Walsingham

Then I should stay off the streets of Oxford during term nights.

I like. Wouldn't wear it on a date tho

You say that all the time. I no no think it means what you think it means.

There's nowt hardcore about being objectionable on the internets. Anyone can do it. I'm sure Stephen Hawking online is all "I'm a six foot bouncer and I wear a necklace of teeth from my victims" Also, if you are going to post a stress-releasing flame on a favourite game, put some effort in. Say it made you go blind for three days, or alternatively something witty and amusing.

BWAhahahahahahaha ~~~ Ahem. Way back, you said I would have a hard time claiming things like the crusades and the Inquisition were not religious. But even the most cursory reading of the crusades reveals the preoccupation of the commanders and men with booty. The Inquisition seems a little more religious, judging by the rail transcripts I've read. But at the same time it was clearly used as a means of imposing conformity in all areas of life, not just preventing the worship of devils. And it was this feature of enforcing conformity that made it so useful to the Powers at the time, and allowed it free reign. ~~~ Points to everyone using actual quotes. So far as I can see all we are proving is that verses from both peacefu and warlike views exist in all the major holy texts. The politicals can thereby use the books either way. But it is politics that is to blame. The desire in humans to weild influence and achieve status. I look at Iain Paisley, or Muqtada Sadr and although they are from utterly different cultural and religious backgrounds I see the same 'faith' - in themselves. It is this arrogance which to blame, not the faith which they wrap themselves in.

I most certainly do not. I have barely enough SAN as it is, without wasting it on trifles. Bacl on topic: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4407688.stm The riots continue. Now my gut instinct is that this should not be allowed to continue. I mean, the nature of govt is order. This is chaos. Greivance or not, is this really about that, or about boredom and deliquency? The urge to destroy?

I think it depends on the n00b. Some take best to a bit of a hostile reception for they think "Ah, this is an exclusive club which I will enjoy once I break in". Some need kid glove treatment. And some come in with a mean attitude and need immediate lightsaber duelling followed by defenestration.

I'm liking that definition.

It does follow that if one has only played a game for 30 minutes you COULD express a bit more reservation regarding your conclusions. I didn't like Torment at first.

There's a fallacy there. You assume that the morals that prevent theft, adultery, or murder in general are as a result of religion. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Equally, why blame religion for 'religious' murder?

On a different forum ("You read other forums?") I know a guy who is not watching the film just to annoy the nerds who are backing it. I am therefore going to buy three copies of the DVD as presents, just to annoy him.

*nods* But at the same time, many hundreds of times more people die from 'domestic' murder than political murder. The very fact that we even care that our felow men are dying could be attributed in part to instructions from our religions... *lofts point back across the net*

No special treatment for hotties. thinks: not as long as I resemble a Games Workshop Ork.

This may be inappropriate, but I noticed adverts in the tube saying play.com was selling civ 4 for 18 quid. So if it isn't as good as all that, may as well pay less. I'm still not buying it, btw. I spent the money on a new jacket.

*looks into thread hunting for lockable stuff and/or heroin smuggling*

Thanks for all the votes of support, ladies and gents. However, you DO realise this obliges me to confound you all by beginning a reign of terror...

This from a talking kumquat?

As an overweight moderator on a computer games forum I should think I score at least 100%.

Which proves how stupid the human race is. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Speak for yourself, monkey man! *arr arr arr* For tenpence worth: I think a lot more crimes are committed for want of religiously formed morals than are committed in the name of religion. How many murders are committed around the world because of theft, adultery and so on? And how many are committed for religion?

I should also point out I am going to make redoubled efforts not to post when I am drunk and cranky. I just can't promise anything, is all... *wobbles*

I'm not quite ready to crack out all this advanced modding hardware yet (I'm pretty sure that thing in the styrofoam is a Grail SAM), so I'll just say that you might want to re-phrase that to sound like less of a crazed man-ape. I think the point is roughly valid tho, if what you are saying is simply that 'You break the law you get sent down. No excuses. French or immigrant.' What I don't agree with is the notion of calling in the Army. Have a quick look at England's experience in Northern Ireland. The Army aren't best for dealing with civil disturbances. In any case, the French riot police are a dedicated sub-division, specially selected and trained. They almost certainly have a better chance of tackling stuff.

Many thanks, assembled persons. I didn't realise it would get its own thread. In choosing a law-enforcement stereotype I have plumped for the bumbling sherriff's deputy. Feel free to don rubber masks and haunt the old tin mine or commit serial killings as you choose.

I agree that you do get mafias and gangs springing up when the a community feel isolated. But i don't think this is entirely the fault of British coppers. First gen immigrants often come from backgrounds where cops do not deserve either respect or cooperation. If that isn't the case, how DO the cops get involved with the local community? Kaftan, in my opinion the locals act up for the cameras. Just like they gather round western film crews and burn flags. A mix of fervour, high spirits, and boredom. If you live in an Afghan hill village or wherever it really isn't that exciting. I know if a jet came down on the farm I grew up on I'd have been out there picking it over for cool shiny things.

I've come in a bit late, so I'll admit I haven't read all the posts before now. My apologies. 1) I feel pretty relaxed about people's beliefs when they keep to themselves. However, education is not keeping to yourself. So go ahead and believe in creationism all you want, but stay away from public schools because: 2) Abandoning evolutionary theory in favour of a faith based explanation means abandoning the scientific paradigm. Without the scientific paradigm the progress of all learned endeavour gets shot in the knees. Where I come from this would be bad. 3) I thought the USA was supposed to break away from all this church with state business. Because of, you know, all the hate crimes and witch burnings, and persecution and so on. Teach creationism and you go a step closer than I think is advisable. 4) If it is OK to teach that God 'magically' created us all a certain way in seven days, then am I mad if I believe my cat created the world in seven days? I have no less proof than you. What if I believe _I_ am god, and have the right to do whatever I like?

I hadn't really thought about it before, but I am more likely to burst into tears than punch people. I suppose it shows much things have changed over the last forty years that I now consider this good.