharmacist The General Pharmac… --- ## [Modest Healthcare Proposal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modest-healthcare-proposal/534806)
**Author:** [@CPomeroy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CPomeroy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2010, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modest-healthcare-proposal/534806 "2010-04-10T12:27:53Z")
First time poster, long time lurker, etc. As I understand it, one of the major objections to the recently passed healthcare reform bill is the mandate for individuals to purchase healthcare insurance. I was wondering if… --- ## [Ars Technica's lesson about content](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ars-technicas-lesson-about-content/534745)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2010, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ars-technicas-lesson-about-content/534745 "2010-04-09T23:45:06Z")
Recently, the Ars Technica site, which I believe is fairly popular among tech types temporarily denied its content to internet users who were using ad blockers to block its ads. This was apparently an attempt to bring aw… --- ## [People's mate preferences are racist. Do we care?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peoples-mate-preferences-are-racist-do-we-care/529777)
**Author:** [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2010, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peoples-mate-preferences-are-racist-do-we-care/529777 "2010-04-09T20:57:27Z")
Time: Of course this is racism, if anything is. But is it good racism? The obvious reason to allow mate racism is that people enjoy mating better when they better like their mates, and people think they care about th… --- ## [Degrees of atheism and other such stuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/degrees-of-atheism-and-other-such-stuff/534937)
**Author:** [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2010, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/degrees-of-atheism-and-other-such-stuff/534937 "2010-04-09T18:19:33Z")
Well? --- ## [Why Do Rich People "Go Slumming"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-rich-people-go-slumming/534912)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2010, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-rich-people-go-slumming/534912 "2010-04-09T15:00:54Z")
Is it because the rich get jaded by their opulent lives? Golf and lunch at the country club starts to wear on you? It seems a common behavior-Marie Antoinette liked to dress up as , and work as a milkmaid. More recently… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=463) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=465)