Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

House, MD

2007-11-13T13:05:44Z

VicTimme: copyedit

'''House MD''' is a television series on the [[Fox Network]] that runs for an hour each week. It is also known as '''House''', without the MD. The main character, House (picked because of its similarity to the last name of [[Sherlock Holmes]]) is a grumpy, antagonistic [[atheist]] [[doctor]] with few redeeming social graces. The show mixes medical issues with moral and personal dilemnas and has become quite popular, in part because it often comes on after [[American Idol]], but it has since done well on its own even when American Idol is not on. Due to sometimes graphic scenes and adult themes, the show is not recommended for children under 14.

Cast:

Dr. Gregory House: [[Hugh Laurie]]

Dr. Allison Cameron: Jennifer Morrison

Dr. Robert Chase: Jesse Spencer

Dr. Eric Foreman: Omar Epps

Dr. James Wilson: Robert Sean Leonard

Dr. Lisa Cuddy: Lisa Edelstein

==References==
<references/>
*[http://www.tv.com/house/show/22374/cast.html House Cast and Crew]
*[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0412142/ IMDB website]

[[Category:Television]]

Definitions of Atheist and Agnostic

2007-11-13T12:08:21Z

VicTimme: /* Conclusion */ copyedit

==Introduction==

Various people use terms such as [[Atheist]] and [[Agnostic]] differently hence they are often difficult to define.

''Atheism'' usually means not to believe in God. This can be a mere lack of belief. It can also be a positive belief that He does not exist.

''Agnostic'' usually means an individual is not sure whether God exists or not.

Perhaps because of the historical risk of being accused of [[heresy]], [[apostasy]] or other theological "crimes", those who do not believe in God have not been eager to clarify their positions.

==Alternative definitions==

===Atheism===

The term ''atheism'' is often used to mean disbelief in God's existence. For example, "John Doe says that God does not exist."

The same term is also used in as an umbrella term which combines or includes both the atheist position and the agnostic position. "Mary Roe says that she doesn't believe in God." This can mean either that she completely denies God's existence, or that she simply is unsure whether He exists or not.

The imprecision of the umbrella term leads to many long and pointless debates where advocates argue at cross purposes because the do not agree on the meaning of terms.

===Agnosticism===

Some writers use the term ''agnostic'' in the general sense of being undecided. For example, "Smith isn't sure whether God exists or not." Others add to this a specific reason for being undecided, which elevates the position to the following argument:

#Jones sees no way to prove or disprove God's existence
#Therefore, Jones is undecided.

Interestingly, the lack of a satisfactory proof is interpreted two different ways. Weak atheism uses this as grounds for disbelief. Agnosticism uses this is grounds for refusing to commit one way or another.

===Preferences===

Sometimes an atheist (i.e., a disbeliever) may prefer to describe himself as an ''agnostic'' to avoid giving offense or to avoid receiving adverse treatment. While this may be useful in social situations, it can lead to difficulties when describing someone's precise position.

===Conclusion===

CP:There is a difference between saying ''I do not know'' and saying ''I do not believe'' and saying ''It is false''.

Reader:Although if a person says ''I do not believe'' then one can only assume they think ''It is false''. If they say ''I do not know'' one can only assume they are unsure if what they believe is ''true'' or ''false''.

CP:The usage of ''agnosticism'' varies between saying, "God may or may not exist"; "There is no way to know whether God exists or not"; and "I do not believe in God".

Reader:"God may or may not exist"; "There is no way to know whether God exists or not" are basically equivalent to ''I do not know'' above. "I do not believe in God" is a fairly conclusive position and can not be equated with ''I do not know''.

CP:All usages of ''atheism'' are consistent with saying, "God does not exist." However, the statement, "I do not believe in God" can be described either as ''atheism'' or ''agnosticism''.

Reader:An atheist believes "God does not exist" that is they say "I do not believe in God". That is atheism! ''I do not know'' is ''agnosticism''! Both can't be atheism! Who writes this stuff?

[[Category:Philosophy]]

Talk:Bullying

2007-11-12T22:20:22Z

VicTimme: /* It goes on here */ Sysops lead by example?

Ha! I'm a teacher, bullying is one of the biggest problems in the school system, and we certainly don't tell children to 'just deal with it.' See the [[Safe Schools Act]]. [[User:Monitor|Monitor]] 12:57, 8 November 2007 (EST)

:When I taught, I made sure the principal would support my Iron Rule: bullies are handed a note to take home to their parents. They can't come back unless their parents agree to a strict "no bullying" policy. Two kids never came back - much to the other kids' relief. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] <sup>[[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]]</sup> 17:50, 9 November 2007 (EST)

I could actually say much here on this subject, but this short section, [http://www.religiousrightwatch.com/2005/07/the_things_peop.html "The things people say..."] is illuminating, particularly the last comment, "recommends the terms “bullying” and its variants," which comes from the author of [http://www.organizenow.net/cco/right/propanalysis.txt Introduction to Propaganda Analysis]. See recent updates at [[Wikipedia#Brandt / Berlet feud]] for more information. [[User:RobSmith|Rob Smith]] 22:19, 9 November 2007 (EST)

==Not All Countries==

Just with respect to [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Bullying&diff=330574&oldid=329879 this], in Australia (or NSW at least) most schools voluntarily run annual anti-bullying programs which arm the students with ideas on how to combat bullying and obtain help from an adult, in addition anti-bullying measures are within the syllabus for every year (we may watch a play on the effects of bullying for instance). Similarly police often adopt a hard line stance against bullying, we've recently gotten tougher new penalties for cyber bullying and physical bullying receives the full punishment of the law. I've read through the guide posted, and it is not a teaching guide but a pamphlet directed at parents, and seems to favour a preventative rather than reactionary approach. However, it says anything but that kids should learn to deal with it, the whole point is to tell parents how they can help their kids and on page 15 there is a section on on to how parents and teachers can work together to stop bullying, specifically "Parents and teachers need to cooperate to solve bully/victim problems." I don't know how on earth this source is used to justify "Educators have been known to countenance the practice by saying that as kids grow up, they simply must learn to deal with bullies", and a greater distinction needs to be made within the article between countries which do not take a hard line approach and others, such as Australia, which actively try to eradicate bullying from all educational institutions. [[User:TheGuy|TheGuy]] 19:13, 9 November 2007 (EST)

: TheGuy, thanks for your input, and feel free to change the content page. That said, I would be very surprised if bullying in Australian schools is any different from anywhere else, regardless of what programs are run or what the guidelines say. It would surprise me if an "anti-bullying program" was a laughing stock in tough schools. Is Australia free of student gangs??? I don't think gangs are affected much by anti-bullying programs, for example. Godspeed to you.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 19:22, 9 November 2007 (EST)

== It goes on here ==

''Bullying is the use of force to get one's own way'' ... like blocking and threatening to block when things go pear-shaped on a talk page or article. [[User:VicTimme|VicTimme]] 15:46, 12 November 2007 (EST)

:Apparently that concept of bullying escapes you. If you bother to read what goes on here, you are describing to a tee those people who log in and try to force their viewpoints on this site, never mind the fact that those viewpoints are hostile to this site. If you do not like this site, VicTimme, you are free to stay out of it. If you feel you can't do that, then you will RESPECT it. [[User:Karajou|Karajou]] 16:03, 12 November 2007 (EST)

::Or follow the good example of [http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:Fox/Archive3#Maybe sysops]? [[User:VicTimme|VicTimme]] 17:20, 12 November 2007 (EST)

Talk:Bullying

2007-11-12T20:46:11Z

VicTimme: It goes on here