Comments on: The 7 Taboo Topics

By: Mar Matthias Darin

Mar Matthias Darin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:31:30 +0000

Well I guess I’m gonna fry at the stake…. I’ve hit each of those topics several times and ruffled more then a hen house full of feathers…

I do believe in capitol punishment but only under certain extreme circumstances. I also believe that if the convicted is later proved innocent, the prosecuting attorneies should be given the same exact sentence they fought for during the original case.
.-= Mar Matthias Darin´s blog – Chrysler scraps 2010 electric car =-.

By: Yesh@howtoincreasereadingspeed.net/

Yesh@howtoincreasereadingspeed.net/ — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:53:41 +0000

To my opinion capitol punishment is worse than a sin. I just read an article of a priest who many years escorted defendants to the electric chair and to the bed where poison is injected. When he began he thought this penalty is right. After he retired he knows this is wrong and even for the one reason that mistakes happen and innocents are being executed.
.-= Yesh@howtoincreasereadingspeed.net/´s blog – brilliant simple acceleratd reading excercise =-.

By: Saphrym

Saphrym — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:21:26 +0000

@John: We seem to have similar feelings on the topics. Thanks much for sharing!

By: John

John — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:53:13 +0000

There’s a problem with discussing these because the majority people hold an extreme view one way or the other. Worse, many people can’t really explain why they believe they’re right and haven’t considered the other side of the coin. Here’s where I stand:

1) God: I respect what others believe. I hate to see people who devote their life to debunking the beliefs of others.

2) Organised religion: Fine when the purpose is to bring like-minded people together in their faith. Wrong when they discriminate against people because of their lifestyle.

3) Evolution: Who knows how God works? It’s only fair to teach religion and science to give a balanced view.

4) Abortion: I’m almost 100% against abortion, except in exceptional circumstances – rape, medical complications.

5) Flag burning: If someone thinks it adds weight or gains respect for their message, go ahead. I don’t see a problem.

6) Capitol punishment: I’m 100% against the death sentence under any circumstances. Mistakes can be made.

7) Gun control: I believe in licensing. The licensee should be of sound mind, no criminal convictions and responsible for keeping the gun secure.
.-= John´s blog – Painted Lady on Brambles =-.

By: Saphrym

Saphrym — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:03:21 +0000

@Emm: I understand. I also know I'd have to suffer the consequences of my actions, but I know exactly what action I'd do if someone hurt my family.

By: Emm

Emm — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:27:42 +0000

Wow. That’s really brave of you to make this post! I don’t often raise these topics myself but that is more to do with my own ambivalence. It is interesting the link you draw between gun control and capital punishment and the reason you give for doing so. To this day, I would still gladly go out and kill the people who murdered my friend. But do I feel they should have been put to death? No. Or rather, I respect the government of the country where they are incarcerated and I respect that for that government to work, it is necessary for death penalty to not be an option. Not sure if that makes sense.
.-= Emm´s blog – Dispatches – Terror in Mumbai =-.

By: Debate: Debating Introduction | Saphrym

Debate: Debating Introduction | Saphrym — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:12:41 +0000

[...] all it’s own. I plan on starting more debates in the future. Having that debate on my “Taboo” post sparked me to do [...]

By: Saphrym

Saphrym — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:39:27 +0000

@A.: I hadn't thought about those differences between gun and knife. It makes sense. See? This is why I like mature debates. I learn something new. Now I must think this one over. ;) I know a few people from the UK. It does seem to be less political in nature when it comes to certain topics than it does here in the U.S.

By: A.

A. — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:57:47 +0000

One of the points that I’ve only rarely seen made about gun control is that if a gun is used to kill, it’s a lot easier for the killer to disconnect from the victim. When fists or knives are used, the perpetrator has to get in close to the victim and be aware of what he or she is doing. A gun allows them to stay at a distance, allows the crime to be almost impersonal and therefore easier to commit.

As I come from the UK, discussing gun control and the death penalty comes relatively easily. There doesn’t seem to be the same taboo over either. And, come to think about it, the same probably applies to most of your other topics other than God and religion. Perhaps we just don’t get heated over anything.

By: Saphrym

Saphrym — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:29:40 +0000

@Ken Armstrong: I can understand that. I have some of the same fears about such things. Our system is not perfect, and I don't think any system would be.

By: Ken Armstrong

Ken Armstrong — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:18:57 +0000

Very sensibly stated and I’m with you on pretty much all of it.

I am against Capital Punishment because mistakes will always be made and it is so hard to put those ones right afterward. If we could be sure we would never kill the wrong person, I might think differently about it… not sure.
.-= Ken Armstrong´s blog – Charity Shop Stalwarts =-.

By: The mind is a terrible thing to close. | Saphrym

The mind is a terrible thing to close. | Saphrym — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:22:09 +0000

[...] Or maybe someone with a Mohawk haircut walks by and you get freaked out? Or maybe you read my “taboo” post and decided you didn’t like me? These are only examples, but you should get the [...]

By: Saphrym

Saphrym — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:55:35 +0000

@CyberCelt: Yeah. I probably could have gone on and on, but I decided to pick 7 of them that have had the most "arguments" that I've seen. But thanks for the ideas. I might just have to do a few of those. ;)

By: CyberCelt

CyberCelt — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:03:20 +0000

Excellent post. I would add a few, like:
war, politics, capital punishment, environmental regulations

It never ends . . .
.-= CyberCelt´s blog – Just Say No : Oil, Coal or Tailings =-.

By: Saphrym

Saphrym — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 01:08:27 +0000

@Joanne Olivieri: Are you sure about that? When alcohol was illegal, the death toll was higher because of the "gangs" fighting over control of it's sale. When it became legal, those deaths went down. So if guns were illegal, they'd end up becoming part of the "underworld" even more so than they are today. And since licensing has increased, it's actually become a deterrent of break-ins, just because there might be a gun on the other side of that window/door. What could we do to fix those?

By: Joanne Olivieri

Joanne Olivieri — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 23:52:18 +0000

saphrym, I believe it has been abused as well. It’s interpreted in many ways by many people. The argument I always hear is that it’s not the guns but the criminals who have them. I got into a heated debate once with someone who basically stated that if it weren’t guns it would be knives etc… which to me does ring true however with a knife, a criminal will injur or kill maybe one person. With a gun as in the fitness shootings this past week, many are injured and killed. Besides if there were some type of ban it would be a deterrent. Sure, people would still be able to purchase guns illegally but there would be less deaths and tragic crimes as a result.

I am enjoying this debate :)
.-= Joanne Olivieri´s blog – Squirrel Standoff =-.

By: Saphrym

Saphrym — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:02:46 +0000

@hj112: Arguing is not such a good thing, at least not in the context we seem to think of it as. Debating is much more productive. We should always be willing to listen to other people's points of view. You never can tell, they may just be right, or they may help clear up a "mystery" you've been trying to figure out.

By: hj112

hj112 — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:31:32 +0000

Whenever I go to some birthday party I always find myself arguing with others about the things you listed above. I guess you’re right, these are the things that people get very emotional and upset to discuss.
.-= hj112´s blog – Do Follow Blog, Comment Luv Keyword luv =-.

By: Saphrym

Saphrym — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:31:23 +0000

@Joanne Olivieri: Thanks for such an honest reply. I sometimes worry about posting these kinds of things because people tend to not really want to speak their mind. We have similar ideas. But what I want to thank you for is disagreeing with me. I love hearing the "other" side of the story. I've lived in a very similar area. I still believe that parents need to do some educating when it comes to guns. The actual control aspect is one of those I'm on the fence about. I know the original reason for freedom to arms, but I DO believe it has been misconstrued and abused. What do you think?

By: Joanne Olivieri

Joanne Olivieri — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:31:47 +0000

God – You are right. We all have our own beliefs and subscribe to some type of religion whether it be Catholicism, Buddhism etc… we should be able to embrace everyone’s point of view. This also goes along with organized Religion. Live and let be.

Evolution – The Bible I have always felt is a story book like any other. To believe that it is the word of God I feel is naive. I’m sure many points may be true or not and embellished or not. Bottom line it is a book like all others.

Abortion – is a necessity for many reasons and the bottom line here is that we women have the right to choose what is best for us and should not allow the government to tell us what we can or cannot do – period!

Flag burning – I see nothing wrong with expressing yourself in that manner. Remember it’s a free country.

Capitol punishment – I’m on the fence with this one. While the thought a putting someone to death makes me cringe I know that if someone I cared about what hurt or killed by someone I would absolutely want the person to receive the death penalty and be put to death. I struggle with this.

Gun control – I totally disagree with you. If there were no guns on the streets, shootings would decrease and therefore less people killed. I live in an area where it is not uncommon for ak47’s to be on the streets. That is ABSOLUTELY WRONG. Guns should be banned.

Thanks for this post, I enjoyed ranting on here.
.-= Joanne Olivieri´s blog – Wordless Wednesday – Garden Paths =-.