AuraBlaze :

My friend, I have to say that much of what you have said on this thread alarms me. Mostly because you are largely talking in circles. You keep saying 'Everyone deserves equals rights' and then follow it up by saying 'however, homosexuals do not deserve equal rights, because God said so.'  You then try to justify this contradiction by stating 'Marriage is a religious institution, thus is does not count as a right to be given out equally'. There is a giant fundamental flaw in that sentiment. Marriage was not created by religion. The concept of marriage pre-dates all the modern religions by thousands of years. Religion cannot lay claim to something that pre-dates it. Ergo, saying it is excluded from the list of 'Equal Rights for all humanity' is not more than a fallacy. The right to marry whom you love is a right that should be given to every human being, regardless of whether they love a man or a woman.

You say that 'allowing homosexuals to marry is a slippery slope'? I say that refusing them the right to marry is an even worse slippery slope. If that sort of precedent is set, with the mindset of the word today, it would give people that claim marriages between interracial couples a firmer standing. And what about a couple that each practice a different religion? Or a couple that each hails from a different country? Believe me, there are many ignorant folks that would make such outlandish claims and then justify it by saying, 'Well if it's wrong for gays to marry, then...'

You say that 'marriage must be defined by the UNION of a man and a woman.' I say that the definition of marriage, as it is defined in Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, is (1) : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (2) : the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage. This is the official definition from a widely-accepted and used dictionary. Traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are one in the same,  each definable by the word 'marriage'. Just because you disagree with same-sex marriages, that doesn't give you the right to change the definition of a word. The most resolute doctrine we have as a species is our languages. Unlike politics and religion, which are ever-changing, the means by which we communicate always remains the same. When someone attempts to alter a language, they are attempting to change the way in which we communicate. For me, this is a far greater crime than any 'sin' you could mention, with the exception of murder or sexual deviancy (E.G., pedophilia, bestiality, necrophilia, rape).

You say 'with each passing day, the world is against me more and more.' Is that really how you feel? Is that really how many people of faith feel? Is this is the case, then I have to confess myself at a loss. Is it truly a matter that the world 'is turning on you', or is it more a matter that the world has passed you and your views of religion by in favor of more logical means of reasoning, and that people of faith resent this and are, in fact, the ones whom have turned on the world? There is a cold, hard fact that no person of faith wants to face. Their idea of religion, while it worked in the past, has become dated and irrelevant. Their religious views no longer fit in a logical way in the way the world is structured. You can stick to your guns and call it the 'disillusionment of man from God', if you like, but that really isn't the case. More so, it is that we has a species have finally begun to grasp what it means to learn. We are now capable of answering on our own all those questions  that religion was created to explain. The role of religion as you see it in the modern world is as more of a crutch for those unwilling to think for themselves. One day, that crutch is going to disappear all-together. The real question is, 'will the people of faith be prepared for that day, or will they crumple and wither without their crutch?'

Finally, you say 'Just because you think something is right, that does not mean that it is.' I strongly urge you to heed your own advice. People of faith have no more a right to think that they know better than any other individual. As with us all, they have no justification for such a view. You can point to the Bible, if you wish, but does the Bible truly count? It was written by hands of men, after all. The same 'men' that make up the humanity which you cannot put your faith in. Even were the Bible based on the Word of God, men have been allowed to tamper with it for centuries now. There have been changes made to the Bible, this is a fact you cannot deny. The Bible can no longer be considered a valid tool for proving the word of the Lord. This eliminates the only 'concrete' evidence people of faith possessed, placing them a the same boat as the rest of us. Now it is just one person's opinion against another person's opinion, with no means to prove conclusively which one, if either, is correct.

As a conclusion, I would like to state that I am not going to try to dissuade you from your faith. That would be rather presumptuous of me. All I have intended with my words today is the set straight a few inaccuracies in logic which you seemed to be belaboring under. I mean no disrespect and expect none in return. Ultimately, we are two individuals of differing opinion sharing our views for the consideration of the other. If I came on strongly, especially there at the end, I do apologize. No ill will was intended. I do urge that you at least consider what I've said. You need not accept it, just think it over a bit. In the end, I hope you can at least come to accept that homosexuals deserve the right feel love for one another and be able to commiserate that love through the bond of marriage. If not, I understand. The rigidity of faith can be a hard thing to look past, and I would respect you for your dedication, if nothing else.

I think I've said enough for the time being. Signing off for now, my friends.

starwars293 : Oh, you're no fun! Isn't there at least one question among the 55 that tickles you just a little bit? Makes you raise an eyebrow, crack a smile and feel just a wee bit nutty? No? Well then, good sir, I have nothing but sympathy for you. :'(

Having actually experienced both of these, I can attest that cutting your hand while punching glass actually hurts less, so I would rather go with that. The bottom of your foot is very sensitive and any pain there feels ten times worse!

Would you rather get punched by Mike Tyson or get kicked by Bruce Lee? ';..;'

For the past few months, I had been watching the mighty battle for the muffin with interest from my spaceship, the Millennium Muffin. It  intrigued me that this simple muffin would cause so much havoc, illicit the desire of so many people. To my mind, there was only one muffin that had that sort of power...

I absently played with the medallion worn around my neck. The medallion gifted to me when I took my post as Harbinger. A golden medallion of a muffin.

On the screen before me, I watched as the most recent bearer of the muffin traverse the labyrinthine sewer system beneath the city. This.. Seishiro Leonheart seemed confidant is their assumption that no one could find them. The pitiful fool! They know not what they're dealing with!

'What do you think, sir? Is this the one we've been searching for?", a voice beckons from behind me. One of holy guardians that assist me. Slowly, a smile form upon my face, "it is... I can sense it...... This is the one.... The final fragment!"

"Your orders, sir?"
"Prepare to retrieve the fragment!"

>< >< >< >< ><

Meanwhile, in the sewers below, the one known as Seishiro had briefly stopped to rest. Panting lightly from their trek, they were unprepared for what was about to happen. Suddenly, figures appear from the shadows! In a matter of seconds, Seishiro had been apprehended and bound by their assailants. Catching a glimpse of their captors, Seishiro is shocked to discover that they appear to be cat-like creatures, no taller than human children, but with fiercely glowing eyes that spoke of a deeper intelligence. In one of their paw-like hands is clutched the muffin around which so much chaos had revolved.

"Do not be afraid, young one, we mean you no harm," I say as I too appear from the shadows, drawing the attention of my captive, "I am only here to return the muffin to its rightful place."

"Rightful place? I don't understand..."

"I don't expect you to understand," I reply, "these are matter that far beyond the understanding of mere mortals such as yourself."

As I speak, the creature holding the muffin hands it to me. I hold it up and gaze upon it in person for the first time, confirming my suspicions that this is in fact the final fragment that we had been searching for.  Holding the muffin in my gaze, I continue.

"However, I feel an explanation is in order. You humans need to understand exactly what it is you are dealing with, before you bring a greater harm on the universe than you could possibly ever imagine. You see, this is no ordinary muffin. It is but a fragment of a greater whole... But a small piece of the most powerful entity known to the universe."

I turn to my captive and see that my words have had a marked affect, "I see you understand, if only a little. The reason this seemingly innocuous muffin has garnered the affection of so many people is because it contains a portion of the power of that entity. That power is alluring to mortals such as yourself. It beckons you, calls for you to take it for yourself. But no mortal must ever be allowed to wield that power. For mortals are corruptible. They would use that power for evil purposes. Just look at the havoc that has been caused as you cretin fought over that power! It would become one hundred times worse, were one of you ever able to keep this in your possession for even a small length of time!"

With my words still echoing through the room, I take from my pocket a small box. Placing the muffin within the box, the lid slaps shut of it's own accord and the box becomes a solid shape, with no discernable lid now visible.

"For the good of the universe, I must ask that no one further persues this fragment. You must spread the word. The Battle for the Muffin is over!"

Turning, I begin to walk back toward the shadows from which I had first emerged.

"Wait!" call out Seishiro, "...who are you?"

I stop but remain facing toward the shadows. After a moment's pause, I answer, "I am PoorSmeagol.... Harbinger of the Almighty Muffin." The words spoken I and the strange creatures disappear into the shadows, leaving Seishiro to ponder all that they had heard.

>< >< >< >< >< ><

back on my spaceship, I sit at the Captain's Chair, holding the box containing the muffin in my hand, gazing at it blankly. After centuries of search, the final fragment was now im my possesion. Soon, I would be able to reassemble the Almighty Muffin, so that he could resume His rule over the universe.

"Shall we return home, Sir?" one of my associates inquires.

"..... Yes. We are finally going home."

At my command, the Millenium Muffin, turns away from the planet Earth and enters hyperspace, heading toward it's homeworld......




(I felt the muffin needed a backstory, so i gave you guys one to run with. The muffin is now enroute to some strange homeworld to.... be reassembled in the 'Almighty Muffin'? What a twist! Is this the end of the 'Steal the Muffin' game, or will somebody else make an attempt at it?)

The way they handle science on Mythbusters is how children should be taught, because it makes it more interesting than reading words in a textbook. It helps then retain thing better if they have something memorable to associate it with. That being said, They tend to be a little biased sometimes and go into experiments thinking they already know the answer. This is affect results drastically. A great example of this is the episode concerning the moon landing. They went into that stating upfront that they believed the moon landing has happened and that they were going to disprove the skeptic's biggest claims. Not the best way to go about it, Mythbusters.

I would have to say the Playstation 2 would be my favorite all-time console. But both the SNES and Nintendo 64 are not far behind. My reasoning is game selection. Some of my most favorite games were for one of these three systems.

Let's see.....

The games that I've beaten for the first time in the last two months would be:
Witcher 2
Super Paper Mario
Asura's Wrath
Skyrim (main campaign)

The games that I have beaten before but beat again in the last two months would be:
The Legend of Zelda
Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Chrono Trigger
Portal
Portal 2

Games I am currently working on beating would be:
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (1st time)
Earthbound (50000000000000th time)
Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap (1st time)
Witcher 2 (2nd time, for alternate endings)
Skyrim (100% completion)

Oh Dear, now here is a touchy subject. One that has bred more hate and violence than anything else save for perhaps politics.

I could spend the few hours it would take to detail my personal beliefs, but I will save you all the controversial novel that would ensue and try to summarize as best I can.

First and foremost, I believe that logic is humanity's most powerful tool for unlocking the truth to many questions we have that seem impossible to answer. Using logic, we can, through process of elimination, disregard the fallible and, as the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle famously said via his immortal character Sherlock Holmes, 'once we've eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how mad it might seem, must be the truth.'

Bearing this in mind, we can look at the subject of religion and draw some immediate conclusions:
1. The Bible was written by the hands of men.
  a) Man is not a perfect being, and is susceptible to temptations, such as the allure of control and the power it can grant.
  b) If the Bible was written my the hands of men, and men are susceptible to temptations such as control, it stands to reason that man would alter the Bible to act as a means to justify their dubious ends.
  c) Ergo, the Bible, whether it once was the word of a God or not, has been tainted by the hands of men, rendering it fallible.
  d) Ergo, the Bible cannot be treated as a valid source of proof that God as Western religions (i.e., Christianity, Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, and all their subsidiaries) see Him exists.

2. To date, there was been no concrete evidence provided by any source which either proves or disproves the existence of God as He has been envisioned by the major religions.
  a) With only circumstantial evidence supporting both sides of the argument, one can neither prove or disprove existence of said God. To do so would be a logical fallacy.

I've broken this down to it's most basic simplicity. There is much more to it, but the jist is that no one can logically claim that the Western Religions are in fact right or wrong as we lack sufficient evidence one way or the other. For this reason, I consider myself religiously Agnostic. That does not, however, mean that I am without religion.

I have spent the last 12 years of my life constantly researching the subject of religion and contemplating my findings. The conclusion I have come to is that religion as we now know it was become tainted and flawed by those with ulterior motives and agendas that do nothing but further their standing in life. For that reason, I have chosen to step away from accepted structure of religion and opted to go with more of a religio-philosophy. What I mean by this is sort of hard to explain. Basically, I feel that religion shouldn't be a doctrine of worship directed toward any specific person or entity. Instead, I believe one's religious beliefs should be more like a code of ethics, or a moral code, by which a person lives. This would dictate how a person goes about their day to day lives. It tells them what is wrong and what is right and gives sound logical reasoning why something is right or wrong. The notion of 'having faith' is not sound logical reason and is one of the primary reasons I could never bring myself to follow one of the Western Religions.

'Western Religions.' This is a term I have used several times now. What do I mean when I say this? If there are Western Religions, does that mean that there are also 'Eastern Religions'? If so, how is it they differ from Western Religions? The short answer is yes, there are 'Eastern Religions'. These would include Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and many others. For the most part, these religions are centuries older than any of the Western Religions and, in my honest opinion, should stand as prime examples of what religion SHOULD be. These religions are as I stated above; a moral code by which their followers live their day to day lives. But now I have started to stray off-topic. Trust me when I say that there is much more to my personal beliefs than just what I have mentioned here. This is all just a very brief summary.

In the end, I encourage people to belief what they feel comfortable believing. While there is no way of knowing for sure if God as He is imagined exists, many people find comfort in the notion that He does. This is something of which I approve. What I do not approve of is when people deem it their 'God-Given Right' to force their opinion on others, telling them to 'see things their way or else.' This is where the Western Religions have truly fallen. No one, I mean NO ONE, has the right to tell others how to think or how to live. That is stripping them of their free will, and isn't that supposed to be the greatest gift God ever gave us? Think about that the next time you feel inclined to tell someone they are 'stupid' because of their own personal beliefs.

Type in 'Patriot Act' into your favorite search engine and have a look-see at the results. Having privacy in your personal life is a thing of the past and has been for a decade or two. The only thing this changes is that now certain corporations have the right to invade your privacy, not just your government.

I have what is probably a silly question. I noticed, as I surfed around the site and also when I made posts, that some people have messages under their names like 'Affected by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome' or 'Affected by Trooperness'. I was curious about what the meaning behind this little messages were, so I dug around the site a bit and didn't find anything regarding them. So now I am posting here in hopes of either finding an explanation or a link that shows me all the possible messages and what each one means. Is there anyone out there with the information I desire?

You would be better off not wasting your money on anything Microsoft does with their XBox. They produce inferior systems in every way compared to both Sony and  Nintendo. The only good idea there is left for them in regards to the XBox is to cease production, trash any ideas for a Next Gen console, and focus entirely on making Windows 8 the best OS they've released since '98.

This is, of course,  just my opinion. I know there are plenty of XBox fan-boys out there that will be enraged by this sentiment.

I go through periods of time where I can't even look at my consoles without grimacing. These periods have lasted anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. There was even a whole year where I barely played any video games what-so-ever. I mostly just worked and did other productive things.... it was a very dark time in my life.

Defeat the Troll? Hell, I AM the Troll, mon! Don't you be hatin' on tha Trolls, 'lest ye be wantin' a taste of tha Voodoo!

Level 85 Troll Hunter, FTW! Once you go Troll, you never re-roll!












Oh, I'm talking about World of Warcraft..... in case you hadn't figured that out.

Of the consoles I've OWNED, the worst I would have to say was that old NeoGeo thing that was around about a decade ago. Seriously, that game had zero decent games. The sad thing is, if it HAD had a few good games, it might have been alright. :/

Of the consoles I haven't owned, but have played, I would choose the XBox. I choose it for the same reason I chose the NeoGeo: no games worth playing on it that I couldn't also play on my PS2. The only reason the XBox did good enough for there to be a 360 was Halo and Call of Duty before CoD went multi-platform. And those games only appeal the people that enjoy mindless violence and boringly simple gameplay.
Speaking of the 360, it is in a close second along with the Jaguar. The 360 DOES have 2 exclusive games I enjoyed-- Left 4 Dead and Witcher 2-- which keeps it from being my number 1.

In all honesty, I really don't think America should be concerning itself with other nation's problems when the financial and economical issues we have at home are beginning to accumulate and become too much to handle. America needs to stop butting in on the business of the rest of the world. We need to stop bailing out anyone and everyone that finds themselves in dire straights. You know what happens to the guy that keeps lending his friends money every time they ask? He runs out of money and starts asking for handouts himself. It may sound harsh, put let Greece and Spain deal with their our problems. We have too many of our own these days.