I have to prepare a report on a "controverisal issue" for class. Help me pick.
Posted on: September 8, 2008 - 6:02pm
Offline
I have to prepare a report on a "controverisal issue" for class. Help me pick.
Every friday in English class, one student gives a report on a controversial issue. It can be small or large, but must be debatable. After the report, the student takes a position and then opens up the floor to debate.
My day is one week from this Friday. I have no idea what to choose, but I'd like to start researching now so that I will be prepared for whatever is flung at me in debate. I would choose atheism, but (unfortunately) it would be me vs. the rest of the class. I can't choose abortion because it was already done last week.
Help me RRS! You're my only hope.
My Brand New Blog - Jesu Ad Nauseum.
God of the Gaps: As knowledge approaches infinity, God approaches zero. It's introductory calculus.
- Login to post comments
How about the nature of morality?
What about blasting some other idiotic belief such as psychics, bigfoot, etc. ?
You could take the middle road (pun intended) and debate the supposed existence of the buhhda. In a way you would be representing an atheistic slant yet wouldn't have the whole class ganging up on you. Besides, if you do it properly if you can show that one mythical figure is just that, a myth and perhaps you can create a little doubt in the existence of their own messiah.
"Always seek out the truth, but avoid at all costs those that claim to have found it" ANONYMOUS
How about polyamorous relationships?
-----------------------------------------------------
Who asks me inappropiate questions also has to live with the answers I may give.
Or a "god" such as the Flying Spaghetti Monster or Ceiling Cat.
Actually you could use any topic from Penn and Teller's BullShit tv series and probably work pretty well.
"Always seek out the truth, but avoid at all costs those that claim to have found it" ANONYMOUS
I've got some ideas
You could talk a little about if the government bailout is socialism, if it's capitalism, should the government have allowed them to fail (as in a free market), possible moral implications of saving the (some of) biggest businesses in the country and not lifting a finger to help any of the people who are directly losing their homes (a bit of a source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/26603489 ).
Given that it would be less immediately expensive to change industrial/economic/personal habits, and given that behaving in a manner which would preserve expendable resources is expensive and difficult in the short run, and finally given that the long term negative effects of our current way of life are legitimately debatable, as are the benefits of a changed way of life, why should anyone be convinced to change? You could play devil's advocate and point it out that way, or you could point out the fact that "green collar" jobs created by an alternate way of life would be more than enough economic incentive for anyone, if only we as a society could be convinced en masse that this is true. (this is a subject near and dear to the heart of my studies)
You could go with the subject of reparations: Should African Americans receive reparations for the enslavement of their ancestors? Should the Jewish people get special treatment for being victims of insane aggression by the German National Socialist party? Do Native Americans have a better claim than either aforementioned group (I personally think they do, but that's just me)?
Or you could go with something a little more contemporary: Were police raids on people planning protests of the RNC, and arrests and seizure of computers (etc), justified or even legal? I'm not entirely sure, but I'm guessing the police stepped over constitutional boundaries on this one - and most of America is just ignoring it, or (even worse) cheering the rate at which we as Americans are hemorrhaging rights.
Just a few thoughts. These are some fairly deep topics, but there's some real controversial fire there for you. If you have time to prepare I suggest you pick something which will resonate more with your age group (environment or protester rights) and put some thought into it, and if possible see what the main objections to your studied opinion might be.
"But still I am the Cat who walks by himself, and all places are alike to me!" ~Rudyard Kipling
Mazid the Raider says: I'd rather face the naked truth than to go "augh, dude, put some clothes on or something" and hand him some God robes, cause you and I know that the naked truth is pale, hairy, and has an outie
Entomophila says: Ew. AN outie
A little reading, but it's worth it. There were many good arguments in this thread.
http://www.rationalresponders.com/forum/13389
Atheist Books, purchases on Amazon support the Rational Response Squad server, which houses Celebrity Atheists.
Thanks guys. Some really good ideas. I think that I might pick the free will/determinism argument, relying somewhat on that article that hamby wrote on the subject.
I'm also going to look through Penn and Teller episodes for good ideas, as someone has suggested.
My Brand New Blog - Jesu Ad Nauseum.
God of the Gaps: As knowledge approaches infinity, God approaches zero. It's introductory calculus.
How about separation of church and state? That seems to be the one area they've gained the most ground on, getting "In Dog We Trust" posted in schools, faith-based giveaways from the government, presidents seeking advice from Billy Graham and, of course, the current monkey swinging from the chandalier talking to Dog, etc.
http://www.theocracywatch.org/separation_church_state2.htm
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplomacy/barbary/bar1796t.htm#art11 (article 11)
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/
http://site.pfaw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=issues_religious_landing
http://www.liarsforjesus.com/
http://etext.virginia.edu/jefferson/quotations/
http://nobeliefs.com/jefferson.htm
http://www.aztriad.com/fathers.html
http://www.adherents.com/gov/Founding_Fathers_Religion.html
http://www.au.org/site/PageServer
These are all loaded with information on the issue. Good luck, whatever you choose.
"Erecting the 'wall of separation between church and state,' therefore, is absolutely essential in a free society." Thomas Jefferson
www.myspace.com/kenhill5150
That's as good a subject as any. That aside, I would be interested to know how the debate goes when all is said and done. So, maybe after the debate has taken place you could post the results?
As through a glass darkly you seek yourself,
But the light grows weak while under Yggdrasil. --clutch
That's what I was going to say...so, I'll just 2nd it.
that's not controversial! jehovah is constantly screaming, "i exist! i exist!," whilst the buddha didn't give a flying fuck if he existed or not. that's why i love the buddha and st. paul can go shove a broomstick up his ass. how about, I AM GOD AS YOU? are you out there? are you with me?
"I have never felt comfortable around people who talk about their feelings for Jesus, or any other deity for that matter, because they are usually none too bright. . . . Or maybe 'stupid' is a better way of saying it; but I have never seen much point in getting heavy with either stupid people or Jesus freaks, just as long as they don't bother me. In a world as weird and cruel as this one we have made for ourselves, I figure anybody who can find peace and personal happiness without ripping off somebody else deserves to be left alone. They will not inherit the earth, but then neither will I. . . . And I have learned to live, as it were, with the idea that I will never find peace and happiness, either. But as long as I know there's a pretty good chance I can get my hands on either one of them every once in a while, I do the best I can between high spots."
--Hunter S. Thompson
Actually I have to concur. The buddha did say that no one should believe anything they hear unless it makes sense, even if he said it. That's the jist of the saying.
Ahh but if buddha said it he must have been a real person right? You know jeebus said all kinds of things too so he must have existed as well.
That's where I was going with the idea. There are quotes attributed to the buddha and he shared many traits with jesus (wise, alleged virgin birth). Get someone to see the fallacy of one set of beliefs and mirror those to others sets.
"Always seek out the truth, but avoid at all costs those that claim to have found it" ANONYMOUS
How about the influence of religion on repressing technological advances? There is a plethora of material from Ben Franklin's lightning rod (as well as his armonica) to stem cell research, artificial hearts, cures for STDs, and contraception. It'll remind the class that all throughout history the religious have been repressing ideas that we take for granted today (birth control pills were legalized in the 60s). So when the nutters rant about banning some other advancement, like stem cell research, they are merely continuing a long line of ignorance. I'm sure you'll find plenty of material to work with.
well, to a historian, yes. but to a buddhist, that depends on what you mean. the closest thing we can come to original buddhism is theravada, which, like zen, is basically built around the idea of maya, the illusion of existence (particularly the ego), and sunyata, the void, the reality (but a negative reality). the abrahamic religions depend upon positivism and the existence of the ego. buddhism is in a way a form of solopsism
"I have never felt comfortable around people who talk about their feelings for Jesus, or any other deity for that matter, because they are usually none too bright. . . . Or maybe 'stupid' is a better way of saying it; but I have never seen much point in getting heavy with either stupid people or Jesus freaks, just as long as they don't bother me. In a world as weird and cruel as this one we have made for ourselves, I figure anybody who can find peace and personal happiness without ripping off somebody else deserves to be left alone. They will not inherit the earth, but then neither will I. . . . And I have learned to live, as it were, with the idea that I will never find peace and happiness, either. But as long as I know there's a pretty good chance I can get my hands on either one of them every once in a while, I do the best I can between high spots."
--Hunter S. Thompson
... how about... "will the Hadron collider destroy the world"... >.>
Somebody had to say it
What Would Kharn Do?
Won't it be too late for that one?