What was your worst church experiance?

DelilahJones33 comments on Jan 22, 2018:

As a favor to a dear friend, I accompanied her to Lakewood Church in Houston, Tx. so that she wouldn't have to go alone with her parents who were visiting. After the "service" aka How to Get Rich Seminar and Surreal Rock Concert, Joel Osteen put his hands on my pregnant belly and started praying. I ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 22, 2018:

I bet that, if your baby came out healthy, he would take credit for that, his prayers were answered but if he/she was born with an illness, well that's god's plan.

Tyrannical Governments

RoboGraham comments on Jan 22, 2018:

That's a very pessimistic view you've got there.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 22, 2018:

@Lancer No I agree that governments do fucked up stuff. I mean the part about never advancing past the stone age. Hold out hope for the future, things do tend to improve over time.

Inequal distibution

PeterJohn comments on Jan 21, 2018:

If I was an American citizen,I think healthcare would be the most important a healthcare plan that is affordable for all Americans,not just the well off.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 21, 2018:

@HippieChick58 You said it sista

Inequal distibution

RoboGraham comments on Jan 21, 2018:

With a well educated populace, everything else falls into place.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 21, 2018:

@Trajan61 Were the scientist who worked on the Manhattan Project not well educated? Did the officers and engineers who helped defeat the Axis Powers during WW2 not have college degrees? Well educated societies don't allow despots like Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Castro and Kim Jong Un to come to power so perhaps if more focus was placed on education worldwide, there would be less evil.

One of the drawbacks of having a state religion is a mandatory section of air space on the BBC for ...

RoboGraham comments on Jan 21, 2018:

One reason I'm proud to be an American, no religion is given preference. At least not officially.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 21, 2018:

@273kelvin That system has really worked throughout your history. No great social upheavals aside from the civil war which ultimately ended with the restoration of the Stuarts. A long ebb and flow of strong monarchs who advanced the kingdom and weak ones which allowed the power of the crown to be slowly eroded. Do you think the monarchy serves any practical purpose in this day and age? Would you be in favor of abolishing it?

Inequal distibution

RoboGraham comments on Jan 21, 2018:

With a well educated populace, everything else falls into place.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 21, 2018:

@stinkeye_a You said it well too.

Sports

RoboGraham comments on Jan 21, 2018:

I have almost no interest in any sport. I'd like an option for no favorite sport in this poll.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 21, 2018:

@witchymom True true, There is much good to be said about sports. The teamwork, competitiveness, exercise and so on. I don't care for opera either.

Inequal distibution

PeterJohn comments on Jan 21, 2018:

If I was an American citizen,I think healthcare would be the most important a healthcare plan that is affordable for all Americans,not just the well off.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 21, 2018:

Our healthcare system is a travesty.

One of the drawbacks of having a state religion is a mandatory section of air space on the BBC for ...

RoboGraham comments on Jan 21, 2018:

One reason I'm proud to be an American, no religion is given preference. At least not officially.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 21, 2018:

@JimmyM Yeah I feel ya, I'm not very patriotic but I am proud of our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

One of the drawbacks of having a state religion is a mandatory section of air space on the BBC for ...

RoboGraham comments on Jan 21, 2018:

One reason I'm proud to be an American, no religion is given preference. At least not officially.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 21, 2018:

@MsOliver Yes indeed, its very uncool.

One of the drawbacks of having a state religion is a mandatory section of air space on the BBC for ...

RoboGraham comments on Jan 21, 2018:

One reason I'm proud to be an American, no religion is given preference. At least not officially.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 21, 2018:

@273kelvin You Brits seem to very very practical about your religion. Is it more of an attachment to history and tradition rather than the actual dogma?

One of the drawbacks of having a state religion is a mandatory section of air space on the BBC for ...

RoboGraham comments on Jan 21, 2018:

One reason I'm proud to be an American, no religion is given preference. At least not officially.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 21, 2018:

@WizardBill Yes quite unfortunate. Hopefully their stranglehold on our politics will soon be broken.

Atheism a religion?

Outsideit67 comments on Jan 21, 2018:

It still is a belief in and of itself . Just as most religions believe in a supreme deity, Atheism is based on not believing in god/ religion. I have many friends that are each side of the street on this , and they all pretty much say the same things basically. I really don’t see why atheists ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 21, 2018:

Abstaining from belief is not belief.

Is this the smartest thing Trump has ever said?

gater comments on Jan 20, 2018:

Trump is a brilliant man, those that don't agree are clearly not aware.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 21, 2018:

He is brilliantly enriching himself and his cronies at the expense of the rest of us.

Sports

RoboGraham comments on Jan 21, 2018:

I have almost no interest in any sport. I'd like an option for no favorite sport in this poll.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 21, 2018:

@SACatWalker Imagine what could be accomplished if all that passion and effort and money put into sports was directed towards something more meaningful.

If necessary to testify in court would you put your hand on the bible?

RoboGraham comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I would swear on The Constitution.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@azzow2 Yes, we certainly have some ridiculous laws.

If necessary to testify in court would you put your hand on the bible?

RoboGraham comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I would swear on The Constitution.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@azzow2 Come again?

Should the electoral college be abolished?

Dougy comments on Jan 16, 2018:

When your drinking water filter gets clogged , or full of holes , do you throw out the entire system , & start drinking dirty water ? NO! You either clean it out , or replace it with a new one . That's exactly what needs to happen . Doing away with it will not improve our situation , & is shamefully...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 18, 2018:

Are you saying that a direct election, one citizen = one vote, is equivalent to drinking dirty water? What is shameful about getting rid of a rigged system in which the citizens of some states get more representation than others? How would the New Electoral College that you mentioned function and how would it be different from the current one? What do people carrying guns have to do with it?

I find it funny that the Roman Empire is the the reason for the Christian persecution complex, and ...

JohnnyThorazine comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Constantine does not get the credit he deserves, that's for sure. Another amusing side note: the 'christians to the lions' probably didn't happen. Rome probably would have happily integrated xstianity into it's many religions, if it didn't condemn anyone who believed other than xstianity.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 18, 2018:

Constantine is known as Constantine The Great. That's more than enough credit for him as far as I am concerned.

Any Deadheads out there?

ErichZannIII comments on Jan 10, 2018:

What is a Deadhead?

RoboGraham replies on Jan 15, 2018:

@ErichZannIII Dude, listen to American Beauty. It's incredible.

If you don't believe in God , and feel that man made religion is just a vain attempt to tell some ...

JWDiaz comments on Jan 13, 2018:

I won't dismiss some kind of after life until someone gives me irrefutable evidence that this is it. But chances are that this is it.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 14, 2018:

Logically speaking, you should dismiss the idea of afterlife until irrefutable evidence is given for it's existence. The burden of proof lies with the claim of the existence of something not with the dismissal of that claim.

Should prostitution be illegal?

K9Kohle789 comments on Jan 11, 2018:

Only the poorest, most uneducated, dumb, misguided men and/or women become prostitutes for lack of a better choice. Give them a better choice and there would be no need for prostitutes. Also most assume on this thread or whatever that a prostitute is a female. That's not reality. Men are also paid ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 11, 2018:

Do you truly believe that outlawing their profession makes it any better for them.

Atheism and pot

PeppermintDreads comments on Jan 9, 2018:

I’m one of the few people that think pot still should be criminalized.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 11, 2018:

@PeppermintDreads That's a false equivalence. Owning child porn implies paying for child porn which fuels the problem of people taking advantage of vulnerable minors. Buying weed does not do that. And before you say that it funds violent cartels and criminal organizations, that wouldn't be the case if it were legalized. Those funds would go to legitimate farmers and much revenue would be generated through taxation.

What was your worst church experiance?

EmeraldJewel comments on Jan 11, 2018:

When I was once friends a with an older Pentecostal woman and I witnessed her staring at me in church in a rude type way. I only hung around her cause I kind of felt sorry for her. She was a woman in her 50s, was a divorcée and never had any children. Leaving church that evening with her, she told ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 11, 2018:

I hope she gets the holy ghost right up her racist ass.

Atheism and pot

PeppermintDreads comments on Jan 9, 2018:

I’m one of the few people that think pot still should be criminalized.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 11, 2018:

@PeppermintDreads Chemicals make up everything. Our own brains produce cannabinoids, the chemicals of which you speak. We have cannabinoid receptors in our brains because it's a natural part of life. Yeah it's true that not everyone needs an influx of these chemicals by ingesting or smoking cannabis but for those who enjoy it, why stand in their way? It's an affront to our freedom and liberty to prohibit something that causes no harm to others. Prohibition does more harm than good and pot does not take peoples minds away. It's a mild intoxicant that causes temporary laziness, increased hunger, and an easygoing attitude. So yes it is very weird that there are still people out there who feel that non-violent cannabis users ought to have their privacy invaded, their reputations ruined, their freedom revoked and forced to pay fines and legal fees for simply consuming a natural substance.

Who else is a proud stoner?

GeekLeen comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Just wondering... What is there to be proud of for being stoned? I mean, it's not a big deal.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 10, 2018:

The pride is derived from the act of resisting an unjust law.

Atheism and pot

RandyWells comments on Jan 9, 2018:

420 friendly it should be legal 100% and alcohol made ILLEGAL! haven't smoked since HS

RoboGraham replies on Jan 10, 2018:

We already tried prohibiting alcohol. Now we have the 21st Amendment.

Atheism and pot

PeppermintDreads comments on Jan 9, 2018:

I’m one of the few people that think pot still should be criminalized.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 10, 2018:

Weird

Would you be willing to die for your beliefs?

AMGT comments on Jan 5, 2018:

Not really digging your “chicken out” option, lol.. I’m not an idiot... in your scenario, feeling fear at the hands of tyranical theist barbarians who are threatening my life, is intelligent. Fear is instinct kicking in, demanding I survive. Of course I’m scared, I cannot trust these ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 10, 2018:

Okay, we can change "chicken out out" to "prudently get yourself out that situation."

Does it matter anymore who makes the first move?

RoboGraham comments on Jan 8, 2018:

i Wish more women would make the first move. It would make my life easier.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 8, 2018:

@BeeHappy Good point. Perhaps it's better as is because women, being more empathetic, are better at rejecting without being mean.

Would you be willing to die for your beliefs?

GoldenDoll comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Don't like the "chicken out" option - could you change it to "be intelligent about it"? I'd be on my knees doing whatever they wanted, then planning to resist when I had a few more good cards in my hand. Just like Daniel Craig as James Bond. Gosh. Oops, got sidetracked. As an atheist I know ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 7, 2018:

Sure "chicken out" isn't the best way to put it. Call it what you will, I would do the same. Martyrdom is much more of a christian thing.

Should prostitution be illegal?

silverotter11 comments on Jan 6, 2018:

I get the impression most of the people posting or commenting to this post act in a responsible manner regarding their sexual activity. It HAS been an interesting discussion.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 6, 2018:

Yes, a lot of people have made a lot of good points. Where do you stand?

Should health insurance companies be required to cover birth control?

evestrat comments on Dec 22, 2017:

Yes. Health insurance should cover all aspects of one's health... Including reproductive, mental, etc. They shouldn't cherry-pick what part of health they cover... Hence I'm a single-payer health care system supporter -- our health should not be a commodity that others make BIG ASS profit off of....

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay You are being slightly contradictory. You say that birth control is so cheap that women out to be able to pay for it out of pocket while simultaneously arguing that other people shouldn't have to have to pay higher premiums because of a woman's choice to have sex. How can it be affordable enough to be no big deal to to pay for out of pocket but also expensive enough to cause noticeable increases in insurance costs? Also, as others have said, the money saved by avoiding pregnancy will far outweigh the cost of birth control. Also, as far as birth control costing roughly the same as condoms, as far as I know, and I'm no expert here, birth control is not over the counter. So a lady must pay to see a doctor or at least pay a co-pay, to get the prescription in the first place. It would be so much more sensible and cost effective if we had a single payer system that covered all medical needs, including birth control.

Should health insurance companies be required to cover birth control?

evestrat comments on Dec 22, 2017:

Yes. Health insurance should cover all aspects of one's health... Including reproductive, mental, etc. They shouldn't cherry-pick what part of health they cover... Hence I'm a single-payer health care system supporter -- our health should not be a commodity that others make BIG ASS profit off of....

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay You can't choose to not be raped. Sometimes sex occurs regardless of choice.

What was your worst church experiance?

MrLizard comments on Jan 5, 2018:

At my synagogue, most of the girls my age were bitches. I really wanted a Jewish girl friend, but they weren't making it easy. I did like the Rabbi's daughter. I was too scared to ask her out. But the absolute worse day was just an embarrassment. We went on a Sunday School Field Trip and the ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

@AmiSue What is sukkah?

Would you be willing to die for your beliefs?

twshield comments on Jan 5, 2018:

what if you dont have any beliefs

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

@twshield Yeah that seems to be the best way to go. Live to fight another day.

What was your worst church experiance?

NooYawkGurrl comments on Jan 5, 2018:

Wow. That is recruitment and very much a cult-like behavior. Good thing you were smarter than them and smelled the bullshit immediately.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

Later on, my friends and I began to refer to that church simply as The Cult.

What was your worst church experiance?

MsOliver comments on Jan 5, 2018:

My mother made me attend church camps in the summers. I went to one when I was 10 where someone stole my pocket money and I had forgotten some medication I was supposed to take for allergies. They wouldn't allow me to call my mother, and essentially held me hostage for the remainder of the week, ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

That sounds worse than prison.

Why is it so hard to realize we are just like any creature that has ever lived on this planet?

AgnosticBear comments on Jan 5, 2018:

How do we know that all the other creatures are denied an afterlife. No evidence for or against. Is that what agnostic means. We neither beleive nor disbelieve.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

@atheist Far too many people do not understand that simple concept.

Should prostitution be illegal?

Coffeo comments on Jan 4, 2018:

Of course it should be legal, and regulated. Here in Australia, the laws vary between the states. Brothels are legal only in some states, where prostitution is regulated. In other states. independent sex work is legal, but brothels aren't.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

@Coffeo Wonderful. Although Ken Ham is one of yours. I thought it was pretty funny how he blamed the atheist when his arc museum failed. That guy is delusional.

Would you be willing to die for your beliefs?

twshield comments on Jan 5, 2018:

what if you dont have any beliefs

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

"beliefs" was a poorly chosen word. How about strongly held convictions?

Why is it so hard to realize we are just like any creature that has ever lived on this planet?

Coffeo comments on Jan 5, 2018:

Maybe it's possible to believe in an afterlife or reincarnation without believing in god. (Not that I do.)

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

Yeah I don't think the two are mutually inclusive. Both are farfetched though.

Why is it so hard to realize we are just like any creature that has ever lived on this planet?

AgnosticBear comments on Jan 5, 2018:

How do we know that all the other creatures are denied an afterlife. No evidence for or against. Is that what agnostic means. We neither beleive nor disbelieve.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

Logically, you should disbelieve something unless there is evidence to confirm it. The burden of proof is on the person making the argument for the existence of something.

Should prostitution be illegal?

Coffeo comments on Jan 4, 2018:

Of course it should be legal, and regulated. Here in Australia, the laws vary between the states. Brothels are legal only in some states, where prostitution is regulated. In other states. independent sex work is legal, but brothels aren't.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

@Coffeo Our Supreme court ruled in favor of marriage equality a few years ago so it applies to all states. Although many states would rather not have it. The red ones particularly. Are there many holy rollers in Australia? Do you guys have a bible belt?

Do you agree/

ScienceBiker comments on Jan 5, 2018:

I don't have a TV and don't watch the news. It doesn't matter what side of the politcal spectrum you're on. The "news" is an embellished, sensualized portrayal of someone else's interpretation of a few facts. I've got an interesting history and can give a first hand account of things I've said on...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

Why were you on the news?

Should prostitution be illegal?

AccursedHalo comments on Jan 5, 2018:

As someone who wouldn't be here if not for my biological mother being a prostitute, getting knocked up and not believing in abortions, I say legalize it! She made a lot of money doing it, but a good handful of it went to her pimp who was abusive and when she left him so she could lead a better life,...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

Good for your mom, I'm glad she alright. No one should have to deal with that kind of shit though. The police should protect sex workers rather than persecute them.

Should prostitution be illegal?

Coffeo comments on Jan 4, 2018:

Of course it should be legal, and regulated. Here in Australia, the laws vary between the states. Brothels are legal only in some states, where prostitution is regulated. In other states. independent sex work is legal, but brothels aren't.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

It seems like you Ozzies have really got it together. Gun control, legal prostitution, riding kangaroos everywhere to cut down on carbon emissions. Have you guys legalized cannabis yet? I think we did beat you to the punch on homosexual marriage though.

I'm not a psychologist but I sure wish I knew what's inside the mind of the average trump supporter!...

Redlegdex comments on Oct 11, 2017:

I’m a Trump supporter so feel free to pick my brain.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

@Redlegdex First off, let me say that I think it is rather courageous of you to open up about your political leanings and keep your cool about it in this very anti-trump environment. You seem to be a reasonable person so I would like to take this opportunity to ascertain your thinking here because for me personally, I can not conceive of supporting that braggart of a president we have. So here are my questions for you- 1) Has your support for him waned in the time that's passed between the election and now? 2) Are you in support of the tax cuts for the wealthy that will add tremendous amounts of money to the deficit? If so why? 3) You support legal cannabis so you must be pissed about Trump's attorney general Sessions who just reversed federal protections for states that have legalized pot right? 4) As a Mexican, what are your thoughts on the wall? 5) So you must realize that Sanders is on the opposite end of the political spectrum compared to Trump so how does one go from supporting a socialist to supporting a nationalist/capitalist? 6) Was it the e-mails that made you not want to vote for Hilary? 7) How do you feel about the Mueller investigation? I think that's enough for now. I look forward to your responses because I really am curious about this stuff.

I'm not a psychologist but I sure wish I knew what's inside the mind of the average trump supporter!...

Wewa45viking comments on Dec 19, 2017:

Believe in the system or not doesn't matter, Trump was the best choice. Now show me where he has made this country worse since becoming president. Don't worry I'll wait, I have plenty of time, just get back to me when you have falsified some proof

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

How about these tax cuts that are going to add over a trillion dollars to the deficit? I remember just a short time ago, people on the right screaming bloody murder about the deficit while Obama was in charge but now it's no big deal, as long as the wealthiest among us get to contribute less.

I'm not a psychologist but I sure wish I knew what's inside the mind of the average trump supporter!...

Waco2017 comments on Dec 24, 2017:

Here in Waco they're the big JEEEZUS people, they are also the nutwads who go to the flea markets with their granddaughters dressed as Disney princesses, for some reason we do that now here, they wear a VFW hat and a size XXXLL TRUMP T-shirt, it's disgusting. They're gun crazy and so obese and ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 5, 2018:

They won this round but we are containing the damage and already hitting back. The victory we had in Alabama makes me very hopeful for the mid-terms. We must always remind ourselves that progress has it's ups and downs but it moves inexorably forward.

Did the Trump administration collude with Russia?

AlanHotchy comments on Jan 4, 2018:

Well the campaign defintly did..notice the rather selective amnesia and there is how many charged and convicted already?

RoboGraham replies on Jan 4, 2018:

But we can't trust our intelligence agencies, haven't you heard? FBI = Fake News. According to the guilty party anyway.

Are atheists creating hostility by running down sympathetic Christians?

BLennon comments on Oct 22, 2017:

It's not that difficult to be accused of "running down" a Christian since soooo many of them are so easily hurt by honest conversations about belief. Even the more open minded Christians tend to accuse atheists of being hostile if they can't win an argument. So while there is a minority of ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 4, 2018:

Right, sincerely held religious beliefs are sacred and untouchable in their minds so even a respectful conversation seems like a blitzkrieg of blasphemy to them. It's very difficult not to come off as hostile under those circumstances. Perhaps using less scientific and more biblical type language when talking with them might help.

Did the Trump administration collude with Russia?

Trajan61 comments on Jan 4, 2018:

The Muelller investigation is nothing more than a Democrat witch hunt!

RoboGraham replies on Jan 4, 2018:

He better be careful, witches are dangerous!

Should prostitution be illegal?

Liam comments on Jan 3, 2018:

I think we should be careful with how we approach this issue. Particularly with the difference between legalization and decriminalization. https://newrepublic.com/article/121981/northern-ireland-sex-work-law-based-wrong-model

RoboGraham replies on Jan 4, 2018:

Ok so yeah full legalization is the way to go then.

Best Friend Defends Islam, Bashes Christianity.

Sacha comments on Jan 3, 2018:

I guess what she might be trying to say is that a person that bombs a nightclub/ flies planes into buildings etc.. is not a real muslim or a good muslim... more of a brain washed idiot? Islam in meant to be peaceful. Just a thought :)

RoboGraham replies on Jan 4, 2018:

@GoldenDoll Oh word, I haven't read about him all that much. Just have a general perception of him being a peace and love hippie type. If he was even a real person at all.

Best Friend Defends Islam, Bashes Christianity.

Sacha comments on Jan 3, 2018:

I guess what she might be trying to say is that a person that bombs a nightclub/ flies planes into buildings etc.. is not a real muslim or a good muslim... more of a brain washed idiot? Islam in meant to be peaceful. Just a thought :)

RoboGraham replies on Jan 4, 2018:

@DonCoryon Yes exactly. Whenever someone says that islam is a religion of peace I'm like no islam's main prophet was a brutal conqueror! At least Jesus was a chill dude.

I believe in the power of faith.

RoboGraham comments on Jan 2, 2018:

I think that what you call faith, I would label self confidence. Of course those who are more confident in their abilities will be more successful.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 3, 2018:

@DonCoryon Do you suppose there is a superstitious element to it? like if you didn't hold out this faith your success would wane. I used to think that way. Leading up to something important, I would go through these little rituals in my mind to assure myself that I'm the man and I got this. If things didn't go as planned I'd place the blame on having not thought out those rituals quit right. Then I realized I was being superstitious and silly.

The ultimate question; is anyone else here a gamer?

Neraven comments on Jan 1, 2018:

Oh sheesh. Do I need to list all of them? Well, I'm gonna anyways. Be warned xD First off, I play first edition D&D. As for video games (PC and consoles), there are all of these: The Elder Scrolls (3, 4 and 5), Assassin's Creed, Halo, Mass Effect, Diablo (all three), Red Dead Redemption, ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 2, 2018:

Wow, how do you have time for life?

Should prostitution be illegal?

Sisyphe comments on Jan 2, 2018:

It should be illegal for the john.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 2, 2018:

Why?

How much of a backlash will the Republicans get in the midterms?

RoboGraham comments on Jan 2, 2018:

Well that victory in Alabama was extremely encouraging. I think disillusionment with this administration and the GOP in general is spreading. People are going to flip out when they realize that, in order to offset lost revenue due to the tax cuts given to the wealthy, republicans intend to cut ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 2, 2018:

@EMC2 It amazes me how gullible and loyal they can be.The hypocrisy is astounding. For the entire 8 years of Obama's presidency, the GOP raged about the deficit and now they behave as though we have a surplus. Cutting taxes for those most able to provide for the country.

Should prostitution be illegal?

thinkwithme comments on Jan 2, 2018:

And so I will go boldly and just speak from my heart here. I don't like the idea that if a single mom needs a job, suddenly sucking dick is an acceptable option to pay the bills. Prostitution is old, and so is abusing women. I wonder myself how it affects women who work as prostitutes mentally. I ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 2, 2018:

@thinkwithme I guess I don't get it.

How much of a backlash will the Republicans get in the midterms?

DC75067 comments on Jan 1, 2018:

Dream on. Yhe Dems wre the ones with the circular firing squad. The economy is booming. Unemployment is at lows we've not seen in decades.

RoboGraham replies on Jan 2, 2018:

"The economy is booming. Unemployment is at lows we've not seen in decades."- Thanks to our previous president's sound fiscal policy. Trump is addicted to taking the credit for the hard work and good judgment of others. I am glad that Obama has turned things around after Bush put us into the 2008 recession. I'm not hoping for failure of the US but I can't help but worry about this return to trickle down economics. How is giving the wealthy a big tax cut a good idea when we already have an enormous deficit? I remember during Obama's 8 years, Republicans screamed bloody murder about the deficit. Now, they seem to have forgotten about it.

Should prostitution be illegal?

thinkwithme comments on Jan 2, 2018:

And so I will go boldly and just speak from my heart here. I don't like the idea that if a single mom needs a job, suddenly sucking dick is an acceptable option to pay the bills. Prostitution is old, and so is abusing women. I wonder myself how it affects women who work as prostitutes mentally. I ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 2, 2018:

What's wrong with sucking dick? Why shouldn't it be an acceptable option? People shouldn't feel shame over sexual acts, it's totally natural. Your prudish attitude here is exactly what I'm getting at when I say that religion has created a sexually repressed society.

Are you bothered that we count time based on when Jesus was supposedly born?

ripcurldane comments on Jan 1, 2018:

Yes it bothers me a lot. What alternatives. We kind of need an exact date! IT'S THE YEAR 7 000 018 :-) This is for those who take the start point from where evolution turned to create humans. Scientists say that it was about 7000000 years ago? Start of the human lineage, following a split with ...

RoboGraham replies on Jan 1, 2018:

I like that idea but it's not precise enough. We need an exact date.

Are you bothered that we count time based on when Jesus was supposedly born?

Gatovicolo comments on Jan 1, 2018:

Not really. It’s really an arbitrary choice. You might just as be offended by Friday, since that’s the day of Freyr, or Wednesday, since that’s the day of Woden (Odin).

RoboGraham replies on Jan 1, 2018:

True. I actually really like the fact that aspects of the norse mythology have slipped through into the modern world.

Should prostitution be illegal?

MsOliver comments on Dec 30, 2017:

Legalize it. Regulate the hell out of it. Monitor to make sure those who are in the profession are there by choice not because they have no choice.

RoboGraham replies on Dec 31, 2017:

@DonCoryon Well the need to regulate is to ensure that sex workers arn't being taken advantage of and arn't working in dangerous conditions. It would also provide a requirement for testing to prevent the spread of disease. A free for all would be nice, but some rules are necessary.

Should prostitution be illegal?

AgnosticBear comments on Dec 31, 2017:

This post made me wonder, would it be legal to hire a hooker if I took out my iPhone and filmed the act. Then are we not just porn actors? Lol.

RoboGraham replies on Dec 31, 2017:

That seems logical but i think you just be creating evidence of your crime.

Should prostitution be illegal?

JenWinter comments on Dec 31, 2017:

As odd as it may sound, I think having legal regulated prostitution would be very healthy for a society. We all know what can happen when sexuality is suppressed (Catholic and Orthodox priests), and not everyone has someone with whom he or she can get some. I talked to my friend from Italy, to them ...

RoboGraham replies on Dec 31, 2017:

That doesn't sound the least bit odd.

This Video is a Universe - YouTube

webbew1 comments on Dec 31, 2017:

This one went off the rails at, "I don't have to know the right answer to know the wrong answer." Incorrect. 2+x=y. How can I difinitively say that y does not equal 5 if I don't know the value of x?

RoboGraham replies on Dec 31, 2017:

So is the process of elimination invalid? Can't we identify wrong answers in the search for the right one without having discovered the correct answer yet?

I realized that I was an atheist when I first started learning about mythology, did anyone else have...

splittingzero comments on Dec 29, 2017:

Every religion in the world is the same. Once you learn their concept of the truth, if you eventually decide to reject it you will find yourself in some form of hell. Even Buddhist sects that believe that gods are metaphors for positive traits in our lives and demons are vices that enslave and ...

RoboGraham replies on Dec 31, 2017:

@ErebusVincent Well I don't rightly know but I did look into the book you recommended and I just checked it out. So soon you and I will be experts on the the topic.

Should prostitution be illegal?

Imatheistically comments on Dec 31, 2017:

If MJ can be legalized, why not prostitution?

RoboGraham replies on Dec 31, 2017:

Those are two very different issues but they have one thing in common, the prohibition does more harm than the thing itself. So yes lets legalize, regulate and tax both.

Should prostitution be illegal?

resserts comments on Dec 30, 2017:

Some people argue that prostitution is different from other forms of work because it involves the exchange of money for access to the intimate self (or something like that). I disagree, as I think that's a decision each person can make for themselves; what's too intimate for one person is routine ...

RoboGraham replies on Dec 31, 2017:

@btroje I think you are right that legalization will not solve all the problems concerning this complex issue. But it will be a step in the right direction. We also need to further the cause of feminism and teach men to treat women with respect and dignity. These problems that you are concerned about will not end until chauvinism is dead.

There's a lot of well deserved bashing of religion and religious people here.

RoboGraham comments on Dec 30, 2017:

That's a great story. Faith can be really inspirational and can do a lot of good for some people. I'll share one of mine that's similar but kinda opposite. So when I was 15 I had to have my second open heart surgery. It didn't go very well and a few days after, they had to open me up again and ...

RoboGraham replies on Dec 30, 2017:

@HippieChick58 Admittedly, yes it sure was. But I'd have preferred to have been compelled to write something of consequence instead.

I realized that I was an atheist when I first started learning about mythology, did anyone else have...

splittingzero comments on Dec 29, 2017:

Every religion in the world is the same. Once you learn their concept of the truth, if you eventually decide to reject it you will find yourself in some form of hell. Even Buddhist sects that believe that gods are metaphors for positive traits in our lives and demons are vices that enslave and ...

RoboGraham replies on Dec 30, 2017:

@ErebusVincent You are most certainly correct that the emperors demanded worship. That was why the Jews had such bitter conflicts with the Romans. The emperor would demand recognition as a deity and the jews would counter by saying there is but one god and you are not him. However, I don't think you are quit right about being free to believe whatever tickled your fancy. Sure there was much more wiggle room in what you could get away with when it came to beliefs in the pagan world but if your neighbors thought that your actions or beliefs were angering a powerful deity and putting the community at risk, you were liable to be exiled or worse.

Should prostitution be illegal?

DavidLaDeau comments on Dec 30, 2017:

I really avoid posting curse words but here it is rather significant and appropriate. George Carlin once said " Sellings legal. Fuckings legal. Why is selling fucking illegal?" Sex is at the least necessary for our species to survive. Prohibitions ( barring what actually hurts another person ) ...

RoboGraham replies on Dec 30, 2017:

Very well said.

Should prostitution be illegal?

JohnGalus comments on Dec 30, 2017:

you cant legitimize every act just in the name of freedom its causes chaos lets legalize murder next I want to kill someone!

RoboGraham replies on Dec 30, 2017:

Well that's an extremely slippery slope argument. Having the freedom to engage in prostitution is not harmful to others. Murder, obviously, is.

Should prostitution be illegal?

GoldenDoll comments on Dec 30, 2017:

Personally I have yet to hear of a woman (I can't speak for men) who has "chosen" prostitution as a lifestyle option . Most have to resort to drug use to be able to "do" it with multiple men per day. I don't think "the freedom of others to make their own life decisions" comes into it for most ...

RoboGraham replies on Dec 30, 2017:

I don't particularly enjoy my job. I go to work out of necessity. Yeah I'd say most of them don't choose to get into it as a lifestyle option but more out of a need to make a living. Perhaps if the industry was regulated and safer fewer who do get into it would have to resort to drugs to deal with it.

Should prostitution be illegal?

btroje comments on Dec 30, 2017:

I would like to know how it would be determined that the prostitute really wanted to do this. Spend years talking to people that are victims of childhood sexual abuse or other forms of systemized violence and you will understand the question. If it is illegal the penalty should be on the person ...

RoboGraham replies on Dec 30, 2017:

Well how do we ascertain whether or not someone wants to truly be a message therapist, or a teacher or solder or any profession for that matter? If prostitutes have the option to work in clean regulated brothels or I suppose some could be self employed, they will be free to choose if they want to get into it and free to choose if they would like to get out of it. Legalization would fill the need for prostitutes with those who do freely chose to do it in safe clean environments and would put the illegitimate parts of the industry and human trafficking out of business. It's similar to how we very rarely come across illegal unregulated booze these days. During prohibition it was the only option but now it's simple enough to just go to a bar or liquor store. There aren't many unregulated breweries and distilleries operating outside of the rules established by government because it's simply makes more sense to operate within the limits of the law. The same will be true for prostitution. And drugs for that matter. Just look at countries that have legal options for prostitution and you will see that their prostitutes live safer better lives and are free and protected by law while ours find themselves in horrible conditions with little freedom to get out if they want to because the people they work for are operating outside the law and care little for the freedom and feelings of their sex workers.

If you lived in the distant past, would you have been an agnostic/atheist?

twshield comments on Dec 30, 2017:

YES because Life spans were much shorter due to lack of medical advancements. This alone would have made me question religion. these days people are more inclined to follow religion because technology achievements can give the appearance of an act of a God.

RoboGraham replies on Dec 30, 2017:

I beg to differ. A shorter lifespan means less time to come to the realization that religion is false. And technological advancements have overwhelmingly helped to debunk the belief in god because they have allowed us to learn much much more about the natural world so we can understand that it functions without an all powerful being holding the reins.

Does the lack of beleif in an afterlife bring you fear or comfort?

carlyhorton comments on Dec 30, 2017:

I wouldn't call it fear, but I do think it's a bummer that I won't be able to experience the future. I'm so curious about it! I really wish I could be a ghost and observe everything.

RoboGraham replies on Dec 30, 2017:

I'm hoping I can manage to live long enough for technology to improve to point that my mind can be downloaded and after my physical body and dead and gone, I can continue to read the news and enjoy all the entertainment that the future will bring. I want to see what happens!

Are you 100% certain that there is no god?

Crimson67 comments on Dec 30, 2017:

I feel 100% certain but I also put 99.9%. I think I put that, not because I have any belief or want to have an belief but because I hate to use absolutes.

RoboGraham replies on Dec 30, 2017:

That's exactly it. We atheist are skeptics to our core so using absolutes is counter to our nature.