Bolas

Sure, if people would simply recognize that legalization won't magically solve their problems. That marijuana and prohibition do not correlate and that there are serious problems that will need to be faced. If you look back at this thread, you'll see that those are the points that I have directly countered. I've never argued if the plant was good or bad or that consuming it was good or bad, just that there are serious issues outside of "gee, I wish I could legally smoke pot." So if you wouldn't mind, go back and check before you accuse me of something. We all know there are no easy answers to these questions. In fact, easy answers such as "3 strikes", "just say no", "no child left behind", "cash for clunkers", etc. are why we're in the mess we are. We elect people and tell them to fix these issues but then crucify them when they actually do something that will impact someone. Legalizing drugs would not be easy, would not be popular with certain groups but is do able. It'd be a paridigm shift for some as we'd actually hafta admit that there are things the gov't can't fix. It's not an easy or a quick answer, but the best answers never are.

It is not limited to the intelligent, otherwise you would already have it all figured it out and be saved. It is a matter of seeking God with humility. The difficulty comes from our inability to set aside our pride and arrogance so that we can see God as He is, not as we have created him. ... Isn't that what religion does? Creates their own interpretation of God? Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

We need to get out of the business of trying to legislate others morality on adults. Legalize drugs, gambling everywhere, and prostitution. License and tax them. Turn the DEA into a section of the IRS. (don't even need to change the name) Change all the penalties from prison sentences to hafty fines. Personally I don't smoke pot for two reasons: * Theoretically subjected to random drug tests, * I don't hold it in my lungs right and end up wasting it. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

To living single, seeing double, and sleeping triple. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

Getting laid. Science is working hard on that (Pun intended). Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

They know the Georgia greeting? Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

Just cuz you put your potato in the front versus the back... Be great to see ya!!! After New Years in Seb is looking less and less likely. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

God didnt make salvation easy to find. He speaks of that in the parables of the pearl and the treasure. Not even miracles (especially done in light of modern technology) can open the eyes to salvation... it has to be let in. You may be convinced by an angel in a burning bush, but the influence of the world is always working in our minds, many may find resons to doubt even after such a miraculous occurance. Unbelievable Miracles can be quite Unbelievable at times. Ever heard the saying "look hard enough for something, and you'll find it?" Example: A person thinks their SO is cheating on them or no longer loves them. Their jealousy, acts, and possible accusations may drive that other person away or into the arms of another whereas if there wasn't the seed to begin with, they might have been together forever. In the above scenario, I'd personally not succumb to those feelings or let them influence me until I had reason to believe something was going on. I think of religion sort of the same way. If I were to believe in a higher power I'd probably be able to find things that I'd feel enforced that belief, but the issue is, I'm no longer objective. "If all you have is hammer, every problem is a nail." A supreme being is the ultimate hammer. The interesting thing about this whole discussion is it may have shown me why it is so hard to debate religion. Athiests argue the existence of supreme being(s) whereas religious people only care about their belief in them. It seems to me, the actually existence of such a being(s) is seemingly inconsequential in their minds. To them, it's their belief that makes them real which in a way sort of does to them. Sorta like the pro life/pro choice debates, they aren't exactly defined opposites. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

Probably the external connection to the Internet is out of Ramstein. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

Or Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

http://www.cracked.com/article_14990_what-monkeysphere.html This sorta explains it. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

How about immediately after one pulled the trigger? If God really wanted to deter, could even stop the bullet from killing the other person. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

They justify they are the chosen ones and are only killing nonbelievers who don't matter. In these sorts of debates, the supreme being could be like the Supreme Court. I still think it would be an amazing thing. The answers to all the ultimate questions. Converting faith and belief into knowledge and fact. Granted it could be like an extremely hyped movie that you're dying to see but when you finally see it your'e either dissappointed or even if you like it you're like, "OK. Now what?" The most religious would probably have the hardest time accepting this even if they were "right." Maybe that's another reason they'd prefer for there never to be scientific proof. As they themselves don't need it, they feel noone else should either. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

Amazing... Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

They generally reason it out. "I'll prolly be dead long before then." or "Not everyone gets sick, I knew this dude that was 90, smoked since he was 12 and..." etc. They can do that because there is a degree of uncertainty. Granted, you do have purely self destructive types, but even alot of those base their behaviors on most likely being dead before the major consequences. Death is still a certainty for all at this point and the forseeable future. If there was a verified heaven and hell with a set of rules monitored by an all knowing all seeing extremely strict entity I think those rules with known serious consequences would have much less violators. If one knew they'd always get caught, would they be so apt to "disobey." Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

I think it's more working the system than anything. "Will I get caught?" is usually the main factor followed by "If caught, what's the consequence?" With an all seeing all knowing entity, one would always be caught breaking a "rule" so the consequence of the violation would be the only factor. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

Not in the prison I worked in or any I've heard of. Sex, drugs, and alcohol all were forbidden, but all were prevalent. Most outside contraband was provided by the guards. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

I'd like to think that face to face with their creator (even if it was not whom they thought it was) money and power would not still be the motivators. Prolly naive. They'd still be options, but what would be the point of taking them? I know I chose a Christian based theism, but in all you can't have one without the other or some sort of "punishment." With known rules and known consequences there will be people that try to save others (possibly to help themselves), but the majority will be focused on keeping themselves on "the good list." Known and enforced rules, known consequences. It's the ultimate in personal accountability.

This would never happen in Singapore. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewing_gum_ban_in_Singapore Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

So you think that a major religion if indisputedly confronted by God themselves and told they were wrong would retaliate and try to kill God to hang onto their power in this mortal plane knowing that they'd be damned to hell for eternity after death? One of the biggest selling points for religion is "heaven." All of the religions that were "wrong" might try and convince people of such and may try and get people to still kill others, but with the indisputable proof, the number of takers would be way less. For some, some would just be confused or scared for a bit, others might feel a huge burden lifted. I'll agree if it happened, it would probably be violent for quite a while, but after that the only thing people would fight over would be money and power. Religion or religious freedom could no longer be an excuse. I think in the end, despite the death and destruction it would cause, it would be worth it as we'd be a society with two sides: God and Satan. Good and Evil.

Only after we've inadvertently scared all the women away. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

Indeed! I saw video proof of Luke Skywalker destroying the Death Star. OK. What would a god have to do to prove to you that they in fact exist? What physical/scientific proof would you need? Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

Perhaps, however it would not be a case of believers/non believers as we would all know for certain. This is an age of technology where video and audio proof could substantiate anyone's claims. I'll admit that some of the more extremists groups might take the news badly if they were "wrong" and there may be mass suicides/homicides for a bit, but the number of casulties would be far less then the continuing number in the name of religion and they would be at an end. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.