Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Virginity

2009-01-08T01:32:31Z

AmeliaJ: Delated link. Appernatallynwas not family frendly b/c you had to be 18 th get in, and you know what that means.

[[Image:Agirls.jpg|left]]
'''Virginity''' as a term is an expression of [[purity]]. It implies pure, unadulterated, chaste. A virgin is a person of either [[gender]] who has not had sex.

<blockquote>
''Some girls stay secretive about their [[Christianity]] and desire for virginity until marriage. Don’t be ashamed to let others know where you stand. Ask your youth pastor about signing a document proclaiming your purity commitment. Then tell others about it. Consider wearing a purity symbol such as a ring or special necklace — especially on dates. These have no special power, but they can remind you of your plan to remain sexually pure.'' [http://www.briomag.com/briomagazine/briobeyond/a0004486.html What's Your Plan for Sexual Purity?] by Elaine Creasman.
</blockquote>

Virginity is respected and valued in many societies, especially female virginity, which is often interwoven with personal or family honor and patriarchy in some cultures. Some men place importance on a woman's virginity, especially in a prospective wife.

== See also ==
[[Image:Virginity.jpg|thumb| Image is based on a World War I poster of Uncle Sam exhorting men to "protect the nation's honor".]]
*[[Sin is addictive]]
*[[Sexual purity]]
*[[Abortion Facts]]

== External links ==

*[http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/a_virgin_most_pure.htm A Virgin Most Pure] Words & Music.
*[http://www.passtheword.org/SHAKER-MANUSCRIPTS/Abstinence/shaker-abst-x1.htm A Virgin Life]
*[http://atheism.about.com/od/religiousright/ig/Christian-Propaganda-Posters/Protecting-Girls-Virginity.htm Fathers - Virginity.]

[[Category:Sexuality]]
[[Category:Ethics]]
[[Category:Virtues]]

Conservapedia talk:Christmas Campaign

2009-01-07T01:42:26Z

AmeliaJ: /* AmeliaJ */ new section

==JY23==
I guess I get to start. I'm assuming my cleanups and UFC articles count for something. [[User:JY23|JY23]] 18:26, 16 December 2008 (EST)
:Whoops, might have jumped the gun there. Anyway, created [[Gallery of Sports Idols]], among others, did several cleanups. [[User:JY23|JY23]] 20:13, 18 December 2008 (EST)

WesleyS and I finished the NFL team rosters, not to mention reverting a string of vandals. [[User:JY23|JY23]] 11:45, 20 December 2008 (EST)

Along with WesleyS, finished MLB rosters. Also created some more UFC fighter articles (Houston Alexander, Lyoto Machida, etc.) [[User:JY23|JY23]] 19:25, 22 December 2008 (EST)

My page on this is starting to look just like Wesleys, ain't it, lol. Finished NBA rosters. [[User:JY23|JY23]] 19:41, 23 December 2008 (EST)

Finish NHL rosters, now to work on the soccer team pages. [[User:JY23|JY23]] 15:31, 24 December 2008 (EST)

Finish team pages for the Premiership, now on to Spain. [[User:JY23|JY23]] 18:00, 26 December 2008 (EST)

Spanish Primera pages finito (how fitting, lol), now to Germany. [[User:JY23|JY23]] 21:40, 30 December 2008 (EST)

German Bundesliga pages beendet (just trying to get in the spirit of the leagues), now to France. [[User:JY23|JY23]] 17:55, 1 January 2009 (EST)

Cleanup of several pages, Ligue 1 pages fini. [[User:JY23|JY23]] 20:38, 5 January 2009 (EST)

Added examples to Addison's essay, cleanup pages, create roster templates for Denver and Minnesota. [[User:JY23|JY23]] 18:17, 6 January 2009 (EST)

==AddisonDM==
Created [[Music Row]] and [[Contemporary Christian Music]] articles. Added a new little section with links to these created pages for [[Nashville]] article. Created [[Holy God We Praise Thy Name]]. Created [[Political cartoon]]. December 18 2008.
[[User:AddisonDM]]

Expanded [[political cartoon]]. Dec. 20
[[User:AddisonDM]]

Created [[The Message]] Bible. [[User:AddisonDM]] December 20

Created the [[Cotton Patch Version]] Bible. [[User:AddisonDM]] December 20

Do essays count? Exapanded [[Essay:Greatest Church Hymns]] a bit. [[User:AddisonDM]] Dec. 21

Created [[Orans]], position of prayer. Added an example of Catholic/Protestant translating difference in [[Disputed Biblical Translations]]. Dec 22

Created [[Bernard Madoff]]. Dec 23 Hey, maybe someone can make a re-direct to it from the search "Bernie Madoff". I don't know redirects!
:[http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Bernie_Madoff&redirect=no Done]. For help in creating redirects, read the '''Creating redirects''' section in [[Help:How to Code]]. There's loads of helpful hints there. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 12:31, 25 December 2008 (EST)

Thanks. Merry Christmas all!
Created [[Lauda Sion Salvatorem]], a hymn for Corpus Christi by St. Thomas Aquinas.
Created [[Kwanzaa]].
Created [[The Night Before Christmas]].
[[User:AddisonDM]] 26 December 2008

Created [[Menorah]]. [[User:AddisonDM]] 27 December 2008

Created and substantially began [[Template:Bible Versions]]. Will add more info and post on relevant pages. IT HAS BEEN APPROVED! [[User:AddisonDM]] 29 December 2008

Also normalizing categorization for Bibles. All Bibles will have categories, Bible, subcategory Bible Versions, Christianity, and for Catholic Bibles, Catholicism.

Created and began [[Template:Creation vs. evolution]]. It is approved by Mr. Schlafly and may replace the old evolution template. Not yet in use. Also did some redirects, expanded categories, and little cleanups. [[User:AddisonDM]] 29 December 2008

Minor cleanup of [[Supernatural]]. Minor update on [[Brisingr]]. Minor update on Christopher Paolini's info on the list of prominent homeschoolers. Added new section to [[Dystopia]], "Dystopia in Literature". Created [[Jack London]]. 31 December 2008

Created [[Creation]], a summary of different creationary views and famous personages. Eventually going to have pics.

Looking through move request list. I am going to accept the obviously good ones and delete the unworthy ones from the category. 1 January 2009 [[User:AddisonDM]]

Created [[Template:Conservatism]]. It is approved and will be installed. I will also change the Liberal template to blue instead of red. [[User:AddisonDM]] 3 January 2009

Emptied move request page with the help of [[User:JessicaT]]. Also going through deletion candidate pages and deleting many. Slightly improving a couple of articles in there as well. [[User:AddisonDM]] 3 January 2009

Helped streamline debate topic names a bit with JessicaT. [[User:AddisonDM]] 4 January 2009.
Installed new [[Template:Creation vs. evolution]]. Created [[Essay:Examples of Moronic Vandalism by the "tolerant"]].

Updated [[Al Franken]] to include latest news on the recount.
Fixed [[Jeremiah Wright]] citations. Also made Jeremiah Wright redirects. Working through merge requests and using some good judgement. Hopefully can clean up the directory. [[User:AddisonDM]] 5 January 2009

Created [[The Iron Heel]] as a stub. Will expand. Worked a bit more in merge candidates. [[User:AddisonDM]] 6 January, 2009

==Taj==

Created: [[Jacqueline Kennedy]] and miscellaneous related. [[User:Taj]] 23:13, 19 December 2008 (EST)
I am embarrassed to report that aside from several minor defaultsort edits and blocking a couple of vandals, I added not much else to the Christmas campaign. I had big plans for contributions but got sidetracked by holiday doings and vacation travel. :-( I will be contributing more in the near future though. Congrats and Good job to everyone who did find time to contribute! :-) [[User:Taj|Taj]] 03:01, 4 January 2009 (EST)
:Ok, I snuck in just under the wire for the contest cut-off and Created:[[State flowers]] which I had been working on for the past month to get ready to add here. It's still a work in progress, so it has some red links, but I will have pages for all of them very soon. It's my first time creating a "wiki-table", and I am still learning, so any comments or suggestions on the format and layout are appreciated. I hope you like the state flower images, I tried to find really pretty photos, and I plan to add a small image of each state's flower. Whenever the debates get heated, why not just pause and go to the state flowers page (or any flower or nature page) and take a moment to contemplate the beauty and wonder of the world the Lord has given us, and you will feel better, I guarantee! Blessings to all - [[User:Taj|Taj]] 16:54, 4 January 2009 (EST)

==Aschlafly==
Created [[Drug education‎]], [[NRSV]], and [[Ryan v. Ryan]]; improved [[Faith‎]] and [[Public schools‎]].--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 11:08, 20 December 2008 (EST)

==WesleyS==
Finished NFL rosters and continuing the category cleanup. [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 11:50, 20 December 2008 (EST)

Finished MLB rosters with [[User:JY23|JY23]], moving on to NBA/NHL rosters. [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 19:12, 22 December 2008 (EST)

Finished NBA rosters, now to the NHL. [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 21:33, 22 December 2008 (EST)

Finished NHL rosters. [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 15:28, 24 December 2008 (EST)

Added info on [[University of Pittsburgh]], unloading dead-end pages (except homeworks). [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 11:10, 31 December 2008 (EST)

Working on some [[organic chemistry]] articles. [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 11:00, 3 January 2009 (EST)

Cleaning up [[Special:WantedCategories]]. [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 20:25, 5 January 2009 (EST)

==RickD==

*Worked on [[Miracle]], [[Paul Vitz]], [[John Dewey]], and [[Richard John Neuhaus]]. --[[User:RickD|RickD]] 21:07, 21 December 2008 (EST)
*Worked on several articles. [[Fundamentalism]] is another example. --[[User:RickD|RickD]] 18:18, 6 January 2009 (EST)

== DeanS ==

Created [[LDS Temple]], [[Proliferation]], [[Wulfenite]] and [[Zircon]] articles. Added multiple [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Mainpageright&action=history news items] to the Main page. Uploaded and added pics to [[Sulfur‎]], [[Silver‎]], [[Halite‎]], [[Agate‎]] and [[Amethyst‎]] articles. Made changes to the existing [[Santa Fe]] and [[Topaz]] articles. Added multiple links to [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Essay:Examples_of_Moronic_Vandalism_by_the_%22tolerant%22&action=history Essay:Examples of Moronic Vandalism by the "tolerant"]. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 01:23, 5 January 2009 (EST)

== BrianCo ==

I regret to say that I will be unable to make a significant contribution over this festive season to the Conservapedia Christmas Campaign, owing to obligations with my church with which I am heavily involved. We have just finished our final rehearsal for Christmas Eve's carol service and midnight mass and I am now preparing for the cooking and distribution of Christmas lunches on December 25 to many poor families in the parish. After that a group of us have a '''Bleak Midwinter''' project over the twelve days of Christmas to insulate and redecorate the houses of 12 OAPs (ola-age pensioners). So I don't expect to be back in the saddle until after January 6. I will still be keeping up with what's happening here and may make the occasional visit to help out if needed with things like templates but I expect some long days ahead and little spare time. So let me wish all of my fellow Conservapedians a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year (although that may be difficult in these economically troubled times). [[User:BrianCo|BrianCo]] 15:42, 22 December 2008 (EST)

== JakeW ==

Not too much yet, but I frequent the wanted page. So far I've created articles for ''[[Greek Orthodox]]'', ''[[Nestorian]]'', and [[Railroad Retirement Board]]. I also edit a lot of articles for flow/grammar, but I'm not going to try and track those edits down (yet).

== JessicaT ==

*Helped clean up the category:move section --[[User:JessicaT|KotomiT]][[User talk:JessicaT|''ohayougozaimasu'']] 14:15, 3 January 2009 (EST)
*Helping to tidy up the conservapedia: versus debate: namespaces. --[[User:JessicaT|KotomiT]][[User talk:JessicaT|''ohayougozaimasu'']] 02:44, 4 January 2009 (EST)
*Created [[Gun Control in Japan]] --[[User:JessicaT|KotomiT]][[User talk:JessicaT|''ohayougozaimasu'']] 02:54, 4 January 2009 (EST)
*Helped (in a ''really'' small way) clean up the uncategorised categories
*Started finding sources for articles with <nowiki>{{fact}}</nowiki> tags. --[[User:JessicaT|KotomiT]][[User talk:JessicaT|''ohayougozaimasu'']] 08:18, 6 January 2009 (EST)
*Does blocking vandals count? --[[User:JessicaT|KotomiT]][[User talk:JessicaT|''ohayougozaimasu'']] 08:29, 6 January 2009 (EST)
*Created Emperor [[Nakamikado]] --[[User:JessicaT|KotomiT]][[User talk:JessicaT|''ohayougozaimasu'']] 13:11, 6 January 2009 (EST)

== AmeliaJ ==

Hello, better get started!!! --[[User:AmeliaJ|AmeliaJ]] 20:42, 6 January 2009 (EST)

Women under the Taliban

2009-01-07T00:37:08Z

AmeliaJ: /* External Links */ Added caiegory's.

'''Women under the Taliban''' were extremely oppressed. It is one of the few cases of true sexism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rawa.org/rawa.html|title=RAWA, about us.|language=English.|accessdate=2009-01-06}}</ref>

==Dress Code==
Women under the Taliban were not allowed to go outside without a [[burqa]] on<ref name="Marsden"/> and not allowed to wear brightly colored clothing as it might be viewed as sexually attractive (according to the Taliban)<ref name="islamfortoday1"/>.

==Education==
Women and were forbidden to study or to be educated after the age of eight. And until the age of eight were only permitted to study the [[Qur'an]]. There were underground schools to teach women and girls such as the "Golden Needle Sewing School", if caught, the teachers in the school faced execution.<ref name=Synovitz>Synovitz, Ron. [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticleprint/2004/03/176a7386-97d6-4f9b-bec7-b403f88633cc.html "Afghanistan: Author Awaits Happy Ending To 'Sewing Circles Of Herat'"], ''Radio Free Europe'', March 31, 2004.</ref>

==Employment==
Women were not allowed to work at all<ref name="Gohari"/>. The only women exempt from this were women in the health care field. The women that still worked in the health care field's however, worked under very deprived conditions<ref name="Marsden"/>.

==Mobility==
Women were forbidden to go outside there homes of use public transportation without a male relative to chaperon them.
Girls in a female run orphanige (the female staff were let go) were not allowed outside for a year for recration or play<ref name="Marsden"/>. Women were also ban from rideing motercycles and bike's evan with there male relitive present. There were segrgated bus's to prevent men and women from riding to the same bus<ref name="rawa1"/>.

==Health Care==
Male doctors were no longer allowed to treat women, as they prevosly had<ref name="Latifa">Latifa ''My forbidden face: Growing up under the Taliban''. UK: Virago Press pp29-107.</ref>. Some women established infromal "clinic's" in there home<ref name="Latifa"/>. There was only one hospital thet women could attend<ref name="Rashid" p.71/>.

==Punishment==
The Taliban often froced extream punishemt on women during there rign. Some examlpes are:
*In October of 1996 a woman had the tip of her finger cut off for waring nail varnish.
*When the Taliban raided the house of a woman who ran a informal school, they took her children and beat them, threw the woman down a flight of stares (which caused her to break her leg), and then imprisoned her. They also threatened to stone the poor woman to death if she did not sign a "declaration of loyalty" to the Taliban and it's laws.<ref name="Latifa"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External Links==
* [http://www.afghan-web.com/woman The Plight of the Afghan Woman]
* [http://www.rawa.org/index.php Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA)]

[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:Taliban]]
[[Category:Women]]
[[Category:Afghanistan]]

Women under the Taliban

2009-01-07T00:35:11Z

AmeliaJ: /* Mobility */ Removed red link.

Category:Taliban

2009-01-07T00:34:35Z

AmeliaJ: Crated page.

[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:terrorism]]
[[Category:Afghanistan]]

Taliban

2009-01-07T00:33:18Z

AmeliaJ: /* References */ Added catigory.

The '''Taliban''' (literally, "students") are a fanatically intolerant [[Islam]]ic [[fundamentalist]] movement which exercised rule over most of [[Afghanistan]] from 1996 until 2001, when [[United States]] forces invaded Afghanistan and overthrew them.<ref> Retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely said, "We took down the Taliban in the fall of 2001, in 34 days with 100 men." [http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080303/NATION/250209854/1001&template=nextpage] </ref>
The Taliban allowed [[al-Qaeda]] (a militant [[Sunni]] Islamist organization) use of Afghan territory to plot, train, and conduct terrorist activities across sovereign international borders.

The Taliban fighters were educated in "madrassahs" (religious schools) in Pakistan, and many of them have Pakistani nationality. Education in a "madrassah" requires unquestioning subservience to the will of Allah and the immediate readiness to engage in a religious war ("Jihad") if required by an appropriate religious authority.

The Taliban had close links to separatist terrorists in Chechnya, and this resulted in two bloody wars since 1994, as the [[Russian]] government fought to suppress the terrorists. Chechen terrorists also fought for the Taliban against U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The Chechens also had links to [[Al Qaeda]].<ref>http://muslimvillage.net/story.php?id=370</ref>

The Taliban retain control of substantial tracts of Afghanistan to this day, and continue to co-ordinate attacks against the Afghan government and supporting coalition forces. Many of the Taliban leaders and foot-solders are now believed to be based in [[Pakistan]] where they can launch attacks into Afghanistan or train for attacks elsewhere<ref>http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/07/terror-commande.html</ref>.

Taliban rule was characterized by a fanatical intolerance for other religions, and women could not be educated or attend most hospitals. They required all men to grow beards and banned television along with all forms of imagery, music and sports, resulting in Afganistan being suspended from the 2000 Olympics.

According to the ''International Socialist Review'', the Taliban started as the one of the armed Afghan factions funded by the [[CIA]] during the Afghan conflict against Soviet Union.<ref>http://www.isreview.org/issues/20/ahmed_afghanistan.shtml</ref>

It is however well-known that the USA had backed the battle-hardened "Mujahedin" against the former Soviet Union. The majority of what is today known as the Taliban were infants when the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan ended.

According to the BBC:
*the Taliban were strongly against [[drugs]];
* since their overthrow [[heroin]] production in Afghanistan has increased massively and the country is now once again the world's largest producer<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2814861.stm</ref><ref>http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/76421.html</ref>

According to the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report:
* the Taleban had cut Afghanistan's heroin production by about 95%, but
* heroin had "financed the former Taleban regime". <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2814861.stm</ref>

==Women under the Taliban==

See: [[Women under the Taliban]]

The Taliban were extremely sexist. Women were not allowed to go outside or use public transportation with out a male relative, had to wear a [[burqa]] when they did go out, were not allowed to wear makeup or nail polish, and were not allowed to go to school. They were also not allowed to go to most hospitals when needed.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Political Movements]]
[[category:terrorism]]
[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:Taliban]]

Talk:Women under the Taliban

2009-01-07T00:27:21Z

AmeliaJ: Posted/crated talk page.

Hi. I, [[User:AmeliaJ|AmeliaJ]], crated this article on [[Tuesday]], [[January]] 6th, 2009. --[[User:AmeliaJ|AmeliaJ]] 19:27, 6 January 2009 (EST)

Women under the Taliban

2009-01-07T00:25:08Z

AmeliaJ: Crated article.

'''Women under the Taliban''' were extremely oppressed. It is one of the few cases of true sexism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rawa.org/rawa.html|title=RAWA, about us.|language=English.|accessdate=2009-01-06}}</ref>

==Dress Code==
Women under the Taliban were not allowed to go outside without a [[burqa]] on<ref name="Marsden"/> and not allowed to wear brightly colored clothing as it might be viewed as sexually attractive (according to the Taliban)<ref name="islamfortoday1"/>.

==Education==
Women and were forbidden to study or to be educated after the age of eight. And until the age of eight were only permitted to study the [[Qur'an]]. There were underground schools to teach women and girls such as the "Golden Needle Sewing School", if caught, the teachers in the school faced execution.<ref name=Synovitz>Synovitz, Ron. [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticleprint/2004/03/176a7386-97d6-4f9b-bec7-b403f88633cc.html "Afghanistan: Author Awaits Happy Ending To 'Sewing Circles Of Herat'"], ''Radio Free Europe'', March 31, 2004.</ref>

==Employment==
Women were not allowed to work at all<ref name="Gohari"/>. The only women exempt from this were women in the health care field. The women that still worked in the health care field's however, worked under very deprived conditions<ref name="Marsden"/>.

==Mobility==
Women were forbidden to go outside there homes of use public transportation without a male relative to [[chaperon]] them.
Girls in a female run orphanige (the female staff were let go) were not allowed outside for a year for recration or play<ref name="Marsden"/>. Women were also ban from rideing motercycles and bike's evan with there male relitive present. There were segrgated bus's to prevent men and women from riding to the same bus<ref name="rawa1"/>.

==Health Care==
Male doctors were no longer allowed to treat women, as they prevosly had<ref name="Latifa">Latifa ''My forbidden face: Growing up under the Taliban''. UK: Virago Press pp29-107.</ref>. Some women established infromal "clinic's" in there home<ref name="Latifa"/>. There was only one hospital thet women could attend<ref name="Rashid" p.71/>.

==Punishment==
The Taliban often froced extream punishemt on women during there rign. Some examlpes are:
*In October of 1996 a woman had the tip of her finger cut off for waring nail varnish.
*When the Taliban raided the house of a woman who ran a informal school, they took her children and beat them, threw the woman down a flight of stares (which caused her to break her leg), and then imprisoned her. They also threatened to stone the poor woman to death if she did not sign a "declaration of loyalty" to the Taliban and it's laws.<ref name="Latifa"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External Links==
* [http://www.afghan-web.com/woman The Plight of the Afghan Woman]
* [http://www.rawa.org/index.php Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA)]

Taliban

2009-01-06T23:44:29Z

AmeliaJ: Added section "Women under the Taliban."

Same-sex marriage

2009-01-06T23:36:34Z

AmeliaJ: removed red link and added "morality".

'''Same-sex "marriage"''' is at the forefront of the [[gay rights movement]]'s attempt to destroy the [[family]] as institution, merely to secure a legal basis for [[sexual freedom]].
United States law forbids any kind of marriage other than "one man, one woman". This specifically rules out [[polygamy]].<ref> There are also laws to protect children from being exploited (see [[statutory rape]], incest, [[child molesting]]).</ref> These laws enshrine the scriptural teachings of [[Christianity]] and have the support of [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]].

The primary purpose of marriage is to bring joy to society as much as to safeguard the development of happy families. It is not for individual glory. Unrelated people living together (in sin) make each other miserable and harm society. The battle over this issue is starting to look as large as the fight over slavery in 1860, [http://www.newsweek.com/id/172653/page/1] with proponents of individual freedom claiming that the rights of any one citizen must always trump those of society.

__TOC__
==Morality==
Social conservatives regard same-sex marriage as immoral, and argue that use of the word "[[marriage]]" is a misnomer, because the [[Form of Solemnization of Matrimony|marriage services]] of Christian denominations define marriage as the union of a man and a woman,<ref>E.g. In some Christian marriage ceremonies,the wedding will begin with a statement along the lines of: "Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony." ''The Book of Common Prayer,'' Episcopal Church, The Church Hymnal Corporation and the Seabury Press, 1979: "The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage," p. 423</ref> a definition which was also written into United States federal law in 1996.<ref>[http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode01/usc_sec_01_00000007----000-.html US Code - Title 1, section 7]</ref>

Dr. [[James Dobson]]'s [[Focus on the Family]] organization prefers the phrase ''same-sex 'marriage,''' with quotation marks around the word ''marriage,'' to call attention to his belief that marriage—civil as well as religious—is intrinsically a union between a man and a woman, and that he therefore believes that same-sex unions are "counterfeits."<ref>[http://www.family.org/socialissues/A000000464.cfm Same-Sex 'Marriage' and Civil Unions], ''Focus on the Family's'' website</ref>

Abuse of the term was unheard of a few decades ago; however, these unions are now among a number of issues advocated by [[liberal]] activists. In the United States, marriage is primarily governed by each individual state and marriage laws differ from state to state. Several states allow [[civil union]]s between two people of the same sex, and two, Massachusetts and [[Connecticut]] currently issue same-sex marriage licenses. These marriage licenses are not recognized by the Federal government.

== Background ==
In 1996 Congress recognized the likelihood that [[liberal]] activists would soon seek changes to the laws in some states that pertain to homosexuals. It considered the possibility of test cases reaching the Supreme Court, and of the court conceivably ruling that a state—even though it prohibits same-sex marriage itself—must honor same-sex marriages performed in another state. The Defense of Marriage act, which was passed and signed by President Clinton, prevents this possibility, and also prevents the Federal Government from recognizing marriage as anything other than a union between a man and a woman.

In 1999 a Vermont court ruled that under its constitution, it was not required to allow same-sex marriage but was required to make provisions to grant same-sex couples legal rights identical to those provided by marriage. Vermont responded by creating "civil unions," which are legally distinct from marriages but convey the same rights. As of 2007, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Maine also provide civil unions or "domestic partnerships." Beginning in 2008, the states of Washington, Oregon, and New Hampshire will also provide same-sex unions. Hawaii provides certain benefits to same sex couples. <ref>[http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--civilunions-optio0531may31,0,341613.story?coll=ny-region-apconnecticut Newsday]</ref> In 2003 the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that under Massachusetts' constitution, same-sex couples could not be denied Massachusetts marriage licenses, making Massachusetts the first state to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Some same-sex marriage privileges are also legal in [[Connecticut]].<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081010/ap_on_re_us/connecticut_same_sex_marriage Conn. high court rules gay couples can marry]</ref> [[California]] has repealed same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage is legal in five countries: [[South Africa]], [[Spain]], [[Canada]], the [[Netherlands]] and [[Belgium]]. Other countries, such as [[France]], [[Germany]], and the [[United Kingdom]], recognize [[civil unions]] and [[domestic partnership]]s.<ref>[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-03/05/content_311998.htm Countries worldwide address gay marriage]</ref>

The religious ceremony of marriage is governed by each denomination and is unaffected by laws passed by civil authority. Same-sex marriage is forbidden in Orthodox Judaism, Catholicism, and most mainstream Protestant denominations. In Massachusetts, however, about 6% of all marriages are same-sex marriages, so this does not appear to be a problem. <ref>[http://www.massequality.org/news/news_story.php?id=273]</ref><ref>http://www.pdfdownload.org/pdf2html/pdf2html.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fnchs%2Fdata%2Fnvss%2Fmarriage90_04.pdf&images=yes</ref>

Public attitude toward same-sex marriage parallels attitude toward homosexuality. In general, it is opposed by social conservatives and outside of this group, support is split down the middle leaning to opposition.<ref>[http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Relationships/same_sex_marriage_poll_040121.html Same Sex Marriage Poll from ABC News]</ref>

== Issues ==
[[Image:Cycle.gif|thumbnail|200px|right|A recent study by the [[Canada|Canadian]] government states that "violence was twice as common among homosexual couples compared with [[heterosexual]] couples".<ref>http://www.statcan.ca/english/research/85-570-XIE/2006001/findings/risk.htm Aforementioned Canadian Study.</ref>]]
[[James Dobson]] cites Stanley Kurtz to argue that the motivation of those advocating same-sex marriage is not to secure the benefits of marriage for gay couples, but to destroy the institution of marriage itself:
:...most gays and lesbians do not want to marry each other. That would entangle them in all sorts of legal constraints. Who needs a lifetime commitment to one person? The intention here is to destroy marriage altogether. With marriage as we know it gone, everyone would enjoy all the legal benefits of marriage (custody rights, tax-free inheritance, joint ownership of property, health care and spousal citizenship, etc.,) without limiting the number of partners or their gender. Nor would "couples" be bound to each other in the eyes of the law. This is clearly where the movement is headed.<ref>Stanley Kurtz, "Beyond Marriage," The Weekly Standard, August 4/August 11, 2003. - cited in [http://www.focusonthefamily.com/docstudy/newsletters/A000000771.cfm Marriage on the Ropes], Dr. James Dobson, retrieved from ''Focus on the Family'', 15 May 2007. </ref>

According to a March, 2007 report, there are 65,000 adopted children in the U.S. being raised by same-sex couples. The same report says 14,100 foster children were being raised by one or more gay or lesbian foster parents.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/25/gay.adoption/index.html Gay adoption: A new take on the American family]</ref>

In Great Britain, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has expressed its full support to the stand taken by the Catholic Church opposing regulations on gay adoption. The Catholic Church sought to be exempt from the new law. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams of the Church of England, supports the Catholic Church's efforts declaring that the rights of conscience cannot be subject to laws. Catholic leaders have already said that its teachings prevent its agencies placing children with homosexuals and they will have to close if bound by the rules. The MCB, the UK's leading Muslim umbrella group embracing over 400 affiliated organizations, said that while it supported anti-discrimination laws, homosexuality is forbidden in Islam. <ref>[http://www2.irna.com/en/news/view/menu-234/0701266670200554.htm UK Muslim group backs Christian opposition to gay adoption rules London], Islamic republic News Agency, Jan 26, 2007.</ref>

Studies indicate that homosexual couples have higher rates of promiscuity than heterosexual couples. Allowing gays to marry would make gays seek more partners. In addition, studies report that [[Homosexual Couples and Domestic Violence|homosexual couples have significantly higher incidences of violent behavior]].{{fact}} These studies are not surprising given what pathologists have stated regarding the [[Homosexuality and Murders|commonness and brutality of homosexual murders]]. The prevalence of violence and emotional abuse in gay domestic partnerships.A particularly worrisome factor among [[gay rights]] [[activist]]s is One survey found 53% of gays felt if the high incidence of violence against partners in homosexual relationships was known and understood by the heterosexual population, it would hinder the drive for gay rights.{{fact}}

Domestic abuse is divided into two categories, emotional abuse and physical abuse. While gay domestic abuse has not been studied to the extent that heterosexual relationships have, [[Homosexual Couples and Domestic Violence|preliminary studies indicate a much higher level of abuse]].

One type of emotional abuse--threatening to "out" a partner to family, friends, or employers--is unique to homosexual relationships. Legalization of so-called "gay marriage" still would not end this type of abuse. Although communication between married partners would be classified as privileged and any given partner would be legally obligated to refuse to disclose information without the consent of his/his mate <ref>Privileged Communication, Glossary of Legal Terms, Child Welfare Manual. http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=2&oi=define&q=http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/info/cwmanual/section7/glossary/pq.htm&usg=AFQjCNFJEcaFZh0PuFiqrbUh2JyAUhD_yA</ref>, anonymous leaking to the media has been known to happen and the prospect of suffering a "Haggardesque" <ref>Media Crossed the Line in Haggard Outing, Thursday November 20, 2008. http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/opinion_columnists/article/0,2777,DRMN_23972_5152861,00.html</ref> fate is sufficient to allow manipulative tactics such as blackmail.

==See also==
*[[Intimate Partner Violence]]

==Reference==
{{reflist|2}}

==External Links==
*[http://www.nogaymarriage.com/tenarguments.asp Gay Marriage: Why Would It Affect Me? Ten Arguments Against Same Sex Marriage], NoGayMarriage.com

[[Category:Homosexual Agenda]]

Ex-homosexuals

2009-01-06T20:37:38Z

AmeliaJ: Rv.

{{homosexuality}}
[[Image:St Paul Preaching.jpg|left|thumb|200px|St. [[Paul]] defends his preaching (Giovanni Ricco)]]
In regards to the question of whether or not [[homosexuality]] is a permanent condition, one of the earliest historical records regarding of the existence of [[ex-homosexuals]] is a letter of the [[Paul|Apostle Paul]] to the [[Corinth]]ian [[Christianity|Christian]] church.

The Apostle Paul wrote the following:
{{cquote|Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were [[Justification (theology)|justified]] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." - I Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)}}

Today people still report leaving homosexuality and becoming heterosexual through their [[Christianity|Christian]] faith.<ref name="wnd">[http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56481 'Gay'-rights leader quits homosexuality - Rising star in movement says God liberated him from lifestyle]</ref><ref name="bp19650">http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=19650</ref><ref>http://www.cwfa.org/articles/4216/CFI/cfreport/index.htm</ref><ref name="venus">http://www.venusmagazine.org/cover_story.html</ref><ref>http://www.witnessfortheworld.org/blkexgbks.html</ref> <ref>http://www.frontlinemin.org/wasgay.asp</ref><ref>http://www.charismamag.com/display.php?id=9019</ref><ref>http://www.apocalipsis.org/testimony.htm</ref><ref>http://www.baylor.edu/lariat/news.php?action=story&story=13784</ref>
[[Image:6a00cdf3a9bf0ecb8f00cd973c56934cd5-500pi.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|Ex-Homosexual and ex-"gay rights" leader [[Michael Glatze]] speaking to the mother of [[Matthew Shepard]].]]

[[Peter LaBarbera]] is the President of [[Americans for Truth]] which is a organization which counters the [[homosexual agenda]]. LaBarbera stated the following regarding Christian ex-homosexuals who reported being transformed by the power of God:
{{cquote|Another factor from my experience as a close observer of the “ex-gay” phenomenon is that many former homosexuals do not linger in “[[reparative therapy]]” programs, or participate in them at all. They attribute their dramatic and (relatively) rapid transformation to the power of God, and likely would not show up in a study of this kind. In fact, these “unstudied” overcomers would appear to be the most successful ex-homosexuals because they’ve moved on with their lives — as “reborn” Christians move on after overcoming any besetting sin.<ref>http://www.americansfortruth.com/news/landmark-study-change-for-homosexuals-is-possible.html</ref>}}

In regards to Peter LaBarbera's statement above regarding [[Overcoming Homosexuality|overcoming homosexuality]], in 1980 a study was published in the ''American Journal of Psychiatry'' and eleven men participated in this study. The aforementioned study stated that eleven homosexual men became heterosexuals "without explicit treatment and/or long-term psychotherapy" through their participation in a [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] church.<ref>E.M. Pattison and M.L. Pattison, "'Ex-Gays': Religiously Mediated Change in Homosexuals," American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 137, pp. 1553-1562, 1980</ref> The results of this study are not surprising since Christian faith has shown itself to be effective in combating drug addiction. For example, Christian group [[Teen Challenge]] reported the following:
{{Cquote|Teen Challenge claims of a 70% cure rate for the drug addicts graduating from their program attracted the attention of the U.S. Federal Government in 1973. Most secular drug rehabilitation programs only experienced a cure rate of 1-15% of their graduates. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, funded the first year of this study to evaluate the long term results of the Teen Challenge program.<ref>http://teenchallengeusa.com/studies2.php</ref>}}

Teen Challenge has a number of studies that indicate the high effectiveness of their drug treatment program compared to other programs.<ref>http://teenchallengeusa.com/studies.php</ref>

Dr. Neil Whitehead is a research scientist and [[biochemistry|biochemist]] from [[New Zealand]] and his wife Briar Whitehead is a writer.<ref>[http://www.narth.com/docs/mygenes.html Book Review: My Genes Made Me Do It: A Scientific Look at Sexual Orientation
by Neil and Briar Whitehead]</ref> Dr. Whitehead coauthored a book with with his wife entitled ''My Genes Made Me Do it - a scientific look at sexual orientation'' which argues that there is no [[gene]]tic determinism in regards to homosexuality (homosexuals are "not born that way") and that there is abundant documentation that individuals are able to leave homosexuality and become heterosexuals.<ref>http://www.mygenes.co.nz/download.htm</ref>

Dr. Whitehead and Briar Whitehead state in their aforementioned book the following regarding [[Homosexuality Research|studies involving homosexuals]] becoming ex-homosexuals:
{{cquote|The sexology literature reports a huge number of examples of change of all degrees from homosexuality to or toward heterosexuality. These studies have been so numerous that West (a gay man) in 1977 took an entire chapter in his classic book, Homosexuality Re-examined, to review them, and commented: “Although some militant homosexuals find such claims improbable and unpalatable, authenticated accounts have been published of apparently exclusive and long-standing homosexuals unexpectedly changing their orientation.”

West mentions one man who was exclusively homosexual for eight years, then became heterosexual... (notice that there is no reference)

Another well known author in the field, Hatterer (notice the lack of a first name), who believes in sexual orientation change, said, “I’ve heard of hundreds of ...(notice the dot dot dot) men who went from a homosexual to a heterosexual adjustment on their own.”<ref>[http://www.mygenes.co.nz/Ch12.pdf From the book My Genes Made Me Do it - a scientific look at sexual orientation by Dr Neil Whitehead and Briar Whitehead -Chapter 12]</ref>}}

The classic biblical commentator [[Matthew Henry]] wrote the following regarding the forgiveness and [[sanctification]] in Christ for those who [[repentance|repent]] of the above sins listed in the letter of Paul to the Corinthians (which includes the sin of homosexuality):
{{cquote|How glorious a change does grace make! It changes the vilest of men into saints and the children of [[God]]. Such were some of you, but you are not what you were. You are washed, you are sanctified, you are [[Justification (theology)|justified]] in the name of [[Jesus Christ|Christ]], and by the [[Holy Spirit|Spirit of our God]]. Note, The wickedness of men before conversion is no bar to their [[regeneration]] and reconciliation to God. The blood of Christ, and the washing of regeneration, can purge away all guilt and defilement. Here is a rhetorical change of the natural order: You are sanctified, you are justified. Sanctification is mentioned before justification: and yet the name of Christ, by which we are justified, is placed before the Spirit of God, by whom we are sanctified. Our justification is owing to the merit of Christ; our sanctification to the operation of the [[Holy Spirit|Spirit]]: but both go together.<ref>http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/1Cr/1Cr006.html</ref>}}

[[Lesbianism|Female homosexuals]] and male homosexuals who leave homosexuality and become ex-homosexuals are often referred to as "ex-gays" and the [[Ex-Gay Movement|ex-gay movement]] became well known in the [[United States]] in the 1970s.<ref name="xtoday">http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/october/6.48.html</ref>
==Ex-Homosexual Quotes==
[[Image:Schnieders.jpg‎|thumb|225px|[[Yvette Cantu Schneider]] and family]]
*Homosexuality is death, and I choose life. - Ex-Homosexual and ex-"gay rights" leader [[Michael Glatze]] <ref name="wnd" />

*I came out of homosexuality after a powerful encounter with [[Jesus Christ]] and a desire to serve and obey Him. I can say with complete honesty that I NEVER have homosexual desires of any sort - physical or emotional. - Ex-[[Lesbianism|lesbian]] [[Yvette Cantu Schneider]]<ref>[http://americansfortruth.com/news/ex-lesbian-yvette-schneider-testifies-to-complete-and-permanent-change.html Ex-Lesbian Yvette Schneider Testifies to ‘Complete’ and Permanent Change]</ref>
===Testimony of Charlene Cothran===
In regards to female homosexuals leaving homosexuality, below is the tesimony ex-lesbian [[Charlene Cothran]]:
{{cquote|Over the past 29 years of my life I have been an aggressive, creative and strategic supporter of gay and lesbian issues. I’ve organized and participated in countless marches and various lobbying efforts in the fight for equal treatment of gay men and lesbians. I have kept current on the issues and made financial contributions to those organizations doing work about which I was most passionate.

As the publisher of a 13 year old periodical which targets Black gays and lesbians, I have had the opportunity to publicly address thousands, influencing closeted people to ‘come out’ and stand up for them selves, which is particularly difficult in the African-American community.

But now, I must come out of the closet again. I have recently experienced the power of change that came over me once I completely surrendered to the teachings of Jesus Christ. As a believer of the word of God, I fully accept and have always known that same-sex relationships are not what God intended for us.<ref name="venus" />}}

==2006 Survey Finds Men Seek to Become Ex-homosexuals Often Do So to Heal Emotional Pain or For Spiritual Reasons==
A 2006 survey finds men [http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jul/06071302.html seek to leave homosexual lifestyle to heal emotional pain and for spiritual reasons rather than outside pressure.] In addition, there is [[Homosexuality and Mental Health|other data]] that supports the above 2006 survey findings.

==Reparative Therapy==
In regards to studies regarding homosexuals becoming ex-homosexuals, on September 13, 2007 [[Christianity Today]] published an article entitled ''An Older Wiser Ex-Gay Movement'' and below is an excerpt from that article which focuses on [[Reparative Therapy|reparative therapy]]:
{{cquote|Since its beginnings in the 1970s, the ex-gay movement has engaged gay advocates in a battle of testimonies. Transformed ex-gay leaders are the best argument for their movement. Likewise, those who've left the ex-gay movement in despair and disgust are the best counterargument. The debate continued this June, when Exodus International held its 32nd annual conference in Irvine, California, featuring dozens of speakers and seminar leaders who have quit homosexuality. Down the road outside the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, a news conference featured three former Exodus leaders saying "ex-gay" is a delusion.

New research may change the terms of debate. Psychologists Stanton Jones of Wheaton College and Mark Yarhouse of [[Regent University]] released today a book detailing their findings from the first three years of an ongoing study. They are investigating participants in 16 different ex-gay programs associated with Exodus, the largest ex-gay ministry group.<ref name="xtoday" />}}

The study started out with 98 people with 72 of them being men and 26 of them being women.<ref name="bp26429">http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=26429</ref> Some of the participants quit the study because they believe they had positively changed and didn't see a need to continue while others quit because they decided they didn't want to change from a homosexual to a ex-homosexual. <ref name="bp26429" /> As a result, 73 subjects completed the study.<ref name="bp26429" />

According to the Baptist Press (notice the fair and balanced resource) here are the results: 15 percent of subjects experienced substantial change; "23 percent said their conversion was successful and that homosexual attraction was either missing or "present only incidentally or in a way that does not seem to bring about distress." They were labeled "success: chastity."; 29 percent of subjects experienced modest success; 15 percent of subjects experienced no change and were undecided about what to do next; "4 percent had not changed and had quit the change process, but had not embraced the "gay identity."; "8 percent had not changed, had quit the process and had embraced the "gay identity."; and malfunctions in the taping of the interviews accounts for the remaining 5 percent. <ref name="bp26429" />

Previously, Dr. [[Robert Spitzer]] published a study in the journal ''Archives of Sexual Behavior'' performed using reparative therapy had some subjects experiencing change.<ref>http://www.narth.com/docs/evidencefound.html</ref>
===Conservative Criticism of Reparative Therapy===
Although many conservatives approve of reparative therapy there are many that do not which will be elaborated on shortly. Conservative Christians believe that a homosexual can choose to become an ex-homosexual, however, the point of difference is whether it was chosen in the first place. The Pew Research Center states the following regarding Americans' views on how homosexuality first originates:
{{cquote|Asked why some people are homosexual, 42% say it is "just the way that some people prefer to live," compared with 30% who think homosexuality is something people are born with and 14% who believe it develops because of the way people are brought up. The view that homosexuality is innate is more prevalent now than in 1985, when 20% believed that homosexuality is something people are born with.<ref>http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?PageID=764</ref>}}

Author and ex-lesbian Alma Kramer takes the position that [[Homosexuality and Choice|homosexuality is a sin and sin is a choice]] when she wrote the following:
{{cquote|I made a choice in my life that put me in bondage for 20 years. While it is true that there were certain things in my childhood that happened or didn't happen that influenced my choice, I still made a choice.

I Corinthians 6:9-11 proves that sin is a choice and that you can change. The New International version says, "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." WOW!! I am so glad we can change. I can remember the time when I thought that there was no way out.<ref>http://www.setfree1.com/2.html</ref>}}

Dr. [[James Dobson]] and other advocates of reparative therapy do not believe that homosexuality first originates as a result of choice.<ref>http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/20061125_james_dobson_identifies_homosexuality/</ref>

==Oprah Winfrey and the Claim of "Born Gay"==
Pastor [[Darryl L. Foster]] of [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]], a former homosexual, states the following regarding Oprah Winfrey and the issue of people supposedly being "[[Homosexuality and Genetics|born homosexuals]]":
{{cquote|On thing we have learned about homosexuality: it produces acute rudis indigestaque moles in some people. When Heche and Degeneres appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss their newfound relationship, Heche stunned everyone (including Oprah) by stating, "I was not gay before I met her." You know Oprah; she was just going to be Color Purple honest. "That confuses me," she quickly confessed. Considering the amount of time and energy gay activists put into pressing "born gay" templates, I'm sure that's not exactly what Oprah was expecting to hear. She was so baffled by the remark that she dedicated her next show to whether or not gays can change....

Heche has now chosen to be heterosexual and to prove it she got married on last Thursday to Coleman Laffron, a Hollywood cameraman she met while working on a project with then lover Ellen. Was she secretly dreaming of a white, heterosexual Christmas while she was with Ellen? If she was, then can we theorize that many gay people really do want to be straight, but just haven't found the right cameraman/woman yet?<ref>http://ww.witnessministries.homestead.com/cm14.html</ref>}}

==Ex-Homosexuals and Former Sexual Abuse==
The are studies which suggest that <s>[[Sexual Abuse Being a Contributing Factor for Homosexuality|homosexuals are sexually abused disproportionately in their childhood compared to heterosexuals]]</s> This was later found to be false, as it has been <s>recently proven</s> known for quite some time that sexual orientation is genetic and inherent, and homosexuals should be accepted as creations in the image of God just like everyone else. Period. Dr. Whitehead and Briar Whitehead state in their previously mentioned book:
{{cquote|“Ex-gay” support groups...report that between 50 percent and 60 percent of homosexual men coming for help have been abused sexually. This is confirmed by various researchers.... Ex-gay groups report high levels of male sexual abuse (up to 85 percent) in female homosexuals who come for help.<ref>[http://www.mygenes.co.nz/Ch3.pdf From the book My Genes Made Me Do it - a scientific look at sexual orientation by Dr Neil Whitehead and Briar Whitehead - Chapter 3]</ref>}}

==Religious Liberty Versus Exgayphobia==
[[Image: PstrDLF1.jpg‎|thumbnail|225px|right|Pastor [[Darryl L. Foster]]]]
Pastor [[Darryl L. Foster]], a former homosexual, states the following regarding Christian ex-homosexuals and their duty to speak out:
{{cquote|We can step out and advocate for our beliefs (which is our right as taxpaying citizens) or we can remain silent and hidden, thereby giving credence to a false idea that there are no former homosexuals. The problem with the last option is our spiritual mandate to share our faith and our experience of change to the glory of God. In the church, we have yet to adopt a unified expression which identifies us in a non threatening way.<ref>[http://www.witnessfortheworld.org/xgay.html Understanding Exgay: People or Politics?]</ref>}}

The African American ex-homosexual Christian ministry of [[Witness for the World]] states the following in a press release:
{{cquote|Gay activist, Wayne Besen, who suddenly found himself at the epicenter of a new career playing CIA with the lives of formerly gay men and women, says the book which features first person testimonies by former homosexuals urges gays to “go back into the closet.”....

“Wayne Besen is the nation’s foremost carrier of a debilitating social disease I call exgayphobia," said Pastor Darryl Foster of Atlanta. “It seems his entire life has been consumed by a fear that Americans will hear the true stories of change by former homosexuals like myself and bring an end to his phobic-laden gravy train.”

Foster, who wrote the foreword to Closing the Closet heads Powerful Change Ministry Group International, a fellowship of 14 national and international ministries to homosexuals in communities of color who seek change from unwanted homosexuality...<ref name="witness">http://www.witnessfortheworld.org/pr091004.html</ref>}}

The Witness for the World Press release also states regarding homosexual activists Wayne Besen the following:
{{cquote|“This man is borderline lunatic, he has become so obsessed in his fear,” said Foster. “If the book is about exgays, why would you use anyone else but an exgay? Besen should know better. As a Jew, he should know that the Nazis hated the testimonies of the Jews who escaped from the death camps. Their first hand testimonies of the atrocities heaped upon them were the only links the world had to the truth. Likewise, our stories and experiences as homosexuals are true. We tell them because we want people to know what happened to us, how we escaped and what others can do to get out. It’s absolutely ludicrous for Besen to say that my story is a lie when I am the one who lived it. He seems to have forgotten his own history.”

Exgayphobic homosexuals like Besen fear that the message of exgays, when it finally reaches the average American will make sense and people will support the choice for change for homosexuals. What that means says Foster is that the grinding money machine mental health professionals have been making off victimized gays for decades will come to a screeching halt. Besen is simply a cog in that well oiled wheel. For such professionals who give big money to homosexual rights organizations in exchange for their "professional" opinions about homosexuals, keeping exgays silent and hidden has become an obsession.<ref name="witness" />}}

==Ex-Homosexuals and the Documentary "I Do Exist"==
The Baptist Press wrote the following regarding the ex-homosexual documentary "I Do Exist":
{{cquote|Can homosexuals change? A new documentary says "yes" and includes interviews with people who say they've made the switch.

The 48-minute video, dubbed "I Do Exist," is intended for use as a discussion-starter in churches, schools and universities. It includes the stories of five homosexuals -- three women and two men -- who once were involved in homosexuality but are now heterosexual. Along the way, psychologists and psychiatrists give their thoughts as to why they believe change is possible.<ref name="bp19650" />}}
==Supporters of Homosexuality Are Doing Harm==
Pastor [[Darryl L. Foster]], a former homosexual, states the supporters of homosexuality are doing harm:
{{cquote|As I have said many times before gays and their lovestruck supporters are masters at changing and refining everything that convicts them. This is no surprise as the [[Apostle Paul]] taught us that they would even redefine the very image of God. They need a "god" who is "okay" with their wayward and disobedient sexuality. Flunder works hard to help people kick the drug habit, yet hypocritically allows gays and lesbians to continue in a [[Homosexuality and Health|proven path of destructive living]].<ref>http://www.witnessfortheworld.org/cm21.html</ref>}}
==Regarding Ex-Homosexuals Falling Back Into Homosexuality==
[[Image:Peter.jpg|right|thumb|150px|[[Peter LaBarbera]]]]
[[Peter LaBarbera]] states the following regarding ex-homosexuals falling back into homosexuality:
{{cquote|To homosexual and gender-bending activists, any ex-”gay” testimony threatens their central propaganda myth that some people are intrinsically (born) “gay,” bisexual or “transgender.” Some homosexual activists like Wayne Besen and the fellows at “Ex-Gay Watch” have dedicated themselves to discrediting ex-”gay” change by hyping the cases of people who have returned back to homosexual behavior. (Yes, change is difficult, but why focus exclusively on failed attempts? Imagine if someone tried to “prove” that overcoming drug addiction was impossible by popularizing only those cases of addicts who tried to go clean but fell back into their drug-abusing lifestyle.)

As you read on, give thanks that high school student “John” was transformed by Jesus Christ (rather than by modern secular psychiatrists) and will not have to suffer the severe emotional confusion and deep loneliness inherent to “transgender” delusion. “John” is truly free now — to experience gratitude for his body, to fall in love with a woman, to enjoy sex in marriage, to accept the natural blessing of children and grandchildren, to worship and serve his God, to know joy.<ref>http://americansfortruth.com/news/why-we-need-americans-for-truth.html</ref>}}

==Hostility Towards Ex-Homosexuals and Ex-Homosexual Groups==
Homosexual activists and [[liberal]]s have become angered in regards to ex-homosexual events and activities. Below are some incidents that have taken place.
===Matt Ott===
In addition, the Center for Reclaiming America cited the following account of how a [[hate crime]] statute was egregiously applied to an ex-homosexual:
{{cquote|In Madison, Wisconsin, a recovered homosexual who had left the “gay” lifestyle to start a family got into a heated discussion with an open homosexual about homosexuality at a gas station. The ex-“gay” man, David Ott, was holding his child in his arms during the entire incident, and neither man touched the other. The homosexual activist later told police he had felt threatened by Ott, and local prosecutors charged the man with “disorderly conduct” with a “hate crimes” enhancement.

The “hate crime” aspect, stemming from Ott’s belief that homosexuality is morally wrong, raised the potential fine from $1,000 to $10,000, and jail time went up from a possible 90 days to one year. Fearing the possibility of substantial jail time, Ott settled, and received 50 hours of community service plus a mandatory attendance at “tolerance” sessions conducted by [[lesbianism|lesbians]] at the [[University of Wisconsin at Madison]]. A ground rule for the session was the premise that homosexual behavior is not immoral.

The entire process cost Ott almost $7,000 in legal fees.<ref>http://test.reclaimamerica.org/PAGES/fastfacts/HateCrimes2.pdf</ref>}}
===Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays (PFOX) - Arlington County Fair Incident===
[[Image:Rev. Louis P. Sheldon Photo.jpg|thumb|right|140px|Reverend [[Louis Sheldon]], Chairman of the [[Traditional Values Coalition]] and author of ''The Agenda: The Homosexual Plan to Change America'']]
The [[Traditional Values Coalition]] reported the following:
{{cquote|Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) hosted a booth at the Arlington County Fair in Arlington, Virginia. PFOX has had an exhibit at this fair for the past four years.

And, every year, intolerant homosexual activists have done everything they could to disrupt PFOX’s display. This year, they screamed obscenities, threw PFOX materials on the ground and demanded that PFOX leave the fair. One PFOX volunteer was hit because he is an ex-homosexual.

Eventually, PFOX had to call in a police officer to eject one activist who was harassing their volunteers. According to PFOX, “This is not the first time that PFOX has had to summon the police for protection from gay activists."<ref>http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=3129</ref>}}

===Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays (PFOX) - Virginia School Counselors Incident ===
The [[Traditional Values Coalition]] also reported the following Incident:
{{cquote|Parents and Friends of Ex-gays and Gays (PFOX) was booted from a Virginia School Counselors Association annual convention last weekend. PFOX had been officially registered at the convention and had set up a booth to distribute materials showing that homosexuals can change.

The head of the counselor’s group asked to meet with PFOX leader Regina Griggs and told her that several of the items in the booth were offensive to school counselors. Among them was NARTH President Dr. Joseph Nicolosi’s book, A Parent’s Guide To Preventing Homosexuality. After offering to remove any offensive materials from the booth, Griggs was told that PFOX should leave anyway because it wasn’t worth their time to only distribute two brochures at the convention.

Griggs told [[WorldNetDaily]]: “Some members didn’t want us there at all. They didn’t want an alternative opinion to the teaching they were having that afternoon.”<ref>http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2666</ref>}}

==Existence of Ex-Homosexuals is an Argument that "Gay Rights" Does Not Achieve Civil Rights Status==
[[Image:Alvedaking.jpg‎|right|thumb|200px|Dr. [[Alveda King]]]]
Dr. [[Alveda C. King]] is the founder of [[King for America]], Inc. which is a faith based organization. <ref name="king">http://www.kingforamerica.com/index.htm</ref> Dr. Alveda C. King is the daughter of the late slain civil rights activist Rev. [[A. D. King]].<ref name="king" />

Dr. Alveda C. King stated the following to the Massachusetts General Assembly regarding the existence of ex-homosexuals is an argument that "gay rights" does not achieve civil rights status:
{{cquote|Thirty-nine years ago, my great-uncle, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., delivered to mindful citizens of America a prophetic dream which envisaged all of this great nation's people living in the full exercise of all rights granted to them by the U.S. Constitution. My forebear's dream was deeply rooted in the American dream wherein the Founders of our Union saw every lawful citizen standing in dignity outfitted by unalienable rights from God to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness free from the tyrannies of personal whim and ideology handed down by kings, dictators, political groups, and yes, some institutions of democratic government....

Yet, there is a larger body of science represented even by the above scientists that agrees that mature behavior patterns rely much more on social shaping and choices than genetic predisposition, such that these behaviors may be successfully modified by a variety of means. The food addict may eat responsibly, the alcoholic may drink responsibly or not at all, and the homosexual may live according to a wide range of choices as well. Thus, binge drinking, overeating, cocaine abuse and other behaviors do not have to be granted public latitude as a matter of right in this great nation. Certainly, these and other mutable behaviors may be practiced; they may be under constitutional protection in fact (under our privacy clauses), but they may not be granted civil rights or public protection.

Again, if behavior or other aspects of personhood may be altered, then those aspects fail to meet civil rights status. Homosexual practice clearly falls into this category. As my mother, Alveda C. King has said, "I have met many ex-homosexuals just as I have met many ex-husbands, ex-wives, ex-drug addicts and ex-lawyers. Yet I have never met an ex-Negro, ex-Caucasian or ex-Native American." The politics of preference does not jibe with civil rights legitimacy...<ref>http://www.kingforamerica.com/jrellis-testimony.htm</ref>}}

==Senator John Kerry Comment Insults Ex-Homosexuals==
[[Image:John-kerry.jpg‎|right|thumb|160px|[[John Kerry]]]]
[[Cybercast News Service]] stated the following regarding Senator [[John Kerry]] comment which insulted ex-Homosexuals:
{{cquote|Sen. John Kerry's declaration Wednesday that homosexuals don't have a choice about their sexual orientation has enraged individuals who identify themselves as "ex-gays."...

Shortly after Kerry made the remark Wednesday, reaction started pouring into [[Warren Throckmorton]], a professor at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. Throckmorton said ex-homosexuals expressed outrage to him about Kerry's comment.

"Kerry's views, unfortunately, present a view of homosexuality that science does not support," Throckmorton said. "Bush, wisely, has reserved judgment and his views are closer to where science has progressed to at this point. I'm concerned that Kerry misled the country."

Throckmorton, considered an authority on sexual orientation research, recently released his own documentary, "I Do Exist," which chronicles the lives of ex-homosexuals.<ref>http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=%5CCulture%5Carchive%5C200410%5CCUL20041015b.html</ref>}}
==Judge Prohibits Public Schools from Implementing Anti-ex-homosexual Curriculum==
The organizaion [[Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays]] (PFOX) reported the following:
{{cquote|Montgomery County, Maryland – A United States District Court has granted the request of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX.org) for a temporary injunction prohibiting the Montgomery County, Maryland public schools from implementing an anti-ex-gay sex ed curriculum.

U.S. District Court Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. ruled that the curriculum threatened PFOX's constitutional rights, including the First Amendment freedom of speech.

In his opinion, Judge Williams noted some of the curriculum's biased statements against ex-gays, including statements claiming that `[t]rying to change one's sexual response to straight or gay is usually unsuccessful,' and that `[i]n fact, it is often societal homophobia that forces people to attempt to change.'<ref>http://www.pfox.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=41&sid=3f6326facd8169669d328749f4c1cbe8</ref>}}

==See Also==
*[[Overcoming Homosexuality]]
*[[Homosexuality and Choice]]
*[[Teen Homosexuality]]
*[[Homosexuality]]
[[Category:Homosexuality]]
[[Category:Ex-Homosexuals]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28799 An article about Ex-Homosexuals

Mystery:Why do people choose homosexuality?

2009-01-06T20:11:43Z

AmeliaJ: /* Liberal Indoctrination */ Added links for public schools.

{{Homosexuality}}
Given that it is known that [[Homosexuality and Choice|homosexuality is a choice]] and that the consequences of this choice are known (and even sometimes acknowledged in the liberal media), why do people choose homosexuality?

== Liberal Indoctrination ==
[[Public schools]] teach in sexual education classes that homosexuality is natural, not a choice, and not wrong. However, this type of education is relatively new (dating back to the 1960's), and does not account for the [[Stonewall riots]].

== Recruitment ==

It is known that, as part of their [[Homosexual agenda|agenda]] homosexuals [[Essay:_Homosexual_recruitment|recruit]] young men to join them.

== Encouragement in college ==
While the emphasis on western humanities is the foundation of a good society, liberal [[Professor values|professors]] may use this as a chance to encourage students to experiment with [[Greek Homosexuality|homosexuality]] as it was practiced in ancient Greece and Rome.

== Rebellion gone wrong ==
As adolescents, many teenagers do stupid things in order to fight their parents. This may be one of those things. In order to fit in with certain peer groups (theater groups are particularly susceptible to this, although not uniquely so), students may declare themselves to be bisexual or gay. They then feel obligated to follow through with these declarations.

[[Category:Mystery]]
[[Category:Homosexuality]]

Category:Head Covering

2009-01-05T23:55:38Z

AmeliaJ: Removed catagory.

[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:Women]]

Category:Head Covering

2009-01-05T23:55:13Z

AmeliaJ: Added catagory's.

[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:Women]]
[[Category:Muslim]]

Burqa

2009-01-05T23:52:41Z

AmeliaJ:

A '''burqa''' is a full-body [[garment]] that has only a mesh-like opening for the face, worn by some [[Muslim]] women.

It is intended to protect women from the gaze of men and men from the temptation of women.

It can also be a statement of [[faith]] and signify a withdrawal from the everyday world.

Although the burqa is not a legal requirement anywhere, some women wear it because their husbands or fathers command them to. On the other hand, some wear it by choice.

[[category:Islam]]
[[category:Women]]
[[category:Head covering]]

Hijab

2009-01-05T23:51:18Z

AmeliaJ: Added catigory.

[[Image:hajib.jpg|right|150px|thumb]]
A '''hijab''' (حجاب) is a headscarf worn by many [[Muslim]] women. The term hijab comes from the Arabic word "''hijaba''," which means to hide from view.

It not only serves to distinguishing them from non-Muslims and to conceal them from public view of males, but it is also a reminder to these women of their Islamic faith. In many of the more traditional Muslim societies, women tend to remain outside the public sphere of men, devoting themselves to child rearing and taking care of the home. Islamic dress is one of many rights granted to Islamic women. Modest clothing is worn in obedience to God and has nothing to do with submissiveness to men.

The practice of hijab among Muslim women is one based on religious doctrine, although the [[Quran]] does not mandate it. Instead, it comes from the Hadith, which reveals the teachings of the Prophet to believers. In one tradition from Hadith, the [[Prophet Muhammad]] is quoted as saying: "...If the woman reaches the age of puberty, no part of her body should be seen but this -- and he pointed to his face and hands."

From these and other references, the vast majority of Muslim scholars and jurists, past and present, have determined that Muslim women's clothing must cover the entire body, with the exception of the face and the hands, and that the attire should not be form fitting, sheer or so eye-catching as to attract undue attention or reveal the shape of the body. There are similar, yet less obvious requirements for a Muslim male's attire. A Muslim man must always be covered from the navel to the knees, and he should similarly not wear tight, sheer, revealing, or eye-catching clothing. In addition, a Muslim man is prohibited from wearing silk clothing or gold jewelry. A Muslim woman may wear silk or gold.

In 2004, [[France]] banned the wearing of the hijab by girls in state schools. In some Muslim countries, such as [[Iran]], it is the state law that all women, even foreigners, must wear the hijab. Some view the hijab as a symbol of Islamic repression against women.

[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:Women]]
[[Category:head covering]]

User talk:Admin

2009-01-05T23:30:06Z

AmeliaJ: /* Could you upload an image??? */ new section

What's with the revert on the Bush article? I don't see how it's possible to make a claim like "notoriously anti-American liberals" without citing it at least. --[[User:John|John]] 23:13, 7 March 2007 (EST)

I was about to take that sentence out. The rest of SouthernMan's edits were OK. [[User:Admin|Admin]] 23:16, 7 March 2007 (EST)

==Problem uploading pictures==
Hey I'm having trouble uploading pictures. I'm getting some really weird errors and I don't think I'm the only one. I'm using Firefox and don't seem to be having similar problems with other wikis if that helps. [[User:Sulgran|Sulgran]] 01:54, 23 March 2007 (EDT)

==Sysop Pledge==

As my good deed of the day I am requesting that you place this template on your userpage. Participating sysops will earn my respect and gratitude. --[[User:BenjaminS|BenjaminS]] 23:52, 12 April 2007 (EDT)

{{Sysop Pledge}}

----

[http://www.conservapedia.com/User:Ray_Martinez]

== Uploading images ==

Hi. I realise I have not been editing here long enough to even consider applying for adminship, however I am finding the inability to upload photos quite a hindrance. Is is possible to have that ability added to my account? Thankyou. --[[User:Hayden5650|Hayden5650]] 07:16, 3 May 2008 (EDT)

== Could you upload an image??? ==

Hello Admin!!! I was wondering if you could upload this image I found at: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Burqa_Afghanistan_01.jpg] to the [[burqa]] article??? I feel that it would really benefit the article, even if the image is on Wikipedia (it was originally on Flickr). The Flickr page is: [http://www.flickr.com/photos/64749744@N00/19456461/]. Hope you can help!!! --[[User:AmeliaJ|AmeliaJ]] 18:30, 5 January 2009 (EST)

Talk:Burqa

2009-01-05T23:21:35Z

AmeliaJ: Posted.

==Image==
Hay, I found this image of a burqa on Wikipedia (I know that some do not like the site). I think that it would be great if someone uploded it. I can's b/c I'm not an administrator. I'll ask around to see if anyone will.

Islam

2009-01-05T23:18:31Z

AmeliaJ: /* Women in Islam */ Am going to crate article on "Burqa".

'''Islam''' is a [[monotheism|monotheistic]] [[Abrahamic religion]] based on the teachings of [[Muhammad]], a seventh century [[Arab]] religious and [[politics|political]] figure. The word "Islam" means "submission [to Allah]" in [[Arabic language|Arabic]].

A follower of Islam is called a Muslim or Moslem, a term which means "one who submits (to God)". The older term [[Mohammedan]] means "follower of Muhammad", and has been used for centuries. Muslims do not use it today to avoid confusing worship of [[Muhammad]] with worship of [[Allah]]<ref>Schimmel, Annemarie. ''Islam: An Introduction''. State University of New York Press, 1992.</ref>. Muslims follow the teaching of Muhammad, whom they believe to be [[God]]'s last and greatest [[prophet]]. The faith teaches that the [[Archangel]] [[Gabriel]] appeared to him.

Muslims believe that God ("Allah", '''الله''' in [[Arabic]]) revealed the [[Qur'an]] (or Koran) to Muhammad and, despite his illiteracy, caused him to transcribe it <ref>Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created- Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood: Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,- He Who taught (the use of) the pen,- Taught man that which he knew not.(Surah 96:1-5)</ref>. The [[Qur'an]] is considered to be the pure and [[holy]] word of God. Like [[Christianity]] and [[Judaism]], Islam originated in the [[Middle East]]. Islam claims to trace its roots back to [[Abraham]]. Muslims do not believe that Muhammad was the founder of Islam, rather that he restored the original faith of Abraham and the prophets, which had been corrupted and/or misinterpreted over time. Based upon this belief, [[the Bible]], [[Old Testament|Old]] and [[New Testament]], is believed to have become corrupted as well.

[[Image:Mecca.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Mecca]], one of the holy cities of Islam.]]
Islam is the second largest religion in the world, with over 1.4 billion followers, the number of Muslims is rapidly growing, mainly due to high birth rates, in both Muslim-majority and other countries . Conversions to Christianity (from ''any'' faith or lack thereof) outnumber those to Islam, but cannot keep up with the birthrate discrepancy.<ref>[http://www.bible.ca/global-religion-statistics-world-christian-encyclopedia.htm World Christian Encyclopedia]</ref>
<ref>[http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles6/AlJazeerahAfrica.php Translation of AL-Jazeerah interview between Maher Abdallah and Shiekh Ahmed Katani]</ref>

Many believe that Islam is currently the greatest threat to [[Christianity]] and [[Christian values]]. <ref>[http://christianblogs.christianet.com/1134840164.htm Is Islam a Threat to Christianity?]</ref><ref>[http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/5/8/183305.shtml Islam's Threat to the West]</ref><ref>[http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/stock/050413 Why Islam Hates Christianity]</ref>

==Historical Background==
According to Islamic belief, in 610 A.D., [[Muhammad]], a 40-year-old merchant of the Quraysh tribe in [[Mecca]], in the Arabian desert (now eastern [[Saudi Arabia]]), was commanded by the angel [[Gabriel]] to "recite" the message of [[Allah]] (Arabic for God). Gabriel said mankind had lost sight of Allah's previous messages to earlier prophets, [[Adam]], [[Noah]], [[Abraham]], [[Moses]], [[Solomon]], and [[Jesus]], among others, and that Muhammad was to spread Allah's message to all people so that mankind would know how to live, how to show respect for Allah, and how to prepare for the judgement day. The message to Muhammad was to be God's last; Muhammad was the "seal of the prophets." Muhammad won some converts to Islam in his local area, but his [[monotheist]] preaching threatened to undermine the profitable [[polytheist]] pilgrim traffic supporting many Meccan merchants. In 622 A.D., the merchants drove Muhammad and his followers out of Mecca to the city of Yathrib (later renamed [[Medina]], or city - as in the city of the prophet). This flight (hijra) from Mecca to Medina marks the beginning of the Muslim lunar calendar, and is celebrated each year in the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. Muhammad's forces starting attacking the trade caravans going in and out of Mecca, cutting off its economic lifeline. After a series of battles between the Meccans and Muhammad's forces, Mecca finally accepted Muhammad's ultimatum to succumb and convert to Islam. The city welcomed the prophet back in 630. Muhammad died in 632. It is believed that Muhammed is the last Prophet. Tribal elders elected [[Abu Bakr]] to be Muhammad's successor, or [[Caliph]] (Khalifa). Abu Bakr united the tribes of the Arabian peninsula during his two years as head of the new faith. Upon his death, the elders elected [[Umar ibn al-Khattab]] the next Caliph. During Umar's ten year reign, Islam invaded and spread through the sword into [[Egypt]], [[Syria]], [[Palestine]], [[Iraq]], and parts of [[Iran]]. Umar was assassinated by a Persian (modern day Iran) in 644, and was succeeded by [[Uthman ibn Affan]], who continued the invasions to spread Islam into [[North Africa]], [[Cyprus]], the rest of Iran, [[Afghanistan]], and parts of [[India]] and [[Pakistan]]. Over the next two centuries, Islamic armies continued to expanded Islam's empire into sub-Saharan Africa, [[Spain]], Southeast and Central Asia, and [[Turkey]].

==Divisions Within Islam==
Uthman was assassinated in 656 A.D. by soldiers who then installed Ali ibn Abu Talib, Muhammad's son-in-law, as [[Caliph]]. Ali's followers believed Muhammad had chosen Ali to be Muhammad's heir, and had disagreed with the selections of Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman as Caliphs. Ali's claim to the position was challenged by Muawiyah, a kinsman of the murdered Uthman. Five years later, Ali was assassinated by Kharjites, religious dissidents who broke away from the main body of Muslims because they rejected Ali's accepting arbitration to resolve his leadership dispute with Muawiyah. Ali's supporters, or the Shiah al-Ali (or Shiat Ali, partisans of Ali) believed that Ali was the true Caliph and was, in part, divinely inspired. Ali's sons, Hassan and Husayn followed as [[Shia]] Caliphs, Hassan dying in 669 or 670 A.D., possibly by poisoning, and Husayn slain by soldiers of his rival, the [[Sunni]] Caliph Yazid, in 680 A.D.

The Shia Muslim community has divided further as followers coalesced around several of Ali's descendants or successors, called [[Imam]]s. The "twelvers," predominant in Iran, believe the twelfth Imam is in hiding and will reveal himself just before judgement day. Ismailis rejected the seventh Imam and practice a spirituality that seeks hidden meaning in scripture. Ismailis ruled much of [[North Africa]] as the [[Fatimid Dynasty]] of [[Egypt]] in the tenth through the twelfth centuries, and today are found primarily in [[Pakistan]], [[Afghanistan]], and [[India]]. The Sunni majority reject the premise that men can be divine, including Muhammad, Ali, or Jesus, and did not accept any of the Imams who followed Ali. Sunnis remain more committed to traditions and less inclined to accept Shia mysticism. Today, about 15% of the world's Muslims are Shia and 85% are orthodox Sunni.

There are other factions within Islam. Sufis, a name apparently taken from the wool garments they wear, developed around mystical practices and trance-induced revelations. Sufis are found today in [[Turkey]], [[Syria]], and parts of [[Africa]]. Other movements have taken reform tracks, such as the Unitarians of [[Saudi Arabia]], also called [[Wahhabi]]s after their 18th century reformist founder Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. The conservative Wahhabis are found today in Saudi Arabia and [[Qatar]]. Today the Wahhabi line has a tendency to produce extremists, such as [[Osama Bin Laden]]. Some critics would argue that the [[Taliban]] of Afghanistan took conservative reform to an extreme. Other sects or break-away groups include, among others, the Alawis found in Syria and Turkey, the [[Druze]] in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Israel, the Ibadhis (Kharjites) in Oman and Africa, the Ahmadiya of Pakistan, and the Zaydis of Yemen.

==Religious Guidance==
During his lifetime, Muhammad's companions learned and later transcribed the verses (surrahs) of the Quran as Muhammad spoke them. In Islam, the teachings of Mohammed were believed to be direct divine revelation from God. Some utterances that Mohammed was unsure about, dubbed the Satanic verses, would later be incorporated in a novel in modern times by [[Salmon Rushdie]] who would then be subject to a death degree from the leader of Iran for his writing.

The third Caliph, Uthman, collected and codified the various versions of the surrahs into one written [[Quran]] that became the standard Arabic text used by the world's Muslims today. The Quran is longer than the Bible and written in general order of longest chapters to shortest rather than in any order of when they were spoken, sometimes making the work appear to be confusing. In all there are 114 chapters. Most of the later recorded sayings of Mohammed, which were also more warlike, actually appear earlier in the text. Present-day Muslims look first to the Quran as a guide to life, then to the [[Sunnah]], or the way of the Prophet (his life as an example for others) as recorded by his early companions, and then to the [[Hadith]], a collection of the Prophet's sayings, comments, advice, and descriptions.

Frequently, Muslims disagreed over how to interpret certain passages in the Quran, the Sunnah, or the Hadith in their search for the ideal life and perfect path to heaven. From these interpretations Sunni Muslims developed four schools of law, or interpretations of law, named after their founders or early leaders: the Hanbali, considered the most strict school and predominant today in Saudi Arabia; Shafi, the school of widest acceptance, found in Egypt, parts of Palestine-Syria, south Arabia, and the Far East; Maliki, prevalent in North Africa, Sudan, and Nigeria; and Hanafi, considered the most moderate school, predominant in Ottoman Turkey and today found primarily on the Levant and Indian subcontinent. Frequently, Muslim countries have two separate legal systems, one for civil, criminal, or commercial law, and a second, and separate, system for religious law. Religious courts and their judges (qadis) might handle issues dealing with marriage, divorce, child custody, inheritance, religious education, charitable or religious property (Waqf), or family matters. Among Middle Eastern countries, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Amirates, and Yemen have Shariah courts serving alongside their secular courts or have adopted [[Sharia]]h (Islamic law) as the basis of their legal systems.

====Clergy====
Sunni Islam does not have a priesthood or clerical hierarchy to conduct religious services or interpret scripture, but it does have prayer leaders, called Imams, and religious scholars, called Ulama, who often are educated men familiar with the Quran and able to offer commentaries on Quranic verses. Sunni Muslims also respect the teachings and interpretations of scholars, judges, and academics who may interpret laws, write treatises on Sharia (religious law) or Hadith, and issue Fatwas, religious declarations intended to enlighten or guide Muslims.

Shia Islam has a hierarchy that resembles a priesthood. Mullahs are prayer leaders, but usually do not interpret religious law. Mujtahids are religious scholars who may interpret law or passages from the Quran or Hadith. The lower order of Mujtahids are called Hojjatolislam. Ayat Allah (literally sign of God, also Ayatollah) is a higher order of Mujtahid who may issue Fatwas, or religious edicts, in addition to leading Islamic schools, interpreting religious law and the Quran, and offering sermons or discourses on proper Islamic behavior.

===Five Pillars of Islam===
*'''Shahadah (Profession of Faith)''' -The Shahadah is the Muslim profession of faith. 'ašhadu 'al-lā ilāha illā-llāhu wa 'ašhadu 'anna muħammadan rasūlu-llāh, a loose English translation reads "''There is none worthy of worship except God, and [[Muhammad]] is the messenger of God''" This testament can be seen as the foundation of all of the other tenets of Islam.

*'''[[Salat]] (Ritual Prayer)''' -All Muslims are required to Pray to God five times each day while facing [[Mecca]].

*'''Zakat (Charity)''' Able Muslims must donate to the poor based on the wealth one has accumulated. In current usage it is interpreted as 2.5% of the value of most valuables and savings held for a full [[lunar year]].

*'''Sawm (Fasting)''' All able-bodied Muslims (children, the elderly, and the ill are exempt) must fast during daylight hours during the daylight hours of the entire month of [[Ramadan]]. According to Muslims, this purifies the body and soul. Some Muslim sects allow military, police and emergency services personnel to receive an exemption from fasting from an imam, on the grounds that their work supports the community or national good.

*'''Hajj (Pilgrimage)''' All able-bodied Muslims must make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lives.

==Other Aspects of Islam==
[[Image:Quran.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Pages from the Qur'an, the holy book of the Islamic religion.]]
====Jihad====
Jihad is the "effort" or "struggle" each Muslim faces in the everyday trials of life, such as the effort to get better grades in school, or the striving to achieve better results from a job, or the struggle to avoid sinful temptations. Jihad also can be applied to warfare; participating in jihad in Allah's cause was the third most important good deed listed in the Hadith, after prayer and honoring one's parents. Jihad often was a rallying cry for the military spread of Islam in the seventh through tenth centuries against non-Muslims.

====Osama bin Laden and Fundamentalists====
[[Osama bin Laden]], a follower of a particular brand of Islam popular in Saudi Arabia, has stated that Islam is at war with the United States and its allies. Some observers maintain that the number of Muslims who believe as bin Laden does is growing, and others go further to suggest that all "fundamentalist" Muslims are enemies of the West. But other observers differentiate between conservative "fundamentalists" and the "extremists" who follow bin Laden or other terrorists. These observers suggest that the fundamentalists disagree with bin Laden as much as do Westerners. It is hard to know the truth. Many westerners are still haunted by the images of cheering crowds dancing in the streets when the 9/11 attacks were announced and were disappointed at the lack of prominent condemnation of the attack from Islamic circles worldwide.

====People of the Book====
Christians and Jews are called "people of the Book" in the Koran and are considered earlier forerunners to Islam and viewed as brothers as long as they pay an extra tax when under Islamic rule. Islam, tracing its roots back to Abraham through his son Ishmael instead of Isaac as the Jews did, believes that they are the descendants of God's promise. Islam believes that both the Old and New Testament were corrupted and corrected by the Koran, but there is still an earlier link between the three religions. The view of Jews and Christians varied within different parts of the Koran and Islamic history. Much of current Islamic culture, even in places that were once very tolerant such as Egypt, has seen an upsurge in persecution and violence against Christians and Jews.

====Women in Islam====
For the most part, the Quran treats men and [[woman|women]] equally, applies the same injunctions and prohibitions to men and women, and grants many of the same privileges and benefits. But women are treated separately in certain instances. For example, women are required to "... draw their outer garments around them ... that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed (by men)." (Quran 33:59) Covering the head and body in public (hijab) is viewed by many Muslim women as a protection of their modesty, a way to discourage men's covetous eyes. The principle of hijab is applied in different ways: a small scarf around the head and regular "street clothes" may be voluntary and acceptable in Cairo or Damascus but a full length opaque [[Burqa]] was enforced in Taliban Afghanistan. The treatment of women may depend upon rural or urban settings, educational level, society norms, tradition, or other factors. As of 2008, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are the only two Middle Eastern countries where the government requires women to wear some form of modest garb.

Islamic dress is a regular grounds for conflict in multicultural education.

Treatment of women varies widely by country. In the Islamic state of Saudi Arabia women are forbidden from driving a car, traveling in public without their husband or a male family member as an escort, leaving their home without wearing Islamic dress, working or voting. Though not formally forbidden from owning property, they have no way of obtaining this as work is forbidden and only males are permitted to inherit - should a man die, his brothers, sons and father will all inherit before his wife. These restrictions are part of the criminal law of the country, and enforced by the police and a special Islamic office. Pakistan has similar restrictions, but to a lesser extent. In contrast, Turkey has a majority Muslim population yet still grants women rights near-equal to those of men including property ownership, employment, and education to university level.

Muslim apologists suggest the extremely repressive policies of countries such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are cultural rather than religious, and point to the more moderate Islam practiced in Turkey as a demonstration that Islam and womens' rights are compatible, and point to past Christian-dominated cultures such as medieval Europe as examples that other religions can be distorted to justify oppression.

Muslim women's status is controversial. Some critics claim that Muslim men oppress Muslim women by compelling them to remain hidden behind the veil, sequestered in the home, and ignorant of the world by denying them access to education and worldly opportunities. Defenders of some practices suggest that many of them, such as the veil, are cultural traditions that pre-date Islam and are intended to protect, not constrict, women, or that many Muslim women adopt the life style of the veil voluntarily. There are Muslim women who agree and disagree with the critics.

====Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem====
Muhammad's home city of Mecca was the site of his earliest preaching and conversions, and is the location of the Kaaba, traditionally held to be the foundation stone of the first mosque built by Adam and later restored by Abraham, and now the focus of the annual pilgrimage (hajj). Some historians suggest that the Kaaba, a black stone probably meteoric in origin, was venerated by pre-Islamic polytheistic religions.

At first, Jerusalem was Islam's holy city and the focus of prayers, but Mecca became the center of Islam after Muhammad's return in 630. Medina, because of its early association with Muhammad and as the site of Muhammad's tomb, is second in importance to Mecca. Jerusalem is revered by Muslims as the site of Solomon's temple, Abraham's near sacrifice of his son Ishmael, and the scene of Muhammad's miraculous midnight journey, the latter two now enshrined in the Dome of the Rock mosque. According to the Quran (Surrah 17:1, Isra) and Hadith, Muhammad and Gabriel were taken on winged mules from Mecca to Jerusalem, where they ascended through the seven heavens to the presence of Allah. During the visit, Muhammad learned, among other points, that Muslims were to pray five times each day and to honor Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and the other prophets.

====Restrictions====
Observant Muslims are not supposed to eat pork and in general do not have dogs as pets; both swine and canines are considered unclean. Muslims are proscribed from drinking alcoholic beverages. Observant Muslims do not collect interest.

====Non-Muslim Practices====
Some practices have been associated with Islam because they occur in Islamic countries, but actually are not a part of Islam. For example, female circumcision is not mentioned in the Quran, but is mentioned in Hadith as an "honorable" but not obligatory condition. It is a pre-Islamic tradition in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and the Arab world, notably in Eritrea, Yemen, and Egypt. Another example of a practice that has been associated incorrectly with Islam is honor killing, in which a brother, father, or uncle "restores" or "defends" a family's honor by killing the sister, daughter, or niece that dishonored the family through unmarried pregnancy or promiscuous behavior. The "honor killing" is more ancient and possibly tribal in origin.

==Islam and Christianity==
While Muslims do not believe Jesus to be the Son of God or in the resurrection, they consider him and his mother to be of God's most important prophets (Marian and Isa) otherwise known as Mary and Jesus. However, the Qur'an warns against worshiping Jesus, Muhammad, and other humans for fear of [[idolatry]].<ref>[http://www.ccg.org/_domain/ccg.org/Islam/Islam.htm Christian Churches of God Articles on Islam], March 10, 2007</ref>

The Qur'an states that Christians will be punished, though the nature of the punishment is not specified:

"Surely, disbelievers are those who said:
'Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).' But there is no god but One, Allah.
And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them.

Will they not repent to Allah and ask His Forgiveness? For Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.

The Messiah , son of Mary, was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a Siddiqah (i.e. she believed in the words of God and His Books ).
They both used to eat food (as any other human eat).
Look how We make the signs clear to them, yet look how they are deluded away (from the truth)."

Qur'an 5:73-75

However, Islam does recognize Christians and Jews as "people of the book" since both refer to one God only, and recognize Abraham (Ibrahim in [[Arabic]]) as a founding prophet.

Islam and Christianity both accept the theory of [[intelligent design]] as correct, and do not recognize [[evolution]]ist views.

==Islam and Paganism==

Although Muslims profess belief in a single [[God]], some believe Islam has its roots in an earlier polytheistic system.<ref>[http://www.chick.com/information/religions/islam/]</ref> By this thinking God is linked to an earlier moon deity, although it should be brought up that there is no mention of this in the Qur'an, where Allah is cited as the God of [[Abraham]].<ref>The Qur'an, Sura 37 [http://www.amazon.com/Holy-Quran-Allamah-Nooruddin/dp/0963206702]</ref><ref>Abramahov, "Islamic Theology". Edinburgh University Press: Edinburgh, 1988. [http://www.amazon.com/Islamic-Theology-Binyamin-Abrahamov/dp/0748611029/sr=8-4/qid=1172042917/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4/105-1837174-2630046?ie=UTF8&s=books]</ref>

==Sharia==
[[Image:StarCresent.png|thumb|right|220px|The Star and Crescent is a symbol of Islam. It is featured in the national flag of [[Algeria]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Malaysia]], [[Tunisia]], [[Mauritania]], [[Pakistan]], and [[Turkey]].]]
[[Sharia]] is the body of Islamic law. The term means "way" or "path"; it is the legal framework within which public and some private aspects of life are regulated for those living in a legal system based on Muslim principles of jurisprudence. It is not actually part of the canonical Qur'an; that is to say, it is not believed to be the direct word of God by Muslims, but rather the interpretation of it.

Sharia deals with many aspects of day-to-day life, including politics, economics, banking, business law, contract law, sexuality, marriage, divorce, and social issues. Some Islamic scholars accept Sharia as the body of precedent and legal theory established before the 19th century, while other scholars view Sharia as a changing body, and include Islamic legal theory from the contemporary period.{{fact}}

==Ex-Muslims==
[[Michelle Malkin]] highlights a group of Ex-Muslims hoping to change the terms of debate about Islam in Europe. Maryam Namazie, the head of the British group said "Too many things in the media and government policies have been geared to pandering to the political Islamic movements and Islamic organizations." <ref> [http://michellemalkin.com/2007/06/20/ex-muslims-stand-up-in-britain/ Ex-Muslims stand up in Britain]</ref>

----
''Some of the text for this article was taken from "Islam: A Primer", Congressional Research Service Report for Congress (2003), a work in the public domain'' [http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/islam.htm#back]

==Prominent Muslims==
*[[Muhammad]]
*[[Muhammad Ali]]
*[[Ahmed Deedat]]
*[[Yusef Islam]]
*[[Prince Naseem Hamed]]
*[[Rezazadeh Hossein]]
*[[Ayatollah Khomeini]]
*[[Ayatollah Khamenei]]
*[[Mohammad Khatami]]
*[[Osama Bin Laden]]
*[[Barack Hussein Obama]], President-elect of the United States

== See also ==
[[Image:Africa islam 87.jpg|thumb|Islam in Africa]]
*[[Arab American]]
*[[Islamic republic]]
*[[Qur'an]]
*[[Ramadan]]

==External links==
*[http://muslim-canada.org/islam_christianity.html Islam and Christianity] - excellent article comparing and contrasting the two.
*[http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/ Quran online in English]
*[http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/ Sahih Bukhari (Hadith collection) online in English]
*[http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/ Sahih Muslim (Hadith collection) online in English]
*[http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/abudawud/ Sunan Abu-Dawud (Hadith collection) online in English]
*[http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muwatta/ Malik's Muwatta (Hadith collection) online in English]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:Worldviews]]

Talk:Social effects of pornography

2009-01-05T23:07:52Z

AmeliaJ: /* Sentence fixed */ new section

==Article or Essay?==

Interestingly, this article reads much more like an article than an essay, compared to your [[Social effects of the theory of evolution]]. Could you re-write that one like this, with this coherent organization? [[User:Stryker|Stryker]] 11:27, 3 July 2007 (EDT)

== Sentence fixed ==

I changed "...and more likely to consider rape unimportant." to "...and more likely to consider rape '''as a heinous act''' unimportant.". Changes are in bold. It makes more scene this way. Why would they be more likely to rape if they did not consider it a heinous act???

User talk:AddisonDM

2009-01-05T23:05:37Z

AmeliaJ: Posted.

{{Welcome}}
Hey!! Welcome to Conservapedia. [[User:BethanyS|~Beth]][[User talk:BethanyS|Talk2'''ME''']] 13:40, 15 October 2008 (EDT)

== Edits to [[1984]] ==

Thanks for your superb edits to 1984. You might be interested in this discussion we've had about Orwell:[[Mystery:Did George Orwell Become a Conservative?]]--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 16:45, 29 October 2008 (EDT)

Hey, thanks! I added a new section also, called Governmental Structure. I also revamped the plot a bit.

== The Message ==

I really enjoyed your new entry [[The Message]] and your quote from Psalm 23!--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 20:40, 20 December 2008 (EST)

Hey thanks! You gave me the idea to create articles about Bibles. I'd even like to make a table of all the translations and put it at the bottom of the pages, you know.

: I bet there's more good stuff to find in Bible translations, and it's extremely educational to study these issues. I find it fascinating.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 22:19, 20 December 2008 (EST)

== Second model answer ==

I just added a second model answer from your homework. Well done!--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 11:16, 21 December 2008 (EST)

Thanks so much! Hey, I did a real good job! :)

== Block reversed ==

I'm surprised that you were able even to edit my talk page. In any event, the block has been removed.--[[User:TerryH|TerryH]][[User talk:TerryH|Talk]] 23:04, 29 December 2008 (EST)

Thanks. Interestingly, it disappeared a few minutes later so that in fact I have been editing all day. Who knows. But thanks. [[User:AddisonDM]] 29 December 2008

== Please feel free to create a [[Creation]] article and then put the pics you wanted in the article. ==

Please feel free to create a [[Creation]] article and then put the pics you wanted in the article. [[User:Conservative|conservative]] 21:06, 31 December 2008 (EST)

== Congratulations! ==

Congratulations on your promotion to Sysop (Admin) status! This gives you many new privileges. Well deserved!--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 23:45, 31 December 2008 (EST)

Wow! That is honoring. Haha now I can edit at night! Thanks so much. Happy New Year all! [[User:AddisonDM]] 1 January 2009

: Very well deserved indeed!--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 00:54, 1 January 2009 (EST)
Congrats Addison. I hope we can work together on the news project, etc. this year. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 01:21, 1 January 2009 (EST)
::and many congratulations (and happy new year!) from me too. I look forward to working even closer with you this year.--[[User:JessicaT|KotomiT]][[User talk:JessicaT|''ohayougozaimasu'']] 06:27, 1 January 2009 (EST)

:::: Congratulations! --[[User:Joaquín Martínez]], [[User talk:Joaquín Martínez|talk]] 09:08, 1 January 2009 (EST)

::::: You did good kid, go team and Happy New Year. --Jpatt 23:02, 1 January 2009 (EST)

Thank you all so much. Happy and BLESSED New Year. [[User:AddisonDM]] 1 January 2009

Congratulations on your promotion! --[[User:DinsdaleP|DinsdaleP]] 13:16, 4 January 2009 (EST)

==Move requests==

Thank you for taking care of all these move requests. Some of them had been bugging me for quite some time, but unfortunately there was nothing I could do about them. -[[User:Foxtrot|Foxtrot]] 12:06, 3 January 2009 (EST)

Thanks! [[User:AddisonDM]] 3 January 2009

== Some help? ==

Would you like some help with all those moves? Problem is I can not remember where to find the list of pages! --[[User:JessicaT|KotomiT]][[User talk:JessicaT|''ohayougozaimasu'']] 13:13, 3 January 2009 (EST)

You made a good decision on using "Debate" for debates, Addison, rather than putting them in the "Conservapedia" namespace.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 14:19, 3 January 2009 (EST)

Thanks.

Terrific cleaning up with your deletions!--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 15:11, 3 January 2009 (EST)

Thank you!

:Thanks for the [[Edmund Ironside]] fix. I had asked for that to be done months ago but was ignored. [[User:AlanE|AlanE]] 15:56, 3 January 2009 (EST)
::I think I have finished the debates clean up. --[[User:JessicaT|KotomiT]][[User talk:JessicaT|''ohayougozaimasu'']] 04:29, 4 January 2009 (EST)

== Please block ==

I see that you are an administrator. Could you please block [[User:NumaL]], he is making a mess. [[User:Kuyper|Daniel_Kuyper]] 11:46, 4 January 2009 (EST)

==Oklahoma City Thunder==
Thanks for moving that page! [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 12:19, 4 January 2009 (EST)

== Essay:Examples of Moronic Vandalism by the "tolerant" ==

Addison, I'm sorry, but I had to delete your essay for inappropriate content. Even though you substituted symbols for the vowels, it was still inappropriate. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 18:48, 4 January 2009 (EST)

Alright. That will stand unless and until Andy himself agrees. In fact, he likes it. I am going to ask him what he thinks. As he says, he has the last word.

== Could you re-name an article??? ==

Hello AddisonDM!!! I was wondering if you could change the title of the [[Why do people choose homosexuality?]] article to "Mystery:Why do people choose homosexuality?". It is in the category mystery but is not titled like the others (i.e. does not have "Mystery" on the beginning of the title). If you could fix that I would appreciate that very much. Hope you had a merry Christmas and a happy new year!!! --[[User:AmeliaJ|AmeliaJ]] 17:56, 5 January 2009 (EST)

Your welcome!!! --[[User:AmeliaJ|AmeliaJ]] 18:05, 5 January 2009 (EST)

Social effects of pornography

2009-01-05T23:04:35Z

AmeliaJ: /* Effects on Individuals */ Fixed sentence. See talk page.

[[Pornography]] is the depiction of the [[sex|sexual act]], and viewing of pornography has a number of negative effects on individuals and society. Although sex itself is a healthy action within the confines that [[God]] has placed on it (that is between a man and a woman who are [[marriage|married]] to each other), the depiction of the sexual act outside of these bounds is dangerous to the mind and soul. Pornography is freely available all over the internet, in bookstores, and in movie theaters. "The extent of pornography is shocking. Nearly 900 theaters show films rated NC-17, and more than 15,000 "adult" bookstores and video stores offer pornographic material. Adult bookstores outnumber McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. Each year, nearly 100 pornographic films are distributed to "adult" theaters, providing estimated annual box office sales of $50 million." <ref>http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/porno.html</ref>

==Effects on Individuals==

The most notable effect of pornography on the individual is that it causes the propensity to be focused on lustful thoughts and this can lead to dangerous obsessions with thoughts of fornication. It also causes people to abuse themselves, in violation of Matthew 5:29-30 <ref>"If your right eye offends you, [then] cut it off and throw it from you... If your right hand offends you, [then] cut it off and throw it from you." </ref> Studies has shown the exposure to pornography causes men to become more anti-social, more likely to be aggressive with women, more likely to [[rape]], and more likely to consider rape as a heinous act unimportant.<ref> Edward Donnerstein, PhD. Pornography and Violence Against Women, 1980.</ref> Married men become more likely to abuse their wives.<ref>Russell, Diana E. H. (1990). Rape in Marriage, rev. ed., Bloomington: Indiana University Press</ref><ref>An empirical investigation of the role of pornography in the verbal and physical abuse of women. Sommers,E.K. and Check,J.V. Violence and Victims 1987 2: 189-209.</ref> It can also cause women to want to be raped, as it is considered exciting. <ref>Women's attitudes and fantasies about rape as a function of early exposure to pornography. Corne,S. et. al. J. Interpersonal Violence, 1992 7: 454-461</ref> Even "soft-core" pornography causes people to become more interested in harder and harder depictions of sex. Eventually, this blurs the line between fantasy and reality causing the aforementioned increase in likelihood to rape, and also an increase in likelihood of molesting children. <ref>http://law.case.edu/student_life/organizations/tilj/content.asp?id=172</ref>

==Effects on business==

As more and more business is performed on the [[internet]] requiring office internet connections, the threat of pornography being viewed at work has increased exponentially. This leads to a number of issues, beginning with the basic time lost in productivity to people viewing pornography instead of working. This lost productivity likely adds up to billions of dollars. As a result of their employees' immorality, businesses must spend money to build firewalls, block websites, and employ IT professionals to manage these systems. When someone is caught viewing pornography, there is no other choice except to terminate that individual which then increases costs related to hiring a replacement for that individual. Lastly, a work environment where pornography exists would be hostile to female workers, and could be considered one of the few real examples of [[sexual harassment]].

==Effects on society==

In 1985, [[Ronald Reagan|Ronald Reagan's]] [[United States Attorney General|Attorney General]] [[Edward Meese]] appointed a panel of clinical and psychological experts who determined that pornography stimulates negative attitudes and has negative effects for individuals and society and that it can impair the mental and emotional health of children and adults.<ref>Report of the Surgeon General's workshop on Pornography and Public Health. Koop,C.E. Amer. Psych. 1987 42: 944-945</ref> [[Liberal]]s have criticized this study and claimed that pornography should be protected as [[free speech]], even though the [[Founding Fathers]] couldn't have possibly intended that filth be allowed to be as widespread as it is. Not only does society have to deal with the increase in violent crime against women that pornography brings, but it also leads to a degradation of [[morality]]. Society has to spend money to incarcerate and rehabilitate those criminals who are inspired by pornography, and to treat the victims of it.

==Effects on crime==
Japan, which is known for their rape fantasy pornography, has the lowest number of reported sex crimes in the industrial world. Although Japan has an emphasis on woman's "honor" in their culture which makes victims of sex crimes less likely to report it. However, a 1995 study comparing sex crime statistics since 1972 when pornography changed from completely and totally prohibited to freely available with no age restrictions found that:<ref>http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/BIB/DIAM/effects_pornography.htm</ref>
:sex crimes in every category, from rape to public indecency, sexual offenses from both ends of the criminal spectrum, significantly decreased in incidence. Most significantly, despite the wide increase in availability of pornography to children, not only was there a decrease in sex crimes with juveniles as victims but the number of juvenile offenders also decreased significantly. We hypothesized that the increase in pornography, without age restriction and in comics, if it had any detrimental effect, would most negatively influence younger individuals. Just the opposite occurred. The number of victims decreased particularly among the females younger than 13. In 1972, 8.3% of the victims were younger than 13. In 1995 the percentage of victims younger than 13 years of age dropped to 4.0%; a reduction of greater than 50%. In 1972, 33.3 % of the offenders were between 14-19 years of age; by 1995 that percentage had decreased to 9.6%..

==Biblical attitudes on Pornography==

Though the [[Bible]] doesn't specifically mention the modern concept of pornography, there are a number of verses which illuminate God's intentions as to how we should treat pornography.

* Matthew 5:27-28, �You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery;" but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart."
* 1 Cor. 6:18, "Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body."
* Col. 3:5, "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry."

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Sociology]]

Talk:Essay:Examples of Moronic Vandalism by the "tolerant"

2009-01-05T23:01:04Z

AmeliaJ: Posted.

==Red links==
I was thinking that since those liberal vandals listed no longer have user pages or talk pages that instead in linking them (pointless, as the links lead to basically nowhere) we could put them in bold instead??? Just a thought. --[[User:AmeliaJ|AmeliaJ]] 18:01, 5 January 2009 (EST)

User talk:AddisonDM

2009-01-05T22:56:33Z

AmeliaJ: /* Could you re-name an article??? */ Fixed thing.

User talk:AddisonDM

2009-01-05T22:56:04Z

AmeliaJ: /* Could you re-name an article??? */ new section

{{Welcome}}
Hey!! Welcome to Conservapedia. [[User:BethanyS|~Beth]][[User talk:BethanyS|Talk2'''ME''']] 13:40, 15 October 2008 (EDT)

== Edits to [[1984]] ==

Thanks for your superb edits to 1984. You might be interested in this discussion we've had about Orwell:[[Mystery:Did George Orwell Become a Conservative?]]--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 16:45, 29 October 2008 (EDT)

Hey, thanks! I added a new section also, called Governmental Structure. I also revamped the plot a bit.

== The Message ==

I really enjoyed your new entry [[The Message]] and your quote from Psalm 23!--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 20:40, 20 December 2008 (EST)

Hey thanks! You gave me the idea to create articles about Bibles. I'd even like to make a table of all the translations and put it at the bottom of the pages, you know.

: I bet there's more good stuff to find in Bible translations, and it's extremely educational to study these issues. I find it fascinating.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 22:19, 20 December 2008 (EST)

== Second model answer ==

I just added a second model answer from your homework. Well done!--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 11:16, 21 December 2008 (EST)

Thanks so much! Hey, I did a real good job! :)

== Block reversed ==

I'm surprised that you were able even to edit my talk page. In any event, the block has been removed.--[[User:TerryH|TerryH]][[User talk:TerryH|Talk]] 23:04, 29 December 2008 (EST)

Thanks. Interestingly, it disappeared a few minutes later so that in fact I have been editing all day. Who knows. But thanks. [[User:AddisonDM]] 29 December 2008

== Please feel free to create a [[Creation]] article and then put the pics you wanted in the article. ==

Please feel free to create a [[Creation]] article and then put the pics you wanted in the article. [[User:Conservative|conservative]] 21:06, 31 December 2008 (EST)

== Congratulations! ==

Congratulations on your promotion to Sysop (Admin) status! This gives you many new privileges. Well deserved!--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 23:45, 31 December 2008 (EST)

Wow! That is honoring. Haha now I can edit at night! Thanks so much. Happy New Year all! [[User:AddisonDM]] 1 January 2009

: Very well deserved indeed!--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 00:54, 1 January 2009 (EST)
Congrats Addison. I hope we can work together on the news project, etc. this year. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 01:21, 1 January 2009 (EST)
::and many congratulations (and happy new year!) from me too. I look forward to working even closer with you this year.--[[User:JessicaT|KotomiT]][[User talk:JessicaT|''ohayougozaimasu'']] 06:27, 1 January 2009 (EST)

:::: Congratulations! --[[User:Joaquín Martínez]], [[User talk:Joaquín Martínez|talk]] 09:08, 1 January 2009 (EST)

::::: You did good kid, go team and Happy New Year. --Jpatt 23:02, 1 January 2009 (EST)

Thank you all so much. Happy and BLESSED New Year. [[User:AddisonDM]] 1 January 2009

Congratulations on your promotion! --[[User:DinsdaleP|DinsdaleP]] 13:16, 4 January 2009 (EST)

==Move requests==

Thank you for taking care of all these move requests. Some of them had been bugging me for quite some time, but unfortunately there was nothing I could do about them. -[[User:Foxtrot|Foxtrot]] 12:06, 3 January 2009 (EST)

Thanks! [[User:AddisonDM]] 3 January 2009

== Some help? ==

Would you like some help with all those moves? Problem is I can not remember where to find the list of pages! --[[User:JessicaT|KotomiT]][[User talk:JessicaT|''ohayougozaimasu'']] 13:13, 3 January 2009 (EST)

You made a good decision on using "Debate" for debates, Addison, rather than putting them in the "Conservapedia" namespace.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 14:19, 3 January 2009 (EST)

Thanks.

Terrific cleaning up with your deletions!--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 15:11, 3 January 2009 (EST)

Thank you!

:Thanks for the [[Edmund Ironside]] fix. I had asked for that to be done months ago but was ignored. [[User:AlanE|AlanE]] 15:56, 3 January 2009 (EST)
::I think I have finished the debates clean up. --[[User:JessicaT|KotomiT]][[User talk:JessicaT|''ohayougozaimasu'']] 04:29, 4 January 2009 (EST)

== Please block ==

I see that you are an administrator. Could you please block [[User:NumaL]], he is making a mess. [[User:Kuyper|Daniel_Kuyper]] 11:46, 4 January 2009 (EST)

==Oklahoma City Thunder==
Thanks for moving that page! [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 12:19, 4 January 2009 (EST)

== Essay:Examples of Moronic Vandalism by the "tolerant" ==

Addison, I'm sorry, but I had to delete your essay for inappropriate content. Even though you substituted symbols for the vowels, it was still inappropriate. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 18:48, 4 January 2009 (EST)

Alright. That will stand unless and until Andy himself agrees. In fact, he likes it. I am going to ask him what he thinks. As he says, he has the last word.

== Could you re-name an article??? ==

Hello AddisonDM!!! I was wondering if you could change the title of the [[Why do people choose homosexuality?]] article to "Mystery:Why do people choose homosexuality?". It is in the category [[Category:Mystery|mystery]] but is not titled like the others (i.e. does not have "Mystery" on the beginning of the title). If you could fix that I would appreciate that very much. Hope you had a merry Christmas and a happy new year!!! --[[User:AmeliaJ|AmeliaJ]] 17:56, 5 January 2009 (EST)

Essay:Greatest Mysteries of American History

2009-01-05T22:48:59Z

AmeliaJ: Took out red links.

Here is a growing list of unsolved mysteries in [[American History Lectures|American History]]:
#Where did the [[American Indians]] come from?
#Why was the [[Vikings|Viking]] settlement at L'anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland abandoned?
#How was [[Christopher Columbus]] able to navigate himself across the [[Atlantic Ocean]] on his second voyage to find the precise same location that he colonized on his first voyage?
#What happened to the [[Lost Colony]]?
#Did the [[Puritans]] do better economically by abandoning socialism in the [[Mayflower Compact]]?
#What was the cause of the possession-like symptoms of the young girls in Salem in 1692, that their doctor attributed to the supernatural?
#Did [[Alexander Hamilton]] cut a deal with [[Thomas Jefferson]] to make him president?
#Was [[Meriwether Lewis]] murdered?
#Was the so-called corrupt bargain real and, if so, was there anything wrong with it?
#Why did the Tariff of Abominations pass?
#What is the real source of the name "Whig" in the "Whig Party"?
#Did the bloodshed that started the Mexican War occur on American or Mexican soil, indicative of who was the aggressor?
#Did President [[James Buchanan]] arrange the [[Dred Scott]] decision?
#Did George McLellan scorn [[Abraham Lincoln]] because he was homeschooled?
#What caused the [[USS Maine]] to explode?
#What caused the [[Great Depression]]?
#What really caused the repeal of [[Prohibition]]?
#Who was the lone dissent on the [[jury]] in the court martial of [[Billy Mitchell]]?
#Did [[FDR]] have advance knowledge of the attack on [[Pearl Harbor]]?
#Why did [[FDR]], who knew he was dying, replace his [[Vice President]] [[Henry Wallace]] with [[Harry S Truman]] to make Truman the next president?
#Why did the [[U-2]] spy plane crash-land in the [[Soviet Union]]?
#Did a [[communist]] sympathizer in the [[U.S.]] government leak plans of the [[Bay of Pigs]] invasion to [[Castro]]?
#What happened to Jimmy Hoffa, Judge Crater and D. B. Cooper, who disappeared without a trace?
#What role did Justice [[William Brennan]] have in writing ''[[Roe v. Wade]]''?
#Where did President [[Ronald Reagan]] get the idea and impetus for proposing the [[Strategic Defense Initiative]]?
#Who killed [[John F. Kennedy]]?
#[[Mystery:Why Do Black Americans Vote For Liberal Candidates?|Why Do Black Americans Vote For Liberal Candidates?]] and [[Mystery:Why Are Black Americans Still Poor?|Why Are Black Americans Still Poor?]]

(add to list)
[[Category:United States History Essays]]
[[Category:Mystery]]

Mystery:Do Liberal Teachings Cause Mental Illness?

2009-01-05T22:47:37Z

AmeliaJ: /* Cause and Effect */ Fixed grammer and added some stuff.

Mental illness is rapidly increasing in the world and "will be the second biggest cause of death and disability by 2020."<ref>http://www.irishhealth.com/index.html?level=4&id=1447</ref> According to the World Health Organization:

:Mental illnesses, from epilepsy to depression, currently affect over 400 million people around the world. This group includes 45 million people with schizophrenia.

:America and Japan experience the highest levels of depression .... Over 1 million people now die through suicide each year and the ten countries with the highest suicide rates are all former Soviet states.

The above-cited countries are notable for imposing [[liberal]] or [[atheistic]] teachings by their governments on large populations. In the [[United States]], liberal indoctrination governs [[public schools]], which educate 89% of children. As of 2002, "[a]n estimated 20 percent of children have a mental illness that causes at least mild functional impairment,"<ref>http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/53/11/1444</ref> with nearly all those children a product of a [[public school]] education.

[[Public schools]] educate 89% of Americans, and "[t]he incidence that a teen will have depression some time in their adolescence is higher, felt to be at least one out of four.<ref>http://www.askaspecialist.ca.gov/archives/2008/Med/Apr_2008.htm</ref>

Mental illness has increased on college campuses. "'Growing mental health problems suffered by students are a "matter of considerable concern,' warranting dedicated student mental health services in some areas, according to 'The Mental Health of Students in Higher Education' report produced by the Royal College of Psychiatrists."<ref>[http://www.faqs.org/abstracts/Education/Increase-in-mental-illness-on-campus-Suicide-don-under-huge-stress-in-job.html Increase in mental illness on campus]</ref>

[[Japan]] has the largest [[atheistic]] population of any country in the world.<ref>http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html</ref> The former Soviet states have rates of [[atheism]] that are among the highest in the world.<ref>http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html</ref>

[[Britain]], a smaller country but one that also has heavy [[liberal]] indoctrination, expects a 61% increase in dementia cases by 2026, and "[i]n the last 10 years, funding for mental health services has risen sharply."<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/may/28/mentalhealth.socialcare</ref>

== Cause and Effect ==

Medical professionals emphasize that they do not know what causes mental illness.<ref>http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/06/13/10-myths-of-mental-illness/</ref> Accordingly, they cannot rule out that [[liberal]] indoctrination is a contributing factor.

Teaching children to accept and believe things that are demonstrably false cannot help mental health. Included in this category are the liberal teachings in school that:

* Lying about the truth, causing belief in falsehoods or encouraging conduct disorders<ref>See, e.g., the [[NIH]] definition of "conduct disorder" to include lying.[http://science-education.nih.gov/supplements/nih5/Mental/other/glossary.htm]</ref>
* There are no real differences between boys and girls.
* Humans are just another type of animal.
* All there is is what you see (with or without special equipment, such as microscopes or telescopes).
* Conversely, that an unproven 'unconscious' excuses evil actions.
* Self-inflicted death (i.e. [[suicide]]) can somehow be good.
* Denying self-defense, mentally and physically.
* Denying the ability to control sexual desires (such as [[homosexuality]] & [[lesbianism]]); promoting lifestyles that lead to mental illness.
* Insisting on an illogical and unjustified "wall of separation of church and state"; When [[classroom prayer]] would promote mental stability.

==Drug abuse==
[[Liberals]] support the legalisation of [[marijuana]], which is a major cause of psychiatric illnesses<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4305783.stm</ref> <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2923647.stm</ref>.

== Anecdotal Evidence ==

Actor Stephen Fry is the author of the book "The Liar" and was an active supporter of the [[liberal]] [[British]] [[Labour Party]], though he did not vote for it in a recent election because it was not [[leftist]] enough on the [[Iraq War]]. "The 49-year-old actor has been tormented by mental illness for much of his life."<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20060917/ai_n16736921</ref> Specifically he is a sufferer of bipolar disorder, a largely hereditary disease.

[[professor values|Professor]] David Foster Wallace was a prodigy in writing, math and even tennis in his youth but adopted the [[liberal]] ideology. He wrote in 1999 a collection of short stories entitled, "Brief Interviews With Hideous Men," in which he "damns his gender as a greedy, cold, oversexed marauders."<ref>http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1841102,00.html]</ref> In 2008, Wallace killed himself at age 46.

== References ==

<references/>
[[Category:Mystery]]

Anderson Cooper

2008-12-31T20:22:30Z

AmeliaJ: Added ref.

[[Image:Anderson Cooper.jpg|left]]
'''Anderson Hays Cooper''' was born on June 3, 1967, and is an American television personality. He is the main anchor of [[CNN]]'s liberal news show ''Anderson Cooper 360°'', and hosted the first two seasons of the ABC reality game show ''The Mole''. The program is based out of New York City. Cooper is the son of the writer Wyatt Emory Cooper and the designer and heiress [[Gloria Vanderbilt]]. He attended New Haven, Connecticut's liberal university, Yale, and graduated in 1989 in Political Science and International Relations.

Though Cooper is popular, he is no stranger to controversy and accusations of [[media bias]].
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=20972&keywords=anderson+cooper|title= Presidential Debate Topic: Bill Clinton's Influence? |last=Oddis|first=Michelle|date=06/04/2007 |language=English|accessdate=2008-12-31}}</ref> For example, during the time of [[Hurricane Katrina]], he consistently played-up the government's poor response, even appearing on ''[[Oprah Winfrey|The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' to accuse the government of negligence while at the same time, giving [[John Edwards]] what one media watchdog group called the "silk glove treatment".

Cooper's first major interview occurred on April 22, 2007, when he interviewed the infamous rapper Cam'ron about the "Stop Snitching" campaign. During the interview, Cooper asked Cam'ron if he lived next door to a serial killer and knew for a fact that person was killing people if would he tell or "snitch" to the police. Cam'ron said, "No, I wouldn't call and tell on them but I'd probably move."

==See also==
*[[Erica Hill]]
*[[Chris Matthews]]
*[[Sean Hannity]]
*[[Jack Cafferty]]
*[[Lou Dobbs]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cooper, Anderson}}

[[Category:Broadcasters]]
[[Category:Media]]
[[Category:Media personalities]]
[[Category:Liberal Media]]

Talk:Mystery:Why Do Non-Conservatives Exist?

2008-12-31T19:49:56Z

AmeliaJ: /* TV Shows */ Posted.

==Mind Altering Drugs==
The suggestion may (or may not) have been made with parodic intent, but I had been thinking along similar lines. It is well-known that use of drugs - 'even' marijuana, which Liberals pretend is less harmful than candy - causes a range of psychiatric illnesses (which may also be hereditary); and I think that maybe between us we could come up with an acceptable form of words. [[User:Bugler|Bugler]] 15:50, 13 December 2008 (EST)
:I agree: that's why in my reversion I suggested that the original contributor expand to put the claim on a firmer foundation. How about, "use of mind-altering drugs, which encourages one to become a liberal to reconcile the cognitive dissonance, or dulls mental acuity resulting in mindless conformity," or something like that.-[[User:AlexanderM|AlexanderM]] 15:52, 13 December 2008 (EST)
::That sounds good to me. [[User:Bugler|Bugler]] 15:54, 13 December 2008 (EST)
:::Thanks! Done.-[[User:AlexanderM|AlexanderM]] 15:56, 13 December 2008 (EST)

Lots of insights in this list. I wonder if it would be possible to estimate percentages for each reason.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 15:59, 13 December 2008 (EST)
:Thanks! I expect media/school bias, along with [[liberal friendship]] & mindless rebellion, are some of the biggest contributors.-[[User:AlexanderM|AlexanderM]] 16:09, 13 December 2008 (EST)
::::Any estimates would probably be just a guess so I suggest a data gathering exercise. If someone could set up a sub-page with a list of the options then we could all think of the non-conservatives that we are familiar with at school, work or in some cases even at home. Then we could just give one point for the reason that we would estimate for each person. I think the demographic diversity here should be sufficient to build a fairly accurate picture. This sort of thing wouldn't be allowed at WP with their dogmatic No Original Research mantra. So it highlights a real difference between us and WP in that we can generate new insights through a group effort as it would give almost everyone the opportunity to contribute. [[User:BrianCo|BrianCo]] 16:55, 13 December 2008 (EST)
:::::Applying clear numbers to it is probably impossible, since many of the causes effect any individual. Everyone is subject to the bias in media, academia, etc..., while only some have the poor thinking skills, innate naivete, and simply, pure delusion that creates the radicals members of the far left whom we all love and tolerate. [[User:RodWeathers|- Rod Weathers]] 17:00, 13 December 2008 (EST)
:: Probably so. But note that even the most powerful bias requires something extra to close the mind as well. Of course aging seems to have an effect of closing the mind automatically for many.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 16:12, 13 December 2008 (EST)

Mental endowments are certainly a key reason (see ''[[The Liberal Mind: The Psychological Causes of Political Madness]]''). A certain demographic is inherently irrational and childlike. [[User:RodWeathers|- Rod Weathers]] 16:14, 13 December 2008 (EST)
:I saw that on WND: I'll try to find time to read it over the break.[[User:AlexanderM|AlexanderM]] 16:16, 13 December 2008 (EST)

== Organization ==

I've tried to compact and organize it, to make it easier to grasp. Please improve. [[User:RodWeathers|- Rod Weathers]] 16:27, 13 December 2008 (EST)

: Great point. I think we need prioritized sections, like "Main Reasons", separated from "Other Reasons." Feel free to improve.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 16:35, 13 December 2008 (EST)
::Great job Rod!-[[User:AlexanderM|AlexanderM]] 18:01, 13 December 2008 (EST)

==Wow==
Okay, if this isn't a parody, then it's just scary. It makes multiple errors in it's assumptions, characterizes liberals as "weak-minded" or just unthinkingly "rebellious", and heavily insists that being Non-conservative is "wrong", and that if you're not a conservative, then you are brainwashed simple thinker. Does the author realize that there are opposing views to conservatism that are not liberal? Does he realize that some liberals are quite intelligent, and have reasons for being liberal that are based on logic? I like to think of myself as a moderate conservative, but the reasons highlighted in this list serve only to make me ashamed of that. [[User:ShawnJ|ShawnJ]] 16:37, 13 December 2008 (EST)
:Shawn, the tenor and content of your rant (and it is 'its assumptions', not 'it's assumptions') lead us to suppose that you are very far from being a Conservative of any hue. If you held sincere beliefs, you would not be ashamed of them because of third party actions. And if you were one of those mythical 'quite intelligent liberals', you might be capable of opening up your mind to new ideas, rather than rejecting them out of hand. [[User:Bugler|Bugler]] 16:44, 13 December 2008 (EST)

::Right, Bugler. ShawnJ's talk lack substance. But perhaps it can be analyzed: why isn't ShawnJ a real conservative? His reference to liberals being "quite intelligent" suggests he aspires to be considered likewise. I sense the public school rationales at work here: the "A+" went to the liberal positions, and either ShawnJ received a few himself and cannot let go of the illusion, or he's a wannabee.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 18:57, 13 December 2008 (EST)

::: Bugler, I consider myself a conservative because I was raised in a strictly conservative family, and while I don't agree with all of their positions, I still do agree with many of them. Hence me considering myself a "moderate" conservative. My whole issue with this article is it reads as an attack on non-conservatives, in no small way calling them worse people. It is a complete error to refer to all liberals as stupid, or unthinking, or ignorantly rebellious. It's the same flaw that racism and all forms of bigotry share. Trying to apply absolutes to beliefs and personalities simply doesn't hold up under closer inspection. Perhaps if you were secure in your conservative beliefs, you might be capable of opening up your mind to new ideas, instead of rejecting them because they come from someone with different political views than your own. Aschlafly, I addressed most of your argument in my reply to Bugler, but for the record, most of my "A+"s went to Math and Physics. It's really hard to put a political spin on calculations and numbers. [[User:ShawnJ|ShawnJ]] 19:52, 13 December 2008 (EST)

:::: ShawnJ, take a look at our new statistical portion of the entry. Which category do you fall into, or should there be a new one? For example, did you hear about conservative principles and the logic behind them only ''after'' you made up your mind? Do you have liberal friends whose acceptance you value?

:::: If you got "A+"s in school, regardless of subject, then your self-esteem is likely tied to approval by the very liberal education establishment. You'd have to feel embarrassment if your teachers learned that you might become a real conservative. And your self-esteem would not permit that, right?--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 20:37, 13 December 2008 (EST)
::::::Wait a sec--you're saying that people who get "A"s in school tend to be liberal? So would that make the converse true--that conservatives would tend to get low(er) grades? That can't be right...--[[User:RossC|RossC]] 22:18, 13 December 2008 (EST)
:::::::Ooooh, SO close, but no cigar! The arguments is that liberals know that professors are liberal - see [[professor values]] - and conform their behavior & values deliberately to the professor's to get better grades not for substance, but because they agree with the professor's worldview. It's not that they're smart; they're just playing the game.-[[User:AlexanderM|AlexanderM]] 22:22, 13 December 2008 (EST)

:::: I gotta say, my personal experiences negate any of the categories in the statistical portion. I simply realized, over time, that conservatism didn't hold all the answers. That, surprise, there was no perfect school of political thought. All this talk about the "liberal education system" is funny to me, because, honestly, I couldn't give you the political leanings of ANY of my teachers/professors. Who they did/would vote for, their stances on gun control, abortion, homosexuality, government, it simply never came up. I'm sure there was some rule on the books preventing teachers from discussing such things, and they were followed. The military upbringing put me in many different schools in various parts of the country, domestic and abroad, and not a single one broke that rule. Granted, I never sought out my instructors political beliefs, but the never volunteered them either. They were there do their job of teaching me, and I was there to do mine of learning.

:::: As far as my friends go, they fall much into the same boat. I hang out with them to relax after work. Watch a game, play a game, maybe throw a party, whatever, not to have heated arguments that won't resolve anything.[[User:ShawnJ|ShawnJ]] 23:36, 13 December 2008 (EST)

::::: ShawnJ, you probably vote and so do your friends and teachers; you adhere to certain values and so do your friends and teachers; and you make statements of a political nature just as your friends and teachers do. I'm sure you've taken courses in economics, history, government, English literature, and science, and it is impossible to teach or learn those topics without forming opinions that affirm or deny conservative principles. Perhaps you were unaware of it at the time, but with an open mind you can reconsider it now.

::::: Your teachers voted overwhelmingly for [[Barack Obama]], to take just one example, and they taught you things consistent with their view. I'd guess that 50% of what you learned in school was false, and those of who care about the truth embark on a path to revisit and reconsider all of it. I encourage you to join us.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 10:43, 14 December 2008 (EST)

== Ohkay......... ==

Erm, i understand the bit about all those TV shows and the media in general, but mind-altering drugs?, isn't that just taking it a bit too far (i mean in terms of accusations, how the heck would Obama put drugs in everyone's cookies, i mean, he's busy enough as it is dealing with conniving madmen like the governor from Illinois with the weird name (apologies for the long sentence)--[[User:PhilipV|[[User:PhilipV|PhilipV]]]] 17:14, 13 December 2008 (EST)
:Who is talking about Obama here? The effects of drug abuse are well known. [[User:Bugler|Bugler]] 17:33, 13 December 2008 (EST)
::I think he meant Blagovejich :)-[[User:AlexanderM|AlexanderM]] 18:00, 13 December 2008 (EST)
:::PhilipV's comments are bizarre. But why is PhilipV a non-conservative, do you think?--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 18:59, 13 December 2008 (EST)
::::Sounds like he's trying to apologize for drug use.-[[User:AlexanderM|AlexanderM]] 19:02, 13 December 2008 (EST)

::::: Alex, I find that accusation offensive! ----[[User:PhilipV|PhilipV]][[User talk:PhilipV|'' I Support our Troops!'']] 12:28, 14 December 2008 (EST)

::::::Come to think of it, how on earth is that an apology for drug use/abuse/misuse? if i had used such works of the devil (which they are) i would probably have voted Democrat so that i could have continued using illegal drugs - but no - i voted republcan this year and my political compass test says that im a right-wing authoritarian.----[[User:PhilipV|PhilipV]][[User talk:PhilipV|'' I Support our Troops!'']] 12:28, 14 December 2008 (EST)

== Seriously? ==
Hmmm... in this article I see Liberal Style 21. Why must we try to make liberals seem less intelligent than conservatives? If the positions of Conservatism are much more logical than the positions of Liberalism... shouldn't that be self-evident? Why do we need to bash down liberals, calling them sheeple? And since when were issues like race and poverty "simple"? [[User:DM|DM]] 17:44, 13 December 2008 (EST)

: You seem to be bothered by the intelligence issue also, like another above. Please see my comments above.

: Race and poverty are easier-to-grasp issues than globalism. There's no denying that.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 19:05, 13 December 2008 (EST)

:: Let us tackle race, firstly. What race is President Obama? Black? No, he's not black. He's African-American. Now what's the difference? I would consider someone who is African-American to be an American who immigrated from Africa or is of African descent. Now who is Black? Black people are the descendants of Africans who were kidnapped and brought to the New World to work as slaves. Now, Barack Obama is descended from an African man. Thus, he can be called African-American. But he is not a descendant of Africans who were slaves, thus he is not Black. Is this just a difference of their places in history? No. Black people are of West African descent exclusively. They didn't sail to the other side of Africa to kidnap slaves. President Obama is of East African descent. Hmmm.

:: So is race a simple issue? [[User:DM|DM]] 23:56, 13 December 2008 (EST)

::: It is extremely simple to millions of non-conservatives, who do not care one bit about the distinctions you attempt to draw in your comments.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 10:46, 14 December 2008 (EST)

::::Race CAN be complex. I don't think we're arguing that it's not. However, globalism & the global economy, as well as the complex relationship between taxes & economic growth, can be harder to grasp for some liberals. That's all we're arguing (please correct me if I'm wrong Aschlafly).-[[User:AlexanderM|AlexanderM]] 10:56, 14 December 2008 (EST)

== Morally depraved nature ==

Why do sinners sin? It is because they have a sinful nature. I think this mystery article totally lacks a greater focus on man's sinful nature apart from God and also neglects to mention the grace and redemptive work of Christ and the Holy Spirit. I think this is rather odd for a encyclopedia which [http://www.conservapedia.com/Conservapedia:Articles_mentioning_Conservapedia prominently features an article by the Christian Post through its main page which states that Conservapedia favors Christianity]. [[User:Conservative|conservative]] 22:16, 13 December 2008 (EST)

== Statistical Analysis ==
Ok I know this is a mystery and not an encyclopedic article but could we please get one or two cites for the statistical analysis section since it would be very interesting to read the studies that that was based off of --[[User:WillB|WillB]] 22:47, 13 December 2008 (EST)
:good wuestion WillB! how were these statistics compiled?
:Agreed. It definitely does not look good at its present state where these numbers have nothing to back them up -- even if listed as estimates. --[[User:SJames|SJames]] 18:20, 14 December 2008 (EST)

:: It's an estimate, and a work in progress. Do you doubt its truth? Perhaps you're simply saying that a liberal newspaper would not admit this, and you'd be right about that. But the truth is not constrained by what liberals will admit.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 18:29, 14 December 2008 (EST)

::: I was just stating my curiosity -- one that I believe most readers share -- as to how those numbers came about. As to its validity, I have no way of knowing but based on my own encounters, those numbers look about right for the most part, except for one group that I believe is missing on that list. I know quite a few non-conservatives who, with an open mind, simply weighed conservative values against non-conservative values and decided that they identified more with non-conservative values. Their values usually gravitate towards "freedom of choice", as defined by themselves. (Obviously we disagree with it)
Examples include: Freedom to choose abortion, freedom to choose religion, freedom to choose a "lifestyle", etc. You might say that these people fall into the ''10%: refuse to rise above their personal temptations, often self-destructive, and refuse to accept conservative values that conflict with their personal desires like irresponsible sexual promiscuity'' -- and that's true for some, but not for others. Some non-conservatives aren't interested in engaging in sexual promiscuity, dwelling in person temptation and self-destruction; they simply believe that it should be up to each individual if they choose to do so. --[[User:SJames|SJames]] 21:42, 14 December 2008 (EST)

:::As I said it would be interesting to read how these estimates were arrived at. I have no idea what the percentages should be and would love to see the data but I know that since this is an essay that a cite is not required and my not be possible to get in any case. --[[User:WillB|WillB]] 18:41, 14 December 2008 (EST)

Aschlafly asks "Do you doubt its [the statistics'] truth?" To which I respond, yes, I do doubt it, but more importantly I doubt very much that these "statistics" should be referred to as such. I, further, dispute WillB's claim that because this is an essay Aschlafly is not obligated to provide citations or data to support his claim.

My basic issue here is that absent any sort of supporting documentation these "estimates" are nothing of the sort and are, instead, simply guesses. A guess is not the same as a statistical estimate. To understand why, consider ASchlafly's first cited reason, "Did not hear about conservative principles...", which I will refer to as Claim A. Now, in theory Claim A is true of some portion of the population (A "population" being defined as the set of things we're interested in studying. In this case, for the sake of argument, we'll assume the population is American citizens or legal residents). This value is known as a population parameter and we will refer to it as "Mu", following the common statistical practice of referring to true population values with Greek symbols. Now, the difficulty is that the population is too large for us to assess as a whole. To deal with this, we take a sample of the population- for example, a random sample. Now, the composition of a true random sample is determined by its parent population. So, for example, if Claim A is true of 40% of the population, as ASchlafly asserts, then a true random sample will- in theory- contain the same proportion of persons for whom Claim A is true. The quantity in the sample for whom Claim A is true will be referred to as X-bar, a symbol used to refer to the arithmetic mean of a sample, and is not written in Greek as it refers to an estimate or "statistic" rather than to a true population parameter. So, if our random sample is perfect Mu should equal x-bar.

Now, this is true in theory, but in practice things get tricky. While a true random sample is the ideal, it is also the case that larger samples provide better estimates (i.e. more accurate values of x-bar) than smaller samples. Thus, it is almost always the case that Mu does not equal x-bar but rather is only approximately equal to x-bar. The relation between a particular value of x-bar and the value of Mu is determined using two things: the estimated [[standard deviation]] of a distribution of means and a [[confidence interval]]. The distribution of means is a mathematical construct that indicates how often we ought to see the x-bar of a sample of a given size, n, vary by a certain amount from the value of Mu. For our purposes we would estimate it using sample information by dividing the sample variance by n (i.e the sample size) and then taking the square root. We will refer to this as SDm (i.e. the standard deviation of the distribution of means). We would then use this value to construct a confidence interval. A confidence interval is a range of scores within which we are certain to a specific probability that we will find Mu. Put differently, it is like saying, "The true population value is x-bar plus or minus y amount, with a certainty of 95%." Confidence intervals are almost always included with point estimates (i.e. estimates of a specific value, such as x-bar) because statisticians are well aware that x-bar almost never precisely equals Mu. We would construct our confidence interval by taking x-bar and then adding, and subtracting, the value of the product of SDm and a t-value corresponding to our desired level of certainty and degrees of freedom (i.e. x-bar + (SDm)(t-value) and x-bar - (SDm)(t-value)). A t-value is a score taken from the t-distribution, which is an approximation of the [[normal distribution]] used when a smaller sample size produces non-normality. The t-distribution asymptotically approximates the normal distribution, so with large sample sizes you can essentially use the normal distribution instead. The degrees of freedom in this case are equal to n-1. So, if we drew a sample of 101 people and wanted to be 99% sure that our confidence interval included Mu then we would use a t-value of 2.626. So, in summation, using the sample information we can compute not simply an estimate of the value of Mu (i.e. x-bar) but also an interval within which we can be confident (e.g. 99% certain) that the true value of Mu lies. Obviously, the smaller the confidence interval, the more exact our estimate of Mu is likely to be and, if we assume that the sample x-bar is derived from is a perfect random sample, then the quality of our estimate is based entirely on sample size. Further, the relationships discussed above are well-documented empirically and have been proven out by mathematicians and statisticians since about the turn of the century.

The reality, of course, is that samples are rarely if ever perfectly random. Sampling error inevitably creeps in and, as a result, confidence intervals often have to be adjusted for this added error. If we cannot determine the extent of the sampling error's influence on our statistics then there is no mathematical adjustment possible and we, instead, have to assess the robustness of our estimates against the probable size of the error. And what all this means is that something is a statistical estimate rather than an offhand guess precisely because it includes not only a point estimate (e.g. 40% of the population subscribes to Claim A) but also a confidence interval around that point estimate (e.g. plus or minus 10%). Moreover, the point estimates as well as the confidence intervals are produced using a set of established procedures that are rooted in the mathematical characteristics of both population/sample relationships and the estimators (i.e. the computations used to produce the point estimates). Given that this is the case, point estimates are almost always provided with confidence intervals or standard errors and, additionally, information must be provided in order to allow others to assess the likely accuracy of the estimates.

ASchlafly has provided a set of point estimates generated in an unknown manner from unknown data. He has included no confidence intervals and no indication of the degree of accuracy in these estimates. As a result they are not statistical estimates and in no way should be referred to as the product of "statistical analysis". They are, to the contrary, nothing more or less than offhand guesses and should be referred to as such. On the other hand, if ASchlafly has some basis for these point estimates he should indicate where the data derive from and provide- at a bare minimum- the confidence intervals around these estimates as well as an outline indicating how he produced those intervals.

The point of statistics is not simply to compute an answer (e.g. a point estimate) but to produce along with it an estimate of the degree or error contained in that estimate. No human, after all, is perfect and it is in the nature of statistics to honestly quantify that imperfection. Absent confidence intervals or standard errors, and some understanding of how the data were gathered the appropriate response to the question "Do you doubt its truth" from anyone who is marginally competent in statistics must be "yes." Moreover, if ASchlafly wishes to label these assertions as "statistical estimates" then it is his responsibility to justify them in the manner accepted by statisticians. Otherwise, they should be (correctly) labeled as guesses.

Understand, the substance of my objection has nothing to do with whether or not ASchlafly's claims are correct but, rather, with the appropriateness of their presentation and treatment. -Drek
:Any reasonable argument should be capable of being put in two or three concise paragraphs, Drek. Your lengthy and confused screed doesn't add any light to this matter, I'm afraid. [[User:Bugler|Bugler]] 12:07, 16 December 2008 (EST)
::No sweat: ASchlafly's "statistics" are not statistics but guesses. He can demonstrate to the contrary by providing adequate citations to his data source as well as indicating the techniques used to generate the point estimates as well as confidence intervals and/or standard errors. Until he does so, referring to his guesses as "statistical analysis" is, at best, an exaggeration. Leaving this essay as-is saps credibility from both Conservapedia generally and ASchlafly particularly. See the above "confused screed" for a detailed explanation of my concerns. It's good to be succinct, but if Conservapedia is meant as an educational resource- and the criticism of Wikipedia for not offering courses lends support to that notion- then it's even better to be sufficiently thorough for students to follow the dispute. Or, as Beatrice Wright puts it, "You must learn to write in such a way that it will be as easy as possible for your critics to know why they disagree with you." -Drek
:::Andrew Schlafly is a qualified and experienced statistician and I'd certainly trust his judgement; not to sound suspicious, but in what way are you qualified to make such sweeping statements about this aricle? Also, you can be sure that his analyses and his estimates are based on a mature and thorough understanding of the issue being examined. Proper statistics is not just bare number crunching: it is an informed process that requires a full understanding of context. [[User:Bugler|Bugler]] 12:58, 16 December 2008 (EST)
::::"Proper statistics is not just bare number crunching: it is an informed process that requires a full understanding of context." Exactly right, and as you will notice, I am asking for a disclosure of that context so that we can all assess the accuracy and reliability of ASchlafly's claims for ourselves. If he is, indeed, a "...qualified and experienced statistician..." as you assert and his numbers are based on good data and appropriate techniques, this should be trivially easy. I also appreciate that you trust his judgment but statistics aren't about trusting someone's judgment, they are about verifiable results. Whether you or I view ASchlafly as a competent statistician has no bearing on the fact that he has not, at present, provided any justification whatsoever for the figures presented. Asking about my qualifications is something of an ad hominem since I have presented a lengthy explanation of why I question ASchlafly's claims. Rather than ask how I know what I do, why not respond substantively to my points? Regardless, while I have no expectation that you will take my word for it, I have been teaching statistics in an American four-year university for six years. -Drek
:::::I'm sorry you take it as an ad hom; I'm sure you appreciate that in such an environment a certain caution about people's claimed expertise is perhaps excusable. And I certainly accept your word as to your post and experience. But this is more than a pure, abstract, mathematical, dare I say professorial treatment of statistics. This is the application of statistics in the real world, down and dirty, relying also upon a knowledge of human nature, and in particular the nature of the Liberal-minded human, which is an additional layer of expertise which possibly you do not have - although, to be fair, working in a university (is it a public funded institution?) you would very likely be exposed daily to all kinds of Liberal nonsense. [[User:Bugler|Bugler]] 13:19, 16 December 2008 (EST)
::::::"This is the application of statistics in the real world, down and dirty, relying also upon a knowledge of human nature..." The thing is, Bugler, that statistics are an applied branch of mathematics. Their express purpose is to allow us to extract certainty from the vapor of possibility or, less metaphorically, to allow us to derive useful knowledge from messy research situations. Indeed, multivariate methods like regression are often used when the purity of experimental control is unattainable. Statistics can only provide this service reliably, however, when there is a full disclosure of how they are obtained. If the data are valid, the procedures appropriate, and the necessary mathematical assumptions not grievously violated, then the conclusions may be trusted to a particular degree of certainty. That ASchlafly's statistics are being used to asses the "...nature of the Liberal-minded human..." is effectively irrelevant. I do not ask that ASchlafly produce perfect statistics, but unless and until he provides a basis for judging his numbers, they cannot be regarded as anything more than his personal opinion. I appreciate your accepting my claimed expertise on my word, however. I have worked at both public and private universities and you will understand that the various strains of "nonsense" that I have encountered from a variety of ideological camps underlies my interest in seeing that statistical methods are not abused. If statistics are to be used to adjudicate between rival claims, then we must emphasize the need for them to be performed correctly. More simply, the extent to which I agree or disagree with the outcome of an analysis has no bearing on whether or not it was done correctly. And, as a side note, I have enjoyed our chat, but will probably be away from my computer for the next day or so for travel. If I do not respond to further comments, please understand it is not out of rudeness. -Drek
:::::::: of course. ''Bon voyage!'' [[User:Bugler|Bugler]] 13:37, 16 December 2008 (EST)

:::::::: Drek, you really "take the cake" for the most long-winded liberal rant in recent memory here. The field of statistics does include estimates, and no one doubts that that there are percentages for each category listed. Are the estimates off slightly? Perhaps, but be specific about which one you think may be off.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 13:48, 16 December 2008 (EST)

::::::::: He's not claiming the statistics are wrong, he's saying that they are meaningless if the method of finding them is withheld. '''[[user:FernoKlump|FernoKlump]]'''[[User:FernoKlump/petition|Mr. Schlafly! Look at this petition!]] 20:09, 16 December 2008 (EST)

:::::::::: Like any estimate, it's based on experience and logic. Instead of carping, please contribute.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 21:22, 16 December 2008 (EST)

I have a quick question for Aschlafly. I notice that the percentages in the Statistical analysis section add up to exactly 100. I find this a little confusing as I don't see any reason that the events listed should be mutually exclusive. Surely a person could be a liberal for many of the reasons given? [[User:AndyJM|AndyJM]] 11:43, 31 December 2008 (EST)

: They refer to the ''primary'' reasons.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 12:13, 31 December 2008 (EST)

:: Hmmm, I suppose that could work. However in this instance it could be very difficult to define what we mean by the primary reason. Typically in such analysis one could self-reporting, however I doubt that would work in this case :) [[User:AndyJM|AndyJM]] 12:37, 31 December 2008 (EST)

== My political alignment ==

Ahem, I am a conservative (just see some of my userboxes, and i am against abortion, and i support classroom prayer too) and another thing, my comments were somewhat misguided. When you said mind-altering drugs, i thought you were implying that Obama and company were putting drugs of some sort into everyone's food. ----[[User:PhilipV|PhilipV]][[User talk:PhilipV|'' I Support our Troops!'']] 12:24, 14 December 2008 (EST)
:But why on earth would you suspect any such thing was implied? Surely it is clear that it meant voluntarily-ingested illegal drugs? [[User:Bugler|Bugler]] 12:30, 14 December 2008 (EST)

==question==
Are you honestly that arrogant that you wonder why people might not think exactly like you? sounds like mindless confomity to me.

==A further suggestion==
It struck me that denial of Conservative principles could be a result of incipient or presenting mental illness. Just as it has been widely demonstrated that Liberal beliefs can lead to psychiatric conditions (per http://www.conservapedia.com/Mystery:Do_Liberal_Teachings_Cause_Mental_Illness%3F ), so there might also be a reciprocal effect. [[User:Bugler|Bugler]] 11:19, 15 December 2008 (EST)

== "Abstract" principles ==

I don't define "more guns, less crime" and "less taxes, more revenue" as abstract characteristics. There are statistics to back up both claims, as there are statistics to support a counter-claim to either. Those statements are based off of concrete observations and statistics. [[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 12:18, 16 December 2008 (EST)

: The observation "more guns, less crime" does entail a slight abstraction, and there are people who may have trouble understanding. Statistics confirm it, as does logic.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 13:50, 16 December 2008 (EST)

::I don't doubt that people may have trouble understanding. However if it is statistically confirmed, where is the abstraction? [[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 13:55, 16 December 2008 (EST)

::: You can always find someone to dispute statistics, as your own posting demonstrates. The real obstacle to some is grasping the abstraction of the logic.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 14:03, 16 December 2008 (EST)

::::I think we're arguing for the same side here, Andy. I'm not disputing any statistics; that's my point. The statistics are there ''plain as day'' that an armed citizenry opposes crime. I would say it's just blind ignorance (or faulty logic) to believe otherwise as opposed to an abstraction. [[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 14:27, 16 December 2008 (EST)

::::: I don't think someone having, to use popular terminology, an IQ of less than 100 can easily understand the truth of "more guns, less crime." Abstractions become more difficult to understand the lower the intelligence. Frankly, this abstraction strikes many highly intelligent people as wrong at first glance, before thinking more abstractly.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 21:11, 16 December 2008 (EST)

==Tweaking the Statistics==
With all due deference to Andy's knowledge on the subject, I believe that it would be beneficial to consider reweighting the estimates for why people choose to remain liberal, despite superior arguments for conservatism, as follows:

:* 25%: did not hear about conservative principles and the logic behind them until ''after'' they made up their mind, perhaps due to pervasive societal bias, and refuse to reconsider;
:* 25%: refuse to rise above their personal temptations, often self-destructive, and refuse to accept conservative values that conflict with their personal desires like sexual promiscuity;
:* 20%: were told off or disciplined once by a conservative, often a parent, and refuse to rise above the animosity;
:* 10%: refuse to let go of their past, or let go of their desire for a sense of acceptance by liberal friends or teachers;
:* 10%: mistakenly feel that conservative values and benefits are available only to those who are from an intact family, not realizing the availability and benefits to all, including children of divorced parents;
:* 5%: bitterly unemployed, or having a salary or benefits that conservatives would reduce, such as public school teachers, and a refusal to rise above self-interest; and
:* 5%: like an anarchist, genuinely want to believe in and propagate destructive ideas.

The largest reason that people remain liberal is clearly their desire to have their immoral and atheistic actions become more socially acceptable so that they can justify such lifestyles to themselves and others. Being disciplined by conservatives goes hand in hand with this - liberals do not like people pointing out that their lifestyle choices are wrong and detrimental to the country as a whole. It is primarily conservatives who are willing to call a spade a spade and chastise immoral conduct. I decreased the point about hearing about conservative principles later in life because the vast majority of United States citizens are raised in Christian churches and are taught the Bible's conservative principles from a young age. It is only once they are school-aged that liberal indoctrination can begin.--[[User:Laches|Laches]] 14:48, 16 December 2008 (EST)

: Good insights, but American kids get indoctrinated by public schools and television at young ages prior to (and during) their formation of their views.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 21:23, 16 December 2008 (EST)

:: Just one question: You are claiming that no liberal has ever taken that position through logical thought? (Usual disclaimers apply)
:: Okay, two questions: I would still like to see a source for those statistics. "Experience and logic" isn't enough; show me the data.
:::(The silence that will likely follow a response to the second question will not necessarily indicate acceptance of the argument it presents; more likely, it will mean that I believe a response won't add anything.)
::-[[User:CSGuy|CSGuy]] 18:02, 17 December 2008 (EST)

::: The more logical a liberal is the less likely he will remain a liberal. Liberals do better in gaining adherents by avoiding logic. If you have a logical argument for a liberal position, then I'd love to hear it.

::: References are being added to the entry. Feel free to add some yourselves, unless you think that liberals never become conservatives (which is demonstrably false).--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 21:56, 17 December 2008 (EST)

::::You didn't answer my first question. Are you claiming that no liberal has ever taken that position through logical thought? (I'm just looking for a yes or a no, not an essay.) -[[User:CSGuy|CSGuy]] 22:38, 17 December 2008 (EST)

::::: Your question is incoherent. What does "that position" refer to? Are you referring to a specific position (e.g., gun control), or a general ideology (e.g., being a liberal)?

::::: In general, liberal views are not based on logic. There are examples of superficial liberal appeal to logic (e.g., to believe that banning guns will reduce crime), but it doesn't take long to show the error in the logic. Many liberals make superficially logical arguments simply to mislead others who are not bright enough to see the flaw.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 22:49, 17 December 2008 (EST)

::::::Given that I didn't mention anything other than liberalism, it seems obvious that's what I'm referring to. I'll ask again: Are you arguing that no liberal has ever become a liberal through logical thought? "Yes" or "no" will do. -[[User:CSGuy|CSGuy]] 23:14, 17 December 2008 (EST)

::::::: No one has become a liberal through ''truthful'' logical thought.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 23:25, 17 December 2008 (EST)

Dennis Prager is one of my favorite thinkers, and took this up at length, proving what Andy says is true.
<blockquote>
"With the decline of the authority of Judeo-Christian values in the West, many people stopped looking to external sources of moral standards in order to decide what is right and wrong. Instead of being guided by God, the Bible and religion, great numbers -- in Western Europe, the great majority -- have looked elsewhere for moral and social guidelines.

For many millions in the twentieth century, those guidelines were provided by Marxism, Communism, Fascism or Nazism. For many millions today, those guidelines are "feelings". With the ascendancy of leftist values that has followed the decline of Judeo-Christian religion, ''personal feelings have supplanted universal standards''. In fact, feelings are the major unifying characteristic among contemporary liberal positions.

Aside from reliance on feelings, how else can one explain a person who believes, let alone proudly announces on a bumper sticker, that "War is not the answer"? I know of no comparable conservative bumper sticker that is so demonstrably false and morally ignorant. Almost every great evil has been solved by war -- from slavery in America to the Holocaust in Europe. Auschwitz was liberated by soldiers making war, not by pacifists who would have allowed the Nazis to murder every Jew in Europe." [http://www.orthodoxnet.com/archives/religious_articles.shtml Does religion make people better or worse, Dennis Prager - 24 columns on topic]

</blockquote>
--[[User:TK|'''₮K''']][[User_Talk:TK|/Talk!]] 00:27, 18 December 2008 (EST)

==TV Shows==

How about some citations or examples for South Park, Family Guy, and Hannah Montana? Well, the first two are somewhat political anyway I guess. But Hannah Montana? Please, example or citation. Did you know Billy Ray Cyrus is with Sean Hannity on the Freedom Concert, and Miley Cyrus is a strong Christian? [[User:AddisonDM]] 28 December 2008

: I don't watch TV, so I hope someone else can help out here!--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 20:07, 28 December 2008 (EST)

Hannah Montana is a kid's show. I don't watch it often but it does not seem to be ether conservative or liberal. I think it should be removed from the list of liberal TV shows. --[[User:AmeliaJ|AmeliaJ]] 14:49, 31 December 2008 (EST)

Anderson Cooper

2008-12-29T20:16:28Z

AmeliaJ: Added wikilink "Erica Hill".

[[Image:Anderson Cooper.jpg|left]]
'''Anderson Hays Cooper''' was born on June 3, 1967, and is an American television personality. He is the main anchor of [[CNN]]'s liberal news show ''Anderson Cooper 360°'', and hosted the first two seasons of the ABC reality game show ''The Mole''. The program is based out of New York City. Cooper is the son of the writer Wyatt Emory Cooper and the designer and heiress [[Gloria Vanderbilt]]. He attended New Haven, Connecticut's liberal university, Yale, and graduated in 1989 in Political Science and International Relations.

Though Cooper is popular, he is no stranger to controversy and accusations of [[media bias]]. For example, during the time of [[Hurricane Katrina]], he consistently played-up the government's poor response, even appearing on ''[[Oprah Winfrey|The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' to accuse the government of negligence while at the same time, giving [[John Edwards]] what one media watchdog group called the "silk glove treatment".{{fact|date=January 2008}}

Cooper's first major interview occurred on April 22, 2007, when he interviewed the infamous rapper Cam'ron about the "Stop Snitching" campaign. During the interview, Cooper asked Cam'ron if he lived next door to a serial killer and knew for a fact that person was killing people if would he tell or "snitch" to the police. Cam'ron said, "No, I wouldn't call and tell on them but I'd probably move."

==See also==
*[[Erica Hill]]
*[[Chris Matthews]]
*[[Sean Hannity]]
*[[Jack Cafferty]]
*[[Lou Dobbs]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cooper, Anderson}}

[[Category:Broadcasters]]
[[Category:Media]]
[[Category:Media personalities]]
[[Category:Liberal Media]]

Erica Hill

2008-12-29T20:15:26Z

AmeliaJ: /* Professional History */ Removed red links.

'''Erica Ruth Hill''' (b. July 20, 1976) is an American [[CNN]] news anchor. As of February 1st, 2008, Hill will join Anderson Cooper on Anderson Cooper 360 as an anchor and a correspondent.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/prime.news/</ref>

==Professional History==
Prior to January 25, 2008, Hill joined CNN and was the hostess to '''Prime News with Erica Hill'''. Prior to CNN, Hill worked as an anchor/reporter for Tech TV and PC Week as a production assistant.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/hill.erica.html</ref>

==Education==
Hill earned a Bachelor of Journalism from Boston University graduating Summa Cum Laude.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External Websites==
*[http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/hill.erica.html Erica Hill's weblink on CNN]
*[http://www.cnn.com/ CNN homepage]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hill, Erica}}
[[Category:Media personalities]]

Erica Hill

2008-12-29T20:14:58Z

AmeliaJ: /* Education */ Removed red links.

'''Erica Ruth Hill''' (b. July 20, 1976) is an American [[CNN]] news anchor. As of February 1st, 2008, Hill will join Anderson Cooper on Anderson Cooper 360 as an anchor and a correspondent.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/prime.news/</ref>

==Professional History==
Prior to January 25, 2008, Hill joined CNN and was the hostess to '''Prime News with Erica Hill'''. Prior to CNN, Hill worked as an anchor/reporter for [[Tech TV]] and [[PC Week]] as a production assistant.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/hill.erica.html</ref>

==Education==
Hill earned a Bachelor of Journalism from Boston University graduating Summa Cum Laude.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External Websites==
*[http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/hill.erica.html Erica Hill's weblink on CNN]
*[http://www.cnn.com/ CNN homepage]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hill, Erica}}
[[Category:Media personalities]]

Anderson Cooper

2008-12-29T20:13:46Z

AmeliaJ: Added categorys.

[[Image:Anderson Cooper.jpg|left]]
'''Anderson Hays Cooper''' was born on June 3, 1967, and is an American television personality. He is the main anchor of [[CNN]]'s liberal news show ''Anderson Cooper 360°'', and hosted the first two seasons of the ABC reality game show ''The Mole''. The program is based out of New York City. Cooper is the son of the writer Wyatt Emory Cooper and the designer and heiress [[Gloria Vanderbilt]]. He attended New Haven, Connecticut's liberal university, Yale, and graduated in 1989 in Political Science and International Relations.

Though Cooper is popular, he is no stranger to controversy and accusations of [[media bias]]. For example, during the time of [[Hurricane Katrina]], he consistently played-up the government's poor response, even appearing on ''[[Oprah Winfrey|The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' to accuse the government of negligence while at the same time, giving [[John Edwards]] what one media watchdog group called the "silk glove treatment".{{fact|date=January 2008}}

Cooper's first major interview occurred on April 22, 2007, when he interviewed the infamous rapper Cam'ron about the "Stop Snitching" campaign. During the interview, Cooper asked Cam'ron if he lived next door to a serial killer and knew for a fact that person was killing people if would he tell or "snitch" to the police. Cam'ron said, "No, I wouldn't call and tell on them but I'd probably move."

==See also==

*[[Chris Matthews]]
*[[Sean Hannity]]
*[[Jack Cafferty]]
*[[Lou Dobbs]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cooper, Anderson}}

[[Category:Broadcasters]]
[[Category:Media]]
[[Category:Media personalities]]
[[Category:Liberal Media]]

Liberal media elite

2008-12-29T20:02:42Z

AmeliaJ: Fixed spelling.

The '''Liberal media elite''' is the clique of highly paid, left-leaning executives and journalists who directly control most output of the main newspapers and broadcasting organizations. They are epitomized by the staff of such organizations as the [[BBC]], [[CNN]], [[The Guardian]], [[The Independent]], [[United Kingdom]], [[New York Times]], [[Washington Post]], and [[United States]].

Among the characteristics of the Liberal media elite are:
* Contempt for the moral values of ordinary people
* A mission to promote pornography and incomprehensible self-indulgent nonsense as '[[art]]'
* Enthusiasm for public funding of media organizations
* Contempt for accountability to the taxpayer
* [[Nepotism]]
* Bias towards other Liberal politicians and organizations, and hostility to organizations putting forward a popular, [[Conservative]] viewpoint
* Strong tendencies to rewriting [[history]] to conform with [[Liberal]] prejudices
* Low levels of personal morality
* High tolerance of criminal drug-taking activity (based on personal practice)
* Hostility towards religion
* Ignorance of science, characterized by unthinking advocacy of theories of [[evolution]], [[climate change]] and other invented nostrums of [[Big Science]]
* Support for the 'dumbing down' policies of state/public education to be applied to the many - while coming from, and sending their own children to, private schools
* Promoting and spreading [[Hollywood values]] through an unhealthy obsession with the diseased values of 'celebrity culture'

{{Liberalism}}
[[Category:Media]]
[[Category:Politics]]

Liberal media elite

2008-12-29T20:01:59Z

AmeliaJ: Fixed grammer and added "CNN".

The '''Liberal media elite''' is the clique of highly paid, left-leaning executives and journalists who directly control most output of the main newspapers and broadcasting organizations. They are epitomized by the staff of such organizations as the [[BBC]], [[CNN]], [[The Guardian]], [[The Independent]], [[United Kingdom]], [[New York Times]], [[Washington Post]], and [[United States]].

Among the characteristics of the Liberal media elite are:
* Contempt for the moral values of ordinary people
* A mission to promote pornography and incomprehensible self-indulgent nonsense as '[[art]]'
* Enthusiasm for public funding of media organisations
* Contempt for accountability to the taxpayer
* [[Nepotism]]
* Bias towards other Liberal politicians and organisations, and hostility to organisations putting forward a popular, [[Conservative]] viewpoint
* Strong tendencies to rewriting [[history]] to conform with [[Liberal]] prejudices
* Low levels of personal morality
* High tolerance of criminal drug-taking activity (based on personal practice)
* Hostility towards religion
* Ignorance of science, characterised by unthinking advocacy of theories of [[evolution]], [[climate change]] and other invented nostrums of [[Big Science]]
* Support for the 'dumbing down' policies of state/public education to be applied to the many - while coming from, and sending their own children to, private schools
* Promoting and spreading [[Hollywood values]] through an unhealthy obsession with the diseased values of 'celebrity culture'

{{Liberalism}}
[[Category:Media]]
[[Category:Politics]]

Talk:Liberal media elite

2008-12-29T20:00:13Z

AmeliaJ: /* CNN */ new section

I got a week block for being disruptive because I added a request for citation to this article so that it would comply with the commandments. I did not wish to be disruptive but I do feel that all articles outside of the essay space should have at least one citation in them (and probably more when they have a list of characteristics like this one). It has been a week and there are still no citations but since I do not want to step on Bugler's toes again I will not add the request back to the article I just wanted to make sure my motives for the request in the first place were understood and to again request that Bugler add a cite. Thank you --[[User:WillB|WillB]] 12:18, 9 November 2008 (EST)

:Since it has been two weeks since I first requested a cite for at least one of the items in this article so that it could comply with the commandments can anyone tell me how to request that this be moved to the essay space? --[[User:WillB|WillB]] 21:26, 16 November 2008 (EST)
::Since it has been 3 weeks since I first requested a cite and the last time I edited the article I got a weeks vacation I will add the move request here. --[[User:WillB|WillB]] 09:39, 23 November 2008 (EST)

== Protected? ==

Why? --[[User:TK|'''₮K''']][[User_Talk:TK|/Talk!]] 15:50, 27 December 2008 (EST)
: I don't think it is. I can edit it, unlike protected pages. [[User:RodWeathers|- Rod Weathers]] 15:51, 27 December 2008 (EST)
::Wow..that was weird! --[[User:TK|'''₮K''']][[User_Talk:TK|/Talk!]] 16:04, 27 December 2008 (EST)

== CNN ==

I think we should a [[CNN]] to the list of [[media elite]] news souses. They do seem to be liberal, don't they. I am just going to go ahead and add it, if anyone wants to they can take it down, I just hope they give a reason. --[[User:AmeliaJ|AmeliaJ]] 15:00, 29 December 2008 (EST)

Template talk:Examples of Liberal Bias

2008-12-28T22:37:39Z

AmeliaJ: /* Grammer */ new section

Isn't this a bit adolescent? It basically says "I hate liberals." [[User:Dkips|Dkips]] 12:09, 27 July 2007 (EDT)

:And when I say "I hate white people", does that make me adolescent. [[User:Chmorguphaste|Chmorguphaste]] 12:12, 27 July 2007 (EDT)
In addition to being a bigot, yes. Why do you ask? [[User:Dkips|Dkips]] 12:13, 27 July 2007 (EDT)

:DKips, nowhere does Mr. Schlafly say that he hates liberals. Their stances and their tactics perhaps, but there's always hope that the people themselves might be saved. [[User:SSchultz|SSchultz]] 23:25, 27 July 2007 (EDT)

Hey, we all love liberals here...but you wouldn't want your sister to marry one. [[User:Maestro|Maestro]] 23:27, 27 July 2007 (EDT)

: Maestro, thanks for reminding me of another favorite liberal tactic: draw an analogy to racism, particularly when no logical argument will help. I'll add that now. Lighten up a bit, too: there's nothing wrong with observing style. Godspeed.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 23:33, 27 July 2007 (EDT)

This reminds me of [[Godwin's law]]. [[User:DanH|DanH]] 23:36, 27 July 2007 (EDT)

''pretending to know more than he does''
:Do you know this for a fact?

''resistance to quantifying things''
:Have you data to prove this, in a quantifiable manner?

''Claim that science supports their position''
:This is an excellent opportunity for you to use science to quantitatively demonstrate that you are not, in fact, pretending to know more than you do. I have a little training in the social sciences; I will be happy to review your essay for you, once you develop it beyond this outline.--[[User:All Fish Welcome|All Fish Welcome]] 23:57, 27 July 2007 (EDT)
:: One only need look at how liberals promote Evolution, Global Warming, and other bogus theories to realize that they try to deceive people with fake science. [[User:SSchultz|SSchultz]] 01:16, 28 July 2007 (EDT)
::: SSchultz, a good many liberals have faith, so your idea that "they" might be "saved" is a bit presumptive to say the least. Further, I don't pretend to know the "truth" about things like global warming or evolution only that the issues are complex and the evidence conflicted- dismissing them as bogus out of hand seems silly and intellectually lazy. As for the rest of the essay, because of the monthilic view it takes of liberalism and the broad strokes of purple crayon used to connect the dots, as it were, it reads like the rants of a disgruntled teenager. As it stands it is decidely anti-intellectual. 10:33, 28 July 2007 (EDT)

:: Well, you're wrong about the "rants of a disgruntled teenager," and wrong about the remainder of your comments also. You also misspelled several basic words, raising further doubts about your own intellectual commitment as you complain about someone else being "anti-intellectual". You may not pretend to know the truth about global warming or evolution, but many other [[liberals]] do pretend to know AND they insist on teaching their peculiar views in [[public school]] against the wishes of parents and most taxpayers.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 11:06, 28 July 2007 (EDT)
::: Snarky and deflective observations about spelling errors aside, simply pronouncing my views as wrong is unconvincing at best; I could [and do] as easily say the same about your views. Your essay is really nothing more than a rant. I judge your claims as wholly unsupported and your replies unfocused and unresponsive. I'd advise you to rework the whole thing if you wish to persuade anyone other than yourself. As it stands, you've earned an "F." This will never do. [[User:Dkips|Dkips]] 13:10, 28 July 2007 (EDT)
::::We're not here to please you as a liberal. This is a conservative site and this essay is great. Your liberal POV will just give us additional material to use on this site and in this article. --[[User:Crocoite|Crocoite]] 16:42, 28 July 2007 (EDT)

==Sources==
I'd love to see some sources for these, um, properties, but I doubt that will ever happen without a lot of revert wars and page blocks. However, I think the newest source ([http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia_talk:Deletion_Policy&rcid=279869 here]) seems to be in error. CP's (blank) deletion policy? Not sure what that has to do with hate speech. [[User:Jazzman831|Jazzman831]] 13:32, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

: Don't follow you, Jazzman. Are you speaking in code? Pick out one of the style items that you dispute and identify it here, and I'll track down a cite for you or delete it. In Christ,--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 13:44, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

::What's the burden of proof on an essay page? Is it subject to the Commandments? If it is not, then I don't think any of the statements should be removed (though I doubt many of them are accurate, on the whole). I guess I forgot that this was an essay page when I complained about the lack of sources. Statement retracted :) [[User:Jazzman831|Jazzman831]] 14:12, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

:Jazzman, Look at http://www.conservapedia.com/Special:Undelete/Conservapedia_talk:Deletion_Policy. The page history has "New page: American Taliban You site is nothing but a Democratic hate site". Accusing Conservapedia or other conservative authors of being a hateful is another liberal style. --[[User:Crocoite|Crocoite]] 13:50, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

::Crocoite, when I click on that link all I see is a page that says "The action you have requested is limited to users in the group "Sysops"." When I click on the link within the article, I get a page that says "There is currently no text in this page, you can search for this page title in other pages or edit this page" and there is no page history. Am I doing something wrong?

:::No, I don't think you're doing anything wrong. I'm a sysop and I forgot you wouldn't be able to look at that link. I did extract part of that page for you to see where the user put "You site is nothing but a Democratic hate site". See how this user accuses Conservapedia of hate speech? --[[User:Crocoite|Crocoite]] 14:33, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

::Even if the link did work, though, how would that show liberal style? Does the author of that statement claim to be a liberal? How do you know his claim is credible? [[User:Jazzman831|Jazzman831]] 14:12, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

::: The above user and several other liberals on this site and all over the internet accuse Conservatives of "hate speech" just for expressing our conservative freedom of speech. --[[User:Crocoite|Crocoite]] 14:33, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

::::Meh, I'm not sure I'd agree that it's a great example of liberals accusing conservatives of hate speech, but I'm not really bothered by it, since it's an essay. I understand the reference now, though, thanks. [[User:Jazzman831|Jazzman831]] 19:38, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

== Out of curiosity... ==

Are self-proclaimed Liberals allowed to look at this article and question the idea that this applies to every Liberal? Or should such people, like myself, just kinda sit back here and laugh at it? [[User:Kazumaru|Kazumaru]] 23:28, 13 August 2007 (EDT)

: You have free will and can laugh at anything that you can persuade yourself to be funny. No one is claiming that *all* liberals exhibit the same style, or even that *any* liberals exhibit all the style points listed. But people who share common beliefs, as [[liberals]] do, tend to exhibit some similar traits in terms of style. Not a big deal, and not something to take offense at. Denying any commonality in style would be more laughable, I think.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 00:05, 14 August 2007 (EDT)

::So it's more of a joke than a serious essay? [[User:Kazumaru|Kazumaru]] 00:10, 14 August 2007 (EDT)

::: How does your conclusion follow from what I said? Maybe you're being facetious at this point. I was clear that [[liberals]], like any group that shares common beliefs, share some similar characteristics of style also. It shouldn't offend anyone to list some of those characteristics.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 00:32, 14 August 2007 (EDT)

::::It's a joke but he doesn't know it. [[User:Wismike|Wismike]] 14:54, 15 August 2007 (EDT)Wismike

== Liberal style? ==

Mr. Schlafly, I have a few issues with some of your "liberal characteristics", specifically that it seems like you yourself exhibit many of them in your discussions/debates. Here are a few of the examples that I have found:

2. Pretending to know more than he does.

example: In your discussion of the Kevorkian speaker article on the main talk page you say "Those many liberals probably received fees ten (10) times greater what the few conservatives received in fees." You have absolutely know justification for this statement.

5. Insistence on having the last word in a discussion or debate.

example: I, as well as many others, have noticed that you frequently end discussion of debate topics by accusing whoever you are debating with of being a liberal and refusing to continue the discussion at all.

7. Over-reliance on accusations of hypocrisy.

example: See the article on "Liberal hypocrisy".

9. Insistence on censoring certain speech.

example: Just look at the large number of people who have been blocked (which might end up including me unfortunately) for holding opposing viewpoints.

15. Claim that science supports their position, and ignore any evidence that shows their science to be flawed.

example: See conservapedia articles and debates on evolution, young earth creationism, etc. Nearly all arguments for young earth creationist ideas contain the phrase "young earth creationists assert" without providing any sort of evidence or support.

So I was wondering what your response to all of this is. Do I have a point or am I missing something? And for the record (and in anticipation of your response) no I am not a liberal, so please do not stoop to calling me one like it is an insult or as if it somehow makes your point for you. I simply feel that if you are going to criticize liberals for these characteristics you should first make sure that you yourself do not engage in any of the same practices. --[[User:BillOhannity|BillOhannity]] 14:19, 15 August 2007 (EDT)

:Thanks for the comments. I just added a new point in the article to describe liberals such as yourself who deny they are liberal hoping that it will bolster their weak arguments somehow.--[[User:Conservateur|Conservateur]] 14:48, 15 August 2007 (EDT)

Where in the response given by OHannity can it be concluded that he is a liberal? --[[User:TheGoodSociety|Joe]] 15:19, 15 August 2007 (EDT)

: BillOhannity has provided reason to make this addition to the list:

:: liberals often argue in non sequiturs

: Not one of his arguments disproves or even tends to disprove the points he references.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 15:54, 15 August 2007 (EDT)

::I believe his point was that conservatives also show these traits, not that liberals ''don't'' show these traits. If a liberal and a conservative have the same style, then it's not "liberal style," it's just "arguing style". (Just in case it gets pulled in later, as it often seems to, I am hereby officially denying I am a liberal). [[User:Jazzman831|Jazzman831]] 21:05, 16 August 2007 (EDT)

::Yes that was exactly my point, I'm glad someone actually read what I wrote. I wasn't trying to disprove anything, so I guess it only makes sense that "not one of his arguments disproves or tends to disprove the points he references." --[[User:BillOhannity|BillOhannity]] 14:16, 17 August 2007 (EDT)

:::Bill, I found something else you can add to your list: #1 (calling free speech hate speech) is also practised by conservatives, as evidenced [[Liberal Hate Speech|here]]. This list is looking more and more like it should be renamed. [[User:Jazzman831|Jazzman831]] 19:21, 18 August 2007 (EDT)

I don't understand your comment, Jazzman. Is someone on equating the ''institution'' of [[free speech]] with the ''practice'' of [[hate speech]], i.e., saying that all free speech is hate speech?

Or are you objecting to ''any'' denunciation of a remark as "hate speech", when that remark is protected by the principle of [[free speech]]? --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 19:51, 18 August 2007 (EDT)

:Huh? This article claims that the liberal style (or liberal bias... I don't know everything keeps moving around!) includes "calling conservative free speech "hate" speech". We have an article calling liberal free speech "hate" speech, do we not? If this is not the case then this article (template, whatever) or the [[liberal hate speech]] article needs to be clarified, because I don't see a difference between the two claims. [[User:Jazzman831|Jazzman831]] 18:47, 19 August 2007 (EDT)

==Its just funny==

I mean, people have so far pointed out the damning hypocrisy in this 'article', but so far its all being deemed as Liberal nonsense. Well, I am a Liberal and I find this article ridiculously hypocritical, and have noticed similar debating tactics among conservatives on this site. IN fact, this should be regarded as 'idiot's style', as idiots on both sides of the spectrum employ tactics like these mentioned. [[User:Graham|Graham]] 08:26, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

== Crocoite - Civility? ==

I note that we're [[Conservapedia:Guidelines|not allowed]] to "bully, ridicule (make fun of) or attack (denigrate) Conservapedia or other users, and their opinions" on our user/talk pages, but it is okay to do so in encyclopedic articles? --[[User:Jenkins|Jenkins]] 09:44, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

Heh, don't worry about it. I'm just one big example of [[Liberal]] [[Deceit]].

Some of these guys genuinely don't know how much they seem to pardoy themselves. [[User:Graham|Graham]] 09:55, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

In fact, any of the last few discussions I've had with him he has ended prematurely. What he had said basically amounted to 'Your a Liberal and Liberals don't have an ability to logically deduct' or something along them lines. Anyway, its all innane. Crocite basically took all I said out of context, though I am flattered to be included in this. What he doesn't realise is that he himself uses many of the debate tactics listed in this. [[User:Graham|Graham]] 10:01, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

:Wow, I totally have to go over some of your recent discussions with him later on. Looking over the list, I can see your point - many items on this list are being used by some of the "top contributors" here, it seems. --[[User:Jenkins|Jenkins]] 10:07, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

You know that there is a very strong possibility we could be banned for having this discussion? Blocking here is arbitrary, at the whim of a certain admin you may or may not have irritated. Perhaps we should stop mentioning it and look to less controversial articles. Although discussion is the best antidote to the insanity of articles like this, Liberal Hypocrisy, Mc Carthyism, Liberal Intellectualism etc. perhaps it would be best to concentrate on less controversial articles and on the articles which don't make conservapedia seem like a parody of itself. [[User:Graham|Graham]] 10:10, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

:I agree, although I have trouble finding articles that I can contribute significantly to and which are uncontroversial enough. But I have asked a fair share of uncomfortable questions in the past few days, so I figure I better get a few edits under my belt to save my reputation... see you around then, I guess/hope? --[[User:Jenkins|Jenkins]] 10:21, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

Sure thing buddy [[User:Graham|Graham]] 10:42, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

== Athiests? ==

Are all atheists Liberals? [[User:Tubesock|Tubesock]] 13:55, 11 November 2007 (EST)

: No, of course not. Not all smokers get lung cancer, and not everyone in jail committed a crime. But the vast majority of atheists are [[liberals]], particularly on social issues.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 14:13, 11 November 2007 (EST)

Citation needed
::thats not a real response to the question, as that is a bad relationship-[[User:Greenmeanie|Greenmeanie]] 01:06, 3 June 2008 (EDT)

== Protected ==

I just wanted to add that Liberals deny that God created the Earth and everything in it in six days.
[[User:WKirkwood|WKirkwood]] 17:30, 6 January 2008 (EST)
:no, athiests deny that, not liberals-[[User:Greenmeanie|Greenmeanie]] 01:05, 3 June 2008 (EDT)

:: Dude, it's spelled "atheists" ("i" after "e", except after "c" ...). And, by the way, most [[liberals]] do deny that the God created the world in six days.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 09:50, 3 June 2008 (EDT)
:::"Science" proved that wrong, Andy. pun intended +_+ always tired [[User:Kektklik|Kektk]] 23:30, 3 June 2008 (EDT)

== Confused ==
Ignoring, for a second, the content of the article itself... Why is this a plate? [[User:Barikada|Barikada]] 13:04, 23 January 2008 (EST)

== Content ==
"# calling conservative humor "unprofessional and meaningless, and degrades the quality of your encyclopedia." [3]" Hooray for grammar!

"# overreliance on hearsay, such as the false claim that most support evolution" vs "insistence on censoring certain speech, such as a description of The Flood or even teaching children about a massive flood, despite its acceptance by a majority of Americans"

"selectively citing the Bible when convenient, even though they hold much of it in disdain." Because we can never quote the Bible. Ever. 'cause that's wrong. We're infidels.

And finally, #42: Identity is the colour of one's skin. I love you guys. [[User:Barikada|Barikada]] 13:10, 23 January 2008 (EST)

== Sooo.... ==

Is it safe to assume that these are supposed to be things that '''only''' Liberals do, or can Conservatives occasionalyl do them, as well? --[[User:RJest|RJest]] 17:51, 16 February 2008 (EST)

== Neville Chamberlain Was A Conservative ==

Can someone please fix? Thx. [[User:Aboganza|Aboganza]] 23:05, 24 February 2008 (EST)
:Prove he was a conservative first. Thx. [[User:Karajou|Karajou]] 23:06, 24 February 2008 (EST)

== "...a description of The Flood or even teaching children about a massive flood, despite its acceptance by a majority of Americans" ==

as my mother - a very wise woman -once said, "just because a lot of people think something, doesn't make it right. Would you jump off a bridge if everyone else thought it was a good idea?" What is the relationship, in this case between the alleged "massive flood" and what a majority of Americans (the same majority that believe in UFOs and a living Elvis, perhaps?) think? [[User:Aboganza|Aboganza]] 23:18, 24 February 2008 (EST)

: No one is claiming that majority opinion makes something right. But when something is right and supported by majority opinion, and liberals censor it anyway, then it is a double outrage.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 23:26, 24 February 2008 (EST)

==Point four... The new one.==
Because no Conservative has ever done anything destructive. ''Ever.'' [[User:Barikada|Barikada]] 21:32, 6 March 2008 (EST)

== Deletion suggestion ==

That nothing links to a page is not justification for deleting it. People may find it by searching for it in the "FIND" box.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 21:38, 6 March 2008 (EST)

==Controversial==
[[Iconoclastic controversy]], [[Global Warming Controversy]], [[Creation-evolution controversy]], [[Muhammad cartoons controversy]], [[Abortion controversy]], [[Easter controversy]], [[Intelligent design controversy]], [[Video game controversy]]. [[User:DannyRedful|DannyRedful]] 16:11, 13 June 2008 (EDT)

== Grammer ==

shouldn't the first letter of every sentence be capitalized and I was wondering if those external links could be changed to referenced??? Just trying to help. respond to me on my talk page. --[[User:AmeliaJ|AmeliaJ]] 17:37, 28 December 2008 (EST)

Liberal redefinition

2008-12-28T22:34:11Z

AmeliaJ: Fixed grammer and alphibetised.

'''Liberal redefinition''' is the distortion of traditional meanings of words to advance the [[liberal ideology]] and often to erode [[faith]] and/or conservative principles. Examples include:

* [[Equality]]
* [[Evolution]]
* [[Faith]]
* [[Feminism]]
* [[Gay]]
* [[Globalism]]
* [[Hate crime]]
* [[Rainbow]]
* [[Secular]]
* [[They]]

(add more)

{{liberalism}}
[[Category:liberals]]

Liberal redefinition

2008-12-28T22:32:16Z

AmeliaJ: Deleated red link.

'''Liberal redefinition''' is the distortion of traditional meanings of words to advance the [[liberal ideology]] and often to erode [[faith]] and / or conservative principles. Examples include:

* [[equality]]
* [[evolution]]
* [[faith]]
* [[feminism]]
* [[gay]]
* [[hate crime]]
*[[Rainbow|rainbow]]
* [[secular]]
* [[they]]
*[[Globalism]]

(add more)

{{liberalism}}
[[Category:liberals]]

Liberal logic

2008-12-28T22:31:21Z

AmeliaJ: Fixed grammer.

'''Liberal logic''' is an argument by [[liberal]]s that is deceptively attractive to some, but is actually nonsensical. Here are some examples:

#assuming something is true, merely because another liberal said so (see [[appeal to authority]])
#assuming something is false, merely because "only" a conservative said it (see [[ad hominem]])
#claiming that their viewpoints are being censored, while actually they are the ones censoring their opponents
# frequent reliance on [[circular reasoning]], as in demanding censorship of [[intelligent design]] while simultaneously citing the resulting silence as proof against it<ref>See, e.g., [[Richard Sternberg]].</ref>
# insisting that someone needs to experience something (e.g., drugs, pornography, gambling, etc.) before being able to criticize it<ref>[http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1808 Bryn Mawr report on marijuana]. Many commentators said the reporter had no justification for his views since he had never tried marijuana. Examples of such liberal logic included: "There are pros and cons to everything under the sun. That dosen't (sic) mean that you shouldn't try it all...Besides marijuana is so much more beneficial then everyone realizes." which was smartly replied to by another commenter with: "Following your logic, obviously there are PROS to:
*jumping off the Empire State Building
*anorexia
*drunk driving
*smoking crack or meth
*child molestation
*Shall I keep going?...
Sorry, but not only is your drug-induced logic utterly flawed, but you don't exactly exude intelligence. Forgive me if I don't join your crusade." </ref>
# personal experience dictates personal views, rather than rising above bad and/or unusual experiences and basing one's views on [[logic]]
# claim that switching from heterosexual to [[homosexual]] is customary, but switching back is somehow impossible
# criticize [[Christians]] for literal interpretations of [[Genesis]], but then insist on even more literal interpretations when it suits the [[liberal]] ideology<ref>For example, [[liberals]] here insist that [[homeschooling]] can only mean being taught while in someone's own home.</ref>
# insisting that the [[Bible]] literally prohibits judging anything.
# no matter what happens in the weather, [[global warming]] caused it
# belief that a [[correlation]] and/or [[causation]] (e.g., between [[atheism]] and [[suicide]]) can be disproved by a [[counterexample]] (e.g., one [[atheist]] who remained sane)
# often a [[liberal]] responds to a logical comment or question with an (illogical) expression of personal like or dislike, as in "but I like it!"
# never admit shame for [[liberal]] behavior, but often tell others they should be ashamed of themselves
# [[Americans]] should "move on" past the misconduct of [[Bill Clinton]] and [[Ted Kennedy]], but should dig up as much old dirt as possible about [[John McCain]]
# Highly implausible assumption like "if [[embryonic stem cell]] research will find the cure for paralysis, then would you support it?" (without any consideration of alternatives).
# [[Barack Obama]] on [[Afghanistan]]: with fewer soldiers, we didn't have enough ammo and humvees!<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/us/politics/21text-demdebate.html?sq=transcript&st=nyt&scp=2&pagewanted=print]</ref>
# [[free speech]] for anything and everything ... except the [[conservative]] truth, and religion.
# insisting on "tolerance" for anything that is anti-[[Christian]], while censorship for anything is [[Christian]]
# [[Hollywood]] promotion of [[abortion]] is welcomed, but views of Hollywood actresses towards their own children are concealed
# carrying an unborn child to birth reduces risk of breast cancer, but choosing [[abortion]] rather than childbirth somehow does not increase the relative risk
# requesting increased spending by [[government]] to reduce poverty, when actually poverty is increased by the dependency
# claiming that an [[atheistic]] culture cannot harm anyone, but also insisting that classroom prayer can cause harm
# claiming that teaching [[abstinence]] does not reduce premarital sex and associated disease.<ref>http://media.www.mustangdaily.net/media/storage/paper860/news/2007/04/10/LettersToTheEditor/Teaching.AbstinenceOnly.Unrealistic-2831363.shtml</ref>
# claiming that premarital sex is fine
# claiming that increasing taxes must increase government revenue,<ref>http://capwiz.com/acu/issues/alert/?alertid=11534766</ref> when often people just work less and revenues then decline
# denying that widespread ownership of guns, largely defensive weapons, can reduce crime
# Even though the [[Supreme Court]] overrules precedents every year by 5-4 votes, [[Roe v. Wade]] cannot be overruled, or can only be overruled if it is a unanimous 9-0 vote (this argument tries to make irreversible law out of the dicta in a weak majority opinion in ''[[Planned Parenthood v. Casey]]'', even though the very creation of that "secret opinion" was procured by [[liberal deceit]].)<ref>See Jeffrey Toobin's ''The Nine''.</ref>
# The pronoun "he" has been used to include men and women collectively for centuries, but [[liberals]] find that illogical today.
# Getting rid of a sadistic dictator by going into [[Iraq]] was wrong but stepping into [[Sudan]] is not.
# The [[United Nations]] is better suited to judge and direct a country's actions rather than the country itself.
# It is a right to dissent against [[American]] policy but never take a stand if that [[logic]] moves beyond dissent and becomes treason.
# The wondrous, pristine national park of [[ANWR]] needs protection to keep its' beauty. Though, it is but a remote barren tundra that few visit. <ref>[http://townhall.com/columnists/MaryFallin/2008/07/24/anwrs_place_in_our_energy_picture ANWR's Place In Our Energy Picture] Townhall.com, July 24, 2008</ref>
# It's not fair to the world that [[America]] keeps the thermostat at 72 degrees at all times. <ref>[http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=13459 Freedom and the View From Obamaland] American Spectator, July 1, 2008</ref>
# It is okay to demean an African-American if they are a [[conservative]], if they are a [[liberal]] then you are a [[racist]].
#It is okay to demean a woman if they are a [[conservative]], but if they are [[liberal]] then you are [[sexist]].

==References==
<references/>

{{Liberalism}}
[[category:politics]]
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:oxymoron]]

Talk:Fashion industry values

2008-12-28T22:26:52Z

AmeliaJ: Added sections and cleaned up

== Added sections and cleaned up ==

I cleaned and orginized the article today. --[[User:AmeliaJ|AmeliaJ]] 17:26, 28 December 2008 (EST)

Fashion industry values

2008-12-28T22:26:10Z

AmeliaJ: /* Examples of Fashion industry values */ Fixed grammer.

'''Fashion industry values''' represent the [[moral]] degradation that occurs among a class of people who idolize physical beauty and [[materialism|material goods]] and uphold them above all else, especially moral integrity and [[intelligence]]. The [[fashion]] [[industry]] operates as a cult of the body. Many young people have been brainwashed into this mentality, with devastating results. [[Homosexuality]], serious [[drug abuse]], extreme [[promiscuity]], unfettered cosmetic surgery, and severe [[depression]] are rampant and take their toll upon the young people involved. Unfortunately, there are abundantly many cases where fashion industry values have led to the sad and untimely deaths of misguided young people.

==The vicious cycle of the fashion industry==
* Rich [[consumer]]s want to spend money on the newest and "sexiest" fashions to show off their wealth and popularity.
* Fashion designers design exotic and scandalous clothing that shows off the female body, which treats the woman as another luxury good.
* Fashion agents treat models as merchandise, placing heavy demands on the models to meet the specifications of the designer.
* The models never feel good enough unless they are the thinnest, youngest, prettiest, etc.
* Many models suffer irreparable damage from feelings of inadequacy, leading to depression and sometimes suicide.
* Thinner, younger models take the place of the unstable, unreliable older models (who themselves are no older than 25).
* Rich consumers buy the latest fashion, become convinced that the newer fashion standard is even thinner than before, and pump more money into the system in the process.

==Type of clothing==
The "clothing" promoted by the heads of the fashion industry frequently goes far beyond standards of decency in most communities. Often more is revealed than concealed by the clothing, which features plunging necklines, high slits, and sheer fabrics. The designs often intentionally blur [[gender role]]s, with women wearing tuxedos and men wearing feather boas or other feminine accessories.<ref>[http://media.www.westerncarolinian.com/media/storage/paper265/news/2007/10/08/Features/Switching.Sides.Gender.Lines.Are.Becoming.Vague.In.Fashion-3018870.shtml Gender Lines are Becoming Vague in Fashion]</ref>

==Examples of Fashion industry values==

* 20-year-old [[supermodel]] Ruslana Korshunova leapt to her death from a New York City penthouse in an apparent suicide on June 28, 2008. <ref>http://www.nypost.com/seven/06282008/news/regionalnews/model_suicide_117616.htm</ref>

* Ana Carolina Reston, a 21-year-old [[anorexic]] [[Brazilian]] model who weighed only 88 pounds died in November 2006.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,230183,00.html</ref>

* Hila Elmalich, an [[Israel]]i model suffering from anorexia, died in November 2006 when weighing only 60 pounds. She was so weak and atrophied that she could not stand.<ref name=Israeli>[http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3883944&page=1 ABC news] Did Model Die From Pressure to Be Thin?</ref> The response from the industry is stunning:

<blockquote>In New York, the Council of Fashion Designers of America issued voluntary guidelines to raise awareness -- urging designers to promote the message that beauty is health -- but setting no minimum [[BMI]] requirement. Officials in other key fashion capitals, London and Paris, did not act on the issue. Designers say that clothes just look better on thin models and that the curves of more shapely models distract from the clothing they are showing off. They say rules and punishments would only stifle creativity.<ref name=Israeli/></blockquote>

* In August, 2006, 22-year-old [[Uruguay]]an model Luisel Ramos died during Fashion Week in [[Montevideo]] after reportedly surviving on [[lettuce]] and diet drinks.<ref name=Israeli/>

* [[Supermodel]] [[Kate Moss]] became the postergirl for the "[[heroin]] chic" look in fashion during the early 90s, which involved a waifish frame and heavy mascara and eyeliner to suggest rings under the eyes from prolonged drug abuse. Public outcry was widespread, and even President [[Bill Clinton]] publicly criticized the positive depiction of drug use as dangerous for impressionable young girls.<ref>[http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/archive/peoplearchive.php/Kate_Moss/biog Kate Moss biography]</ref> It was later revealed that Moss had a long history abusing [[cocaine]], with photographs documenting her abuse.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-381902/Kate-Moss-escape-cocaine-charges.html] Cocaine abuse photographed</ref><ref>[http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-20367317-details/Kate+'caught+snorting+coke'/article.do;jsessionid=K8WNGNNXpRdWlkvGtM9qMblZqnNlFPQjr8BSQT1pnFY25SPnGQPC!890633107!-1407319224!7001!-1] Caught again.</ref> Yet, in true form for fashion industry values, her popularity and assets doubled upon revelation of the drug abuse photos.<ref>[http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23400399-details/Moss+doubles+her+money+after+'Cocaine+Kate'+scandal/article.do] Assets double</ref> Also, now that she is older, she has openly accused the fashion industry for pushing her to be too thin.<ref>[http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/lifestyle/kate-moss-blames-fashion-industry-for-making-her-too-thin_10089619.html Kate Moss blames fashion industry for making her too thin] - Thaindian.com</ref>

* Fashion designer [[Calvin Klein]] has been criticized for several years for several scandalous underwear advertisements, in print, video and billboard form. IN 1984, he rented a large billboard in [[Times Square]], [[New York]] on which he placed a 100 foot tall photo of a male model wearing only underwear.<ref>http://www.vintagefashionguild.org/component/option,com_alphacontent/section,6/cat,59/task,view/id,372/Itemid,100/</ref> In 1995, he drew the ire of many groups, including the [[American Family Association]], when a video and print advertisement campaign featured pubescent models in settings that intentionally evoked [[pornography]]. "Consumer and child welfare advocates slammed the ad campaign, finding the ads disturbing and exploitative."<ref name=mediaaware>[http://www.media-awareness.ca/ Media-Awareness Canada] has a full article on Calvin Klein, but it is not linked explicitly since the offensive photos are included as evidence.</ref> In 1999, a series of photos of children in his underwear drew a large backlash from consumers and groups, who felt these photos were blatant [[child pornography]]. The ad was quickly pulled.<ref name=mediaaware/><ref>[http://solissf.stores.yahoo.net/kpoco.html Morality in Media report]</ref> Even though he has been married twice, his [[sexuality]] is debated, with many reports of wild excesses at night clubs in the 70s and 80s. He has continued offending with his fashion, so long as it sells clothes.<ref>[http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Calvin-Klein-Inc-Company-History.html Calvin Klein, Inc. financial history]</ref>

* Supermodel [[Naomi Campbell]] has a storied history of violence, including verbal and physical attacks against: a housekeeper in 2006<ref>http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/nyc/naomicampbellassault33106.html</ref>, an employee in 2005<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/14/entertainment/main1804363.shtml</ref>, British Airways employees (she is now forbidden from flying on the airline)<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7336346.stm</ref> followed by two airport police officers.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7425563.stm</ref> She grew up without a father.

* Homosexual fashion designer Gianni Versace was killed by a former lover, Andrew Cunanan. Cunanan had already killed four men, including three former lovers. He met Versace while hiding in plain sight in Miami and regularly attending gay night clubs.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9707/17/cunanan/ CNN] "Who is Andrew Cunanan? Suspected killer led flamboyant lifestyle."</ref>

* [[Homosexual]] designer Hedi Slimane obsessively features only very young boys in his fashion shows. "Hedi Slimane embraced a different look, bringing his ultra-young, ultra-thin models out of their all-black nightclub clothes and into daylight." "...it was good to see Slimane moving on...Yet.. menswear for this classic French house has a focus on very young boys."<ref>http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/01/28/rwed_ed3__0.php</ref>

* Many other prominent fashion designers are [[homosexuals]], including Christian Dior, Yves St. Laurent, Jean-Paul Gaultier (whose lover died of [[AIDS]]), Karl Lagerfeld, Tom Ford, etc.

(add more)

==See Also==
*[[Hollywood Values]]

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{liberalism}}
[[Category:Entertainment]]
[[Category:Liberal Traits]]
[[Category:Homosexuality]]

Fashion industry values

2008-12-28T22:24:59Z

AmeliaJ: Added sections, fixed grammer, dleated redlinks, added wikilinks, and added a catogoty.

'''Fashion industry values''' represent the [[moral]] degradation that occurs among a class of people who idolize physical beauty and [[materialism|material goods]] and uphold them above all else, especially moral integrity and [[intelligence]]. The [[fashion]] [[industry]] operates as a cult of the body. Many young people have been brainwashed into this mentality, with devastating results. [[Homosexuality]], serious [[drug abuse]], extreme [[promiscuity]], unfettered cosmetic surgery, and severe [[depression]] are rampant and take their toll upon the young people involved. Unfortunately, there are abundantly many cases where fashion industry values have led to the sad and untimely deaths of misguided young people.

==The vicious cycle of the fashion industry==
* Rich [[consumer]]s want to spend money on the newest and "sexiest" fashions to show off their wealth and popularity.
* Fashion designers design exotic and scandalous clothing that shows off the female body, which treats the woman as another luxury good.
* Fashion agents treat models as merchandise, placing heavy demands on the models to meet the specifications of the designer.
* The models never feel good enough unless they are the thinnest, youngest, prettiest, etc.
* Many models suffer irreparable damage from feelings of inadequacy, leading to depression and sometimes suicide.
* Thinner, younger models take the place of the unstable, unreliable older models (who themselves are no older than 25).
* Rich consumers buy the latest fashion, become convinced that the newer fashion standard is even thinner than before, and pump more money into the system in the process.

==Type of clothing==
The "clothing" promoted by the heads of the fashion industry frequently goes far beyond standards of decency in most communities. Often more is revealed than concealed by the clothing, which features plunging necklines, high slits, and sheer fabrics. The designs often intentionally blur [[gender role]]s, with women wearing tuxedos and men wearing feather boas or other feminine accessories.<ref>[http://media.www.westerncarolinian.com/media/storage/paper265/news/2007/10/08/Features/Switching.Sides.Gender.Lines.Are.Becoming.Vague.In.Fashion-3018870.shtml Gender Lines are Becoming Vague in Fashion]</ref>

==Examples of Fashion industry values==

* 20-year-old [[supermodel]] Ruslana Korshunova leapt to her death from a New York City penthouse in an apparent suicide on June 28, 2008. <ref>http://www.nypost.com/seven/06282008/news/regionalnews/model_suicide_117616.htm</ref>

* Ana Carolina Reston, a 21-year-old [[anorexic]] [[Brazilian]] model who weighed only 88 pounds died in November 2006.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,230183,00.html</ref>

* Hila Elmalich, an [[Israel]]i model suffering from anorexia, died in November 2006 when weighing only 60 pounds. She was so weak and atrophied that she could not stand.<ref name=Israeli>[http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3883944&page=1 ABC news] Did Model Die From Pressure to Be Thin?</ref> The response from the industry is stunning:

<blockquote>In New York, the Council of Fashion Designers of America issued voluntary guidelines to raise awareness -- urging designers to promote the message that beauty is health -- but setting no minimum [[BMI]] requirement. Officials in other key fashion capitals, London and Paris, did not act on the issue. Designers say that clothes just look better on thin models and that the curves of more shapely models distract from the clothing they are showing off. They say rules and punishments would only stifle creativity.<ref name=Israeli/></blockquote>

* In August, 2006, 22-year-old [[Uruguay]]an model Luisel Ramos died during Fashion Week in [[Montevideo]] after reportedly surviving on [[lettuce]] and diet drinks.<ref name=Israeli/>

* [[Supermodel]] [[Kate Moss]] became the postergirl for the "[[heroin]] chic" look in fashion during the early 90s, which involved a waifish frame and heavy mascara and eyeliner to suggest rings under the eyes from prolonged drug abuse. Public outcry was widespread, and even President [[Bill Clinton]] publicly criticized the positive depiction of drug use as dangerous for impressionable young girls.<ref>[http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/archive/peoplearchive.php/Kate_Moss/biog Kate Moss biography]</ref> It was later revealed that Moss had a long history abusing [[cocaine]], with photographs documenting her abuse.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-381902/Kate-Moss-escape-cocaine-charges.html] Cocaine abuse photographed</ref><ref>[http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-20367317-details/Kate+'caught+snorting+coke'/article.do;jsessionid=K8WNGNNXpRdWlkvGtM9qMblZqnNlFPQjr8BSQT1pnFY25SPnGQPC!890633107!-1407319224!7001!-1] Caught again.</ref> Yet, in true form for fashion industry values, her popularity and assets doubled upon revelation of the drug abuse photos.<ref>[http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23400399-details/Moss+doubles+her+money+after+'Cocaine+Kate'+scandal/article.do] Assets double</ref> Also, now that she is older, she has openly accused the fashion industry for pushing her to be too thin.<ref>[http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/lifestyle/kate-moss-blames-fashion-industry-for-making-her-too-thin_10089619.html Kate Moss blames fashion industry for making her too thin] - Thaindian.com</ref>

* Fashion designer [[Calvin Klein]] has been criticized for several years for several scandalous underwear advertisements, in print, video and billboard form. IN 1984, he rented a large billboard in [[Times Square]], [[New York]] on which he placed a 100 foot tall photo of a male model wearing only underwear.<ref>http://www.vintagefashionguild.org/component/option,com_alphacontent/section,6/cat,59/task,view/id,372/Itemid,100/</ref> In 1995, he drew the ire of many groups, including the [[American Family Association]], when a video and print advertisement campaign featured pubescent models in settings that intentionally evoked [[pornography]]. "Consumer and child welfare advocates <nowiki>[slammed the ad campaign]</nowiki>, finding the ads disturbing and exploitative."<ref name=mediaaware>[http://www.media-awareness.ca/ Media-Awareness Canada] has a full article on Calvin Klein, but it is not linked explicitly since the offensive photos are included as evidence.</ref> In 1999, a series of photos of children in his underwear drew a large backlash from consumers and groups, who felt these photos were blatant [[child pornography]]. The ad was quickly pulled.<ref name=mediaaware/><ref>[http://solissf.stores.yahoo.net/kpoco.html Morality in Media report]</ref> Even though he has been married twice, his [[sexuality]] is debated, with many reports of wild excesses at night clubs in the 70s and 80s. He has continued offending with his fashion, so long as it sells clothes.<ref>[http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Calvin-Klein-Inc-Company-History.html Calvin Klein, Inc. financial history]</ref>

* Supermodel [[Naomi Campbell]] has a storied history of violence, including verbal and physical attacks against: a housekeeper in 2006<ref>http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/nyc/naomicampbellassault33106.html</ref>, an employee in 2005<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/14/entertainment/main1804363.shtml</ref>, British Airways employees (she is now forbidden from flying on the airline)<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7336346.stm</ref> followed by two airport police officers.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7425563.stm</ref> She grew up without a father.

* Homosexual fashion designer Gianni Versace was killed by a former lover, Andrew Cunanan. Cunanan had already killed four men, including three former lovers. He met Versace while hiding in plain sight in Miami and regularly attending gay night clubs.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9707/17/cunanan/ CNN] "Who is Andrew Cunanan? Suspected killer led flamboyant lifestyle."</ref>

* [[Homosexual]] designer Hedi Slimane obsessively features only very young boys in his fashion shows. "Hedi Slimane embraced a different look, bringing his ultra-young, ultra-thin models out of their all-black nightclub clothes and into daylight.""...it was good to see Slimane moving on...Yet.. menswear for this classic French house has a focus on very young boys."<ref>http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/01/28/rwed_ed3__0.php</ref>

* Many other prominent fashion designers are [[homosexuals]], including Christian Dior, Yves St. Laurent, Jean-Paul Gaultier (whose lover died of [[AIDS]]), Karl Lagerfeld, Tom Ford, etc.

(add more)

==See Also==
*[[Hollywood Values]]

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{liberalism}}
[[Category:Entertainment]]
[[Category:Liberal Traits]]
[[Category:Homosexuality]]

Talk:Aleister Crowley

2008-12-28T21:06:41Z

AmeliaJ: /* Image added */ new section

== Page created ==

Hello. I just created this page today (on: Sunday, December 28, 2008). If you have any concerns about this page just contact me on my talk page or leave your concerns on this talk page. --[[User:AmeliaJ|AmeliaJ]] 16:03, 28 December 2008 (EST)

== Image added ==

I also added an image to help with the article (on the same day the page was created). --[[User:AmeliaJ|AmeliaJ]] 16:06, 28 December 2008 (EST)

Aleister Crowley

2008-12-28T21:05:57Z

AmeliaJ: Added image.

[[Image:Crowley.jpg‎|thumbnail|150px|The [[occult|occultist]] [[Aleister Crowley]] was dubbed in his lifetime "the most wicked man on earth". Aleister Crowley stated: "I was not content to believe in a personal [[devil]] and serve him, in the ordinary sense of the word. I wanted to get hold of him personally and become his chief of staff."<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=k_uVVznqdssC&pg=PA49&lpg=PA49&dq=I+was+not+content+to+believe+in+a+personal+devil+and+serve+him,+in+the+ordinary+sense+of+the+word.+I+wanted+to+get+hold+of+him+personally+and+become+his+chief+of+staff.&source=web&ots=w0mmSaLOcC&sig=rSH3vqIlpfp3U5-mSLKD5vsVG5w&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result</ref>]]
''Aleister Crowley'' was an [[occult|occultist]], [[bisexual]], and was also described as "The Wickedest Man In the World.".<ref>{{cite news | first = Horatio | last = Bottomley | title = The Wickedest Man In The World | work = John Bull | date = 1923-03-24 }}</ref> he also had very [[sexist]] views merely finding women "tolerable" when they contributed to a man's work, but (according to Crowley) they had no hope of understanding the work (as they were less intelligent then men, according to him<ref>Sutin, ch. 1, p. 28</ref>).<ref>(Crowley ''Confessions'' pp. 96-7)</ref> It should however be noted that Crowley was very [[pro-life]], believing abortion to be murder and he also believing that a woman would never really want to end a pregnancy.<ref>"A Magick Life", Martin Booth, p400, Coronet, ISBN 0-340-71806-4</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[category:occult]]
[[category:Religion]]

Talk:Aleister Crowley

2008-12-28T21:03:23Z

AmeliaJ: Page created

Aleister Crowley

2008-12-28T21:01:07Z

AmeliaJ: /* References */ Deleated red links.

''Aleister Crowley'' was an [[occult|occultist]], [[bisexual]], and was also described as "The Wickedest Man In the World.".<ref>{{cite news | first = Horatio | last = Bottomley | title = The Wickedest Man In The World | work = John Bull | date = 1923-03-24 }}</ref> he also had very [[sexist]] views merely finding women "tolerable" when they contributed to a man's work, but (according to Crowley) they had no hope of understanding the work (as they were less intelligent then men, according to him<ref>Sutin, ch. 1, p. 28</ref>).<ref>(Crowley ''Confessions'' pp. 96-7)</ref> It should however be noted that Crowley was very [[pro-life]], believing abortion to be murder and he also believing that a woman would never really want to end a pregnancy.<ref>"A Magick Life", Martin Booth, p400, Coronet, ISBN 0-340-71806-4</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[category:occult]]
[[category:Religion]]

Aleister Crowley

2008-12-28T21:00:46Z

AmeliaJ: Created page. Also see talk page.

Talk:Sadism

2008-12-28T20:33:58Z

AmeliaJ: /* Wording change */ new section

One could simply sculpt it into a Conservapedia view. How would anybody make any articles based on fact if Wikipedia already has all those facts? --[[User:Eiyuu Kou|Eiyuu Kou]] 14:17, 19 March 2007 (EDT)

== Wording change ==

Hi. I just changed the phrase "This is morally '''straightforward''' if the victim is innocent, or does not consent." To "This is morally '''wrong''' if the victim is innocent, or does not consent." I do not see how the first phrase made scene. I think it might have been liberal vandalism. --[[User:AmeliaJ|AmeliaJ]] 15:33, 28 December 2008 (EST)

Sadism

2008-12-28T20:31:19Z

AmeliaJ: Changed "straightforward" to "wrong" so that there would be less confusion. I will explain more on the talk page.

'''Sadism''' is the taking of pleasure in inflicting [[pain]] or suffering on others.

This is morally wrong if the [[victim]] is innocent, or does not consent. Although it becomes difficult if the victim desires punishment, in which case the denial of inflicting pain would be more cruel than physical punishment.

More difficulty arises in passive sadism: if, for example, a jailer with a fulltime job takes passive satisfaction in watching the inmates suffer their imprisonment; he harms none and it makes him more attentive to his job, and he takes no actions to further their suffering.

[[Category:Dictionary]]