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Old 06-12-2003, 05:06 PM   #121
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Just curious, mods, is banning someone a 2 click process?
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Old 06-12-2003, 05:10 PM   #122
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Originally posted by NHGH
I'm not sure what you have in mind by "subtle pro-homosexual propaganda". The only possible definition I can think of would be "(tacit) support for gay rights", in which case, of course, "supporting gay rights" most certainly would imply "support for subtle pro-homosexual propaganda". But perhaps I've missed something here?
How you could get that idea I don't know. I'm talking about the media proclivity for portraying homosexuals as, in many cases, more "together" than heteros - of glorifying the lifestyle.

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Plainly correct, to which the logical follow-up question is: What is your basis for asserting that heterosexual couples are more unselfish than homosexual couples?
When did I say they were, necessarily?

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As I noted in a previous post, it is possible for gays to have children by using surrogates, or artificial insemination, or just adopting a child. Therefore even if we accept your contentious premise that "marriage is ultimately about children", this doesn't give us any reason not to accord gay marriages the same status as straight marriages.
If one insisted on trivializing the idea to the point that children=good, you'd have a point. Obviously what we're looking for is a generation of children who are stronger and freer than the previous one. Acceptance of gender confusion as normal will lead us in the other direction.

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Of course, you could object that gay marriages cannot produce offspring naturally, but if you agree that having children is an event that should be planned for in advance, rather than permitted to just "happen" mindlessly, then the objection loses its force, and the inability of gay marriage to produce offspring in the absense of specific efforts to do so could even be considered an advantage.
The problem with "gay marriage" specifically, of course, is that it necessarily and in calculated fashion deprives the child of either a father or a mother.

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It is quite possible that, were it possible to dissect every marriage, one might conclude that most marriages are similarly based. Obviously we cannot formulate public policy based on individual cases, so we must take care not to grant societal approval to unions which, if they became prolific, would have a corrosive effect on our moral foundation.

Again, this cannot conceivably serve as an argument against gay marriage unless you provide some good reason at least to believe that gay relationships are more likely than straight relationships to be "based on mutual use".
From a public policy perspective, that is not the issue, but whether as a general rule such "marriages" would degrade the institution as a whole.

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As noted above, "childbearing families" are not mutually exclusive with "gay marriages" in any relevant sense; and even if they were, it's not clear how it would weaken childbearing families if we permit marriages which are intrinsically incapable of producing offspring.
No significant effect will be seen in the short term, or possibly even in our lifetimes. I have no doubt, however, that children raised by homosexual parents will be inferior to those from stable, traditional marriages by and large. When these children grow up and get married, they will have all kinds of problems

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More plausible explanations of support for gay marriage come to mind, e.g. the desire to receive the same civil benefits enjoyed by heterosexual married couples.
That is true enough from the POV of rank and file homosexuals, but they are being used by political operatives who are hostile to traditional values to try to intimidate those of us who are not into doubting what we know.

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Unsubstantiated hyperbole.
Thirty years ago, it was unsubstantiated hyperbole that acceptance of homosexuality would open the door to acceptance of pedophilia. Just a few years ago, the American Psycological Association was headed by Martin Seligman, a man who has spoken positively of his pedophilic experience as a nine year old; and apparently there is a move afoot in the American Psychiatric Association to do for pedohilia what it did for homosexuality, if a report (which I've been unable to confirm from a mainstream source) from the NARTH site is accurate.
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Old 06-12-2003, 05:13 PM   #123
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Originally posted by cheetah
They have also been used by heterosexual couples committed enough to marry, but not accepting of the Big Brother paradigm options to get equal pay for equal work (health benefits) and other rights without submitting to registering their love, about as unromantic a concept as I can think of. That's another reason why the lines between married and unmarried are blurred, because a lot of us can think of no good reason to do it! Making it available to homosexuals at least takes one bad reason off the scorecard.
Exactly. I frequently catch flack for my unwillingness to get married. The best argument they can come up with is "how is it any different from what you have now (ergo, why not just do it)?" My response is "why change it if there is no difference?"
Some of us have absolutely no interest in getting married. If the only difference between your relationship and mine is some piece of paper, why should you be accorded certain benefits which I am barred from receiving?
[/segue]
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Old 06-12-2003, 05:22 PM   #124
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The problem with "gay marriage" specifically, of course, is that it necessarily and in calculated fashion deprives the child of either a father or a mother.
According to this line of reasoning, single-parent families are equally devoid of value?
Really though, do you honestly think that a homosexual marriage is a pre-meditated conspiracy to undermine the moral fabric of society? Watch Springer sometime. Not much of that fabric is left intact.
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I have no doubt, however, that children raised by homosexual parents will be inferior to those from stable, traditional marriages by and large. When these children grow up and get married, they will have all kinds of problems
Upon what foundation do you base such a belief? If it is your personal opinion, that is one thing. If you are submitting it as an objective reality, that is another matter altogether.
What sorts of problems do you expect these traumatised children to exhibit? It couldn't possibly take you very long to look through the literature to verify if there is any correlation between homosexuality and moral decrepitude. Please do: I'll wait.
:banghead:
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Old 06-12-2003, 05:28 PM   #125
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Originally posted by PandaJoe
Just curious, mods, is banning someone a 2 click process?
I believe the place for discussion of the banning of the y-man would be the Conference Room. I encourage you do start a thread there stating your case. It oughta be a riot.
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Old 06-12-2003, 05:46 PM   #126
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Originally posted by yguy
(yguy): Am I to blame for homosexuals who committed suicide?
(Fr Andrew): Absolutely!


Tell you what, sport - I do'nt know how I could possibly be anything else if what you said is true.
(Fr Andrew): I assume a certain command of the English language. Do you understand the difference between homicide and suicide?
....and that's Fr Sport to you.

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Really? You think I should be raped?
(Fr Andrew): Somehow, in your case, I don't think it would be rape. I think as soon as you learned to relax...


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Damn, I ain't 'zackly feelin' the love here, guy. Guess I've done something to you I don't know about, huh?
(Fr Andrew): I'm sorry, yguy, I've been dealing with people like you my entire life...and I'm afraid I haven't much love left. You (metaphorically, here) cause a lot of misery and suffering in the world.
You're my enemy, pretty much.
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Old 06-12-2003, 06:31 PM   #127
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Originally posted by Fr.Andrew
(Fr Andrew): I'm sorry, yguy, I've been dealing with people like you my entire life...and I'm afraid I haven't much love left. [/B]
That's because you have hate instead. Good luck.
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Old 06-12-2003, 06:53 PM   #128
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Originally posted by Godot
A nice little strawman you're building here. Of course, I cannot provide you with an assertion the you've claimed can be validated empirically, as you have made it abundantly clear that
Then I fail to see what the devil you're talking about.

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Of course, this doesn't absolve you by any means.
Before you get too pretentiously authoritarian about absolution, perhaps you'd do me the favor of pointing out what I need absolution FOR.

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Simply because you have not claimed empirical support for your positions does not mean that none exists (or is attainable if you contemplated making the effort). However, if no empirical data can be provided to substantiate the claim, the claim should not be put forth.
Kindly point to the section of the forum rules which dictates that claims may not be put forth which are not supportable by means of empirical data.

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Got proof? <snip>
Please. If you were a fish, you'd demand proof of the existence of water.

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For one thing, a responsible person would actually look at some facts to see if their particular position was tenable.
Corroborating facts do not of themselves confer validity on any proposition, as any fool knows.

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They might also present some evidence to substantiate their position.
I have. Unfortunately, it is far too obviously true for someone like you to believe it.

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In the absence of this, you must produce a caveat that your position is merely your personal opinion
Is that in the rules too? Are you actually stupid enough to take anything anyone says here as more than opinion on first read?

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Maybe you would be so kind as to point out to me which of those glorious Commandments of yours explicitly prohibits homosexual marriages?
They don't address fornication that I'm aware. They also don't address pedophilia, so God must think it's OK too.

Right?
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Old 06-12-2003, 08:58 PM   #129
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Originally posted by yguy
Then I fail to see what the devil you're talking about.
Clearly.
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Before you get too pretentiously authoritarian about absolution, perhaps you'd do me the favor of pointing out what I need absolution FOR.
heh. I thought that particular word might get a rise out of you. But hey, whatever absolution you do or do not require is none of my concern. That's between you and your popsicle pete deity.
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Kindly point to the section of the forum rules which dictates that claims may not be put forth which are not supportable by means of empirical data.
It is not in the rules, and we both clearly know this. You're perfectly free to spout off whatever line of bullshit you feel like, but you will get called on it. The game is something like put up or shut up. Namely, that if you refuse to provide substantiating evidence for your claim, you can be dismissed as a crank. Or even as a troll.
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Please. If you were a fish, you'd demand proof of the existence of water.
Your analogy is flawed. This little tete-a-tete is more akin to me being a fish and you being a bird and my demanding proof of the existence of air. It may be patently obvious to you, but certainly not to myself, or for a number of people on this forum for that matter. We are merely asking you to elaborate on your position such that we may be able to better understand where you are coming from.
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Corroborating facts do not of themselves confer validity on any proposition, as any fool knows.
I didn't think you'd call yourself a fool, but if you say so...
While they certainly do not confer validity, they do lend credence to the idea being developed. Your position is going to be much stronger in any discussion if you can provide some form of evidence to substantiate said position.
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I have. Unfortunately, it is far too obviously true for someone like you to believe it.
Pity for you that I have a higher standard of what constitutes evidence than you do.
All I have seen presented so far is opinion. Any "evidence" in this thread attributed to you has been presented by other posters, and it hasn't been particularly flattering.
Or do you mean the ten commandments as your source of evidence?
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Is that in the rules too? Are you actually stupid enough to take anything anyone says here as more than opinion on first read?
Now, now. Everything written here is opinion. Some people actually take the time and effort to do even a modicum of research in an area before spouting off their opinion on a subject. You have been making positive claims with regard to morality and homosexual marriage (and they aren't in the least bit inflammatory either ), therefore you must have some credible reason to take such a stand. As I said above put up or shut up. Either show us how you came to the belief you have on this issue or retract the inane statements you have insisted on making.
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They don't address fornication that I'm aware. They also don't address pedophilia, so God must think it's OK too.
Right?
If you say so.
You're the one that brought up the ten commandments. You didn't even bother answering which set you hold to, or which particular one holds true in this circumstance. My point was that if there is no direct injunction against homosexuality in the ten commandments (as you have alluded there to be), then what purpose do they have in this discussion.
You're grasping at straws here in an effort to avoid the questions being put to you. Pithy one sentence off the cuff remarks do not constitute a rational discussion when other take the time to formulate a response to your asinine drivel.
Have a nice day.
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Old 06-12-2003, 09:24 PM   #130
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Originally posted by Godot
heh. I thought that particular word might get a rise out of you. But hey, whatever absolution you do or do not require is none of my concern. That's between you and your popsicle pete deity.
Fine. Glad that nonsense is out of the way.

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It is not in the rules, and we both clearly know this. You're perfectly free to spout off whatever line of bullshit you feel like, but you will get called on it. The game is something like put up or shut up. Namely, that if you refuse to provide substantiating evidence for your claim, you can be dismissed as a crank. Or even as a troll.
Be my guest.

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Your analogy is flawed. This little tete-a-tete is more akin to me being a fish and you being a bird and my demanding proof of the existence of air. It may be patently obvious to you, but certainly not to myself, or for a number of people on this forum for that matter. We are merely asking you to elaborate on your position such that we may be able to better understand where you are coming from.
Some are undoubtedly doing that. It is odiferously clear to me that you are not among them.

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While they certainly do not confer validity, they do lend credence to the idea being developed.
To those with an empiricist mindset, that is no doubt the case. Such people need to be debating someone besides me, it appears.

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As I said above put up or shut up. Either show us how you came to the belief you have on this issue or retract the inane statements you have insisted on making.
Showing you how I come to believe these things is clearly impossible. As for the alternative, I decline.

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You're the one that brought up the ten commandments. You didn't even bother answering which set you hold to, or which particular one holds true in this circumstance. My point was that if there is no direct injunction against homosexuality in the ten commandments (as you have alluded there to be), then what purpose do they have in this discussion.
The relevance is that they were the central feature of a moral code under which this country came to be the best there has ever been.

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You're grasping at straws here in an effort to avoid the questions being put to you. Pithy one sentence off the cuff remarks do not constitute a rational discussion when other take the time to formulate a response to your
asinine drivel.
This, of course, is the problem. You are so determined to prove me wrong that you are utterly incapable of appraising what I say dispassionately.
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