Aaryanna

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Okay, I know that this thread hasn?t been posted in for several months, but for such a specific topic it seemed pointless to start another thread. Though If I need to start a new one just let me know. Anyway, I was looking through this thread a while ago and it got me thinking that having an into picture on your myOtaku site was a very nice touch. ^_^ So when I changed my theme I made one to go with it this time. [/COLOR] [IMG]http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/8866/welcomebanner014nf.jpg[/IMG] [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]So any thoughts or suggestions? Though since I'm self taught I may not understand what you're telling me. Hehe. Oh and I was wondering who started the idea of making an intro image for your myOtaku site?[/COLOR]

[QUOTE=elfpirate] Of course there are entirely false people who will feign nearly anything in an attempt for attention. Most of the so-called "emo" kids I know are not like the ones you know. The ones you know are already known by the title "AttentionWhore". And hey--guess what? People from all walks of life wear black--so ****ing what? I didn't argue anything about the attention-whore types--my point was that not all depressed people and not all cutters are the attention-whoring sort. Not everyone who wears black is depressed. Not everyone who wears pink is gay. Don't attack me for defending something that needs to be clarified, please. What I actually said was that it's disgusting to be an a**hole to someone who is suicidally depressed. I agree that attention whores using suicide as an attention ploy need to wake up and count their blessings. Those people do not, however, fall under the description of "suicidally depressed" in my book....more like, socially retarded. Although I don't agree that the depressed population hides itself away and doesn't wear black, I do agree that very few people, in this country especially, have real reason to be depressed outside of chemical imbalances going on in their neural transmitters, etc. Not all "emo" -fashion kids are off in the corner crying blood and cutting their wrists, shouting out for attention, alright? And there are many of us who are or have been cutters that never wanted any attention for it, and we kept it from everyone. That was my point.[/QUOTE][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]?AttentionWhore? That?s a better way to put it. At least for the kids I?ve seen. >_< And I?ve never understood why people care if someone wears black. That just doesn?t make any sense to me. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]The biggest problem with drugs is that unless it?s a prescription it?s illegal and quite a few of them have very bad side effects. I?ve never understood why someone is willing to do permanent damage to their body when it?s not necessary. It may feel good for a brief while but then when its all said and done you're just left with the damage it did to your body. Most illegal drugs are illegal for a good reason. Drix D?Zanth explains it really well. You can argue that using stuff like Pot is a personal choice and you would be right if you include the fact that you are choosing to break the law. It?s not the same as choosing to do something that?s legal. People can argue that they should have the right and that others should leave them alone and back off. But the reality is that it?s still illegal. >_< If we were talking about something like alcohol, which by the way is legal, then unless you plan on driving even I would say you have every right to drink. But illegal drugs, sorry I just don?t agree that it?s okay. [/COLOR]

[QUOTE=Panda]Hey Aaryanna! The picture I see is the same as the background. A very cute bichon picture with hearts. Sometimes the old picture stays in the browser memory and if you reload or quit then go back to your site it will prompt the browser to load the new picture. My site has done that a few times and when I leave myO, visit another site like the OB, then go back it will have the newly uploaded picture. Hope that helps![/QUOTE] [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]My firefox browser won't show the new picture. >_< But after what you said I went to Internet Explorer and it does show it. I tried reloading the firefox browser and it didn't work so I thought it was my account. I'm glad to know it wasn't my account. ^_^ Thanks for your help Panda. Hehe, now I just have to figure out why my firefox isn't working right. Guess that means I should go to their website and see if I'm missing any updates. Thanks again! ^_^ EDIT: I just went to their site and it suggested clearing my private data, I did it and I can see the new picture now. ^_^ Thanks again Panda! *HUG!*[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]I'm having a problem with myOtaku account. It happened today when I was changing my theme. For some reason it won't let me change my user picture. It tells me that the my image has uploaded but when I go to my main page it's still the old one. >_< If anyone could take a look and tell me where I messed up I'd really appreciate since I really want to change the picture to match my new theme. [/COLOR]

[quote name='Desbreko][color=#4B0082]Oh, I don't know. I think that could be [url=http://gmanisnotpleased.ytmnd.com/][u]pretty awesome[/u][/url'].[/color][/quote][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Hehe [Hug]Desbreko[/Hug] That?s a good one! ^_~ I agree with [B]indifference[/B], it?s kind of pointless to focus on what word they are using to label their behavior. Sounds to me like they are just trying to get attention. And [B]Lix[/B] is right in that most of them probably don?t have a clue what a really depressing life is like. Most people I know who have had real problems in life are so upset that they almost don?t even catch your attention as they are so quiet and withdrawn. Like one girl in one of my classes, she was so quiet and hardly said anything and occasionally would leave to hide the fact that she was crying. Unlike the stupid kids trying to get attention by claiming they are an ?emo? so to speak she actually did have a depressing life since her brother was killed in a car accident recently. It?s annoying to listen to the others whine since most of them have never had to do without or lose someone important to them. Feh! Sounds like many of them need a swift kick in the butt.[/COLOR]

[QUOTE=renayiiq]Yeah. I think I've finally had it with all of this free speech stuff. Certain people have more rights than others. In order not to offend anyone, I will not provide any examples. I think that we should have "limited speech." So if you say something that someone doesn't like, you get fined. That's how it works in the public school system, so why not just everywhere else? I'm so tired of people complaining that they're offended. I think it's really time to let everyone else win...if you don't, then you'll only end up losing everything in the war. People like me who want REAL free speech and want to feel free to offend will never win. Some prick will always ruin it for us. I want to know what everyone thinks about this. I'm also just posting this to let at least part of the world (even if this little chunk of people really couldn't care less if I got ran over by a train) that I have finally given up. I'm letting the world win. I may even take out my piercing. It offends the school system, so why not just shut them up, right? Sorry, I'm just fed up. So, what do you think about this idea?[/QUOTE][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Limited speech? Ummm?. No. The fact that your school doesn?t allow certain forms of speech is not a good reason to do away with freedom of speech for everyone. Public Schools are for getting an education and not for spending your time offending others just cause you disagree or don?t like them. By limiting certain types of speech the schools are creating an environment that promotes free speech. Or rather an understanding that free speech is fine so long as you are not infringing on others or slandering them. People have the right to be able to attend school without the fear of constantly being verbally attacked by others. And what does removing your piercing have to do with free speech? So others disapprove of it. That?s the whole point of free speech, to disagree with others, so long as the school doesn?t have a rule preventing you having one I would leave it in. If we really did have limited speech even your right to post saying you object would be taken from you and you would be punished for even posting! There are so many different cultures and beliefs and that?s what free speech is about, the right to have different opinions and to believe differently. Or to say you disagree with something in a polite way. Free speech is far more than wanting to ?feel free to offend? So you can?t just offend others whenever you want to, well my free speech opinion on that is: I think no one should have the right to just go around offending others. So I agree with the policy at school that you can?t offend other kids. I go to school to learn not to listen to kids fight and argue just cause they don?t agree. [/COLOR]

[QUOTE=Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f]I'm not focusing my hate on anyone. I condemn both the cartoons and the ridulous, meaningless riots that some muslims are engaging in the middle east. I am personally shocked that the authorities have let it come this far. I am absolutely disgusted, and I also fear for Danish people who have done nothing wrong. I think there is no excuse [B]whatsoever[/B] for the riots going on in the middle east. But I do think muslims have the right to be angry and to protest peacefully. Just because THEY are rioting, that doens't mean the rest of us peacefloving muslims have to take insults lightly. You can't insult the radical muslims at the expense of the peaceful ones. That's not very fair. My mother's friend's daughter, who's 11 or 12 I think is writing a letter to the Danish prime minister. In Toronto, there are peaceful protests. Is there anything wrong with that? It's as though you expect us to bow down to the west as though they're some higher being. I'm not going to support Denmark instead of standing up for my religion and my prophet. I will stand up for my religion, AND protest against the meanignless riots directed at the Danish people. Got a problem with that?[/COLOR][/QUOTE][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue] I?m glad to hear that there are those who are protesting in a peaceful manner. But to say you can?t insult the radical Muslims at the expense of the peaceful ones because it?s not fair is in itself not fair. Since when were insults suppose to somehow be fair? We?re talking about insults here, last time I checked an insult was never meant to be fair. That?s why it?s called an insult. [/COLOR][QUOTE=Sandy]Heh, that guy's at least outspoken. ;P I believe that Chabichou is telling one side of the story, while this Scarborough-guy is telling another side. This whole issue is not as black-and-white as either of them tries to claim. Muslim radicals aren't just a tiny minority, but they aren't a large majority either (not to mention the entire Islamic population). The cartoons were wrong, but they pale in comparison to what the Muslim radicals have done in the past and are currently doing. But on the other hand, they have their own reasons for their actions. I strongly believe that Denmark is one of the last countries who should apologize for their actions. The whole population of this planet needs one big group hug. ;D Too bad we don't live in that kind of world, so this stupid feud will go on before the other side nukes the other. X( Then we'll have another 50 years of peace before the next big collision.[/QUOTE][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Seems to me that both sides refuse to admit that they are wrong and expect the other to bow down to them so to speak. [B]Sandy[/B] is right, the cartoons pale in comparison. Sounds like everyone needs to be put in a corner for a time out. >_< And I still think its like [B]Morpheus[/B] said, sticks and stones. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][B]White:[/B] I really like the saying for your piece. I like how you have the description over the word hate in the background. I also like the font you used for both the description and the word hate, they go really well together. What I don?t like is that there is too much blank space, it kind of distracts from the main picture in the center. And though the slanted lines in the background do look good they just make the main words seem off. Still I like the dark feeling it portrays. [B]Retribution:[/B] I like the placement of the main word politik over the numbers 06. I?m not sure if you are trying to indicate that politics are in a constant state of degrading or not, but it does go well with the color and background. What I don?t like is that the words in the back are bunched together and in some cases overlap. It makes it extremely difficult to read any of it. I find that distracting. Overall I like the use of space as it does seem to flow well. Now for my choice. I vote for [B]Retribution[/B] since I think their piece makes better use of the available space. Excellent work, both of you. ^_^[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Although the dinner was quite good Bethany was becoming impatient, they were already to dessert and all the professor had done was make small talk. It was painfully obvious to her that he was nervous as he kept checking the restaurant as if looking for something. Bethany sighed. ?Professor, get to the point please, what did you want to talk about?? He jumped slightly and looked down at his hands for a long moment. Then slowly he pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and after once again looking around the restaurant he slid the paper across the table to her. Bethany picked up the paper and opened it. For a long moment she was silent, taking in what she had just read. She looked up at the Professor. ?Where did you get this information? Is it true?? ?I?ve been keeping a few notes from the translations instead of turning everything in at the end of the day.? He hesitated and then continued. ?I don?t know if they are true or not they won?t give me access to all of the data so I can double check the references.? She slid the paper back to him and leaned back, if what the professor had shown her was true no wonder UNIT was hiding it from the public! ?Do you have the original text that this was translated from?? ?Yes, I still have photo copies at my place that UNIT doesn?t know about. But since they took all the charts we made to index the changes in the translation I?m not sure if my translation is correct. I asked for a copy of it today but I was told that I didn?t have the security clearance to have access.? He leaned forward and lowered his voice. ?And that?s not all, they asked me all sorts of questions! I think someone has been trying to hack into their computer system to get the information from the dig.? Bethany was stunned. Was this why they took her computer? Did they think she had tried to hack their systems? She shook her head, just what in the world was going on here? ?Are you sure about that?? He nodded. ?They?re on red alert. There?s supposed to be some big meeting coming up. I over heard some of the officers talking about it.? Bethany chewed on her lower lip for a moment and then looked up. ?Could you bring your photocopies over to my place tomorrow evening?? ?Yes.? ?I?ll look for my copy of the index charts we created, if your translation is correct? " She shook her head. "We have to know for sure before we do anything.? He nodded. ?Agreed.? They finished dessert and after paying for the dinner the professor dropped Bethany off at the place she was staying at. She went inside and got out her portable printer. It would take a little while but she could type up the chart from memory. If what the Professor had translated was correct? Gods? what a mess! She started typing on her computer? I sincerely hope it?s not true, she thought to herself as she worked on re-creating the chart. [/COLOR]

[quote name='Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f'] I think we should talk about now, wether people should have the right to publish these kinds of cartoons. Many of you have argued for complete free speech. Do you honestly think that free speech means people can spread lies?[/COLOR][/quote][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]I still think they have the right to publish the cartoons. Even if it does mean they are lying. They are entitled to their opinion whether or not you or anyone else agrees. And we are talking about a cartoon here. These people are making fun of the fact that some Muslims think it?s okay to kill others for daring to have a different opinion. It?s sad but true.[/COLOR][QUOTE=Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f] Those cartoonists, and their newspaper, are a bunch of cowards --spreading lies, and offending muslims under the guise of freedom of speech. When one insults Muhammad, it's a big, big, deal, because not only do muslims love and respect their prophet, they take him as the example of good conduct and behaviour. If one insults, Muhammad, he insults all muslims. When people read these cartoons, some of them actuallty believe them, and eventually, people will hate muslims, they will see them as dangerous, and eventually, people will want to exterminate muslims.[/COLOR][/QUOTE][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]How do you know that they are cowards? Until we find out exactly why the cartoonists printed the cartoon you really don?t know. For all you know they may have lost loved ones to terrorist attacks. It?s still wrong to insult an entire religion for the actions of a few, but honestly to say they are cowards is an assumption. They could have a good reason for feeling the way they do. Sure some people will believe what they read but that?s not a good reason to take away people?s freedom of speech. It?s not the newspapers fault that people take a cartoon for truth. It?s supposed to make fun of situations. Cartoons have never claimed to be the truth. And seriously I can see why they would find the concept that Muslims say they love and respect their prophet and yet some will kill you for disagreeing with them funny. It isn?t a true representation of the Muslim people or their religion obviously, just them poking fun at those who take things to the extreme. [/COLOR][quote name='Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f]So think about it. Do you support ignorance and racism, and those who spread them under the guise of "free speech"?[/COLOR][/QUOTE][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Yes I do. Think about it. Denying people the right to say what they want will not change the fact that they are ignorant or a racist. All it will do is make them resent you for attempting taking away their right to have a different opinion.[/COLOR][QUOTE=Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f']What if a girl accused a man of raping her even though he did not? Would you argue that she has the right to "free speech"? The right to blame a man for a crime he did not commit? The right to propogate a lie?[/COLOR][/quote][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Once again, she does have the right and if it is proven that she did lie about it she will get in trouble with the law. There will always be people who lie and hate others, we can?t expect newspapers or governments to control what others think or say. You can?t tell someone his or her opinion is wrong and expect him or her to change just because you want him or her too. The cartoonists are objecting to the fact that some Muslims will kill you for not agreeing with them. It?s ugly, but true. What they made fun of in the cartoon may not be true, but it is true that there are those who will kill you. I would call that true oppression of freedom of speech. Think about it, other religions are insulted by cartoons or articles on a regular basis, but you don?t see their members burning embassies. [/COLOR]

[quote name='Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f']However, the danish government should take responsibility for the freedom of speech they have given to their citizens. The government should condemn the cartoons, and although they shouldn't punish the newspaper (because they didn't break the law), they shouldn't allow them to do this again, or to keep printing these current cartoons, and they should tell the cartoonists to apologize for abusing their freedoms. The danish government needs to add some sort of restrictions to freedom of speech. Lies and slander and rascist remarks should not be tolerated.[/COLOR][/quote][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Isn?t that kind of a contradiction to say the government should condemn the cartoon and then not allow them to publish anything like it again? Although I do agree that the cartoon was in very poor taste and offensive, if we keep them from ever publishing something like that again then we don?t really have freedom of speech. The moment you start trying to stop people from expressing their opinions however sick they may be, is the moment you just end up with even more racist remarks or cartoons. It just seems like people are making far more out of a cartoon than is necessary.[/COLOR][QUOTE=Morpheus]I'm sorry, but this really makes me laugh. You see, we have freedom of speech and press. Period. No ifs, ands, or buts. This comic is what we call A JOKE. And people should be able to take the joke. Seriously, sticks and stones people.[/QUOTE][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]I agree, sticks and stones. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]With Valentines Day coming up I started wondering what different people around the world do on Valentines Day. ^_^ I did some looking around and found different traditions. For example:[/COLOR] [INDENT][COLOR=DarkRed]Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on St. Valentine's Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was: Good morning to you, valentine; Curl your locks as I do mine--- Two before and three behind. Good morning to you, valentine.[/COLOR] [/INDENT] [INDENT][COLOR=DarkRed]In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.[/COLOR][/INDENT] [INDENT][COLOR=DarkRed]Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin-flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.[/COLOR] [/INDENT] [INDENT][COLOR=DarkRed]Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, as you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.[/COLOR] [/INDENT] [INDENT][COLOR=DarkRed]If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.[/COLOR][/INDENT] [INDENT] [COLOR=DarkRed]In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favorite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"[/COLOR][/INDENT] [INDENT] [COLOR=DarkRed]In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him.[/COLOR][/INDENT] [INDENT] [COLOR=DarkRed]A love seat is a wide chair. It was first made to seat one woman and her wide dress. Later, the love seat or courting seat had two sections, often in an S-shape. In this way, a couple could sit together -- but not too closely![/COLOR][/INDENT] [INDENT] [COLOR=DarkRed]Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.[/COLOR][/INDENT] [INDENT] [COLOR=DarkRed]Some people said if you found a glove on the road on Valentine's Day, your future beloved would have the other missing glove.[/COLOR][/INDENT] [INDENT] [COLOR=DarkRed]Some believed the first man's name you read in the paper or hear would be the name of the man you will marry.[/COLOR][/INDENT] [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]When I was in grade school we would give Valentine?s cards to each of our classmates. As for having a tradition in my family, my Mom gets cookies, candy and flowers and we give them to several of the elderly widows in our neighborhood. ^_^ So what type of traditions do you guys have? Or what do you do on Valentines Day? [/COLOR][list][/list]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]I don?t know if I would consider OtakuBoards an elitist place, but I do know that I never joined other forums like Gaia because of the spam and poor spelling and grammar issues. I never learned how to post using terms like : I luv ur site! It?s a major headache reading posts like that since I don?t know what they are trying to say and if you do ask you get treated like you?re an idiot. >_< And I never liked the system of so many posts earned you a title. I?ve seen many threads where it?s just one person posting over and over just to get a title. But if having better grammar and easier to read posts means OtakuBoards is considered an elitist place then I can live with that. ^_^ [/COLOR]

[QUOTE=Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f]Aaaryanna, I was talking from my religious prespective. I believe in my religion, because I believe the Quran from a devine source, and since the Quran claims there is only one God, then I believe that. And I believe anything else the Quran says, because every single verse, in my opinion has divine qualities in it's prose. I don't question whether the Quran is right or wrong, because to me, it has proved itself to be from God. Having said that, why would it be illogical [B]for me[/B] to follow the teachings of the Quran if I believe all of it is correct? [/COLOR][/QUOTE][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Nothing wrong with following something if you believe it to be the truth. ^_^ Just as you have the right to completely believe in your religion others have the right to shape their beliefs without having to follow all aspects of their religion. It may not seem logical to you perhaps but it makes sense to me. ^_^[/COLOR][QUOTE=Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f]If there were sanitation problems God would have commanded people back then to improve the situaion. Besides, why would pigs have been unsanitary but not goats? God says pigs are impure, the way blood or urine is impure. And since recently people have found something in pigs that isn't good for us, I think this might be why. Just because we don't always know why, it doesn't mean we should not follow. We will know the answer eventually, and it's good to try to figure out why.[/COLOR][/QUOTE][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Improving the sanitation may not have been possible with the limits of technology back then. They didn?t understand the concept of bacteria and germs and how to make sure they are destroyed by fully cooking the meat. And they didn't have technology like refrigerators or freezers for proper storage. My religion tells us that all insight comes from God so why would he bother to tell us that eating pigs is okay, if prepared properly, when we have the technical means to determine that ourselves? [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]I don?t know if I have any artistic talent or not, but I do like learning how my Adobe Photoshop program works. One person did tell me that making wallpapers from scans of an anime show wasn?t art since I didn?t draw the original picture. It didn?t stop me from making them though since it takes time to make them look nice and even if I didn?t draw the original picture it still requires thought and effort on your part. That and I think it?s fun to do. ^_^ If reading were considered an art then that would be my Forte since I absolutely love to read. Whether it?s science fiction or psychology or stuff on computers. I just don?t feel right if I haven?t read something new each day. As for someone telling me I was good at something, well I have had several people tell me I have a pretty singing voice, so maybe I?ll take lessons in the future. ^_~[/COLOR]

[quote name='Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f']I don't see why people don't have a problem with following man made laws of our governments, and have a problem with following our creator's laws.[/COLOR][/quote][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue] People do have a problem with following man made laws, otherwise we wouldn?t need jails or police to arrest people for breaking the law. For example, take speeding laws, people get tickets all the time for ignoring this law. They know they shouldn?t speed but they do anyway.[/COLOR][quote name='Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f'] I don't think it's logical to believe your way of life is the only way to get to heaven. Why would it be logical for me to believe that let's say, ancient Egyptians can go to heaven? They didn't worship God. They worshipped, according to my beliefs, gods they made up themselves. That certainly doesn't gain God's pleasure. He says in the Qur'an, that he wants us to worship him, the one and only God.[/COLOR][/quote][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue] How are the Egyptians any different? We claim they made up their own Gods, but how do we know that the God of any religion today wasn?t at one time made up? If people never question their religion then how will you ever know for sure? What little I have read indicates that many religions were formed because members refused to accept what they were being told and went in search of the truth. Did they find it? I don?t know. But I certainly think people have the right to refuse any aspect of a religion they do not agree with.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]I have a question about the story. Since you started it only me and SunfallE have posted, I was waiting for someone else to post but no one has. Does that mean we aren't doing the rpg anymore? I was just wondering since I have several more posts ready, but I wanted to see other people's input first in case I needed to make adjustments.[/COLOR]

[QUOTE=Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f]First of all, this isn't meant to be a 'what is your relgion?' thread. But I thought i'd ask relgious OBers what shapes their beliefs. My mother recently had a chat with her ESL teacher about religion. Her teacher claims that she is Chrisitan, but she told my mom that she didn't believe that Jesus was the son of God --she believed he was prophet. Since this was the Islamic perspective of Jesus, my mother further questioned her about Muhammad. Her teacher told her that she believed that Muhammad was also a prophet. My mother asked her, if that's the case, why isn't she a muslim? Her teacher simply said that she disagrees with polygamy, which is permitted in Islam. I find it odd how many people nowadays seem to be only choosing aspects of religion that appeal to them than the religion as a whole. Why is it that some christians believe that the Bible is the word of God, yet at the same time don't believe in hell? The Bible states that evil-doers and infidels will go to hell doesn't it? It just doesn't make sense. What are your views on this?[/COLOR][/QUOTE][COLOR=DarkOrange]I don?t really have any religious beliefs. The more I study and learn the more I see that religious texts are documents written by people and I?ve learned that just because something is written doesn?t mean that it?s true. The fact that people are only choosing certain aspects of their religion could be that parts of them don?t feel right to them. I am only 13 but my Mom belongs to the Mormon Church. Until recently I was required to believe and had no choice but to attend church with her. But on some levels I completely disagree with the beliefs. For example the main leaders of the church are all men. I disagree since they tell you that the church is an equal opportunity place for all the members, but if that were true then the women could hold leadership positions as well. It took a while but my Mom finally agreed that I had the right to decide for myself. So on some level I think people have the right to question their religion. So only following part of a religion makes perfect sense to me. Many religions are claiming that their religion is the only true path, but can any of them really prove it? I think that totally believing in just one religion is limiting what you can learn as it is more likely that there is truth in all of them. At least that?s what I think. ^_^[/COLOR]

[quote name='Anime Elf']I also say no. Just looking at the United States and how divided we get over certain issues. Now blow that up to a global scale. Each country has its own culture and way of doing things. Trying to unify all of that under one government is crazy. Just imagine all the gridlock that would happen.[/quote][COLOR=DarkOrange]I agree. On paper it seems like a good idea, but you really do run into the issue of cultural differences. I just can?t see people agreeing to follow one government. If it did happen I think we would end up with all sorts of problems caused by groups of people who would object. Whether it is on a cultural basis or a religious one.[/COLOR]

[QUOTE=SunfallE][COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]Interesting idea. ^_^ It was surprising to see where people lived. So far I?m the only one in Utah though. >_< [/COLOR][/QUOTE] [COLOR=DarkOrange]Not anymore! :p Espically since we live in the same town. ^_^ Hehehe! That's a cool map! ^_^ It's fun to see where people live. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOrange]Bethany waited patiently while the officer on duty retrieved her hand held computer for her. She tried to hide her irritation without much success. Bad enough that a few days ago U.N.I.T. had taken her personal computer altogether and replaced it with a new one. But other than to transfer her personal files to the new computer they had kept all the files regarding the dig. All her work, gone, just like that! Well not completely gone since she could type it all up from memory, but still! To have taken her notes like that without warning or explanation was intolerable! She had of course complained to the officer in charge of the dig, but no answer had been given for the increase in security. If they had just asked her she would have given them the files, after all she did agree that so long as she was working on the dig all the information pertaining to it would be kept confidential until they said otherwise. ?Here you are miss,? the officer said as he gave Bethany her computer. Bethany took it from him and left without saying a word. She was too annoyed and the last thing she wanted to do was snap at him. After all, it wasn?t his fault his superiors were requiring him to take her computer when she came each day. She just wished someone would tell her what in the world was going on. Everyone seemed to be on edge, and no one would tell her what was happening. ?Bethany! Wait up!? Someone said from behind her. She turned around to see that it was her professor calling to her. ?Well?? She asked him once he caught up with her and had a moment to catch his breath. ?I need to talk to you about the dig.? Bethany just raised her eyebrow at that statement and said nothing. Her professor sighed, ?Don?t give me that look, they took all my files as well you know.? Bethany felt her eyebrow rise even higher. That was news to her. When they took her computer she was sent home that day. So did they take his stuff after she left? Her professor leaned forward and whispered, ?This isn?t the best place to discuss this you know. How about we go and get a bite to eat? We can discuss it over dinner, my treat of course. I?ll even give you a ride back to your apartment.? Bethany hesitated, would they get in trouble for discussing the dig offsite? She thought about it for a moment, wondering what she should do. She had never seen the professor act secretive about anything. Did he know what was going on? Surely discussing it with him would be fine; after all they were both working on the dig together. Bethany made up her mind she would go with him. ?Okay.? She replied. I hope I don?t get in trouble for this. She thought as she got into the professor?s car. [/COLOR]

[URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=37977][B][COLOR=DarkOrange]Avatar Submission Thread[/COLOR][/B][/URL] [COLOR=DarkOrange]It gives members the opportunity to contribute to the site and to be a part of increasing the ever-growing stash of amazing avatars. Everyone has a different idea as to what makes a good avatar and allowing everyone to contribute makes the choices more diverse. Definitely quite nifty. [B]James [/B] Besides having a cute accent ^_~ he?s one of the nicest and friendliest member I?ve met since I joined. Not only does he do a great job as an administrator but he takes the time to answer your questions and always has time for everyone. [B]Desbreko[/B] Not only does he do an awesome job as an administrator, but he has a wonderful sense of humor. And then there?s the thread [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=35704&page=1&pp=15][B][COLOR=DarkOrange]The DailyOtaku[/COLOR][/B] [/URL] which thankfully warned me of the danger of spoiler tags. ^_~ I?m sure there are more nifty things but these three stand out the most to me. ^_^[/COLOR]

[QUOTE=Lix][size=1][color=slategray]It's because some people like the abuse. Have you ever heard Silverchair's "Abuse Me"? There ya go. Uhh... let's see. A Question. Alright... [B]Would you... Save or kill Toby?[/B] (Please don't blame me for this stupidity... but, if you wish to answer correctly, see the links below.) [URL]http://www.savetoby.com/[/URL] [URL]http://www.killtoby.com[/URL] [/color][/size][/QUOTE][COLOR=DarkOrange] I say arrest the stupid person using the rabbit as a gimmick to sell a book. That?s just sick. And the other?s saying kill him? I mean come on! It?s obvious that they are just using the bunny to make money. You?re right, its just sheer stupidity. So I say kill the both the person selling the book and the one selling toys for saving him. Feh! Some people will do anything to make money. All right, now for a question. Have you ever had a dream where you realized you were dreaming while you were in the middle of the dream? I had one of those the other night and boy was it weird! [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOrange][B]Name:[/B] Bethany Spencer [B]Age:[/B] 20 [B]Gender:[/B] Female [B]Race:[/B] Human [B]Origin:[/B] Earth [B] Items:[/B] Small hand held computer and small archeological field kit. Fits neatly into a small backpack that she carries everywhere. [B]Special Skills/Abilities: [/B] Reading ancient Earth languages. She?s quite good at learning new languages. She has a photographic memory and only has to hear or read something once to remember it. [B]Position:[/B] Translating ancient inscriptions for U.N.I.T. Though she?s actually a college student and isn?t employed by U.N.I.T. [B]Appearance: [/B] [URL=http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/1116/bethanyspencer014wq.jpg][COLOR=DarkOrange]Bethany Spencer[/COLOR][/URL] [B]Personality: [/B] Serious and dedicated. Bethany is very mature for her age. She?s more interested in studying ancient civilizations than in boys or other things. She?s very friendly once you get to know her. She tends to be a bit reserved unless it?s regarding ancient civilizations or languages. [B]Biography: [/B] Bethany is from America though she is currently in London attending college. She won a scholarship for her papers she wrote about ancient languages and civilizations during her senior year in High School. In addition to her studies at school Bethany also studies local urban legends as she?s always in search of some new discovery. Bethany has been in London for just over a year and is currently working with her professor at a dig on the outskirts of London. Ancient buildings were discovered when an American business bought an old factory and started tearing it down to build a new building. At first the dig was straightforward but after a few weeks they began to uncover items that could only be alien in nature. Within a few days U.N.I.T took over the dig. Bethany and her professor were the only members of the original dig who were kept on by U.N.I.T. Now Bethany is translating the ancient documents for U.N.I.T along with her professor as many of the artifacts though alien are inscribed with ancient Earth languages. She is also putting together a thesis with her professor along the lines that some of the ancient Earth languages were in fact alien in origin. Although Bethany is really enjoying her work at the dig she is highly frustrated that the information being learned is being kept behind closed doors. She has argued with U.N.I.T a few times along the lines that keeping such an important discovery secret is unnecessary. She?s unfamiliar with any of the issues U.N.I.T. has faced in regards to alien invasions and honestly doesn?t understand why there could be any problems with the information being told to the general public. [/COLOR]