Beawulf

I agree, parents should be teaching tolerence and understanding of people who are different to them. No parent should force their way of life (whatever it may be, sexuality etc) onto their children but let them develop their own identity. I find it distressing hetrosexual families that teach their kids to hate gay people, or in the unfortunate situation where it is their kid that is gay, to hate themselves. These sorts of attitude leads to violence/intolerance, and in the later part of the example, suicide. I dont think it is right for a parent to "teach their kid to be gay", noone can justify that under any circumstances. It is completely hypocritical considering the gay community's fight for freedom in the past. With your example above GhostShadow, I'm curious if you you actually witnessed any of this conditioning or if you only heard hear-say? If not perhaps the couple adopted a gay child so he could get the support he needs (to put up with ridicule, beatings), or even if they adopted him as a baby, perhaps the child happened to be born gay and they are letting him express himself (plenty of flamboyant people with heterosexual parents).

Hippy Barthday Soulreaper! ;)

I would put it, that there either is a god or there isnt, the details of the theory of evolution and the details of how life came about may change. But you cant be somewhere between a god existing and not. the cat is either dead, or alive. It can't be both.

I voted yes to all.

Isnt the Raelian religion based on some guy's alien encounter while he was on LSD? While I personally believe that alien life (has/does/will) exists elsewhere in the universe, I dont think it is likely that any have ever come to earth let alone abducted people :P

In my opinion it is the equal legal and financial protection that is important. The way I see it, having that is being equally treated. I can recognise that marriage is a religious ceremony and if the church wants to keep marriage between man/woman it doesn't bother me, as long as same sex (committed) couples get the same rights and benefits etc. However there isn't equal treatment in a number of places at the moment. Personally I don't care if it is called marriage or not, if there is no love, the term marriage is meaningless. I am not religious so I don't care if it weren't to be blessed by a religious leader, or if it didn't take place in a church. For those gay people who are religious and do want the blessing there are plenty of christian priests who do accept homosexuality who could bless the union. They may not be from the exact same strain of Christianity, but it is the same god in all of them. I imagine my point of view doesn't represent the entire gay community especially gay Christians, who have been raised believing that there cant be a committed relationship without marriage. From my point of view they need to reexamine their beliefs. Being termed marriage is not what makes a committed relationship, as StevenofNine said over 50% of marriages end in divorce. But this is just my point of view.

So if the majority of people voted that black people should be segregated from whites that is ok then? Sorry but I disagree. To be treated equally is a right that everyone has. It isnt something that can be voted on.

perhaps it could be argued within the bounds of christianity that god could have made other worlds with man made in his image, same as us....humans, and with the gift of free will perhaps they have taken a different course from a similar beginning, ie perhaps adam and eve didnt eat the forbidden fruit... Could be one 'eden' per galaxy. edit: if it were to be one per galaxy we may never make first contact, travel between galaxies seems virtually impossible (the exception being galaxies that collide)

just my luck, the birthday thread breaks just when my birthday is coming up *pout* hehe

I would like to hear points of view from people who consider themselves to be religious in one way or another, if they believe in life on other planets? from what I know of some religions they seem to tend towards the ideology that we are alone in the universe, god's only children made in his image, with the universe made only for us. It seems to me that a (traditional) belief in god and a belief in the existence of other intelligent life are mutually exclusive. Do you believe in the possibility of existence of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe? How do you reconcile the differences between your religion and this point of view, or how does your religion support it? NOTE: this is not a flame thread, its purpose is not to argue the validity of any religious beliefs or to force my beliefs on others (vice versa). If you want to debate the validity of ideologies do it in the religion thread.

very good point, the theory of evolution doesn't explain how life came to be. I'm not aware of a widely accepted theory outside of religion that can explain it with a degree of certainty (excuse my ignorance). I guess the poll options, as I had originally picked them, should be considered as 1. evolution/big bang = life & universe occurred without guidance from a higher being 2. creationism = the world, universe, man and everything was made by god in 6 days 3. intelligent design = life & universe developed similar to scientific theory, but by god's hand. I apologise if this oversimplifies things for people, but this is an unbelievably complex topic. I included the 'other' option for this reason, for those who didn't want to be constrained by the other options. edit: Also, for those that vote for intelligent design and creationism, I would really like to know: do you think that life exists on other planet in the universe?

I voted for vic fontaine, he hasnt lied as far as we know, he is great with people and has insight into human nature. I think he would work to please everyone. Seems like he has better qualities than most politicians. That being said I find this topic confusing, why mayor? mayor of what? :P you know, recently in America a high school student was actually voted mayor and his name wasnt even on the ballot paper!

Not sure if I should start another poll, but I am thinking I should have also asked, for those who subscribe to creationism or intelligent design: I would be very interested to know if you also believe there would be life on other planets in the universe?

There have been a few news reports recently about the theory of evolution and the big bang not being taught in schools in some places now, and creationism or intelligent design is being taught as science. I was also just reading a fan review of the voyager episode "threshold" where the reviewer mentioned they didnt believe in evolution, which I found odd for someone who liked sci fi. So I was wondering what do sci fi people think about this? Personally I believe in the theory of evolution and the big bang because there is research supporting it and it doesnt require blind faith. I also support the complete seperation of the church and the state. I dont have problem with churches wanting to teach their theory. But it should not take place at school. To quote the simpsons, Superintendant Chalmers "god has no place inside these walls, just as facts have no place within an organised religion" Theory of evolution/Big bang Creationism (Genesis) Intelligent design

There has been a development with this drama for Sony. Three viruses have been discovered on the net that are modifications of sony's antipiracy software. They should be responsible for all damage that occurs as a result. bbs news article

is it just me or does that guy in the pic above look like robin williams? Those dress uniforms were common during the first season of TNG. A breezier alternative for those hot away missions hehe.

you know I think there was an episode where they said "far out" I think it was the same one where spock was singing and playing a sitar hehe. They formed some kind of commune when some people came on board. The crew weren't quite themselves except Kirk. hrmm, reading over that paragraph it's clear I really have no idea what I'm talking about. Maybe someone else know's the episode I am trying to refer to :cyclops:

Bioware is doing something similar with the premium modules for Neverwinter Nights. Costs about $5 a module I think. I hope other game producers will follow suit.

didn't blizzard get in trouble a few years back for including a backdoor in warcraft or was it diablo? Sony should be made to recall and replace all the products that had that technology, seeing as there was no warning in the user agreement they denied people the option to say no.

I'd like to see it in action, anyone up for some rioting ;)

tbh I never noticed music in red alert, and I played it heaps Oh........I just realised why ;)

It is a sad situation when someone has worked hard their entire life in a job they didnt like, and have nothing to show for it. I am hoping to get into work that I really love, something that will inspire me to get up in the morning. I intend to work because I love it, not because I have to. That's the plan anyway :D

space janitor eh? I guess he wont be needing a vacuum... ok, terrible joke. you didnt get it did you? :P

That's great news. I hope she is successfull and is awarded millions in damages :D That would get the large companies shaking in their boots.