James

[font=franklin gothic medium]I still recommend checking out Aboriginal Dreamtime stories if you are interested in learning about other belief systems (especially those that significantly pre-date monotheistic religions). For me, another set of religious beliefs that I find interesting are those of ancient Egypt. I think it's fascinating that Pharoahs could come in and completely change the national religion, largely for policy reasons (which makes sense, given that religion was often synonymous with early forms of government). Chibi, I support the sentiment that says you must be respectful to others in debates (as in, do not personally attack anybody) but I do understand your outrage about the idea of "mercy killing" children. I think it's hard [i]not[/i] to feel some sort of revulsion at this idea. Having said that, you would probably be aware - if you've studied different religions - that blood sacrifice is one of the most common tenants of [i]most[/i] religions. This is not really as true today (although circumcision is a remnant of earlier blood sacrifice rituals in Judaism) and in some cases outright blood sacrifice has transformed into something symbolic rather than literal (which is, interestingly enough, an indication that the moral zeitgeist is ever-changing as opposed to being completely static). I don't say that to in any way excuse the notion of killing innocent people as part of a ritual sacrifice, but I do think it's valuable to be aware of the history of this practice. And I do think it's worth pointing out that it is not exclusive to Christianity (nor even to monotheistic religions in general).[/font]

[font=franklin gothic medium]The weather here's been beautiful lately, with some really warm days. I just hope winter doesn't arrive too quickly - I'm not ready for that yet. :catgirl:[/font]

[font=franklin gothic medium]This reminds me, in my next post I need to write about the Anovan election (given that one group will be meeting the PM soon). I might split my post into two halves and deal with that as well as the group with Gustave. I'm not sure how to follow up my last post though, because I've indicated that Leonhart is coming and that this is a problem. Shy, could you PM me about that? I'm not sure if I'm supposed to post about a death or not. Haha :catgirl: [/font]

[font=franklin gothic medium]I basically think that all incarnations of a deity are "silly", no matter which source they originate from. However, to be more specific, I should point out that I always loved studying about the ancient Greek and Roman gods. Part of this is because of the sheer poetry involved with many of their individual stories, but also because I think they illustrate universal moral lessons in an entertaining way. It's almost as though somebody figured that moral lessons were better taught through humor and drama than threats. I also really love the Aboriginal Dreamtime here in Australia. The Dreamtime stories largely parallel Biblical and other similar moral instruction, but the Dreamtime centers around animals from the Outback. I highly recommend looking up some Dreamtime stories - many of them are funny, beautiful and poetic. They're fantastic for children especially. It's interesting how most religions emphasize similar virtues, but often through very different vehicles. [b]Edit:[/b] I try to avoid debates on religion - not out of some misplaced respect for religious people (or any particular stakeholder) - but largely because they don't ever really achieve anything. I do want to quote two of Sabre's comments, though. I do not intend to actually respond to them in detail, but I have chosen them because I think they are particularly heinous. That such words can be uttered without further thought given to their implications worries me.[/font] [quote name='Sabre']God is warning that their nation will be destroyed unless their is a turning away from the things which separate them from Him. He is giving a forewarning that action will have to be taken if they do not turn back to him because an ultimate plan of redemption is unfloding. They can either be part of the revolution or make way, their choice. A bloodthirsty God would have just clicked his fingers, sent meteors flyign and watched the blood flow without even a hitn of warning whatsoever.[/quote] [font=franklin gothic medium]and...[/font] [quote name='Sabre']The babies and children killed in this prophetic fulfilment can be seen as a mercy killing, dependent on wether you believe in the doctrine of child salvation, which I do. A child killed and given into the arms of God before he/she is corrputed by their adherence to false gods (which are driven by demonic forces) will stand a better chance of knowing God in the afterlife. God knows better than anyone here how temporary this life is, he is focused on the eternal. I expect Heaven will be full of the children described here, enjoying the fellowship with a loving God.[/quote] [font=franklin gothic medium]I actually think it's a good idea for somebody as devout as Sabre to read Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion. I say that not as an attempt to convert him to atheism, but simply because I think this book is a consciousness-raiser. In the same way, I think it's valuable for atheists to have an understanding of the Bible and religion in general. On the question of respect, a double-standard does seem to exist. It's fine to question - or even deride - the so-called "wacky" gods. But should you question Yahweh, you will have committed a grave offense. Holding a private belief - no matter how unusual or improbable it may be - is absolutely fine. And I don't necessarily think that everybody should have to justify what they believe. But I think that if you go out there and engage in a debate, or if you deride others' beliefs, or if you expect others to explain their rationale - you have the responsibility to do so yourself. I've always felt this way about debates of any kind. And admittedly, we haven't really seen that happen here yet...but I figured that can be my contribution to this discussion. If others have more to contribute, that's up to them. :catgirl:[/font]

[font=franklin gothic medium]Not Exactly by Deadmau5 is awesome, by the way. One of my most-played tracks at the moment. :catgirl:[/font]

[font=franklin gothic medium]I've already started to hear impressions from friends who have bought this - has anyone here got FFXIII yet? I'd love to see a review posted here![/font]

[font=franklin gothic medium]I just purchased Gran Turismo for PSP, which I started playing a little bit last night. It's quite different from the regular console versions, but it actually seems to work very well in a portable format. I'm also playing bits and pieces of stuff when I can, including Shenmue 2, Red Alarm and Battlefield: Bad Company (the latter I've developed a new appreciation for).[/font]

[font=franklin gothic medium]Yeah, I did speak to Adam about this and I have some additional details now. Apparently one login is for the forums and one is for the actual account. But we are not aware of anything actually changing from our end. I'll forward those details to you.[/font]

[font=franklin gothic medium]I don't think freedom of speech really extends to verbally abusing people on a bus, lol. I'm pretty sure the Constitution doesn't have a Jerk Amendment. Not that I necessarily agree with what chibi did. But on the other hand, good on her for making her disapproval known originally (er, when it was peaceful and before the escalation :P).[/font]

[font=franklin gothic medium]So, other than Aaryanna, who needs to post next? Since we haven't had a post in forever, I suggest skipping to the next person in line. Since our characters are in groups we can probably juggle things around a bit. Any thoughts, guys?[/font]

[font=franklin gothic medium]What Sara said. (I'm not sure that Australia ever had the pleasure of Beanie Babies. Should we be concerned that we've missed out on something major here?)[/font]

[quote name='Brasil'][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3] Last but not least, GUILD WARS. The GW crew here knows who they are. [/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE] [font=franklin gothic medium]I do miss the QKT days. :animedepr[/font]

[quote name='Ace'][FONT="Comic Sans MS"]Well, it started out feeling like bad allergies, but I think I might actually be sick right now. This sucks. Especially since I hardly ever get sick. Three times within the past year is way weird for me.[/FONT][/QUOTE] [font=franklin gothic medium]Hope you feel better. I get hay fever at times and it really sucks if I get both that and a cold or something. I really think I used to be a big morning person (I used to love getting up early, having breakfast, watching the news, etc...) but now I'm finding it tougher and tougher to get up very early. Bah. :shifty:[/font]

[quote name='Magus'][size=1][color=darkred]Are there any differences between the Xbox and Dreamcast versions? I played Shenmue 2 on the Xbox, and I did have fun with it, but I tend to favor Shenmue 1 over 2. I think it's because of the "Practice" part of the game.[/size][/color][/QUOTE] [font=franklin gothic medium]As far as I know, the Xbox version runs a little bit better (i.e. slightly less slow down and pop up). Also, with the Xbox version, when you start a new game I think you actually get a lot of items in your inventory - whereas the Dreamcast version relies on your finished save file from the first Shenmue. What do you mean by "practice" part of the game? Also, side note, but I finally got Daytona USA 2001 a little while back. I'm loving it - it really is [i]the[/i] definitive Daytona! Only problem? It's [i]hard![/i] Haha I'm finding it very difficult, in large part because the controls are so unforgiving. It seems tougher on the Dreamcast than it was in the arcades. I'm starting to wonder if I need to invest in a wheel or something. And speaking of Power Stone, I've ordered Power Stone 2 which should be arriving soon. I did play the original a bit (only rented), but apparently the sequel is better. Can anyone vouch for that?[/font]

[font=franklin gothic medium]I try to go out once each weekend, but my definition of "going out" is pretty simple. Usually I'll just go to a movie and then have a quiet session at Max Brenner afterwards. Either that or I'll go to a movie and then have dinner at a nearby restaurant (although this happens less often). Sometimes I like to just take my dog into the city and walk her around one of the big parks (Botannic Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens are my favourites at the moment - but sometimes I go the extra mile and travel down to Albert Park). So even though I do go out, I usually keep it simple. I can't generally be bothered doing big things with heaps of people - often I'm just too tired and I want to enjoy my weekend by relaxing. But I do love doing my own thing at home too. Last Saturday my sisters and some friends came over and we just played some Left 4 Dead 2, had some drinks and pretty much just hung around. It was good to see them all and it was very relaxed.[/font]

[quote name='Ace'][FONT="Comic Sans MS"] But I digress, I can see from the rest of the thread that poking holes in the story here is ultimately pointless, since you'll either facepalm at everything or ignore the plot to enjoy the Jungle of Sweet Rave Parties anyway. And yeah, it was all very pretty indeed. It just lacked substance of any kind. I guess it's kind of like the stereotypical blonde cheerleader of movies.[/FONT][/QUOTE] [font=franklin gothic medium]The thing is, I don't think anyone even really denies that the plot was, well...pretty devoid of any substance whatsoever. The only real disagreement is whether or not a simplistic plot equates to a terrible movie overall. Opinions seem to differ a lot on that point. As far as the whole humans are evil thing, I agree with you. I also think the portrayal of the military was laughably simplistic and predictable - but again, this [i]is[/i] James Cameron's Fern Gully. If you take the movie seriously, I think one of the big questions is why humans are still so ignorant and basically xenophobic in the distant future (when you'd think we would have learned a great deal about these things over time). Then again, I suppose the message is that mankind can never escape the mark of our lowly origins (paraphrasing Darwin, since I don't remember exactly what he said).[/font]

[quote name='Ace'][FONT="Comic Sans MS"]Well, just saw it. You know what would be nice? If someone in Hollywood could make a movie with a pro-environment moral that doesn't spend an entire scene printing the words HUMANS ARE BASTARDS across the screen in six foot tall neon green flashing letters. I know it's a pipe dream, but I can remain optimistic, can't I?[/FONT][/QUOTE] [font=franklin gothic medium]But humans [i]are[/i] bastards, aren't they? :confused:[/font]

[quote name='Stephanie'][size=1]AKA the "Beaver Ducky", dubbed thus by chibimaster.[/size][/QUOTE] [font=franklin gothic medium]Beaver Ducky? lol. Maybe that's what we should change its official name to. Although I think it kinda looks more like a Squirrel Ducky or a Rat Ducky... :animeswea[/font]

[font=franklin gothic medium]I don't play racing games that much (even though I like 'em), but one game I'm looking forward to this year is Gran Turismo 5 - it [i]is[/i] due this year, right? I've heard that Forza is great - and getting better all the time - and apparently there are no license requirements? With GT, I sometimes found it tough to get the higher level licenses, even though the higher level races weren't so tough. So that frustrated me, because it felt [i]too[i/] much like real life! Haha. [/font]

[font=franklin gothic medium]Welcome to OB, guys. sammypetter, I've just merged your intro thread with our main community intro thread. Hope you enjoy OB![/font]

[font=franklin gothic medium]Well, my copy of Daytona USA still hasn't arrived. Not sure what's happening there. I suppose it's only been about 6 business days though, so I can't complain too much. Yet. :catgirl: And I'm still slowly working my way through Shenmue II. I'm finding that it gets more enjoyable as it goes on, but man...those regular loading sessions suck! I remember being annoyed by the loading even when the game was new, but these days it's even harder to deal with. What other good Dreamcast games can you guys recommend? I think next on my list will have to be Power Stone 2.[/font]

[font=franklin gothic medium]I'm not sure I disagree with their decision, so long as campaign advertising maintains the need to publicly list the contributors (and it looks like this is still the case). I don't quite know at what point a film can become a campaign tool. You could argue that any number of Hollywood movies were a commentary on the Bush administration's policies - but they were not subject to these rules. So I'm not really sure how this can be measured. The biggest way to kill off special interests in politics in America, in my view, is to fundamentally reform the lobbyist system. The access that lobbying firms have in the U.S. Congress is nothing short of criminal, in my opinion. Whereas public advertising (whoever is producing it), isn't quite as sinister. I don't see a problem with trade unions or corporations producing political advertising if they choose - if nothing else, I suspect that this could turn off enough people that these entities could damage themselves anyway.[/font]

[quote name='Petie'][COLOR=Blue]I think this is due to one of the changes I made when setting up the new profile fields. I'll have that fixed soon. Thanks for pointing it out.[/COLOR][/QUOTE] [font=franklin gothic medium]Thanks Petie. :catgirl: [/font]

[quote name='Sabrina'][FONT="Tahoma"]I was wondering why the link to one's theOtaku profile is no longer showing. I thought perhaps I had removed the information somehow from my profile but it is still there. Is this just down temporarily? It's not a big deal but it is nice to have when you're curious about visiting someone over at the other site. I checked and the link is still there if you actually visit someone's profile. However it would be nice to see the original link in one's post restored. :catgirl:[/FONT][/QUOTE] [font=franklin gothic medium]Do you mean the link that sits under your OB username? I can still see it on your posts. Could you post a screenshot showing us what you're seeing?[/font]

[quote name='Shy'][size=1]Worried? Hardly. I created the most popular thread in the site's history. All in a day's work. -Shy[/size][/QUOTE] [font=franklin gothic medium]I think we need a modesty award in the Nifty Fifty next year. :catgirl:[/font]