sakurasuka

[CENTER][SIZE=1]I'm not on my laptop right now, 'cause it seems to be screwed up. (Or maybe it's just my internet connection?) Anywho, don't be too harsh on the following... They are just screencaps of possible web layouts. My site is coming along, you can view it [URL=http://geocities.com/sakurasgfx/home.htm]here[/URL] if you so wish. (Be warned: there's nothing there yet. All of the links go to nowhere, as I took them down to totally rebuild my site from the ground up.) The current layout is just a spinoff of a layout I once had on my old site a few years ago, but I had to put in that pic of the girl (The one in the 'Fruit' banner above) 'cause I just had to find something relevant to do with that pic, I like it so much... Anyway, without further ado... Here we go! (Many of the screencaps below are quite large, and are saved as a .png filetype. You are warned.) [URL=http://www.geocities.com/sakurasgfx/screencap1.png]--Green Chibi Layout--[/URL] This was done a while back. I got the inspiration to do this layout from another site called Graphics.kaiosei.net, a beautiful site with a green layout. (Hence the color and theme.) Ack! I've gotta go! I'll edit later... As always, + - crit welcomed.[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1]Ooh, lookit what da Fruit coughed up now ~_^ [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/fruit001.png[/img] Rater-ness welcome ^_^ PS- Please don't point out the fact that I forgot the crop out the whiteness in between her hair. Helba already did that through IM =/[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[quote name='Ilium][COLOR=DarkRed']I don't understand how people can't swim... Is it a pschological thing? It should come natural to human beings, at least being able to float anyway. I'm just asking a question here, what is it about swimming that some people find difficult? (This is aimed generally at people who, well, can't swim.) [/COLOR][/quote] [CENTER][SIZE=1]Answer to your question- Yes, it is mostly psycological (For most people) There are some aspects, though, that are purely physical. It becomes dificult to swim if you lack muscule. I, being one of those unfortunate people, do. I cannot pull myself foreward in the water, and therefore sink like a rock. A few people blame it on weight, but that doesn't seem to be a factor, since most people I know vary both in wieght and in ability to swim, in no discernable order. Swimming, to some degee, it a TALENT, not an ability people are born with. Being able to float is mostly psycological, but being able to [I]swim[/I] is an entirely different thing. I myself have absolutely no clue why I cannot float or swim, since I am in no way afraid of water =/[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1]Most people do have a stuffed toy they care about most... I'm one of those people ^_^ She's a Minnie Mouse doll that my mother gave to me once we got home from the hospital (I don't remember due to the fact that I was only a few days old, but I've been told.) Now she's falling apart and stained, but she's still one of my most prized possesions. My guitar. I'm not very good at playing it (I can play whatever music you put in front of me, but I can't write good songs. I did this cool remix of Twinkle Twinkle Little star, though... No, seriously!), but I love it nonetheless. My little brother picked it out for me, and he started to play the Clarinet so that we could be in the Homeschool Band together. Then he got bored and quit. But it's still sweet. My computer. I know you all just think I'm obsessed now, but my computer is my outlet of creativity (Writing, art, creating WarCraft maps...) and it's also my only means of communication with cousins, half-siblings, friends, my Dad, etc. You get the point.[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1]Fruit? Love it! (So random. Just like you, Helba! Lol!) I made some random enter/hiatus signs for my site. I actually like a few of these... But they're all pretty bland. Meh. [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/sign_005.jpg[/img] I made a banner out of this pic once. [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/sign_007.jpg[/img] Aww... It's so pretty ^_^ I don't know what I was thinking with the high-opacity pink scanlines, though... *Eeyuck* [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/sign_006.png[/img] !!! Lookit the colors! Wow!!! (Dunno why it got all pixelated like that.) These are some of my newest graphix. I'm gonna go do something with 'Fruit' on it just for the helluvit XD[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1]Thnx, Doc! (Loves da commentses, people) I re-did the Ninja one. I think this one looks a bit better... But it still looks kinda 'Meh' in my opinion. The .gif filetype made the font on the right slightly pixelated. Also, I just noticed before I saved it that I had mixed up the 'U' and the 'R'. They aren't on thier original letters, since S and r are usually the shurkiens, so I just blacked out the letteres and picked out cool poses and centered the letters on there. It took forever, lol. I almost died when I'd realized that I had 'sakRUa' and not 'sakURa'. *sigh* [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/sakuraav56.gif[/img] Better? No?[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1]Though people have put some these things in partially un-spoilered, I'd better be safe. [spoiler]Though everyone seems convinced that RAB is Regulus Black, I don't think so (Somehow, I don't know why.) I do, though, think that it is someone we've met before. Does anyone remember Mr. Borgin's first name? From Borgin & Burkes? He has to play some part, doesn't he? I mean, they keep bringing him up. A possible RAB, unless JKR has put his first name in one of the books and I've just missed it. Not beyond the realm of possibility. Also, did they not mention Nagini possibly being the sixth of the horcruxes? Certainly it's not Harry. JKR HAS hinted at the presence of another party at the house of Potter the night of the murders, and it could be Pettigrew. I think it would make more sence if it were Nagini, though. (Or did they come to the conclusion that it wasn't? I don't remeber. Could someone refresh my memory?)[/spoiler][/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1]Well, none of my threads ever get very many replies... But I would like some ratings/suggestions and such on some of my older/brand-spankin-new pieces. Without further ado, here we go! [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/lms_006.png[/img] This I did for the LMS Engagement. I was far past the deadline, and did not get to be rated on it. I would, however, like to see what some people think of it. [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/gaarapic8.jpg[/img] This is a banner I made by request. I think it looks too busy, but... I dunno. [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/sakuraban41.png[/img] It just says DNANGEL. I dunno why I even made this one. Meh. [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/kelly11.png[/img] Another request. They wanted more abstract though, so this lies un-used in some old folder... Lol. [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/sakuraav55.gif[/img] I was just screwing around in PSP and did this... It took me for freaking ever, but I like it. [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/entersign1.png[/img] A lufferly enter sign for my site. It didn't turn out exactly as I'd liked. Meh. + - crit welcomed and encouraged.[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1]I have a few stories of adopted/semi-adopted children in my family. They are by no means sucess stories, but they are the truth. My uncle (On my step-dad's side) was adopted. They didn't tell him. He was in his thierties before he found out (I still don't know how, but it's none of my business.) I was amazed. All those years he would have wanted to search for his biological parents. That's why they didn't tell him. He was heartbroken. He found out only after his parents got divorced/remairied to other people/divorced multiple times, and his father died. He found some of his biological family (His brother) but most of them had already past away. He's content now, but I'm not really sure how happy he is. He just got married and had a baby a few years ago, though, so he's pretty happy about that! I was adopted... Somewhat. I still live with my mother, but I was adopted by another man that is not my biological father. (My dad left my mum when I was little.) I didn't exactly like that. I didn't want to change my last name. I didn't want to be torn away from the only thing that kept me linked to my two brothers and baby sister (That lived with my now re-married father) Mom decided to allow me to keep my last name and be re-adopted by my biological father. She said I could make the choice of staying his, or be adopted by my step-dad. Now I spend holidays being called by both 'fathers' asking who I want to spend thier time off with. It's sickening... And I feel guilty if I don't spend time with both. I already have enough crap to deal with, they should just let ME choose when to see them. That's enough of my stories. I think you made an awesome choice by choosing adoption over other, phisically easier choices. I'd just like to say that I also know five people (Not in my family) who are adopted and who live perfectly normal lives. All of thier situations are different. One even spends some time with his adopted mother! You never know how the child will take it, but more often than not they'll turn out perfectly happy with thier adopted parents.[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1]Any specific colors/text?[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[QUOTE=Retribution][SIZE=1]Whoa, nelly. I'm a Christian too, but I can accept science as science. It [i]is[/i] possible for animals to evolve. These genetic mutations take place over [i]excruciatingly long periods of time[/i]. There are fossil records of such things happening, changes in skull structure and whatnot. Really, there's heaps of evidence supporting the theory of evolution. Why are you so against the idea that we evolved? Who's to say both Creationism and Darwinism (I hope that = evolution) can't co-exist in harmony?[/SIZE][/QUOTE] [CENTER][SIZE=1]Other than the fact that [I]some[/I] people say that evolution [I]might[/I] have been possible, no there isn't. Every Christian (Well... Every [I]person[/I], really) is told that there is so much evidence for evolution, vs. the fact that there is none for the theory of Creation. I am using the word 'theory' alot merely because both are [I]just that[/I] scientifically... A THEORY. And I'm not [I]against[/I] the theory that we evolved at all! I'm just trying to let Evolutionists realize that, (to believe in the theory of evolution without merely just hearing someone say it's true and beleiveing them) it is just as much of a 'Faith in your theory' as Christains do. And (In this thread alone) Christians have been riddiculed for having blind faith. You would have to have blind faith to support a theory with absolutely [I]no true[/I] evidence. Fossil records are against evolution. DNA is against evolution. Micro-organisms are against evolution. The mere fact that everything exists so perfectly in the world right now goes against evolution. Explaination? Sure. I know much more about this subject than I probably should ~_^ [B]How fossil records are agianst evolution[/B] If, some thousands of years ago, there were things mutating into humans, whould there not be intermediate links? Something in the middle of dinasaurs and humans? Well, you'd think that the fossil record would have more mutations than actual creatures that live today, and that lived then. Yet none of these missing 'Intermediate links' have been discovered. Mere coincidence? Maybe... But maybe NOT. There was one instance where they found the skeleten of a gorrila. (I think I may have mentioned this in this thread, but meh.) It looked slightly more upright than a normal gorrila. Other than that, it had no mutations of any kind. Just the fact that it was slightly more upright. This is to date the most evidence for the theory of evolution. Sad, isn't it, that so many Evolutionists have told me personally that my theory is wrong fand supported another theory that is just as scientifically wrong? Maybe more? I think so. In fact, that is why I study the theories side by side almost daily. Not convinced yet? I didn't think so. Let's move on, shall we? [B]How DNA is against evolution[/B] There are a different number of alliels in the DNA of each species. There are two crucial factors in this that force me to believe that evolution isn't the pony to bet on. 1- The number of alliels in a species cannot change. It is scientifically impossible, the creature would never live. Unless by some miracle of God, the creature would die before it was born. The species-specific strands of DNA would uncoil and there would be nothing. Even what I just said is impossible, it would be like being born without a head... Or your torso. That's how absurd it is. Though it is possible for creatures to adapt through MicroEvolution. A slow change to adapt to environment and such, but only slightly inside of the genetic code of that specific creature. 2- If we evolved, wouldn't you think that the number of alliels in DNA would slowly become higher and higher as creatures get more complex? Well, that's not how it happened. In fact, Humans are the furthest number away from apes, and the closest to yeast! So... Apes turned to yeast and [I]then[/I] humans? Really, now? [I]That[/I], Retribution, is why I don't trust the theory of evolution. It is just something a man decided was better long ago, after losing faith in his God. I'm pressed for time, so I won't go much further except to say this. There is no credible proof in favor of either theory, Creation or Evolution. I doubt there ever will be.[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[QUOTE=Ilium][COLOR=DarkRed] I don't understand what you mean, I've studied a lot about evolution and it makes a hell of a lot more sense that humans just... were. Human Evolution probably makes the most sense. How life came to be is considerably more complicated, I don't fully understand it, but the basics make sense. [/COLOR][/QUOTE] [CENTER][SIZE=1]Just because Evolution makes the most theoretical sense [I]in theory[/I] doesn't mean that the hypothysis is true. If a creature were to morph so much it changed it's genetic code, then it would have to adjust the number of alliels in its DNA. You can argue until you're blue in the face, but you can't ignore the fact that it is SCIENTIFICALLY IMPOSSIBLE to alter genetic makeup of a creature in such a way. (It would litterally be more scientifically correct to argue that we just poped into existance one day.) If you are trying to argue that science is in favor of the theory of Evolution, you are DEAD wrong. Even science is on the side of Creation. Alas, there is no proof that the theory of Creation is true, either. Do you want to know why, my friend? Because God wants us to rely on our faith, not numbers and genetic codes. He wants us to do what we want to do and believe in whatever we wish, be it faith in him or otherwise. That is also why he gave us free will ~_^[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1]I'm about... 80% Finnish. (Though I live in America.) The rest is made up of mostly French and Native American. I'm 5'1", blonde, blue-eyed and super pale. Obnoxiosly pale. Though I have so much Finnish blood in me, I've never been to Finnland! I really would like to learn Finnish, though. I'm taking it next year. (This year I've got Latin and Japanese, lol.) This thread was a really cool idea! Gets us back to our roots ~_^[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1]"Damn. Late for school." Kiwi yawned and rolled off of the couch she'd been sleeping on, slamming her fist down on the screeching alarm clock. The green numbers blinked 7:00. Walking to the bathroom of her one-room apartment, she triped over her brother's guitar. Not wanting to wake him up, she merely cursed under her breath. He worked a night shift at his job, and held another part-time job in the daytime. He sleeps from 5-9 most days, and Kiwi really didn't want to piss him off after he'd just gotten home. The bathroom was just as dingy as the rest of the house, smelling of old socks and toothpaste. Kiwi looked at herself in the mirror with very slight displeasure. She wasn't bad looking, and she certainly looked pretty nice for someone who hadn't gotten to sleep much the previous night due to work. She examined herself in the mirror, as most people do. A baggy gray sweatshirt draped dreamily about her shoulders was the only clothing she was wearing at the time. She quickly undressed, snapping out of her stupor to hop in her tiny shower. The walls were covered in mildew and bits of soap scum. She showered quickly, not wanting to linger long behind the putrid curtain. [I]I have to clean that today...[/I] She promised herself that every day for many weeks now, but other things always came up. Dressing in her normal school attire, (Very dark navy blue jeans and an orange form-fitting top) she towel-dried her hair. She glanced again at the mirror, looking slightly better after having showered and dressed. It took her around five minutes to apply gel to her hair. Most of it stuck up, and it was all pretty messy looking. Today, she didn't have time to dye it. It would remain orange and black, as it was the day before. She applied some black makeup around her eyes and slowly walked out of the bathroom, being quite cautios of her steps. She didn't have time to eat, so a granola bar would have to suffice. She had to walk to her dreadful school, since it seemed the bus did not drive through her part of town. She pulled on a blue jean jacket that exactly matched her pants. "Well, off to school" She muttered, somewhat meniacally. She slumped her bookbag over her shoulder and slipped on her black boots and left her tiny, dirty apartment. Glancing back at it over her shoulder, she felt sort of sad. It was quite a bit more than a mere fixer-uper, that's for sure. On the long walk to school she saw many people she knew. Some she waved at, some she grimmaced at. After what seemed like forever, she finally reached school. Delrose High. It looked average, it looked unasuming. Ha. That's only what outsiders would think... Kiwi had known for far too long the inner chaos of this school It was almost second nature for her to become a part of it. She entered the gates like any other student... Many new faces littered the entryway. Fresh meat for the elder students, that's all they were. They would soon find thier place as doormats or as bullies. Kiwi had not chosen to be either, but nor would she stand up for the young ones who have it coming. We all suffered from this school ,why should they be spared? Kiwi noticed a few of the elder students that she knew quite well over to her right. They were obviously picking on a young girl. She handed them some papers and tried to walk off, a look of venom in her eyes. A taller boy grabbed her shoulder and said something to her that made the rest of the group burst out laughing. Kiwi kind of felt sorry for this girl... Maybe she should help? No. Not something she should get into, it's none of her business. At that moment, the young girl tried to pull away and the boy shoved her to the ground. That was too much. Too much for her to watch, and too much like how she'd been treated in the past. "Oy, jerkwad!" Kiwi walked up to the boy. He turned around and smiled. "Hey Kiwi, wasup?" "How 'bout you don't pick on her, alright?" Kiwi felt kinda dumb sticking up for someone when she herself was commonly lumped with the bullies. "What, is she your cousin or somethin'?" He kinda smirked. "Close enough. Beat it!" Kiwi looked at him for a solid 30 seconds. When she saw that he wasn't going anywhere, she gave him a sharp kick in the... "OH SH T!!!" He fell to the ground clutching himself. After a few seconds and a sharp glance at Kiwi the group all ran away. "You all right?" Kiwi helped the girl up. "Yes, I'm fine." "What's your name?" "Lauren."[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[quote name='Kamuro][SIZE=1']Thats the point I was trying to make before. You personally don't judge people who aren't Christian. You don't say we're going to Hell, but your religion does lol. Your religion is what you believe in isn't it? So you do believe that if you don't have faith in God then you'll go to hell? So even without blatantly saying "hey, you're going to hell," it's what you think will happen? So how is someone like me, someone who holds a different opinion then your own, supposed to respect a belief that condemns me and expects me to suffer eternally for not believing in the same things that you do? Which leads to the generalization of Christians. You're different, each Christian is different then the next, yet you all hold dear the same religious beliefs, the belief that I'll go to Hell and pay the price for believing in something different.[/SIZE][/quote] [CENTER][SIZE=1]My religion states that you'll end up... Well, in hell. Lol. I don't really think it's all set in stone that way, though. Even though my Bible tells me that's the way it is, I don't really have my own beliefs on all that yet. Am I a bad Christain? Maybe. Do I have doubts sometimes? Who DOESN'T? I am human, and I can't explain (Nor do I wish to know) how everything works. I think heaven and hell exist, but not how we... Make them out to be. I think that most of what we take hell to be is just our human explainations for things that aren't... Human. I don't expect you to think the same as me or anything, I'm just letting you know my view on the subject.[/SIZE][/CENTER] [quote name='Kamuro][SIZE=1']Same as the points I made above, you're seperating yourself from others that follow the same religion. You havn't personally pressured your faith on me, but others have. Many many others lol. Most people I know find it hard to accept that I don't believe in God, some have even shunned me for it. And they were Christian, so I apolgize if my opinion seems biased, but how can it not? We've both been given things to base our opinions on, and I have to work with what I've been given. Analyze the Christians I know and the belief itself. And the conclusion I come to is far from a Christian like yourself lol.[/SIZE][/quote] [CENTER][SIZE=1]It's in the Christian religion to try and pull people to it. Let more people know the truth. If you don't want to, that's totally up to you, but anyone's welcome to come to church with me as my guest. I've invited more people than you'll ever know... But I don't force them to come! I just invite them to visit if they'd like. And if people have shunned you because of your faith (Or lack of sharing THIER faith), they aren't Christains, my friend.[/SIZE][/CENTER] [quote=Retribution]What are you talking about? I mean, "true Christians" aren't forcing ideas down your throat, or forcing you go to go church against your will. A "true Christian" lets people make the choice, which is why I'm at a complete loss at understanding why you said Christians 'impose one's will on others.' They suggest that you convert, but they don't impose it upon you. I'm taking a stab in the dark and staying your view on what a true Christian actually is, is skewed. Facists? Again, I have zero clue what you mean. It's a free-will thing. I don't feel like reiterating it for the trillionth time here. As for the whole "if Christianity is right, all others are wrong," we will never know for sure. Again, you're basing this assumption off what is written in the Bible -- a historical document written by men. While I believe they were inspired to write, their message contains a 'human taint' if you will, carrying bias of the times. It was written in a time where there was very little to no tolerance, and of course this will carry over.[/quote] [CENTER][SIZE=1]*Points* Someone I agree with![/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1]Wow, this is pretty neat. [B]To the best of my abilities, I will participate in the OBGT.[/B][/SIZE][/CENTER]

[quote name='Kamuro][SIZE=1']It's hard not to generalize a religion. They are a group of people following the same guidlines and holding close to them the same entity of life. Whether some are nice and some aren't, they're all Christian, so it's tough not to simply group them together and say "there's a religion," and then draw a conclusion from it. Sure, some are more extreme then others, but from the outside looking in it's all one group of people.[/size][/quote] [CENTER][SIZE=1]I suppose I can see where you're coming from, but I don't look at and generalize athiests. I don't have the right to judge them, nor do they have the right to judge me. Just because it's easy to generalize doesn't mean you should.[/SIZE][/CENTER] [quote name='Kamuro][SIZE=1']Whatever you decided to classify the "debate" as, it's useless to argue over God and evolution, since it's obviously not going anywhere. Those who believe in evolution say "there's plenty of evidence proving it's true!" and then those believing in God say "you're thinking to theoretically, have faith!" lol. They both contradict themselves and come to a stalemate on almost all the issues.[/size][/quote] [CENTER][SIZE=1]You are absolutely correct.[/SIZE][/CENTER] [quote name='Kamuro][SIZE=1']All I'm saying, is whether or not it's right, people should respect one another and their beliefs. A lot of the time, this isn't the case. Whether Christian or Atheist, neither has the right to condemn the other for the way they think and what they choose to believe. That's the whole idea of freedom of religion, to believe what you want without being persectued for it. And legally, you can't be persecuted for it, so the law works to a certain extent. But socially, people are persecuted everyday for being different. People who don't believe in God are looked down upon and no matter the points they make to defend themselves, people say "it doesn't matter, they're going to hell anyway." Well how fair and just is that? You're given the right to worship how you choose yet an opposing religion is based on the fact that having conflicting beliefs is wrong and you should be punished for them.[/size][/quote] [CENTER][SIZE=1]I sort of agree with you here, but... I think all people should respect everyone else even if it's just because we're all human beings. Noone should judge others for thier beliefs/race/gender/sexual prefferences/or ANYTHING like that. But... People just do. Right there you've judged Christians, and all through this thread people have been judging Christians. I don't just look at anyone who doesn't think like me and say 'Well... He's going to hell.' because I just think that's wrong. there are people who judge non-Christians, but there are just as many on the other side judging back.[/SIZE][/CENTER] [quote name='Kamuro][SIZE=1']The government does it's job to broaden religious beliefs, yet the beliefs themselves seclude people from one another and cause fueds and debates like this over what's right and what isn't. Which is really a mute point in my opinion. Whether evolution or God is responsible for why we're here, we've been given free will for a reason. Even if you are Christian, is it so bad living life for yourself rather then God? You've been given the opportunity to live yet it's become so restricted over the years free will is merely a title and holds no substantial ground. Is it so bad to branch from your own religion and realize other walks of life?[/size][/quote] [CENTER][SIZE=1]I live how I choose (And I know others do too) and I don't think there's anything wrong with those who live thier lives away from God. It just doesn't happen to be what I personally do. I don't tell you to join my faith, you don't tell me to stray from mine, agreed? ;)[/SIZE][/CENTER] [quote name='Kamuro][SIZE=1']Even the best Christian's sin, but why should you be sorry for it? If things happen for a reason then why should you regret the things you've done and the events that've brought you here today? So you've made mistakes, everyone does, but you've grown from them. Sins might not be the most favorable tasks, but they help you to grow and become the person you're striving to be. Whether it's for God, yourself, or another spiritual entity, your life is your own. Fate could very well be true, but free will allows us to determine our own destiny, so whether it was planned or not, it's the choices we've made that got us there. Just be open, and accept people for who they are.[/SIZE][/quote] [CENTER][SIZE=1]We all sin. I ask God to forgive me of my sins so that I can live with myself, but everyone does this differently. Some just let go, some confront those they've wronged, some just ignore the guilt, some HAVE no guilt. To each his own. And yes, we should just accept people for who they are... Not what they are, and not the choices they've made.[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[QUOTE=Sage]But we aren't arguing, we're debating! There's a clear line between those two! ;) I'm not judging anybody according to their beliefs, I just like to think that people should at least give their believings and disbelievings a thought, like you obviously have. ;D To be outsmarted by a 14-year old? Meh, that has happened before... ;P I'm really not the smartest person out there, and I tend to say things I regret later, but I think I've figured this religion-issue out pretty well to myself. I don't see any divinity or "God's work" in my every-day-life, all I see is people, their actions and the consequences that follow. The natural cycle of life, and all that... You might say that the cycle in itself is God's big plan, but why do you insist on bringing up all these miracles and divine interventions then? I have a very pantheistic approach to my atheism; I don't believe that there is any higher forces out there, I believe that life in itself is the "highest power", in all of its forms. This whole globe we live in... it's a pretty darn miraculous thing, but it has nothing to do with mythical feats or prophets or angels. It's just a big ball of pure life. ;) PS. I wasn't trying to generalize Christians, I just didn't want to type "some of you Christians" over and over again. I thought it was self-explanatory that I wasn't talking about the whole bunch...[/QUOTE] [CENTER][SIZE=1]There is a fine line between arguing and debating. Thus far, most of the comments in this thread have been in the good nature of debating and such, but there have been a few downright horrible statements (Not said by you, mostly by people who think of Christains as a whole badly, but anyway...) I think that once something even STARTS to get offensive, and they CERTAINLY have (Yet again, not you but other comments I've seen in this thread) and I PERSONALLY feel the NEED to become defensive, it is then a defensive agruement in my mind. It hasn't reached that point yet, because I just choose to ignore them. I was just letting you know that it isn't a debate once you start to bash Christains or religion, and you were begining to. And your aproach to atheism isn't bad. I think you have a pretty good view on all that. Not my personal view, but a pretty good one. And thank you for clearing up the Christian generalization thing.[/SIZE][/CENTER]

Hello all. I hope this is alright. (I used a table so my signup was a bit more... Easy on the eyes. Hope that's alright.) Without further ado, here's my personal signature character! (You should be proud. I only use her on special occasions.) [B]Schedule-[/B] Homeroom Advanced British Literature (English) Latin (Language/Elective) Martial Arts (Ability) Astronomy (Elective) Calculus (Math) Soccer (Sport/After school activity) [B]Name:[/B] Sakura Asuka ____________________ [B]Age:[/B] 16 ____________________ [B]Gender:[/B] Female ____________________ [B]Appearance-[/B] About like [URL=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/sakuraimage1.png]-this-[/URL] (Image was resized by photobucket. Apologies.) Perfers baggy jeans and sweatshirs, and form-fitting top. Loves Baseball caps/hats. She doesn't wear much jewelry except her mother's class ring, which she wears on her left ring finger. Also, her ears look elfish. ____________________ [B]Personality:[/B] She's got a loner's attitute... Mixed with that of someone totally bossy and controlling. Sakura thinks her way is always best. Don't get me wrong, she's not totally full of herself at all! She merely knows that (9 1/2 out of 10 times) she's right. Her hot head and fiery beauty amazingly ballence out perfectly with her brilliant mind and over-protective nature. She looks out for younger students and keeps them out of trouble most of the time, due to that. ____________________ [B]Bio:[/B] Sakura was (and is) brilliant at multiple forms of Martial Arts. By the age of six she had already earned a black belt in five different styles. That wasn't the only odd thing about her, though. She tended to pick up things much faster than most children her age. She could learn an entire language in only a few months, and she had already progressed to Algebra2 by the age of seven! She had already read nearly all of Shakespearse's known plays by the age of nine! Her parents (and teachers) were appauled at both her mental and physical abilities. Only about a year later they decided her supposed 'powers' caused for some extreme action. Her schools just couldn't teach her anymore, and she already knew more about all of her karate styles then even her instructors! This was the time for extreme measures. A mere month later they discovered this school. A school for those with... Powers. This school was called Serenity View. They decided to enroll her strait away. Sakura didn't exactly want to go to this new school. She wanted to stay at home where she at least [I]knew[/I] people. This would mean moving to a different country away from all she loved. But her parents thought it the only way to get the help and schooling she so needed. Sakura doubted there was anyone there who could teach her either, but her parents assured her things would be different... ... They were right. Things were certainly... Different. Was this a good change? No. The school administrators did not know what to do with her at first, since she showed no extraordinary gift. They could not, however, turn her down. She wasn't picked on or riddiculed like at her old school, nor did people seem half afraid of her. They were mostly older than her, and alot bigger. She was thrown into this so fast, she didn't even know where she was the first few days when she woke up. After a while she realized the she [I]was[/I] smarter than most of the teachers, but they allowed her special computerized translations for her level. It didn't take long before Sakura was learning more and more. They had to constantly install new programs to her specialized laptop to keep up with her! She loved how amazing this school was. At first, though, she felt kind of awkward, as though she was recieving special attention above har peers. She soon learned that was not the case, and that all students were given certain luxuries for ease of learning with thier specific powers. All seemed good, but here was the [I]real [/I]test... Could they find a Martial Arts teacher for her? Could he match her speed and strength? The answer... Yes! The instructer was just as gifted as her, and much stronger! It gave her something to try and achieve. The school was more wonderful than she could ever imagine! It is six years later, and Sakura is still attending the school. There are new faces and some new teachers, but things remain basically unchanged. ____________________ [B]Power:[/B] Absurd physical/mental ability. (It's like she's a walking comuter on steriods... Times 10) ____________________ edit- I changed the schedule and took out the Eyes, Hair, Clothes, etc.

[QUOTE=Sage] [B]Sakurasuka:[/B] Don't you think that there might have actually been researches about evolution after Darwin? ;) You're speaking like he is the only one who has ever studied the subject! I'm no researcher so I have very little understandment over the micro- and macro-whatnots, but to me, [I]any[/I] theory with at least some effort to solve the Big Mysteries of the Universe with one's own brain exceeds the one where "God just made it all happen like that". I'm not saying that the Theory of Evolution is the ultimate truth, but still you Christian people seem strangely offended and aggravated by it. Makes you doubt, does it? Makes you use your [I]own thinking[/I], does it? Scary, huh? ;P[/QUOTE] [CENTER][SIZE=1]I wasn't stating that he was the only one. He was just the one that created the entire theory. I didn't feel the need to go on any further with the lives of other evolutionist merely out of lack of time, not out of lack of interest. I have studied many theories that stray very slightly from the original 'Creation or Evolution?' and all are apparent codswallap. I think those two hypothesysis are the ones that are (arguably) the closest to the truth, but there is obvious scientific evidence [I]against[/I] both! The only reason I was bringing up Darwin so much was that he was the ONLY Evolutionist to find ANY proof. Since then, there hasn't been a shread of evidence. Yes, I believe 'God just made it all happen like that" because it is my religion and faith. Just because that is the situation doesn't mean that I frown upon any other poeple or religions, I have no reason to. The Bible tells me to love unconditionally, therefore I do. Sage, before you say 'You Christains people tend to...' please remember that we are all individuals not to be bunched into a group. I have not made any generalizations about you, I'd like to ask you to refrain from generalizing me. Thank you. I have absolutely no problems with the theory of Evolution (And I'm not any more agravated than you seem, Sage) except that it is not nessecarily the theory in which I put my faith. I think Darwin was a brilliant scientist, and was the first to try and explain things without involving a God. He was unique and quick-thinking. So are many other Evolutionists! But try asking any of them to give you any evidence that would stand. AT ALL. They can provide none. Except the one skeleton they found that [I]might[/I] have been the missing link betweek man and ape... Or it might have been merely a skinny gorilla. Creationists have even less proof, but they also have little-to-no proof [I]against[/I] thier 'theory' (Out of lack of a better word). Therefore, Creation is more scientifically correct than Evolution! But I digress. In a perfect world, everone would likely have different beliefs and such. The only difference between this world and a perfect world? People would stop bashing the beliefs of others. I'm not gonna change my mind about religion, Sage, and I doubt I could convince you to change yours (Nor would I want to). I just would rather not argue, because it wastes time that neither of us should really waste. (Also, you run the risk of being outsmarted by a 14-year-old ;P Just kidding, Sage! Lol.)[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1]Wow, quite a few replies. This is just something I whiped up, since I love Gaara and Ichigo so much... It was fun. av- [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/gaarapic7.jpg[/img] url- [url]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/gaarapic7.jpg[/url] size- 150x80 filetype- JPG ban- [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/gaarapic8.jpg[/img] url- [url]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/gaarapic8.jpg[/url] size- 500x100 filetype- JPG I didn't know what you wanted on the avi as far as text goes, so if you'd like something, let me know! (If you choose to use mine, of course)[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1][B]Name: [/B] Kiwi Johnson. [B]Age:[/B] 16. [B]Gender:[/B] Female. [B]Personality:[/B] In a word... Spastic. She is nice, yet sarcastic. Has very few friends. The friends she manages to obtain generally conform to the chaotic school and lose intrest in her. Kiwi enjoys hanging out with friends... But they don't usually enjoy her company much. Reasons below. 1) Her name is Kiwi. Who's name is Kiwi? It's just strange. 2) Kiwi choses to dye her hair. Normal? No. She spikes it in mohawks and liberty spikes.Her choice of color(s) usually include green and/or orange. 3) She freaks out at totally random and 'normal' things, like cats. 4) Has an intense obsession with spiders. She carries her pet Tarantula (William) with her to school. (And most other places) 5) Is supersticious beyond belief. 6) By being around her, you cannot tell if she is trying to put a stop to the chaos that is her school, or if she enjoys provoking it. Kiwi is very klutzy and simply cute, but hides it all with dark makeup, spiky hair and a floaty-jittery personality. [B]Apperance:[/B] Picture shall be provided at my convience ~_^ For now, allow your eyes to glance upon her description below... (edit again- [URL=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/animegoth2.png]-pic-[/URL] I got the original pic somewhere, but the site is long gone. I edited it so much it hardly looks like the original anymore... But I let her know I'm using it. I'll leave the description, in case the link doesn't work.) hair- About an inch over shoulder legnth, naturally black. She streaks it many times in the duration of any given week to match her mood. Colors of choice would be green and orange. Another simple note on her hair... When she spikes it, the longer lower layers and flayaways are pulled into a poytail or pigtails. She always leaves some black in her hair, despite the costant color change. eyes- Green just around the pupils, and they fade to a dull purple. clothes- Black and orange. Most of the time, her outfits consist of: Jeans (Black or dark blue, baggy or tight depending upon her mood) A T-Shirt or tank top that matches her hair. (Tight fitting, usually) A black or dark blue jacket, depending upon the pants. Kiwi is really pretty, but wears dark makeup and such that doesn't really suit her. Would be really nice looking if she'd drop the goth attire... Where Do You Belong: Hyper, yet oddly shy. Belongs nowhere, but resides everywhere. [B]Charcter Snipit or Bio:[/B] (edit- Seeing as I'm fed and watered, I may as well finish my signup.) Kiwi has endured an immensely difficult home life. Her mother died of cancer at the ripe young age of 26. Kiwi was eight at the time, seeing as her mother gave birth to her at the young age of eighteen. She has both an elder and younger brother. The young one was put up for adoption. He was many years younger than her, as he was only just born before thier mother's horrible death. Kiwi often wonders what it would have been like if they'd been financially able to keep him. About this point her practical side turns on and she assures herself that would mean far more overtime for the two of them. Yes, two. Both Kiwi and her 18 year old brother Mandarin (As in orange. No lie, the young one was to be called Peach. Mandarin thought it a bit off the wall, not to mention feminine, but it matters not. Thier mother was obviously derranged.) At any rate, the two of them work full time jobs, cutting school when neccesary/desired. Where is the father, you ask? Kiwi doesn't really know. A good guess would be at some club getting drunk with some random prostitute. Not that he was any different at any other point in his life, but she thought he'd pull himself together after all that had happened... But it's not surprising. Home life aside, Kiwi still has to deal with rough times. No more proper school doesn't bode well with her high collage hopes. She studies hard whenever she's given chance, but it is a rare luxury. School has become more of a form of amusement for her. She does enjoy the chaos. It makes her feel more... Normal. The torment of the students and teachers alike is what bothers her. She wishes it would go back to normal. Then she thinks about her life in a normal society... And wishes to add to the chaotic atmosphere to hide herself amongst the rest. To blend, if you will, into the newly formed 'society'. Sick as it may sound, Kiwi had used this new life to save her from herself. (Appologies if there are spelling mistakes, I tend to double letters out of habit. I just think words look better that way sometimes =\ I do believe my grammar was correct, at least. I haven't double-checked yet, and doubt I will.) [/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1]I dissagree with nearly (NEARLY) every word of yours, Ilium. Let me explan. Evolution is NOT a proven fact. It is a shaky theory at the very MOST. The ONLY reason it is taught as scientific law is that humans cannot STAND to hear that there is a power beyond them. They all wish to explain away things with scientific reasoning and laws, but even scientific law is not fully solid! It merely means it has been tested [I]to a point[/I]. That point is nothing in the entirety of the universe. The theory of spontanious generation was disspelled [I]only after[/I] a [I]correct[/I] test was done to prove it wrong. No law is perfect except the law of God. Let's go back, shall we? To the time of a man (I believe his name was Darwin) who brought about the theory of Evolution, and the division of Micro and Macro-Evolutions. (Micro-Evolution=MiE, Macro-Evolution=MaE) Darwin (I believe that's his name. If it's not, that's what we'll call him for the time being until someone corrects me) proposed a theory after one of his trips. He called it Evolution. He came up with this theory after many glances at particular speicies of finches he discovered on that trip. They all appeared similar, but differed in slight areas. Some had pointed beaks, obviously for probing flowers and such. Some were larger and had more blunt beaks, more designed for cracking nuts. Some had short beaks better for eating berries and small bugs. Darwin noted that, other than these slight (Yet horribly noticable) differences, these finches appeared to be of the very same species. He wondered if, in fact, these creatures all used to be exactly the same. He produced theories in his head how these birds slowly changed to adapt. He then wondered what would happen if they kept changing... Might they become an eagle some day? Might they even, millions of years from now, give birth to a perfect human through his newly found theory of [B]Evolution[/B]? He tested his theory day and night. Every scenario produced mixed results, finally forcing him to conclude that there was really no evidence of his theory. Darwin's theory however, lived on. He wrote a book. If you were to read the book (I've glanced and skimmed parts on the internet a while back when I was studying Biology.) you would discover that he states on nearly EVERY page that there is far more evidence AGAINST his theory than FOR it. (I personally respect Darwin for seeing more sides than just his own, unlike SOME of those who've posted in this thread.) This book caused an uproar. Never before has any scientific theory not included our heavenly Father. It was both an outrage and an amazing discovery. Many threw away thier faith, and many others became yet more faithful (And defensive of thier faith) Darwin continued his studies, looking for something... ANYTHING to prove as evidence for his case. Nothing did. In a last ditch effort, his split his theory of evolution into two sepatare theories... MiE and MaE. MiE is the proven beyond reasonable doubt theory that I believe. It states that minor changes can evolve within any species to adapt, but the species itself cannot change. This has been proven since the discovery of DNA. The number of alliels (sp?) differs from species to species, and the number of alliels CANNOT change. Therefore, species can morph slightly to adapt, but cannot evolve outside thier own genetic code. This is actually more of an argument for Creation, as it proves that God had given us ways to change WITHIN the world and code he created FOR US. The other theory, MaE, is unproven and flawed. It is the theory of evolution at it's rawest and scientifically incorrect. If this theory was true, then wouldn't we find the 'missing links' all throughout the world? If we evolved from apes, wouldn't there be fossils of monkey-men found? Is it just horrible coincidence that NOTHING SIMILAR to missing links have been found? Darwin explained that might simply be the case, but it's been MANY years since that, and STILL nothing? I think your theory might be far beyond flawed, my friend. The one thing you are correct about is that little less proof in favor of Creation has been found. This post was not to prove the theory of Creation right, for that simply cannot be done. I was just trying to show you how flawed any other theory is, and just because the theory of a God might sound ludicrus to you, it is no more crazy and immpossible than any OTHER theory man has coughed up. By the way, I AM Christian, in case you wondered ;^)[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1]Pepsi, hands down for me. Like most of you, I don't drink either much. I don't personally like coke, and we only carry [I]coke[/I] products at the fast-food restraunt I work at... And I'm there far too much to bring Pepsi with me, so I just buy a mix of Sprite and HiC Fruit punch. They taste really good when mixed together. I like fruity/citrus drinks/sodas most, I'd have to say. I drink sugary drinks far more than I should, though... Working where they are constantly available has got me addicted to the syrupy-carbonated goodness. Pepsi and Coke don't even compare.[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[CENTER][SIZE=1]Most of what I will have to say here will apply mainly to punk as a music genra, but meh.[/SIZE][/CENTER] [quote name='Rasetsutaisho']i wasnt really in to punk when it was big... i dont even remember it being big... i was probably too young or too into video games to notice... [/quote] [CENTER][SIZE=1]'Punk' and 'Goth' is the pupular clothing and music style right now. More people shop at Hot Topic and buy punk CDs than ever before, and every other person you will claim themselves to be either 'punk' or 'goth'. It's only a way to get attention though, I assure you ;) Also, many of your supposed 'punks' have a problem with others who claim to be punk, but don't fit your personal criteria. That's what many have conformed 'punk' to, just another way to judge. Take Avril Lavigne for example, she loves to play music. Noone would have a problem with her, but she chooses to call herself 'punk'. Since she doesn't fit the 'punk' image and 'punk' music to a T, all supposed 'punks' bash her and curse her name for defiling the 'punk' image. Now, there was a thread in the Music, Movies, and TV forum a while back that was labeled 'Punk is Dead.' I remember a certain post in that thread that I found particularly amusing... *Checks back* Aha![/SIZE][/CENTER] [QUOTE=Drix D'Zanth]Avril is more punk than any artist since the Ramones... why? My thesis: Punk- paraphrased and defined is commonly intepreted as "going against the system" we hear references to that toward all sorts of establishment and government, society being bettered by independence and free-rocking. The Ramones, despite occuring around the same time as the Sex Pistols and after The Clash, basically started the genre. They started "Punk rock" .. and every band following it has taken the basic methods of the Ramones and slightly deviated, continuing the system that is "punk". Avril plays soft rock and pop, calls it 'punk" and broadcasts it mainstream. She is directly defying the system that is "punk rock". Hence, Avril is the punk-est of them all.[/QUOTE] [CENTER][SIZE=1]=) Of course, he was just joking (I was amazed at his daring though, I must say!) but I believe that sums up my point nicely. 'Punk' as a lifestyle OR as a music style has no set parimeters, and no set laws. It is not for you to say what 'punk' is and what 'punk' isn't. I hope you'll notice whenever I used the words 'Punk' and 'Goth' I used quotation marks. Why? Well... I won't say I don't believe in labeling, because EVERY person has labeled others (in thier head or out loud) at some time or another. I merely think 'Punk' just means going against the grain, something ALL teenagers strive for. Does that mean all rebelious 17 year olds are 'punks'? Why, maybe it does! And supposed 'goths' are just a sort of runoff of 'punks' and metalheads... Except most spend all thier time trying to be wierd so that they can claim they are missunderstood, lol. --Everything I said (While cruel) is said merely out of contact with so many people, I've found these statments to be true[/SIZE].[/CENTER]