Let me first start off by saying three things:

1) I love the site
2) I enjoy interacting with the mods and members -- I really like the mutual respect I see regularly here.
3) I don't know anything about how games get posted here -- it's my assumption that a handful of people have the ability to upload emulations to the website (correct me if I'm wrong, and feel free to tell me how it's done).

So, this isn't a criticism.

However, I run into trouble with the way that many of the games are posted (Example: Breath of Fire - Ryuu no Senshi). There are these half Japanese/ half English titles, hacks, etc. With no translation and (more regularly) no description of what the game is and what it's like to play it. Now, I'm all for getting games out quickly, but I'd like to know your thoughts: should it be a requirement that games are only posted if they are A) Available in English (the language of this website -- nothing against other languages) and B) come with a description?

Please vote above and let me know your thoughts.

Let me know your thoughts.

Hi,
I'm not sure if this is where to post this or not, but I'm not getting any of the bigger Viz rewards. I got the Viz for the newbie test, and I get the daily 100 Viz. However, I didn't get the 500 Viz for making the website my homepage, and I didn't get any Viz for referring a friend who joined the site.
Is there a delay? It's been a day since I change the homepage. The Viz rewards I DO get are instant... so I'm wondering what's up.

Update: I was given 100 Viz for my friend visiting, but not the 500 when they signed up.

Cool, thanks! Also, I must now make this sentence arbitrarily longer and then spell check it so that I don't lose Viz while in the process of thanking you. Have a nice day!

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is where to post this or not, but I'm not getting any of the bigger Viz rewards. I got the Viz for the newbie test, and I get the daily 100 Viz. However, I didn't get the 500 Viz for making the website my homepage, and I didn't get any Viz for referring a friend who joined the site.

Is there a delay? It's been a day since I change the homepage. The Viz rewards I DO get are instant... so I'm wondering what's up.

Using the term "religiously" doesn't make something religious. It just refers to strong dedication to something. Look it up.

Atheism is in no way a religion because it says god doesn't exist. Since when is something a religion based on what it denies?

The only "religion" I think of that may claim no god (again, I assert that "religious Buddhism" is really just Hinduism 2.0), is the "Jedi" religion now recognized in the U.K. ; even then, I would say that the "force" is a lot like the "Tao" (I don't regard Taoism as a religion) -- which is really just a place holder for an idea that has no distinct name, but is given attributes.

I have to agree with The#1 here. I would consider myself an Atheist/Buddhist (though any atheist has to admit Agnosticism -- b/c you can't disprove negatives, etc.), and I don't hate God -- I just don't believe he/she exists. I don't even hate MOST religious people (I think they're wrong, but I understand what can motivate them to believe, and what can make them NEED to believe that God is real).

My main problem is bigotry, and the arrogance of believing that religion is infallible and that it allows for unethical behavior (Slavery, the belittlement of women, abuse of homosexuals, etc.).

I would respect religion more if they would refine it. I feel like regulations and biblical (for example -- other religions do this too) contradictions are left in so that missionaries can cast a wider net and offer the buffet style approach to belief. Science has refined itself countless times. If religion wants to be respected, it needs to do the same. Jefferson tried to do this, others need to press for stronger and more modern reform. I digress. I just wanted to state that Atheists don't hate god... nor do most atheists hate religious people... it's the in-your-face and in-our-government religious people that tend to tick us off.

Well, there are two forms of Buddhism: Religious and Secular.

Religious Buddhism doesn't claim a God... but that's typically un-true. They have the same guardian deities of Hinduism, but use different names (the Tibetans, are a prime example).

Secular Buddhists see themselves as part of a philosophy or world-view rather than members of a religion. I, for instance, am a secular Buddhist. I have no interest in the religious Buddhist's prayers and guardian deities, and don't regard the very practical advice from Gautama to be religious.

Perhaps this is an issue of terms?

Cool, thanks!

I've never heard of an Atheistic Religion.

Can you give some examples?

I've heard it said, on numerous occasions, that Atheism is just another type of religion, but that it doesn't have a God. In this description, religion is being used as a belief system.  Atheists assert that they are NOT are religion, and that no part of Atheism is based on beliefs.
Is it, that Atheists are part of a belief, and don't want to admit that it's a belief; or are the religious simply trying to group all Atheists together so that general statements can more easily be made?

What's your view?

@Jlh: agreed! Best to be prepared

@CryBaby: I've done Muay Thai and Capoeira. Capoeira is the most fun I've ever had doing a martial art, but I didn't take it seriously, pure fun and gymnastics. Muay Thai was hard on the body, but very effective. Both are great styles!

I find that books are great for putting things into perspective or sharing stories, but you can't learn martial arts from them. Even if it's a class at the local community center, having a teacher to help you avoid bad habits is key, IMO.

That's cool, though!

I don't know about other schools, but most people with experience only start with "white" symbolically. We have a guy with a TKD black belt, and he's climbing rather quickly because he has knowledge of skills that cross over many arts.

I plan on un-doing the safety latch, walking away, and waiting in line for the next ride.

Hi all,

In addition to loving video games, one of my other main interests in martial arts. I currently study American Kenpo Karate. Just earned my green belt (which, in our style, is the belt before brown -- we have green and purple reversed). After I get to Shodan, I plan on also studying traditional Hung Gar Kung fu.


Does anyone else study martial arts, or have an interest in them? I'd love to hear about it!

Has anyone else had problems with not getting Viz when you do something? I made the site my homepage but didn't get 500 Viz. Is there a time period I should wait? Like a day or two?

I don't; furthermore, I highly doubt any of you would if you hadn't been told to believe when you were children.

Do a quick thought experiment:

Imagine growing up in a world where there is no concept of a deity/deities. There is still civilization and ethics and laws, etc. -- but nobody has ever had the idea that something called "god" exists. It's simply not a part of anyone's world view. You have science, and philosophy and sociology and psychology, but no theology of any kind. You acknowledge that science doesn't explain everything, but recognize that, over the centuries, it has progressed to explain quite a lot. That which can't be explained is explored further.

Then, one day, someone comes to town and says, "There is a great being in the sky. This being is everywhere, he/she is all-knowing, and all-powerful. He/she created everything, including this planet and everything on it -- thus, including humans. You can't see this being, you can't hear it, and you can't prove that he/she actually exists; but, I say to you, can you prove that the invisible, all-knowing/powerful being doesn't exist? No. You can't. Therefore, you should believe he does, and thank him for all that you have."

I ask you, honestly, would that be enough to convince you to believe this story? Then why should it be enough to convince you now? Faith is what people have when they don't have answers and they don't want to explore further.  Beliefs have nothing to sustain them but faith.

Nitpicking, aren't we?

I was referring to the kind of gas that would be encountered in a school.

legacyme3 :

We get bored. We usually have to teach the same class 2-3 times a day, so it can be hard to remember what we told one class or another.

Don't worry, we feel JUST as bothered about having to repeat ourselves regarding things like,

-The page in the book we're on
-The homework
-The test this Friday
-Tardy policy


...etc.

I earned a B.S. in English, and M.S. in Education and an M.A. in School Counseling. I currently work as a high school teacher.