Debate and Discussion
For more formal discussion for politics, religion, current affairs and other matters
364 topics in this forum
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GOD : 'Generator Operator Destructor' There is nearly no evidence to support the existence of GOD. But some people really claim that GOD exists, by telling that they have seen him. Unless there is strong evidence to support the statement, you cannot consider it as 'truth'. But still mass majority of people live with the blind belief that GOD exists. What do you think, does GOD exist? Or humans just do not want to accept the truth due to 'neediness', by thinking if i pray to GOD, then i will get the thing i want.
Last reply by Rosalina, -
- 362 replies
- 28.4k views
I just spent the last 30 minutes reading an old thread on God and the correlation between intelligence and religious beliefs. Personally, I am very well educated and top of my class and yet I still have strong religious beliefs. But this is besides the point, I only use myself as an example. This question is generally directed to anyone who is atheist, agnostic, or just is completely unsure! (But of course anyone feel free to answer, I'd also love to hear the religious side of the argument!) So, in essence of saving time I'll be direct; If anyone out there doesn't believe in God, why? I honestly just want to hear your opinion and what lead you to your beliefs. Was it lack…
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This is the thread where we talk about sex. What are your views? How much is it present in your own life? Is masturbation good or bad for you? etc. etc. Let's try to be mature about this.
Last reply by Dr_Kong, -
Well, I just got into this interesting argument with one of my juniors, who happens to be a vegetarian, so before i quote her, please no figthing and cussing just respecting opinions and hard core debate!!! P.S.- she's a friend this was all in good humor Friend:"Non-vegetarians eat ****" Me: All vegetarians eat is greens, way to go goats Friend: "you take lives...." and we know how it goes on endlessly from there What are your opinions?
Last reply by Cerru, -
What do you hardcore TOKers think about things like equal rights for homosexuals, gay marriage and other issues such as... A christian preacher in ENGLAND was arrested for quoting the bible and using phrases such as "stop homosexuality it's wrong" in public. Your thoughts, please I'm interested Morpheus x
Last reply by MariusIBDP, -
i liked the idea of those of you who asked what everone thought of americans and australians... so i thought i realy would like to know what you guys think about the arabs and muslims....say it honestly please....because we seem to feel that the world is taking this very mistakable impression on us...so...give me your opinions please:)...+ reason.....and i will answer if i have anything to reply..thanks (i already gave my opinion on americans...but australians....i dont really know much about them to judge)
Last reply by sberkmetin, -
- 145 replies
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i find that in my school IB students tend to clump together in "packs." I think that in general, because we share so many classes together IB students tend to hang out with exclusively IB students with some mingling between regular students. In my school people seem to really take pride in the fact that they are part of the IB program and i sometimes feel as if it's very exclusive. Does anyone feel the same? Or is it different?
Last reply by EllaMilo, -
So, we have the English only position believing that english should be the main language in english speaking countries, its a national identity. But what is the position behind bilingualism? Is it a loss of identity? Or is it a gain of another culture? For me it is a gain of another culture as it is for my fellow IB-ers. Not only do we have the peruvian culture but we have the british culture due to our teachers. What do you think? Is it good to be bilingual? Or is it bad to be bilingual?
Last reply by Blackcurrant, -
------------------------------------ i think being more intelligent/educated makes people dislike you, because of jealously. if you come to my school, and see how they treat the ib kids, its pretty brutal, we get ridiculed at, joked at and verbally abused all the time because of the fact that we're in this hard program that prepares us for the future, but instead of giving up, we stick together, which builds a great deal of teamwork. But in general my IB friends, are cheerleaders, football players, basketball players, actors, officers, etc, and we don't have a problem with being unhappy. Maybe overworked, but never unhappy, we're actually quite an optimistic bunch. I just…
Last reply by Reality ninja, -
I don't know how IB is internationally, that is how IBers behave overseas or in other places. I go to an IB school in Miami, Florida, and I'm sure much like everywhere else in the world there are crazy party go-ers and dumb girls who fall for the indecent guys. It's like you respect someone for their intelligence, getting high marks w.e, but then you find out what he/she does whether it is smoke or drink on the weekends. Is it just me or is there any decent people left on this earth. Morality and ethics walk straight out the door, and a vacuum is made for cheating, frivilous partying, gratuitous sex, recreational drug and alchohol use. Not to be a prick because I am prob…
Last reply by Chris Kuno, -
Israel is going a bit far this time, with more killings of civilians than actually targeted Hamas extremists. This conflict has gone on long enough, and it's pretty apparent by now, that infancy has prevailed over maturity in the conflict. I'm all for Zionism but they don't really have to be that brutal about it now. Thoughts? Conflicting view points?
Last reply by THE IBKID, -
- 107 replies
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What's more important? This is something that has badgered me for a long time. Especially for the sciences and math, I feel like I am exerting myself much more than many of my classmates and yet some of their results are much better than mine. I know someone who is extremely talented at math. He never makes a deliberate attempt to study but is able to score high because his brain is literally a sponge for math; he assimilates everything in class with ease and is able to apply that knowledge almost effortlessly when it comes to the IB questions where most would have some problems with thinking critically. To me, a lot of people say that hard work is all it takes. I still b…
Last reply by behaaa, -
As I'm sure many people have noticed, there is a lot of anti-US sentiment in the world today. As a US citizen, the question I have to ask is, is this how everyone in the global community feels? I was hoping that IB students from around the world would be able to help me answer this question. The only thing I ask is that you list your country, and whether your response is meant to reflect your personal opinion, or the opinion of your country as a whole. Thank you, and may the force be with you.
Last reply by Ruan Chun Xian, -
Well, more and more the topic of global warming has come up at my school. Mostly we've been talking about the problems, solutions, personal habits, and the future. I'm just curious what you guys have to say for this topic.
Last reply by bolan14, -
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2319145/A-mother--aged-15-Thought-horrified-stories-schoolgirl-mums-Then-read-jaw-dropping-interview.html The article above ^ has the story. Basically, a 12-year-old girl from Nottingham got pregnant and gave birth. She then had sex with the same guy 10 months after the first baby was born, and now has a second one at the age of 15. The father has seen the first baby once and hasn't seen the second one ever. He also allegedly has children with three or four other sexual partners. (Take the overt father-bashing with a grain of salt since this is the Daily Mail.) The UK is currently funding this girl and her mother (who is singlehande…
Last reply by r1111, -
- 82 replies
- 14.5k views
Do you believe in gender equality? do you believe in feminism and what it stands for? If not, Why? This is purely out of curiosity and is not meant to attack anybody.
Last reply by GooseTea, -
- 70 replies
- 8.9k views
okay so i have heard that scientists say that students work better in classes of the same gender, but some people say that this is not true, what do you guys think about having single gende classes? i was in a single gender class for the last 2 years because my school test drove the idea, sadly there won't be any single gnder in grade 8, but i had a great time and i agree that our school marks are better then the ones we had in co-ed, firstly, mny were able to be themselves and there were no boys to outshine them, bu i also see this as a pro because we have no competion within the class with boys (outside class is another story..... ) so do you agree, disagree?
Last reply by LeMaki, -
OK, so my TOK teacher seems to think that murder is bad. In any case. I was a bit confused about her thoughts on her take on murder. Apparently, she thinks "murder is bad" is an eternal justified truth. There are many justifications for murder, of course. The thing I do not understand is that, if murder is justified, doesn't that make it acceptable, (meaning NOT BAD) and in some cases even good? My TOK teacher thinks it is always bad, even if you justify it. I think otherwise. We talked about scenarios going from self-defense to varieties of religions. So, is murder always bad? I'd like to hear some opinions! Please and thanks
Last reply by Gracieinchrist, -
Recently it's been found that pornography is addicting and there are also a bunch of porn addiction forums and such such as Reddit's No Fap which are becoming famous. Do you believe the negative effects of porn on society are too much and that governments should restrict porn? Apparently porn is illegal for children in many countries yet porn is hardly a simple type and enter away. Should porn be regulated just like other demerit goods like alcohol? Or do you believe that pornography is harmless and isn't causing any problems? In that case, do you think that porn addiction is more of a bad habit more than anything else? I believe that governments should restrict porn on…
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- 61 replies
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So... I probably shouldn't touch on this, because the subject is very controversial. But i recently broke away from the church and became what I like to call non-religious. But many of my peers think that i am crazy and i feel somewhat bad about it but logically i cannot choose one single religion. Can someone help me? Maybe just give some comments so i can see if i am crazy or not.
Last reply by FahaD, -
- 60 replies
- 7.9k views
wich is better: compulsory voting or non-compulsory and why?
Last reply by ezra, -
Nuclear power 1 2 3
by shalala- 59 replies
- 7.4k views
So basically, the other day I was discussing with my brother whether nuclear power is a maintainable source of energy.(Here I am taking for granted that most people think that fossil and bio fuel should be phased out.) Me and my brother turned out to have rather different opinions where he is pro, and I am con. Thus, I might have a bit too imaginary approach, haha. Now I am turning to this forum for a better perspective. Is nuclear something we should expand or reduce? Is it positive that nuclear power now is in a offensive light due to what happended in Japan?
Last reply by Sabs44, -
- 58 replies
- 9k views
I was looking at the GIF thread about planets and stars and couldn't help but wonder, is there life out there? (I'm not talking about illegal foreigners.) I personally would think that it'd be impossible for us to be the only ones in the entire universe. It's huge! (excuse the random topic, I've been on a TOK essay all day )
Last reply by Ezak, -
- 58 replies
- 7.5k views
as my title suggests, do you or do you not support obama? and why? there is a high possibility that he could be USA's next president, since he is in the lead right now. but do you think this could change in the next second? whether you want to admit or not, racism still exists now, esp in USA, where each and every race blends. do you think people could be so shallow that they will not vote for him merely for his skin color? i recalled my former English teacher told the class that one of his friends said," America is not ready to have a black president yet." do you support his saying or do you have a different view? please leave your comments because i'm so eager to hear t…
Last reply by URA BOAT, -
Obama or McCain? 1 2 3
by Abu- 53 replies
- 5.4k views
I know I said that I don't give a damn, but I got into the US politics for a bit recently so I'm interested in knowing our own IBS American president. I go for Obama, because quite simply, the Republicans are utter ****s, and Dubya in his 8 year reign, as succeeded in ****ing up Iraq, and has created a lot of unnecessary vengeance against the US. I bet that paranoia is at an all time high, and Afghanistan and Iraq are probably household names in the States unlike 8 years ago when most people wouldn't have heard of these countries. And Sarah Palin, the new VP candidate isn't really up to it I think. Fine, Obama is a lot of hot air, but even if he brings about 10% of the ch…
Last reply by Abu, -
- 1 follower
- 53 replies
- 8k views
The title says it all. What's your opinion on abortion? We've been discussing that topic on our TOK class for about two months and we can't seem to finish this debate. The thing is, that every time we start this topic, we end up in the wrong field - religion. I know there are religious aspects of this, but I really am interested in your opinion on this topic? I want to finish this debate with someone since none of my colleauges are willing to do so out of the class. Not to get in too many details to soon, just to say that I think that abortion is, well, doable. I'm definitely not against it. My main point is that, when it comes to such an, well, unwanted consequence - …
Last reply by -TJ-, -
- 53 replies
- 5.7k views
"Religion is a blanket for people that want answers" to an extent i really agree with that quote. Although my dad is Buddhist and My mom is Christian. I do believe that there is a God, and he is indeed watching me , but i don't believe in all the materialistic teachings and going to god, i believe as long as you believe in god and try to do right in life, there should be no problem, i don't believe that you have to go to church everyday or read the bible everyday or whatever, it's a way of life and a set of morales and values.
Last reply by deissi, -
Gender Roles 1 2 3
by balloon- 52 replies
- 17.7k views
I am often condemned in my school for having an archaic view of relationship. I genuinely believe that the man is the 'head' of the relationship, not so that he can domineer but so that he can cherish and nurture and love in a way that shows it is his responsibility as the man to look after the woman. I honestly believe we are the 'weaker sex'. Not that we must then stay at home and do the dishes and raise the babies, but that we are generally physically weaker and that the man is there to protect. Honestly ladies, do we really want to be 'equal' when we can be safeguarded as a true treasure? Not that the man 'possesses' us but that he is fortunate enough to look after a …
Last reply by Xydan, -
Gay Marriage 1 2 3
by ShineeLikeMe- 51 replies
- 7.3k views
Alright guys. Intense battle going on in the of California for the past decade. Gay marriage. Proposition 8 which banned the right for gays to marry just got struck down about a month or two ago. There are basically two sides to this. Proponents claim that legalizing gay marriage will give gays the 1024 federal rights they do not have. Opponents of gay marriage claim that this is just another step in the gay agenda and that this goes against the Biblical teachings. And then theres the issue of the word marriage in general. Should we allow gays to marry and have their federal rights but just call this union something different (i.e civil union, domestic partnership), or…
Last reply by Morpheus, -
- 51 replies
- 8.3k views
Hi everyone, So the reason I am bringing up this topic is that my grandfather is a homophobe. He hates the legalisation of Gay marriage for reasons I cannot comprehend. So, back to the topic at hand, I am interested in your opinions regarding homosexuality and/or homophobia. I for one, believe that everyone should have the right to marriage and love, irrespective of gender, but there probably are people who don't agree. I personally support the United States, and other countries in legalising this, and hope that Asian countries follow suit. So let me know what you think about this. Cheers, King112
Last reply by Moony_SkyFullOfStars, -
- 50 replies
- 5.3k views
http://www.alternet.org/story/97907/sarah_...beliefs/?page=1 Biased but interesting. It's unmistakable that religion should NOT be mixed with politics. How she was even picked for VP... that baffles me. Discuss.
Last reply by theone00, -
- 48 replies
- 13.5k views
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/8085011.stm "Female students are ahead of men in almost every measure of UK university achievement, according to a report from higher education researchers. A Higher Education Policy Institute report shows that women are more likely to get places in the top universities and go on to get better grades. Women also outnumber men in high status subjects, such as law and medicine. Women have been entering university in greater numbers than men in recent years - with the participation rate for young women standing at 49%, compared with 38% of young men. The study disproves the notion that men dominate in the most highly-regarded su…
Last reply by Proletariat, -
- 47 replies
- 5.3k views
With the US forcing "Democracy" down everyone's throat, I'm forced to think, is democracy really the solution to everyone's problems? Actually, is it the solution for every country? A few case studies: 1. Iraq: Under Saddam Hussein's "Dictatorship", the country was actually running, there were relatively no suicide bombs, and the economy was actually stable. 2. Pakistan: Under the new democratic rule, the economy has tumbled down, bombings are on the rise. The economy has deprecated because they've allowed for a corrupt democratic government to me elected. 3. Afghanistan: Yes, this is an exception to the rule, the Afghans do have a better quality of life under Hamid Karza…
Last reply by Mahuta ♥, -
- 47 replies
- 7.8k views
So I was thinking about this today (because I'm morbid like that) and I was wondering what you guys thought. Is having a death penalty justified? Do we, as humans, have the right to decide when another person's life should be ended? I personally believe in the death penalty, I believe it to be a necessary social device to maintain control and order, but I also think it should be a sentence used sparingly at best (i.e. no going all crazy Texan). It should be reserved for those criminals who have committed crimes of the worst sort: crime against humanity; war crimes; genocide; torture; jus cogens violations, etc. Adolf Hitler-esque criminals that is. I think it's incredibly…
Last reply by Sandwich, -
The majority people that I know and consider to be intellectual/smart are either atheist or agnostic. Is there a connection between intellectualism and atheism? The more you learn, the more you tend to go away from religious beliefs? (or not?) Are most education systems in the modern world (this includes systems of countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, China... + IB) designed to make individuals shun religion?
Last reply by C.James, -
- 47 replies
- 4.7k views
since ib students should be "knowledgeable" i would like to tell you that several hours ago a palestinian senior boy just like us was killed by israeli defence forces, several hours after he left his school. He had plans for the future just like us, he wanted to go to a university just like anyone of us, but now and because there is no one to ask the israeli soldier why did you kill the boy he will not be able to do any of his dreams. So i would like everybody to know whats going on in palestine and how people in our age die for no reason. And this photo shows the boy at his last moments today! btw the soldier meant to kill him since he shoot him in his heart. Image (not…
Last reply by SallyShariff, -
- 45 replies
- 9.8k views
Hey guys M&m_Fan99 (Thaddeus Peuterschmidt) back with another IB Survival forum post! So, today's QOTD (question of the day) is: "Is my school's uniform policy sexist?", if you couldn't tell from the title of this forum post. In the uniform policy, it is stated that girls are not allowed to have their skirts more than 10cm above their knees, but there are no rules about how high boys can wear their shorts. Many are outraged at this and is calling this inequality. So IB Survival forum viewers, what do you think? Do you think my school is being sexist? :ivan:
Last reply by -TJ-, -
- 45 replies
- 10.5k views
Hey, just voice your opinions!!!!! Are smart people more introverted than less intelligent people. To me, it seems as if the REALLY smart people are in a world of their own and are perfectly content with being by themselves. I don't know, maybe that;s just what it seems to me???
Last reply by blindpet, -
- 45 replies
- 5.9k views
Would religion cease to exist? I know this might sound silly but would religion then become a science rather than a belief ? Remember that this is all hypothetical Would that mean religious people are correct in thinking that God exists and no longer have a belief they have knowledge or would atheists still think they are correct since God is proof making the previous mindset of religion (as a belief) false? Just poorly formulated thought i had in my mind close it if you think that's necessary
Last reply by URA BOAT, -
- 44 replies
- 16.7k views
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/lifematters/for-love-or-money-20090608-c0j3.html I had to pause when I came across a blog out of South Africa that read, “I think a way forward, or backwards some of you might say, is to encourage our smart, savvy and capable daughters to marry for money.” Since I co-authored a book with a similar premise, this sassy assertion definitely grabbed my attention. The blog’s author Jackie May, an editor for The Times world pages in South Africa, penned these seemingly heretical comments after learning of alarming research by Dr. Caroline Gatrell at Lancaster University in England. Dr. Gatrell found, “women who explicitly choose career over kids …
Last reply by ~Lc~, -
- 44 replies
- 4.7k views
I'm doing a TOK presentation, about the Theory of Evolution, and I, obviously, need to relate it to TOK. So I was wondering why people did/did not believe in the Theory of Evolution. There is two types of arguments, the classic arguments, and the others ( Why people think differently) which I have assiociated with those ways of knowing: Reason, Intuition and faith So, could you answer the question which is in the Topic Title, and give reasons why?
Last reply by Richard Bankole, -
- 44 replies
- 6.9k views
Hey everyone! So i was inspired to start this topic when i say the post "what does the world think about America?" and it made me think... well i have a pretty clear idea about the world view of America... but I'm not to sure about what people think of my own country? And what a better place to find out than by asking a group of internationally aware, up and coming group of young people from around the world. So here is my question- How does the world (or you personaly) view Australia? Just leave you thogughts as well as what counrty you're from. -Thanks a million. -Soph x
Last reply by Ruan Chun Xian, -
- 43 replies
- 4.9k views
Things are starting to heat up around here! With Hillary losing her cool after the loss in Iowa. There's a nice little article that talks about it here So, who's voting? I won't be old enough, but my parents are voting for Hillary. What I dislike about their decision is that they are not informed about her principles and objectives. They are voting for her solely because her husband served two terms and he can guide her, oh, and she's a women. It really pisses me off that they think like that, like that automatically grants her the title of a good president.
Last reply by pianojames111, -
- 43 replies
- 12.6k views
^as the title says it . Why do you think what you think? Do you reckon that age or gender plays a big part on that?
Last reply by fjooiks, -
Trump's Win 1 2 3
by ari_zuchinni- 42 replies
- 8.1k views
What do you guys think about Donald Trump winning?
Last reply by neil072, -
- 40 replies
- 4.9k views
Why? I mean, why?
Last reply by Hossein Ahmed, -
North Korea scraps all peace treaties with South Korea and threatens the US with a nuclear attack 1 2
by Franz Liszt- 37 replies
- 2.6k views
Hey guys, this news popped up just recently, what do you think about think? Could it lead to a world war?
Last reply by alefal, -
- 37 replies
- 3.5k views
Please check this article out from the San Diego Union Tribune. San Diego Union Tribune Gun Control Article This is an example of a person who doesn't think and is afraid of guns with no real reason. Guns are not an object of violence only. They help keep the peace too. The man in the article says that guns are the worst things for a college campus. But I disagree. Guns, with the proper training can help keep peace on a campus. Before you say '' this guy is crazy" hear me out. Lets take the tragedy of the Virginia Tech Massacre. Lets rerun the scenario with all of the students trained in the use of guns. Instead of the shooter able to massacre 32 people executi…
Last reply by pianojames111, -
- 37 replies
- 4.1k views
Through the decades and numerous tragic shootings, the 2nd amendment has protected the right of almost any american to bear arms. Despite the constant onslaught of opposition and gun violence, powerful lobbyist groups and right-wing america have preserved this right. That being said in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting, political analysts say that change is in the air. Do you agree or disagree?
Last reply by Luka Petrovic, -
- 1 follower
- 37 replies
- 565.7k views
Hello everyone So, this part of the forum kind of died out, therefore I decided to make a topic about the thing that has been bothering me for the past few months. We all go to school, or went at one point in our lives. We were graded on our tests, and those tests gave us an idea on our knowledge about the subject… But can they really tell us whether we are/were intelligent? Nowadays the pressure on recieving good grades is so high every 5th high-school student confessed that (s)he has experienced school-related anxiety. I know people who get really good results and I know people who barely pass. Both of those groups act in a similar way, and their non-academic skil…
Last reply by randomhydrogenatom,