warri0r45

To make sure the place dosen't fall apart. Would it be in our, indeed anyones interests to see further unrest in the middle east, particularly an all out civil war in Iraq? It's a hairy issue, but if we all just pulled out today, there would be little security in Iraq and the relations between the different groups would likely dissolve.

Terrorists don't have an army or country.

Your right, but our forces are stretched in Iraq, Afganistan and I'm pretty sure we still have forces in Timor and the Soloman Islands. Don't take my word for the last two though. The point is we can't contribute as much as the poms or the yanks ever could, which I'm sure you're aware of. I never knew Australia supported East Timor, interesting. :-k Why the Solomon Islands? Operation RAMSI

Your right, but our forces are stretched in Iraq, Afganistan and I'm pretty sure we still have forces in Timor and the Soloman Islands. Don't take my word for the last two though. The point is we can't contribute as much as the poms or the yanks ever could, which I'm sure you're aware of.

I agree with you, I don't see what the issue is. Basra is a more secure place than Baghdad so they are pulling out to leave it to the Iraqi's. They can't stay there forever.

A typo which actually keeps the statement gramatically correct. Instead of being definate about buying a new comp, you're now defiant. :P

Guitar pro isn't technically free, but you can download it. :-$ :P I can't say I've ever tried printing with GP but I'm sure you could do it.

I see you have a lot to learn about politics and statistics yet. :D Oh I'm sure that they think that the chance is rather small, just as I'm sure that they can't give an actual estimate for how small it really is, considering they have no clue what may happen at all. In the end it either goes wrong or not anyway. ;) Ok, I'm going to leave you with the last laugh on this issue. Explain to me the political motivations to come up with such a statistic.

How can you estimate something of which you barely even understand anything? They falsely try to create credit for their guess by saying they did calculations on it. And theism predicts it to happen every so many years? :D So do you really think that the figures they came too were Do you seriously think they just pull it out of thier [wagon]? If they didn't know what they were doing, they wouldn't present a figure. They have some Idea, no matter how small it is.

Hmm. That's a pretty good point, I must admit. They are basically taught never to question thier belief and see it as truth. I suppose the upshot of this is that scripture is partially to blame as it is never wavering of it's declaration of god, and our subordination to him. This makes me wonder, how do you classify someone as a Christian? Do they have to believe (or 'know') that the message and basic tenants the bible portrays are truth? There seems to be a huge range of believers who are given the title of Christian these days which is probably due to the multi-denominational thing.

All Christianity stands for is oppression? Are you really sure you want to make this argument? I agree the guy you were debating wasn't making the best worded arguments but come on... don't ya think you are taking that statement a bit far? No, all it does is stand as a tool for people to use for attempting to justify their opinions, which are usually to opress certain things which do no harm too anyone. Such as when the Church condemed the use of Condoms - effectivley murdering people in Africa, or it's stance on various types of people. What reason does religion exist? So that one person can think their opinion has more weight than mine, and to think that they know truth when all they know is their belief. I really would have thought that some religions like christianity would understand that a society that allows for freedom and liberty is one which allows truth. However it's views still hold prejudice. Sure you can say "religion exists to give people moral guidelines" but we as humans are not stupid, when we created the first state we knew it was their to protect us. We don't need religion too tell us whats right and wrong, my opinion of whats right and wrong doesn't make me right over the next mans. And a book of opinion does not justify an opinion. I'd say that Christianity dosen't stand for opression, it's the few who go by the tagline 'christian' that use it to opress others and use thier propganda to 'recruit' them if you like. It's a facit of life that is abused much like any other.

Let me quote the part of his post which I argued against. By that logic I could pull any random guess for anything and label it as science, which is wrong. I'm not saying this figure is accurate, I'm just arguing it isn't a 'pure random guess.' Why would I say that? The word calculated, of course. Again, they don't just pull these figures out of thier [places where the sun don't shine].

Science does not equal Atheism. They are completely different things. Do you even know how they came up with that risk? I don't but I know it's not just a guess as you suggest. Risk calculations are done by statisticians for a plethora of things so I don't think it's wise to just label them as guesses.

Bill Hicks FTW. :thumbsup: "The world is like a ride in an amusement park. And when you choose to go on it you think it's real because that's how powerful our minds are. And the ride goes up and down and round and round. It has thrills and chills and it's very brightly coloured and it's very loud and it's fun, for a while. Some people have been on the ride for a long time and they begin to question: "Is this real, or is this just a ride?" And other people have remembered, and they come back to us, they say, "Hey, don't worry, don't be afraid, ever, because this is just a ride." And we kill those people." - Bill Hicks. "Go back to bed, America, your government has figured out how it all transpired. Go back to bed America, your goverment is in control. Here, here's American Gladiators. Watch this, shut up, go back to bed America, here is American Gladiators, here is 56 channels of it! Watch these pituitary [developmentally delayed]s bang their [bleep]ing skulls together and congratulate you on the living in the land of freedom. Here you go America - you are free to do what well tell you! You are free to do what we tell you!" - Bill Hicks.

Another reason not to take you seriously. Seriously, I can't understand how shallow minded you are that you would take people less seriously or look at them as any different just because they have a different opinion to you.

I hope you wake up from your DAYDREAM and EMANCIPATE YOURSELF from the PROPOGANDA of RELIGION. Oh my, see how annoying it is when you think your opinion is truth. Religous belief is an opinion. It's based on a book that people believe was inspired by a god who supposedly exists but has never been seen by anyone (with the exeption of Moses in the form of a burning bush and possibly some others). Please, for the sake of making these forums just a tad less counter-intuitive, don't assume your beliefs are factual truth and look down on others who happen to disagree with you. As I've said numerous times on other topics, as a disclaimer, I have nothing against religion of people of any faith. You want to believe in god? No worries. Just please, don't assume it gives you the right to tell other people to think the same way as you becase you think your opinion is the truth.

It most certaintly does not. I'd blame the Jews for this one. And also most forms of Creationism which claim the age of earth to be < 10000 years. Why would you blame the Jews? The figure of < 10,000 years or so is from adding up all of the 'begats' or the ages of people in the account of genesis up to jesus (or something like that).

Defender, stop acting like you are better than everyone else because you want to get rich and give money to people. If you are so serious about being a philanthropist then start a charity, adopt a child, stand up for human rights in Africa. Don't just keep going down this self gratification path thinking you are Jesus Christ or something. Even if that's not your intention it's coming across that you think everyone is below you because you are going to be the saviour for hundreds of poor people and we aren't. Calling people selfish because they live thier own lives the way they want is incredibly shameful of you as well. Do you live in a house or have money or food? Then I could call you selfish for not giving all of those things away. Everyone is selfish to an extent. What was that story about Jesus in the temple? (sorry, my memory is a little hazy here) He was happier and looked with favour towards the woman who gave 2 silver coins because she was poor but was indifferent to rich people who gave more because they could afford it. Something like that. :? So seriously, stop being arrogant because I can see right through your disguise and know you are doing this for self gratification, even if that wasn't your intention.

Lets go through all the things that are wrong here. 1) Assuming you can get all of your money from the stock market without spending years learning the trade, i.e. achieving something akin to a degree, is naieve at best. 2) Work is not slavery. Rediculous comparison, really. 3) Your assuming everyone dislikes thier job. Wrong. Some people love what they do and getting up every day to go to work. 4) People don't have jobs out of fear. Getting a degree and having a job means contributing to society. I'm starting a degree at university this year. If you think degrees are such a waste of time, never go to the doctor, dentist, an accountant for financial help etc, etc. 1. You can actually learn it in less than 2 weeks. You don't know anything about the stock market, so you believe it is this over complex proccessing system. Wrong. 2. You keep telling yourself that when you hit the snooze on your alarm clock. 3. Yes, some people love their job. I am happy for them, but they are still in slavery. 4. Yes, Yes, thats excatly what the Government wants to! Work little minions, work! err.. I mean.. "contributing to society members". yes.. thats what we wanted to say. And no, I don't go to any of those. Why the hell would I go to a finicial advisor? THEY AIN'T RICH! ~Defender~ Of course, the government is always out to get you and it's all just a huge slavery conspiracy. Seriously, get over yourself. If people didn't have jobs you, my friend, would have to hunt and kill your food yourself. Even with all the money in the world you couldn't buy your way out of that scenario. I'll just let you live in your own little world because in reality society needs people with degrees and jobs or 'slaves' as you call them.

Lets go through all the things that are wrong here. 1) Assuming you can get all of your money from the stock market without spending years learning the trade, i.e. achieving something akin to a degree, is naieve at best. 2) Work is not slavery. Rediculous comparison, really. 3) Your assuming everyone dislikes thier job. Wrong. Some people love what they do and getting up every day to go to work. 4) People don't have jobs out of fear. Getting a degree and having a job means contributing to society. I'm starting a degree at university this year. If you think degrees are such a waste of time, never go to the doctor, dentist, an accountant for financial help etc, etc.

I always wonder why people try to be normal. When did mediocrity ever become a good image? If your normal you should just be that way, no trying intended.

Cake and beer.

I need the source of the information, thanks. The speed of light thing was on the wikipedia article about the theory of relativity a while ago... I've read a few articles about the possibility of the speed of light not being constant, but nowhere did it mention of the earths age.

Just out of concern, would you say I'm forcing opinions down others throats? Or were you refering to someone else/some other people? I'm pretty certain he's referring to the fundamentalists with very little understanding of the religion they preach - from my religious point of view you are most definitely not trying to rubbish faith or force opinions, which is why I continue to post on this topic :). Thanks for the reassurance. I almost thought you were referring to me. :oops: #-o :P

Thanks. Don't worry, I aint freaked out. :P A companion makes sense and would help through tough times or when asking 'why?' no doubt ey? On the evangelist point, I think Rebdragon put it right when he said some are genuine and some want to screw you over. Like any facit of life, there are always a few that want to take advantage of you and screw you over. It dosen't make the good ones have any more of a tarnished motive though.