Judgement day is like saying if you are not good you will go to hell. Its one of the instruments that dangles as a threat to all kind to maintain social order or suffer self destruction.

It is possible that we invented religious consequences to avoid feudal anarchy and so we ended up with socialism, communism, democracy etc etc as a way to unite our societies, some of which are still feudal here and now in the 21stC

The point of handing out free condoms is not just contraception it is a very successful prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Look up CDU information and they all advocate free condoms.

Spend a few weeks in a women's refuge working with the victims of domestic violence, spend a few weeks working with single moms whose partners have disappeared never paying child support, spend a few weeks at a sexual health clinic where victims of rape are supported and counseled and then maybe you will begin to see a different picture.

Grab your meditation mats, prayer blocks, dorje and robes and await the enlightenment

Hi

You forgot to mention the "I". Its L G B T I ..............?

I am constantly amazed at the way human animals persist it debating this topic.

Live and let live and show some respect for people who identify as LGBTI instead of this constant bickering

If we look through history, good ideas and ideals, political, social etc, have made sense

Unfortunately it is a human frailty that through ego, greed or power, we will eventually stuff them up.

Because then your debate would be a learning experience for you

Big difference between mental (illness) and dementia (brain deterioration)

Check out the DSM when you get the time

The sooner we are all "coffee coloured people" the better

The dark ages spawned the period we know as enlightenment and renaissance, the period of light and a time of great optimism

Civilisations have risen and fallen throughout history and human animals are still here so it is reasonable to be optimistic that whatever we face we will overcome until we become the last endangered species

The more conversations we have to resolve our stereotypes, homophobia, misogynistic views and bigotry that still prevail the more we will open our minds to a more tolerant and accepting society

Before we can begin to debate this question you need to start by defining what you consider to be "normal" people because everyone is normal to themselves

There are many sayings that fit this argument

For example - One persons floor is another persons ceiling

It is our differences and how we resolve them that make us unique

This was prevalent in the age of chivalry, a time when it was honorable to save the women and children first, when the captain went down with his ship and men who were disgraced fell on their swords.

Times have changed and things like chivalry and common sense have died and no one came to the funeral.

Get used to it folks, these options have been around for decades so there is no rationality for the hype.

Lets give everyone a break

Yep, pity you could not see my expression and body language when I wrote that.....?

None of them.

They are fictional characters for our entertainment so how can any achieve greatness.....?

In some countries women already do because they do not wear restrictive clothing that prevent doing it.

Anyone who has worked with LGBTI people will understand how important it is to give people support when they most need it.

The procedures involved are not taken lightly by either the person or other people and involve a process that eliminates any indecision.

There is no such event as a slippery slope in such cases, that is just an hysterical over-reaction by ignorant people who have no idea what they are talking about.

Living on top of the San Andreas fault line sounds more like being in the "wrong place at the wrong time" idea to create a sanctuary......?

I was born under the sign of Aquarius and whether people believe in that pseudoscientific system or not I do have some of the characteristics pertained to that sign.

I am very logical, rational, manage well in a crisis, and am compassionate towards those who are victims of injustice and less fortunate than myself.

So I am a mixture of the two - both head and heart

Agnes has just produced this video as a reference for what she is able to do in the arts. Hope someone sees this and gives her a job.

In the mean time it is well known that many people study for several years to be able to have the qualification to do their hearts desire without the realisation of the limitations of employment opportunities in their field of study.

The world around us is constantly changing and this means that unless people are savvy, have good connections, or have the opportunity to go it alone there simply may not be enough jobs to be found in certain fields, especially the arts.

My closest friend completed a science degree when jobs were scarce in our area and so he got a job with the council on the garbage truck until he had enough money to go out and get work elsewhere.

My engineering qualifications were not acceptable when I came to Australia so I got a job putting up fencing until I found something more suitable.

If we can't get a job in the area we want we have to be flexible and do something else while we keep looking for an opportunity wherever that may be.

I live in one of the "promised lands" where there is gun control and believe me its a much safer place to be than where you are

I am sure that some other scientists will produce modelling that proves exactly the opposite.

Life, the universe and everything is far too dynamic to be modeled with such accuracy

Bees are the worlds pollinators

They are essential for many many plants that need this process.

Without bees humans and many other species would be in trouble sourcing food.

Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia etc etc are poorer than Greece yet they recovered without debt relief so it is no wonder why their people are wondering why Greece is so special and cannot get itself out of trouble.

After practicing meditation and teaching guidelines over the past 40 years I find it interesting that so many continue to re-invent and complicate what is and has always been a very simple technique.

Whilst there are a few methods and not everyone fits every person, so it takes a bit of practice working out which one suits and then that's it. Simple and just practice.

Its way over time people got this back to basics and put the hype to bed

Just goes to show how easily the English language can create different meanings for different people

In the discussion between Barak Obama and David Attenborough the crucial point that was made was that despite everything we try to do to prevent species extinction, land, sea and air pollution, global warming /climate change etc etc the main problem lies in over population. 7 billion today and predicted to reach 11billion by 2100

The ever increasing number of people's demands upon this planet is such that eventually there will simply be too many to provide resource security for everyone and it is quite conceivable that one day war will be fought over access to fresh water, food and resource supply

Call them what you like, petit or whatever, small breasts are beautiful

Subjective comment will often try to undermine objective reasoning.

In any debate rational parties need resilience because there are trolls out there with destructive habits

More sun exposure more melanoma

In my country it was the 4th highest rate of cancer in 2010

The less we expose ourselves the longer we live

Not necessarily a rape culture in itself, however, as rape is a part of a culture of violence then the answer is yes.

This is credited to the globalresearch.ca site. Violence : The American way of life

" The United States of America was conceived and nurtured by violence.

Americans not only engage in violence, they are entertained by it."

Apologies

Incorrect author

I wrote Richard Adams as the author of Life the Universe and Everything.

It should have been credited to Douglas Adams

Richard Adams wrote a book about it "Life, the Universe and Everything" and Monty Python made a movie about it "The Meaning of life".

If atheism means there is an absence of belief that deities exist then the proposition that the arrival of aliens on earth predating theism actually created theism by becoming the original objects of worship, i.e. "Gods" and thereafter the entire construction of religious devotion. In that case it would suggest to me that atheists would be ambivalent about the belief in aliens.

Just keep thinking the harder we work the more we get paid and the luckier we get

Are you talking from personal experience......................??

Are you talking from personal experience......................??

Are you talking from personal experience........................??

Some annoying people get a buzz out of their aggravation and making people react, so people who respond by being calm and polite can defuse bad behaviour

If that doesn't work then I'll go along with ignoring them or simply going away, annoying people will often give up if they haven't got an audience.

Keep an open mind but be careful someone doesn't come along and use it to fill it with their garbage

Thanks Joe your input is appreciated.

Hi, Jace, I would presume from the question that it would cover all aspects of mental health issues as it did not define any in particular

Agitating someone with a MC issue would be the worst thing anyone could consider doing. Having a MC issue is challenging enough to deal with without being ill treated. Many people with an MC issue feel bad enough about the social stigma they have suffered without ignorant people adding more woe to their lives. Those without such issues should support people who do and help them to succeed in whatever they want to achieve.

Thanks

Good reading

Though it will have to be substantiated in other drilling areas that appears to be a very reasonable presentation of factual evidence

Multiply that 1000,000 times around the globe and the potential is astounding.

I would like scientists to do an unbiased global study with research on what if any effect underground human activity has or may have upon natural events.

For instance underground atomic tests, oil drilling, fracking, mining, etc within the earths crust and whether such human activities can have an accumulative effect upon the natural forces that govern such events.

If not then it is questionable whether human activity can affect an earthquake, especially if there is no proven relationship between the creation of global warming and an earthquake.

Perhaps we have misunderstanding of how we express ourselves.

The way I read your words meant the court case is to determine that they are not legal persons - rather than whether they are.

Yes I read that and the Guardian noted it, however, none of that changes the issue that on May 6th the two chimpanzees have been granted a petition to defend their rights and allow a hearing on the status of “legal persons”

This from The Guardian 22nd April

For the first time in US history, a judge has granted two chimpanzees a petition – through human attorneys – to defend their rights against unlawful imprisonment, allowing a hearing on the status of “legal persons” for the primates.

You need to keep up with this case because your argument is incorrect

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Barbara Jaffe issued an order to show cause and writ of habeas corpus on behalf of two chimpanzees, Hercules and Leo.Under the law of New York State, only a “legal person” may have an order to show cause and writ of habeas corpus issued in his or her behalf. The Court has therefore implicitly determined that Hercules and Leo are “persons.”

A legal person refers to a non-human entity that is treated as a person for limited legal purposes.

Note the word "limited" and lets not get carried away with ridiculous ideas

So congratulations to the liberationists this is one for animal welfare.

Yes, there is absolutely no doubt that terrorism is causing considerable social disruption, harm and suffering, and each incident helps the media to build a picture that is becoming bigger every day.

Whilst terrorism is being used and supported by powers to suit their own agendas, it has the potential for being used by other powers to rationalise the need to introduce powers and legislation to justify protection of the public and our freedoms.

Terrorism has been with us for centuries by various radical groups previously known as "freedom fighters" who resisted their oppressors from Afghanistan to Persia, from Ireland to Kenya, from Spain to South America, and has become such a media road show that there is a danger of public indoctrination to be afraid.

Without fear terrorism has no strength and the French people clearly demonstrated that after the "Charlie" attack.

Where I come from Negus was a drink usually made from port, hot water, spices and sugar.

It was a drink that the upper classes shared before they "rode to hounds" or in the sitting room iced as a refreshing drink in summer.

Human animals have been criss crossing this planet for thousands of years and so immigration is nothing new. With so much strife and civil war civilians become collateral damage due to fighting and discrimination and so is it any wonder they want to live somewhere else.

It must be hard to have to leave the place you were born and where your culture and traditions lie and perhaps ideally they can go back if/when their countries are more stable.

I do not see anything wrong in helping people to live a life free from aggression and once we know they are bonafide we can welcome them and they can add their value to the multi-cultural societies that we are becoming

Both my parents smoked and I started when I was 19. 20 a day. I stopped when I was 26.

I didn't realise that I had taste buds until I stopped. Food tasted so different and my clothes didn't smell of cigarette smoke any more.

That was a long time ago and I haven't had one since. I had a persistent cough which slowly disappeared and afterwards I didn't get so many chest infections in winter that I used to.

Not at all, they'll just douse the flag in more fuel and create an even bigger burn.

In our obsession of trying to understand the how and why of our existence and the enormity of infinity it will only be a matter of time before another theory or hypothesis is developed.

In the meantime lets just try to enjoy that we are here and do the best we can to make it worthwhile.

Hi

I like the card where the guy is sitting at his work desk having his lunch saying "Interesting food in our workplace fridge. I am just eating a sandwich called Barry"

Anyway, I have an Apple laptop so use Google and Mozilla, that way whatever doesn't open on one usually opens on the other. Sometime I can't open some sites at all on either so seems like some sites are not Apple friendly

The human race has the propensity to go from zero to 100mph in the split of a second in its decision making and problem solving chaos.

Where is the KISS principle to risk management

Do decision makers sit back and work out the most rational solution that meets most if not all contingencies in problem resolution......?.

It would appear that they mostly over react, putting in knee jerk, ill thought out strategies that can cause more problems than they solve and then have to go backwards to make a poor decision workable.

Perhaps the next step will be that they will put toilet seats in the cockpit so the pilots do have to leave at all....?.

Its the diversity that counts, we are all individuals, no stereotypes, some are simply smarter than others. Its all a part of life's lottery and the challenge is to accept who we are and what we have and make the best of it.

If you go back a few pages and you will find that we have already had a debate on this topic

Sorry to have to say but your argument is nonsensical and has no validation except your subjective opinion. .

No matter what the excuse the answer is no.

Firstly if wine was invented today it would most likely be labelled a poison. It is currently not recommended for consumption "at all" during pregnancy and perhaps this is the start of the thin edge of the wedge of further restrictions.

Secondly it has been suggested by Alcohol and Other Drug researchers that there is no safe level of drinking alcohol.

Thirdly, in countries where there are already strict age limits on the supply and drinking of alcohol, children would be underage and anyone supplying them with alcohol would be liable for prosecution.

We use metric where I live however where I was born we used imperial so I have knowledge of both.

The best one is the one that people around you use otherwise it gets confusing buying goods by weight, building materials etc etc

OK lets start with Jesus, he is a myth and then racism that doesn't exist because we all belong to the one race the human race. So we are left with discrimination. Life does not discriminate, it is a lottery, like nature there are victims and survivors, some get it good and some do not, some are lucky and some not, and that is why we invented the good samaritan to help those who missed out.

I scored one out of seven so I guess I'll hang around and polish my spade

Like he said "its a work out" and there was a bit of laughter in amongst it all. He presents and sounds like an "out there" type of guy so I would hope he would have said "enough" if it was getting too hard. 10/10 for getting out of the wheelchair and doing something challenging.

A good idea in tornado alley to protect people and their homes from destructive storms but otherwise no particular use to humanity unless we eventually make the surface of the planet uninhabitable....?

I enjoy using a tablet to read books when I am travelling and am away from home for extended periods of time and it is very convenient to have 20-30 books all in the one place, however, I also have a large collection of hard cover books of fiction and non-fiction that I treasure reading at home.

The texture of a well made book, the feel of it, the simple enjoyment of reading and turning an actual page instead of a virtual page, all of this and more is something that I enjoy far more than the "technology" book, so for me it is a comparison between convenience and a construction of text.

I enjoy having both, but to choose only one I would go for the book.

The Church of Scientology has been accepted as a religion and reputedly offers participants a path that leads them to their understanding of their spiritual nature and their relationship with the spiritual universe and the Supreme Being.

If this is correct then the answer would be no.

Goes to demonstrate just how complex we are in the world of animal species

Einstein is reputed as saying it is not the most intelligent or knowledgeable species that survive it is the most adaptable.

Wonder where human animals fit

My understanding of this quote is that to give one's soul to the devil i.e "gain the whole world" an individual forfeits their soul, however as God and the Devil do not exist can an individual lose their soul - whatever that is meant to be ?

If the soul is supposed to be the immortal part of every human animal ("being" if there are any) then everyone has a soul no matter what their gender, creed, religion, language, culture, tradition or philosophical worldview.

There used to be a joke going around when I was a lot younger and lived in the UK that the when the spinster post mistress died she had "Returned unopened" carved on her tombstone.

In days gone by in a more chauvinistic time than today, a man was "sewing his wild oats" but a woman was "loose with no morals" to have sex outside marriage.

No problem guessing how virtue came to be of importance in this matter in certain levels of society and some even went so far as to demonstrate the brides virginity by showing the stains on the bed sheet the morning after the wedding. The bleeding of the hymen is a myth that became a reality.

Good luck.

I hope the right individual comes along soon and you will both be very happy

Whilst I empathise with your values I do not have the same belief in the sanctity of virginity that has been turned into a moral issue. However, in so saying, I do believe in the sanctity of the relationship when we find the right individual and the trust, respect and love we share in our monogamy

This is impossible because Hell doesn't exist so how can anyone be threatened by a non-existent threat....???

I agree with Kalamazoo

I am amazed at the plethora of videos that portray interesting and amazing drama

There surely cannot be people on every street corner waiting for opportunities to film special events.

Some of them just have to be staged and therein lies the rub on which to believe so how do we know if Facebook and Youtube have validity......????

I always thought that its a good idea to live for the moment. You know, the "be here now " philosophy. So if we can't remember at least we can rest in peace with the thought that we did it as best as we could. Perhaps we need to write that down somewhere so we can remind ourselves when we have forgotten, as long as we remember where we put it.....?

The words a rational debate presumes the participants are interested in what CreateDebate is all about "ideas, discussion and democracy........to provide our community with a framework that makes compelling and meaningful debates easy to create and fun to use". So they have set the scene and all we have to do is just get on with it, having rational debates about rational topics.

God is not waiting for us at the bottom of the glass, the only one waiting is the barkeeper waiting to refill it.

I had to wear aids when I was 63 when I was diagnosed with otto-sclerosis. I wouldn't say its better as I have no choice if I want to listen to music or have a conversation, however, there are pros and cons.

When I go to sleep at night I am not disturbed by noise that would otherwise wake me. I slept through cyclone ITA Cat 3 which passed directly overhead and didn't hear it.

On the other hand I have tried several aids and none have let me hear what I could when I was able to hear without aids. Aids can be expensive and will need attention and adjustment. I can hear more of what is being said behind me than in front of me with my current aids, which are "Behind the ear" aids because I make too much ear wax to wear "In the ear" aids.

So aids are better for me because I want to hear, that is a no-brainer, but are they better than hearing - no definitely not.

Point scoring at the expense of protocol, political and international courtesy

Nothing new revealed, so what gain - a hidden agenda perhaps....?

In our youth we are dreamers of what might be. In later age we become realists, because by then we have learnt what we can change and what still needs more work.

Who in their right mind would go to the beach covered in a protective layer of clothing or sun screen lotion to avoid getting skin cancer and still have the presence of mind to spend time ogling .....?

If feminism means the support of all who share a common goal to define, establish, and achieve equal political, economic, cultural, personal, and social rights for women including seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in education and employment then we definitely still need it because we haven't arrived there yet.

What a brilliant response.

I was hoping my introduction would draw comment and yours is an intelligent and comprehensive point of view that I find totally acceptable

Thank you

Ok for this of you who believe in God and God is all things in nature then the answer is yes. Wet dreams are simply a nocturnal emission, a spontaneous orgasm during sleep that includes ejaculation for a male, or vaginal wetness or an orgasm (or both) for a female. Nocturnal emissions are most common during adolescence and early young adult years, but they may happen any time after puberty. So its just a part of our evolution to go through this and so just enjoy it, its natural, no hidden agendas, no bangs and whistles, just nature doing what it does best, naturally.

C'est la vie....!

We make life heaven or hell right here "on earth" and unlike any other species we have the choice which way to play the game.

Unfortunately there are enough (e.g ISIS, Taliban etc) who make the wrong choice which directly or indirectly affects so many others.

There is no after life, we do our best and have only one go at it, when we're dead, we're dead and that's it we are only another species of animal anyway so just "do unto others" and get on with being considerate, thoughtful, kind and helpful and we'll be in heaven right here on earth.

I'm retired so check my email every morning while I have my morning coffee and I reply to those that need one.

We live on a few acres in the tropics and its a part of my day before I start doing work outside.

C'est la vie

I once watched a training video while employed at a medical facility to test our critical observation.

People with yellow and white T shirts we're passing a ball to each other and we were asked to count how many times the white's held the ball.

At the end of the video we all had about the same number then the trainer asked how many of us saw the gorilla.....?

What gorilla we asked....?

He replayed the video and there it was half way through someone dressed in a gorilla suit danced through the group and none of us saw it.

With that in mind to each individual this dress could be any of these colours.?

Didn't wake up to it at first then worked out that they were just trying to get me to bite. I'm a bit older and wiser now-a-days and can usually see it coming.

Have you ever wondered if some people purposefully go about doing what they claim they are against doing and doing the opposite of what they know they should be doing just so they can create a response or make an impression that leads to a debate or an argument.......?

You are incorrect that I am inferring "race based" discrimination, that is your inference alone and it is not possible because there is only the one race

However as I said there is discrimination, it is against the colour of our skin, the shape of our bodies, our disabilities, our creed, our culture, etc, etc and not against our race. Racism does not exist, in mis-creating the term we simply define our ignorance.

The question is an impossibility when racism does not exist

It is impossible to be racist because there is only one, the human race.

Sure there is a lot of discrimination going around that has been going on for thousands of years but slowly and surely we are eliminating that.