# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=749 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 750 --- ## [How many religious fundamentalists are homosexuals in denial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-religious-fundamentalists-are-homosexuals-in-denial/382868)
**Author:** [@Senor\_Pina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senor_Pina)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2006, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-religious-fundamentalists-are-homosexuals-in-denial/382868 "2006-12-07T19:51:45Z")
Like the good pastor Haggard, for instance. Is it common for religious zealotry to be caused by a fear of or denial of one’s own sexual orientation? --- ## [Religious right in Canada?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-right-in-canada/382995)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2006, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-right-in-canada/382995 "2006-12-07T17:09:42Z")
I always thought of Canuck conservatives as being like what we would call “Rockefeller Republicans” here – pro-business, but socially liberal and willing to negotiate on the welfare state – or else state-minimalists like… --- ## [Virginia public schoolchildren get invitations to a Pagan celebration - thank Falwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-public-schoolchildren-get-invitations-to-a-pagan-celebration-thank-falwell/383224)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2006, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-public-schoolchildren-get-invitations-to-a-pagan-celebration-thank-falwell/383224 "2006-12-07T17:04:27Z")
In Albemarle County, Virginia children get announcement fliers sent home in their Friday folders. Local pagans who worship at a historical Unitarian church in Charlottesville have planned a Pagan celebration for the Dece… --- ## [The Confederacy's future: an alternate historical guessing game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-confederacys-future-an-alternate-historical-guessing-game/381844)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2006, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-confederacys-future-an-alternate-historical-guessing-game/381844 "2006-12-07T15:56:41Z")
I call this a guessing game, because, obviously, we cannot say what might have happened. Or rathr we can, but rapidly reach the point where we can say \*anything \* might have happened. So, I’m keeping the question to a re… --- ## [The death of PC games is near - Revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-of-pc-games-is-near-revisited/380912)
**Author:** [@Alien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alien)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2006, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-of-pc-games-is-near-revisited/380912 "2006-12-07T15:44:28Z")
Last year Gozu started a thread claiming the death of pc gaming was near, citing the upcoming release of next generation consoles like Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. I disagreed (politely). I’m not going to rehash what I s… --- ## [Iraq today - is this the price for democracy ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-today-is-this-the-price-for-democracy/383103)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2006, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-today-is-this-the-price-for-democracy/383103 "2006-12-07T13:34:00Z")
If so, I would have choosed to live under a dictator Democracy and freedom of speach vs. law, order and peace ? I would easily have choosed the last --- ## [Evolution VS ID. As a practical matter, what difference does it make?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-vs-id-as-a-practical-matter-what-difference-does-it-make/382231)
**Author:** [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2006, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-vs-id-as-a-practical-matter-what-difference-does-it-make/382231 "2006-12-07T10:28:51Z")
This is something that often occurs to me when I’m reading a thread on creationism or evolution. Inevitably, the whole thread boils down to people talking past each other, usually because they are not coming from a commo… --- ## [Do you consider our society to be high-tech?Can we reach a singularity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-consider-our-society-to-be-high-tech-can-we-reach-a-singularity/383022)
**Author:** [@tgan3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tgan3)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2006, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-consider-our-society-to-be-high-tech-can-we-reach-a-singularity/383022 "2006-12-06T22:42:26Z")
I know that we live in an era where there is globalisation, with handphones the internet etc. We, also have super-advanced computers which can beat top chess players. On the military side, we also have high-tech planes a… --- ## [Legal double standards in Iraq war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-double-standards-in-iraq-war/383098)
**Author:** [@Senor\_Pina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senor_Pina)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2006, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-double-standards-in-iraq-war/383098 "2006-12-06T19:01:02Z")
How come if a crazy person walks into his workplace in the United States and starts gunning down innocent people it’s called murder, but if another crazy person puts on a military uniform and guns down innocent people in… --- ## [Most major and minor sports are ultimately very damaging to us, and useless.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-major-and-minor-sports-are-ultimately-very-damaging-to-us-and-useless/382820)
**Author:** [@Nothing\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nothing_Special)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2006, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-major-and-minor-sports-are-ultimately-very-damaging-to-us-and-useless/382820 "2006-12-06T16:42:16Z")
I put forth that most of what we consider our major and minor sports are ultimately very damaging to the human organism. So, why do we do them? Baseball, football, basketball, and hockey are all taken for granted as a r… --- ## [What would the state of US politics be like now if Bush was competant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-state-of-us-politics-be-like-now-if-bush-was-competant/382290)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2006, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-state-of-us-politics-be-like-now-if-bush-was-competant/382290 "2006-12-06T16:34:05Z")
I was reading a Slate article today which asked: and I thought it would be an interesting question to ask the board. So what if the Bush administration managed to enact the same policies it is enacting today but in a c… --- ## [Bolton to step down as UN ambassador](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bolton-to-step-down-as-un-ambassador/382814)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2006, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bolton-to-step-down-as-un-ambassador/382814 "2006-12-06T13:54:30Z")
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/04/bolton.resignation.ap/index.html I welcome the news, but I can’t say that I’m surprised. When the Dems took the Senate last month it was pretty clear that he’d have some tough sle… --- ## [Will The Internet DOOM Newspapers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-internet-doom-newspapers/382673)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2006, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-internet-doom-newspapers/382673 "2006-12-06T11:58:23Z")
I see daily newspapers as dinosaurs-most of the big city papers are losing money. Advertising (which is their cash cow), seems to be migrating to the Web, in a big way (I would never consider looking for a job in the pap… --- ## [In 2008, will women vote preferentially for women?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-2008-will-women-vote-preferentially-for-women/382719)
**Author:** [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2006, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-2008-will-women-vote-preferentially-for-women/382719 "2006-12-06T03:21:46Z")
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/11/29/172625.shtml So, I guess the questions raised are: Is there a general trend of women voting for women and men voting for men, and Is this a significant factor in th… --- ## [Stephen Hawking says humanity must go to the stars. Is he right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-hawking-says-humanity-must-go-to-the-stars-is-he-right/382348)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 177\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2006, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-hawking-says-humanity-must-go-to-the-stars-is-he-right/382348 "2006-12-06T01:48:04Z")
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/11/30/space.hawking.reut/index.html Looks like that cameo appearance on ST:TNG really had an impact. I think he’s right. And you? --- ## [Will Microsoft "VISTA" Make Antivirus Software Superfluous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-microsoft-vista-make-antivirus-software-superfluous/382765)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2006, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-microsoft-vista-make-antivirus-software-superfluous/382765 "2006-12-06T01:46:54Z")
I ask because I think MICROSOFT should write its software morecarefully. Why should you have to buy additional software to protect yourself? Or is MICROSOFT and McAfee in cahoots? :confused: --- ## [Racial differences in intelligence from the author of The Bell Curve](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racial-differences-in-intelligence-from-the-author-of-the-bell-curve/382677)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2006, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racial-differences-in-intelligence-from-the-author-of-the-bell-curve/382677 "2006-12-05T16:08:11Z")
I stumbled across this article by Charles Murray, the coauthor of the infamous “The Bell Curve” which purports to show innate racial differences in intelligence. This article serves as an update somewhat, integrating som… --- ## [Should the porn industry have less restrictions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-porn-industry-have-less-restrictions/382805)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2006, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-porn-industry-have-less-restrictions/382805 "2006-12-05T15:02:39Z")
I used to run an online adult shop. One of the reasons I stopped was due to the tougher restrictions on secondary producers regarding the amended 2257 law. Basically, I ran a Pay Per View section on my site, so that co… --- ## [Was Meade at fault for not catching Lee after Gettysburg?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-meade-at-fault-for-not-catching-lee-after-gettysburg/381800)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2006, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-meade-at-fault-for-not-catching-lee-after-gettysburg/381800 "2006-12-05T07:45:08Z")
An American Civil War question… The Battle of Gettysburg raged from July 1-3, 1863. Lee finally withdrew, defeated, towards Virginia. “Push forward,” Halleck wired Meade, commander of the Army of the Potomac, “and fig… --- ## [Should weaker students be kept from getting into college?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-weaker-students-be-kept-from-getting-into-college/381763)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2006, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-weaker-students-be-kept-from-getting-into-college/381763 "2006-12-04T22:24:13Z")
When I went to college, the assumption was that only those who were the smartest deserved a higher education, and would get state support if they had little money. But weak students also pay taxes, or at least their fam… --- ## [Aren't we better off with apathetics not voting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-we-better-off-with-apathetics-not-voting/381926)
**Author:** [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-we-better-off-with-apathetics-not-voting/381926 "2006-12-04T20:08:56Z")
Growing up and going to relatively “good” (albeit public) schools in the U.S., I was constantly indoctrinated with the importance of voting and what an enormous travesty it was that only X% of the voting-eligible public … --- ## [John Bolton to step down as U.S. ambassador to the UN](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-bolton-to-step-down-as-u-s-ambassador-to-the-un/382837)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2006, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-bolton-to-step-down-as-u-s-ambassador-to-the-un/382837 "2006-12-04T18:44:11Z")
See here. I guess they figured there was just no effing way the new Senate would confirm him. What will Bolton’s legacy in the post be? What has he accomplished? Who will replace him? Implications for the U.S.… --- ## [How were Adam & Eve supposed to know it was wrong to eat the fruit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-adam-eve-supposed-to-know-it-was-wrong-to-eat-the-fruit/380795)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2006, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-adam-eve-supposed-to-know-it-was-wrong-to-eat-the-fruit/380795 "2006-12-04T16:35:25Z")
I’ve been an atheist since 5th grade. One plot hole has always bothered me about Christianity. According to the Bible when God created Adam (& later Eve) he made them completely innocent with no knowledge of good or … --- ## [Another 50+ killed in Baghdad car bombings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-50-killed-in-baghdad-car-bombings/382679)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2006, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-50-killed-in-baghdad-car-bombings/382679 "2006-12-04T08:38:59Z")
There was a time when I supported the invasion of Iraq by coalition forces, but I hasten to add that this was when my Govt. was convinced that WMD were in the hands of the Iraqis. As it turns out no such weapons have be… --- ## [Can Calderon govern Mexico?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-calderon-govern-mexico/382771)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2006, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-calderon-govern-mexico/382771 "2006-12-04T05:25:48Z")
His inauguration appears inauspicious. I doubt any previous Mexican president has had to take his oath of office while being loudly jeered and reviled by a substantial minority of Congress assembled. Meanwhile, Manuel … --- ## [Break up with a pregnant woman in Michigan & go to jail!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-up-with-a-pregnant-woman-in-michigan-go-to-jail/382713)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2006, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-up-with-a-pregnant-woman-in-michigan-go-to-jail/382713 "2006-12-04T04:58:32Z")
Pretty fascinating new law being proposed. Is this fair to men? Bill assumes male guilt and opens door to unfair prosecutions. The House Bill 5882 in pdf format It’s quite short, but the penalities being proposed are … --- ## [Why did President Bush choose not to be at least somewhat bi-partisan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-president-bush-choose-not-to-be-at-least-somewhat-bi-partisan/382382)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2006, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-president-bush-choose-not-to-be-at-least-somewhat-bi-partisan/382382 "2006-12-03T23:30:35Z")
I always thought politics was about cooperation and compromise on some level, and yet the Bush Administration has been getting its way for some time with only the most minimal nods made toward toward bipartisan cooperat… --- ## [Restrictions on voters and voted](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restrictions-on-voters-and-voted/382000)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2006, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restrictions-on-voters-and-voted/382000 "2006-12-03T21:33:29Z")
If we are to believe the Declaration of Independence and other writings of the founding fathers, democracy depends on maintaining a respectful attitude among politicians. They serve only at the behest of the voters, and… --- ## [Rumsfeld Memo: "Stay the Course NOT Working"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumsfeld-memo-stay-the-course-not-working/382675)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2006, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumsfeld-memo-stay-the-course-not-working/382675 "2006-12-03T16:34:08Z")
Rumsfeld suggested “changing course” in memo two days before he was axed. So, if Rummy was pushed out, was it this memo that did it? --- ## [If this new generation really is messed up, what could we do it about it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-this-new-generation-really-is-messed-up-what-could-we-do-it-about-it/382587)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2006, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-this-new-generation-really-is-messed-up-what-could-we-do-it-about-it/382587 "2006-12-03T16:13:36Z")
There seems to be a general sentiment on the board that kids today just ain’t right. Kids seem to be getting stupider. They are being increasingly diagnosed with neurological disorders like autism. They are increasing… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=748) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=750)