# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=742 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 743 --- ## [If you intentionally changed religions, why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-intentionally-changed-religions-why/386119)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2007, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-intentionally-changed-religions-why/386119 "2007-01-08T15:23:49Z")
Perhaps not really a debate, but I was just interested in hearing from folks who intentionally chose to belong to a specific faith system. Strikes me as most folk I encounter practice the religion of their childhood, or… --- ## [Some random thoughts about a Creator](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-random-thoughts-about-a-creator/386768)
**Author:** [@Cegstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cegstar)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2007, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-random-thoughts-about-a-creator/386768 "2007-01-08T05:46:47Z")
How can people believe that there isn’t some kind of Creator (God). I mean, sure you can believe in evolution as much as you want to, but sure, organisms gradually evolved over billions of years to eventually become the … --- ## [Another "Free Will" debate.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-free-will-debate/385885)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 305\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2007, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-free-will-debate/385885 "2007-01-08T01:13:19Z")
At the invitation of \*Sapo in the Atheists thread, and this particular exchange in particular: I prefer to think of it as the atheist’s God of the Gaps but, as you well said, that is a different debate. Your thread or … --- ## [Lexus vs Mercedes-Benz: Who Copied Whom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lexus-vs-mercedes-benz-who-copied-whom/387094)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2007, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lexus-vs-mercedes-benz-who-copied-whom/387094 "2007-01-08T01:02:58Z")
Looking at M-B vs Lexus cars, they look very similar-in fact it is hard to tell the C\_series M-B models from Lexus. My question: did Lexus copy M-B. or was it the other way around? Seems to me that Lexus is a better car… --- ## [Was Bush's bland Xian eulogy for Ford okay with you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bushs-bland-xian-eulogy-for-ford-okay-with-you/386534)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2007, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bushs-bland-xian-eulogy-for-ford-okay-with-you/386534 "2007-01-08T00:07:47Z")
Over yonder we were discussing Bush’s eulogy for Ford, which made nominal mentions of their common Xianity. I maintained that even at a funeral, such gratuitous comments coming from an elected offical speaking in his o… --- ## [Is anti-theism a valid theological perspective?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anti-theism-a-valid-theological-perspective/386946)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2007, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anti-theism-a-valid-theological-perspective/386946 "2007-01-07T21:23:00Z")
No not atheism, \*anti-theism \* described thusly.. It’s a unique perspective I never considered before, but given the European Jewish people’s experiences in WWII I can understand how some might come to this view. Is it… --- ## [Should the Government Encourage early death 9via Unhealthy Lifestyles)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-government-encourage-early-death-9via-unhealthy-lifestyles/386700)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2007, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-government-encourage-early-death-9via-unhealthy-lifestyles/386700 "2007-01-07T14:14:17Z")
It is becoming clear that most people do not save enough for retirement. and SS is strained beyond its limits 9as people live into their 80’s). my question; if the average lifepan could be shortened 9by activities such… --- ## [Would you serve as Bush's VP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-serve-as-bushs-vp/386720)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2007, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-serve-as-bushs-vp/386720 "2007-01-07T07:49:38Z")
Imagine you’re a leading Republican. I know much of the SDMB is having a fit right now. Imagine that you’ve got your eye on the Presidency. Imagine that Cheney resigns through ill-health towards the middle of the year. W… --- ## [Is "gayness" a western social construct?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gayness-a-western-social-construct/386496)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2007, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gayness-a-western-social-construct/386496 "2007-01-07T04:15:58Z")
Not homosexuality, which has been ubiquitous since time immemorial. Gayness- the identification, self or otherwise, as someone having a permanent sexual orientation the opposite of the usual male-female heterosexual pair… --- ## [Let's talk about AWOL Soldiers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-awol-soldiers/386329)
**Author:** [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2007, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-awol-soldiers/386329 "2007-01-07T04:08:21Z")
So this morning an IM pops up from a friend who I thought had gone into the military. As it turns out, he apparently went AWOL a week into bootcamp. Does my knowing this mean I need to contact uncle sam? Is it criminal f… --- ## [What would a Libertarian America be like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-libertarian-america-be-like/384557)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2007, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-libertarian-america-be-like/384557 "2007-01-07T02:59:24Z")
Suppose the Libertarian Party somehow won a majority in Congress and all state legislatures, plus the presidency and all governorships – or, even without that much electoral success, somehow got into a position to get ev… --- ## [Market manipulation and corporate oligarchy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/market-manipulation-and-corporate-oligarchy/385820)
**Author:** [@Agnostic\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agnostic_Pagan)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2007, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/market-manipulation-and-corporate-oligarchy/385820 "2007-01-06T22:40:29Z")
FYI, this is a follow up from this thread. Conservative economists love to argue the supremacy of the market, i.e., no power can (or rather should) exercise control over the market especially in respect to prices. They … --- ## [Ramos-Compean Sentence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramos-compean-sentence/386928)
**Author:** [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2007, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramos-compean-sentence/386928 "2007-01-06T20:55:19Z")
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE\_ID=51417 First, I haven’t seen much about this on the news…just a quick once-over on CNN the other day. I just want to hear what others are thinking about this. As … --- ## [What does "winning" in Iraq mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-winning-in-iraq-mean/386694)
**Author:** [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2007, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-winning-in-iraq-mean/386694 "2007-01-06T18:16:36Z")
Not a political question, but wondering what people in goernment mean when they say we can still win the war. McCain said it this morning. Bush says it often. Are they suggesting we can forcibly get the resistance to c… --- ## [Did the Vietnam War destroy the 50s culture and values?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-vietnam-war-destroy-the-50s-culture-and-values/384386)
**Author:** [@ntcrawler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ntcrawler)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2007, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-vietnam-war-destroy-the-50s-culture-and-values/384386 "2007-01-06T18:14:41Z")
Was the Vietnam war what ulitimately brought down the values and culture of the 1950’s? I’m referring to the disilussionment that people felt with what was perceived with the hippocracy towards the handling of the war t… --- ## [Negroponte resigns as National Intelligence Director](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negroponte-resigns-as-national-intelligence-director/386750)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2007, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negroponte-resigns-as-national-intelligence-director/386750 "2007-01-06T15:06:41Z")
. . . and takes the #2 spot in the State Department. Why is he resigning?\* Why is he getting a job at State? Who is, or should be, our new spymaster-in-chief? (Linked article notes the frontrunner is retired Am… --- ## [Atheism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheism/385652)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2007, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheism/385652 "2007-01-06T05:12:41Z")
Is the claim that there is no such thing as a god falsifiable ? If it is fasifiable, how? If it isn’t falsifiable, why is it more reasonable to assume there is no god than that there is? --- ## [How old was Adam, really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-was-adam-really/386129)
**Author:** [@Molly\_Polly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Molly_Polly)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2007, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-was-adam-really/386129 "2007-01-06T03:06:41Z")
Did Adam die at age 900 something or more like 30 years old? (I thought they all died young in the olden days, before 1-A-Day vitamins :wink: ) --- ## [State Legislature Approval Ratings - Gerrymandering - Campaign Finance Reform](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-legislature-approval-ratings-gerrymandering-campaign-finance-reform/386812)
**Author:** [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2007, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-legislature-approval-ratings-gerrymandering-campaign-finance-reform/386812 "2007-01-05T22:44:01Z")
I read that the California state legislature has recently had an approval rating of 27%. It has also failed to get much higher than 40% in the past several years. It hit 50% for only one month in the past six years (Ja… --- ## [What does it mean to behave irrationally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-behave-irrationally/386741)
**Author:** [@strope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/strope)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-behave-irrationally/386741 "2007-01-05T17:33:04Z")
I think that I behave rationally, and I’m fairly sure that most people think that they behave rationally, at least most of the time. And yet, I’m quite sure that some people behave irrationally, even though I’m not quit… --- ## [Will Increasing The Number of US Troops JUST Increase The Death Toll?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-increasing-the-number-of-us-troops-just-increase-the-death-toll/386430)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2007, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-increasing-the-number-of-us-troops-just-increase-the-death-toll/386430 "2007-01-05T08:28:16Z")
I am getting very nervous about Bush’s plan to increase troop levels in iraq. It seems to me that most of our losses are due to bombs (IEDs) planted on the roads, bboby-trapped houses , etc. how will increasing troop lev… --- ## [Guantanamo Torture: the Evidence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guantanamo-torture-the-evidence/386588)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2007, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guantanamo-torture-the-evidence/386588 "2007-01-05T08:05:48Z")
No more claiming that the detainees make it up. The evidence from the man: The FBI on Tuesday released documents showing at least 26 of the agency’s employees witnessed aggressive mistreatment and harsh interrogation… --- ## [Dems: Clinton, Obama, Edwards Or Vilsack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-clinton-obama-edwards-or-vilsack/385431)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2007, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-clinton-obama-edwards-or-vilsack/385431 "2007-01-05T04:41:53Z")
Those are the front runners at this point, although only Vilsack has officially announced - look to see the others announce their candidacy after New Year’s day. Me - well, I want someone who can win. My choices, so fa… --- ## [Is police 'professional courtesy' justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-police-professional-courtesy-justified/386579)
**Author:** [@Hogwash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hogwash)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2007, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-police-professional-courtesy-justified/386579 "2007-01-05T02:35:19Z")
Watching an episode of CSI, last night, it is said that a cop was pulled over for speeding but wasn’t issued a ticket because of ‘professional courtesy’. I think it was Jim Brass that said that cops and their families c… --- ## [Did Hitler get into heaven?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hitler-get-into-heaven/386566)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2007, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hitler-get-into-heaven/386566 "2007-01-04T21:04:37Z")
If Jesus died for our sins, did Hitler get a pass? --- ## [What's gonna happen to the unlawful combatents in the long-term?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-gonna-happen-to-the-unlawful-combatents-in-the-long-term/386657)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2007, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-gonna-happen-to-the-unlawful-combatents-in-the-long-term/386657 "2007-01-04T19:58:53Z")
What exactly is the government’s long-term plan (if any) for everyone being held in detention at Guantanamo Bay? Even if they’re “tried” by a military tribunal and found not guilty that doesn’t meant they’re gonna get r… --- ## [Saddam Hussein-dead. What now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saddam-hussein-dead-what-now/386070)
**Author:** [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2007, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saddam-hussein-dead-what-now/386070 "2007-01-04T19:57:16Z")
MSNBC says he died at 10:08 this evening ESDT. There’s no link on their page but a banner says they have it confirmed. What are we going to see in the next day or two? The next month? --- ## [What's the point of living a life free of vices?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-living-a-life-free-of-vices/385095)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2007, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-living-a-life-free-of-vices/385095 "2007-01-04T06:01:44Z")
I happened to glimpse something on the Today show about Christian colleges where kids were required to live on campus and there were strict rules against drugs, alchohol and sex as well as strict curfews. Not to single … --- ## [CNN Reports Saddam Offered Asylum \[to Bin Laden\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-reports-saddam-offered-asylum-to-bin-laden/386377)
**Author:** [@Don26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don26)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2007, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-reports-saddam-offered-asylum-to-bin-laden/386377 "2007-01-03T22:29:26Z")
http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/meast/9902/13/afghan.binladen/ Gee, I guess the whole “Iraq had nothing to do with terrorism” crowd can STFU now… --- ## [Mormons - How could anyone buy into it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mormons-how-could-anyone-buy-into-it/384719)
**Author:** [@Ammonius\_Saccus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ammonius_Saccus)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2007, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mormons-how-could-anyone-buy-into-it/384719 "2007-01-03T20:20:59Z")
How could any reasonable person believe the stuff that is the Book of Mormon? To start with Smith’s story about the plates is just off the wall. And then when you get into the archaeological and linguistic investigations… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=741) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=743)