What's your controversial opinion?

[Thyunda]

These opinions stop me being taken seriously in debates with my friends, which is quite irritating.

1. I believe that countries should look after their own first. For example, England should place English nationals at top priority. If you've come in from a different country, then you get the short end of the stick. You don't have to be here. If you've moved to England because your job took you here, or because you want to try living in a different country, I can assume that you've already got work and housing sorted, so this doesn't apply to you. But where things like benefits are concerned, English nationals deserve it far more than asylum seekers or illegal immigrants...simply because you should not get the crappy end of the deal from your own country. Ain't your fault where you're born. If your own country was that bad that you had to leave for England, then I'm sure you've had worse than a little bit of a delay in getting a house, and it shouldn't be an issue.
For this opinion, I've been called misled, ignorant, racist, insensitive, uncaring, and a bigot.

2. I support abortion. I am pro-choice. No child should have to be brought up in a home where its parents cannot look after it, or simply don't want to. It just ain't right. If you can't afford to look after a child, then don't have one. In these cases, plus rape, inability to give healthy birth, and other, similar reasons, I think abortion is to be supported.
I've had Immanuel Kant's universal maxims quoted at me here, but to that I quote to you the same.
"If everybody had abortions all the time, there would be no children. However, if everybody who could not raise a child had abortions all the time, all children born would be raised in proper conditions, and the human race would be better for it."
Kant is just a matter of specifics.

3. I disagree with democracy. No. I don't think everyone should have a 'fair' vote. Fairness is irrelevant. People can't run a country. Well, 'average' people can't run a country. Anybody who genuinely believes that all our country's problems stem from that Indian family down the road should not be allowed to vote. This is why I disagree totally with America's actions in Iraq. I can't say whether or not they were right to intervene...they probably were, and that's fine. Intervention is good, on some occasions. However, trying to force a democracy on a Middle-Eastern country like that just doesn't work. Sometimes it just doesn't belong. And democracy is just Greek for 'Won't Ever Get Shit Done'. Everytime a leader tries to take a risky political manoeuvre that could lead to long-term gain, he gets voted out of office, and his successor 'fixes his mistakes'.

4. Religious people should never be in charge of a country. I'm not saying that belonging to a religion should exempt you, BUT if you're devout enough to let religious practice influence your political decisions, you should be removed. Religion belongs in churches, in misjads, and in the home. Religion influences personal decisions. It should not influence nationwide plans.

5. Faith schools should be reserved for the faithful. It is no lie that Catholic schools are some of the best...and one of the major debates around Lincolnshire regards a Church of England school in the area. The debate centres around the fact that the headmaster said that only Church of England children should be allowed to attend the school...meanwhile, the public demands that they open it for everyone. Apparently excluding people based on faith is wrong.
Well, it's a faith school. I would far rather atheist families have their children excluded than brought up Christian. Great schooling is overrated anyway, and I would hate for my children to grow up with the bullshit I got. I didn't even go to a faith school...at least, I don't think I did. But the teachers were religious. We sang hymns and prayed every morning. And when I asked to be excluded because I did not believe in God? Well, I committed educational suicide. None of the teachers would help me...and any attempt at complex vocabulary from me was met with complaints of 'showing off' and 'childish competition'.
All because I used the word 'sheathed' instead of 'put away' in the context of Peter's sword.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Pedophiles should be publicly branded with large P's on both sides of each hands.

Careful that you say that, this forum seems to be overun by people who support those people

OT: I think any and every consenting act two adults wish to engage in without directly harming another should be allowed. This includes free-market capitalism.

EDIT: (DnD related again): I would sooner trust someone who is Lawful Evil than Chaotic Good. Every. Single. Time.

 

[Duck Sandwich]

Hmm, well i burnt my brain out after 3pages, so yeah 10 not gonna happen.

For now i will start with the simplist ones i can think of.
You break into my house, i'm allowed to kill you. I dont know why you're there, if you're armed etc. I fear for my life and that of my family. You shouldn't be in my house as you weren't invited.
You start a fight with me on the street and i beat you down i shouldnt be charged with assault.
You shouldn't be allowed to smoke any where, except a special dedicated sealed room. If you wanna kill yourself go ahead, but no one else should ever have to put up with your smoke in their face.
If you are unemployed for more then 12 months by law you are placed into a work camp to learn a trade and work on public projects ( building roads, feeding sick people in hospital, etc ) to keep recieving payments.

This one is rumoured to be becoming a reality here in australia, but if you're over weight your doctor can send you to a gym as part of your perscription.

All junk food outlets should be closed down and replaced with fresh food markets.
The over use of salt as a perservative and sugar as a flavour enhancer needs to be outlawed for peoples own good.

Office workers need to have enforced breaks every hour to get up away from there desks for 5 minutes at least and work place exercise periods wouldnt go astray either.

now while i am not savvy on the environmental impact of making solar panels i still think every roof of every building / house should be covered in solar panels. No more fossil fuel emmissions.

Every specialised payment from the government to the indigenous people of australia needs to be withdrawn. They can pay their own bills and send their own kids to school on the money they earn from jobs just like anyone else.

I agree with everything you just stated here (aside from the Australia part which I don't know enough about to have an educated opinion), especially the part on putting unemployed people to work. Unemployed people who are in that position because they're lazy will be kept off the streets, and those who are unemployed because they just have bad luck as far as job searching goes will appreciate the chance to earn a living.

 

[Evil Top Hat]

I think that art, music and other creative subjects are more important that stuff like science and maths.

That being said there is no way of us convincing you either considering that we would only argue with logic which you have already dismissed as being less important then the application of creativity.

PS: Keep in mind I understand that both aspects to culture are of vital significance I am just talking of a general relative greater importance.

I think that art is more important than science, that doesn't make me ignorant, and it doesn't mean that I will "dismiss" logical arguments and your view points just because they are different to mine. Don't think that just because my views are different to yours that I am incapable of reason.

 

[Laser Priest]

I don't approve of living things that aren't allied with me.

 

[Thyunda]

Pedophiles should be publicly branded with large P's on both sides of each hands.

Careful that you say that, this forum seems to be overun by people who support those people

They don't support paedophiles that actively molest children. They...we...sympathise with the fact that such thoughts cannot always be helped. If homosexuals are allowed to cry that they're genetically attracted to men, and physically can't help it, then why aren't paedophilic notions considered in the same light?

Note that I don't condone Adult/Child relationships...though sometimes it's hard to justify why not. And here's why. Children cannot engage in sexual relationships because they're 'too young to understand it'. Well, in the past, children younger than I (I'm 18) have borne and raised healthy children. Plus, that's all a matter of understanding. Sixteen is the legal age for sex in the UK, and there's no genetic revelation where I snapped my fingers and went "That's how it works!"
Any other argument against paedophilia could also be used against homosexuality.

Also, paedophilia makes me uncomfortable. So I won't be supporting it.

However, rape in any circumstance is wrong. End of.

 

[bluewolf]

I bielieve that certain people deserve to die... like the world would be better without them... and I don`t mean people like Osama Binladen and Hitler, (already dead I know) I mean people who don`t contibute anything to the world, people who are poisoning the gene pool with there stupidity.

 

[Magikarp]

I think twilight princess and mario sunshine are better than oot and mario 64.

You're treading on dangerous ground there, but I'd have to agree, as I believe much of the appeal of old games is nostalgia. Oh, & no Navi & FLUDD as well.

OT: I believe that the death penalty should be in place for all intentional crimes. I doubt anyone would commit crimes like petty theft if they knew they would be killed for it.

 

[bluewolf]

I find fat people disgusting, lazy and not worth living.

Spoiler

People who just eat unhealthy, don't take care of themselves and above all are incredibly lazy. Not people with health conditions or that of the sort.

I agree, though it only applies to the fat people who complain and nag about their rights.. And "people like them".

Woah, that comment was weired, and frankly kind of creepy... you believe people deserve to die because of the way they look?

 

[Underground Man]

I can't understand why Christianity gets so much hate.

It seems like most of the 'religion is evil' sentiment comes from kids, teens, and 20 somethings (of which i am one) wanting to 'stick it to the man' or offend their Christian parents as much as possible.

Atheism isn't about sticking it to "the man," unless by "the man" you are referring to the heaps of legislators throughout the United States that vote by their bibles. Atheism is about promoting humanistic values and encouraging rationalism, critical thinking, and scientific progress.

Where i am from (Mid-western USA), I'm considered a moderately religious guy (I pray before I eat a meal and before I go to bed) but the second i step onto the forums people suddenly look at me crazy and tell me I believe in fairy tales.

Moderate or no, there are still some things you are required to believe in if you want to consider yourself an xtian. Absurd things like a man calling himself the son of god came back from the dead. Or that saints rose from the grave and invaded the city and interacted with the people in it (though, for some reason none of the Roman officials felt the need to write any of this stuff down, and the only accounts of this happening are mutually-exclusive and written by men with an agenda long after this so-called son of god died). Therefore, you do, in fact, believe in fairy tales.

Not to mention the fact that, just by being paying members of religious organizations, moderates are complacent in the terrible things the more extreme members of their religion do.

Its as if some (and not all) of the atheists here think Christianity is some kind of sinister organization seeking to rule the world. Like any expression of faith, no matter how personal, is an attack on atheism or some kind of subliminal recruitment campaign.

Well, speaking as an atheist who has spent a lot of time listening/reading/talking about xtianity with other atheists, no. No one actually believes that. xtianity has hundreds of sects and is too decentralized to be an organization like you're describing. Now, if you mean individual groups of xtians, like fundamentalists or catholics, then yes. They want to (and have in the past) shape the country/world in their image. Same with islam.

Why can't we just respect region or leave it alone if we can't say anything good about it? Why must those who express their faith here be attacked for it? I don't go around calling atheists godless heathens, why treat me in the same manner?

Because people under the influence of religion have done terrible things, and whitewashing history to avoid offending people is tacit approval. It's not even like anyone is even "attacking" xtians -- at least not atheists. Atheists are just pointing out reality using words. Now, if you go to say, Saudi Arabia there you'll see xtians getting attacked, but not by atheists. By other religious people who are just as sure as you are that they are right.

I also have that opinion and its gotten me laughed at before, but to be Christian is to be counter-cultural to a certain existent, no mater where you live.

Why do xtians have such a persecution complex? xtians are not being persecuted. Something like 80% of people in the US think of themselves as religious. How is that counter-cultural at all?

The fact that you are even an xtian, and not hindu or muslim just goes to show how prevalent xtianity is in the US. Have you ever thought about why this religion, and not another? It's because you were born into a society heavily influenced by xtianity. If you had been born in Afghanistan, you'd be a muslim right now. Doesn't that very fact make you wonder about how legitimate any one religion is?

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Pedophiles should be publicly branded with large P's on both sides of each hands.

Careful that you say that, this forum seems to be overun by people who support those people

They don't support paedophiles that actively molest children. They...we...sympathise with the fact that such thoughts cannot always be helped. If homosexuals are allowed to cry that they're genetically attracted to men, and physically can't help it, then why aren't paedophilic notions considered in the same light?

Note that I don't condone Adult/Child relationships...though sometimes it's hard to justify why not. And here's why. Children cannot engage in sexual relationships because they're 'too young to understand it'. Well, in the past, children younger than I (I'm 18) have borne and raised healthy children. Plus, that's all a matter of understanding. Sixteen is the legal age for sex in the UK, and there's no genetic revelation where I snapped my fingers and went "That's how it works!"
Any other argument against paedophilia could also be used against homosexuality.

Also, paedophilia makes me uncomfortable. So I won't be supporting it.

However, rape in any circumstance is wrong. End of.

But that?s just my problem. People in this forum have latched onto this issue as some sort of rallying cry. Why pedophiles? I mean, really.
Need I underline what most people?s problem with that is? Let?s look at the dictionary

Pedophile:
noun
an adult who is sexually attracted to young children

And therein lies the main problem with it.

 

[Johnny Impact]

- snip -

Mistake = bad thing by accident
Stupidity = bad thing as a result of your deliberate foolish action

For the record I will never lose fingers to such an example as I gave because I am smart enough not to create that situation. People who lack that minimal level of common sense need a swift kick in the ass, not another cookie.

I stand by everything I said.

I still love the warning message i saw on a hairdryer once.

"Caution do not use in shower"

Because not only will it electrocute you, but your in a freaking shower.

how often does someone go well i'm standing under this showerhead and it's wetting my hair, so i need to dry it at the same time.

I'll go you one better. Where I work we got one of those big deli slicers, the kind that weighs about 150 pounds and can go through bone without even slowing down, just makes a little "ching" noise. Above it is a poster covered with red arrows and the following: "DO NOT TOUCH KNIFE WITH YOUR HANDS," "KEEP HANDS OFF KNIFE," and my personal favorite, "CAUTION: KNIFE WILL CUT."

Let's sound it out together, kiddies. Knife. Will cut. Knife. Will. Cut.

Oh really, ya think?

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

- snip -

Mistake = bad thing by accident
Stupidity = bad thing as a result of your deliberate foolish action

For the record I will never lose fingers to such an example as I gave because I am smart enough not to create that situation. People who lack that minimal level of common sense need a swift kick in the ass, not another cookie.

I stand by everything I said.

I still love the warning message i saw on a hairdryer once.

"Caution do not use in shower"

Because not only will it electrocute you, but your in a freaking shower.

how often does someone go well i'm standing under this showerhead and it's wetting my hair, so i need to dry it at the same time.

I'll go you one better. Where I work we got one of those big deli slicers, the kind that weighs about 150 pounds and can go through bone without even slowing down, just makes a little "ching" noise. Above it is a poster covered with red arrows and the following: "DO NOT TOUCH KNIFE WITH YOUR HANDS," "KEEP HANDS OFF KNIFE," and my personal favorite, "CAUTION: KNIFE WILL CUT."

Let's sound it out together, kiddies. Knife. Will cut. Knife. Will. Cut.

Oh really, ya think?

I can top you one on that. I had a plunger that said ?Warning: Do not use Orally. Do not use Rectally.?

OT: People who suffer due to their own stupidity should get no funding from the government. At all.

 

[Yeager942]

Every single one of these militant anti-religious atheists are arrogant pricks with an overinflated sense of self-importance. Seriously, you guys are just as annoying as the "sheep" you deride. I'm an agnostic, so don't confuse me with some Westboro Baptist nutcase, but acting like self-righteous dicks to anyone who holds a shred of spiritual beliefs is being a hypocrite.

 

[Zeetchmen]

If you find out your soon to be baby/born baby is going to have a genetic defect(thus leading to debiltating metal or physcial issues) it should be mandatory to euthanize them

 

[Underground Man]

Every single one of these militant anti-religious atheists are arrogant pricks with an overinflated sense of self-importance. Seriously, you guys are just as annoying as the "sheep" you deride. I'm an agnostic, so don't confuse me with some Westboro Baptist nutcase, but acting like self-righteous dicks to anyone who holds a shred of spiritual beliefs is a hypocrite.

Most atheists are aware of their tiny place in the universe, unlike religious people who think the world was made for them. That isn't self-important at all.

Plus, the OP asked people's opinions, so people are giving them. It's just the nature of the thread.

 

[Roofstone]

I find fat people disgusting, lazy and not worth living.

Spoiler

People who just eat unhealthy, don't take care of themselves and above all are incredibly lazy. Not people with health conditions or that of the sort.

I agree, though it only applies to the fat people who complain and nag about their rights.. And "people like them".

Woah, that comment was weired, and frankly kind of creepy... you believe people deserve to die because of the way they look?

Sorry, I said that wrong. No, I dont think they deserve to die. Sorry.

 

[Shirokurou]

Well since there's been a thread that asked what opinion you had that others disagreed with, I'm taking it a step further. What opinion do you have that might cause outrage? (game hate when among said game's fanboys not withstanding.) If you feel the need, spoiler it, and put in the spoiler tag who it may offend.

Spoiler: devout religious people

I want to preface this by saying that I am a huge fan of culture and tradition, and for that reason, I do believe that various religious practices and ceremonies should continue due to their traditional and cultural value. However, while tradition can be important to maintain the identity of your people (If you're that kind of person) I do feel that when it comes to logical and scientific decision making, religion should not be factored, and until it is removed as a factor from important decisions like this, humanity is being held back. This can range from decisions of logic and safety, like the use of condoms, to steps in science such as Stem Cell research. While I appreciate the philosophical and moral aspects of this, the religious aspect of such an opinion is only getting in the way of dealing with it reasonably. I would say that the best solution would be some kind of checkbox when donating sperm, or eggs to a fertility clinic. Removing the emotional attachment a pregnant woman might feel towards the life growing inside her will help I realize it sounds a little harsh, and am only stating it as a step in the right direction. If I had to give a historical example, I would point out how several interpretations of religion forbade the dissection of humans, and it was only with the founding of the Greek city of Alexandria that things slowly came about to a more logical point of view.

It isn't my intention to pointlessly offend, and I have tried to state my argument in a reasonable way, suitable for a level headed debate.

Edit: Also, the forum posting button freaked out on me, I don't know if it'll mess stuff up.

Well if we're supposed to be controversial, then forgive my words, all who may be offended.

I think that religions are born of ignorance and fear of death and while once used for political influence, today are nothing but a rudimentary crutch... Except theocracies and countries where church laws are enforced by state.

But I also understand and enjoy their cultural value, so please... continue.

 

[marcooos]

Again removed because of teenage angsty stupidity