Humanists of the world gather up!

San Fransisco ain't far off!

I got called cute by some guy when I was about 10 years old during my first trip to San Fransisco, although I fear that story may go to undermine Martijn and mine's points made in this thread.

Yes, and the reason there is no space for you to argue is because you haven't got a valid point, not because we're using logic and reasoning to undermine a perfectly valid point of view. That would be impossible!

Steven,

I always giggle when i read a discussion where you participate, even if i agree with what you write or even when i don't participate in the discussion, but i rather read it independently. 'Cause there's a huge difference in which you and others, in this instance Martjin, formulate and phrase their arguments. The heights on which you elevate your arguments and obviously your self-consideration appear a bit silly to me, in the instances where you get passionate and are so convinced for what you say. I can't help but to detect a level of hypocrisy if what you write, 'cause you always try to cover up your real "raw" sentiments against someone, by trying to appear intellectual and well-researched via means of diminishing the opposition and their arguments and / or their intelligence. Hinting name-calling (or at times even direct) and various slightingly adjectives in order to raise yours above the rest is always a tactic you follow at the end, combined with ridiculing the other's intelligence, beliefs, social views, background etc etc, simply because they don't follow your correctness papal infallibility.

Funny thing is that in opposition to someone like Martijn, again for instance, who STILL caries the same / similar points of view as yours but doesn't try to make me sound foolish and diminish me, HE is the one who comes across with valid counter-arguments whilst you appear as the stubborn boy who holds the flag behind him and blows the whistle. And everything starts off from the point where you don't respect your "opponent" and this is where you lost me; i am not willing to sit here and be preached by you since you are not going to show the least respect expected in adults' debate; i don't know where this arrogance and know-it-all stems from as we are simple 6 years apart in the age-span, but i always found it a blockade for me to further discuss something on which we oppose, especially at the point where you get ridiculously passionate about it.

Anyway, enough with this, our points are perfectly clear by now for anyone who wants to form an opinion or two and i have nothing more to add to the conversation.

MARTIJN,

I'll admit there's always the prospect of homosexual couples adapting little children without their will, that worries me, and it's always in the background of my thoughts on the subject matter; maybe this is why my arguments weren't so clear-cut from the beginning. I am going to have to think about that.

D:

And I feel you resort to utterly ridiculous and fragrantly presumptuous personal statements to try and win an argument, all the while side-stepping the very debate we began with. If you give me a perfectly good valid argument, I will either agree with it or agree upon its validity. If you don't, I can assure you I will try to pick it apart to reveal why it's not so valid. It doesn't take a genius to understand that something that could be harmful to society is an invalid point of view, it has nothing to do with using intelligence to belittle you. This is exactly what me and Martijn (independently I might add, and in no sense holding a flag behind him) have been doing. You have failed on each occasion to give an equally valid argument. Your chance is now if you want to.

I'm not trying to piss you off, I'm not getting personal. I'm not even trying to change your mind (although I hope that one day you do). I'm debating. I'm trying to get down to the reasons for your opinion, I'm trying to understand where you're coming from. But if you're unwilling to join in on a level-footed debate, then how am I to even begin to accept your point of view?

I do apologise if I have caused offense, I admit that I do get quite *ahem* passionate about subjects concerning ethics, philosophy and science. The way I express opinions probably needs to improve, but I'm very comfortable with my level of debating. For now.

They have tried to deal with the problem in the U.S. and it hasn't worked. They serve there time but no one really wants them around and there not really cured. This isn't drug addiction which can be dealt with. Look at California and the prison system which is over crowded now and growing while I speak. I was only speaking out about killing them in anger over what has happened in San Diego in the past. Actually inmates in prison took care of the problem so I should be ok with that.
Thomas

There are cases where they have to be separated from the general prison population which ends up costing yet more money.
Thomas

Oh, that's good. They learnt their lesson.

Writer of paedo-erotic stories???

Do they get released??

Somebody hire a sniper to shoot his balls off (but keep alive)...

Neither am I, but maybe there is a way to block his ass?

Name and Shame!!!!! Name and Shame!!!!!

Yeah, it was the News of the World if I remember correctly. Grossly irresponible journalism if you ask me.

My answer got in too far and yes I know it was irony

Tabloids aren't fucking responsible, I know that. Where did they get the info in the first place. As much as I HATE pedophilia, I know a FAKE accusation can be a really painful branding not to get off.

I agree, it's an awful branding one may not recover from.

We see eye to eye on that one, Timmer.