Originally posted by squee
1. Philosophy. Is there an inherent or intrinsic value to human life?Well, since they both basically mean the same thing...I will say they have an inherent AND intrinsic value.
*Edit: in rereading this question, I can see where you might be just supplying intrinsic as an synonym instead of two different choices for us. In that case, my answer should be apparent...I believe they do have an inherent value.
2. Sex. What is sex for? (I can think of at least three good reasons, I'm looking for more)More than three reasons? You got me, I'm thinking, reproduction, recreation, and exercise. Money too, depending on who you are, I guess.
3. Politics. What does tolerance mean and how should we go about being tolerant?Tolerance in politics? Well, tolerance is respecting the beliefs of others. It is also being able to endure things. I would think tolerance in politics would allow people to work together better. Right now politicians sweat to much of the small stuff, and can't always learn to work together in productive ways. Incorporating some tolerance (ok, you give on this part, I'll give on that part, and we will "endure" these changes and "respect them") would probably go a long way to making a better goverment.
4. Religion. With regards to church and state issues, do you think that if a politician's reasoning for doing something stems from his religion, it violates Church-and-State? This right here is a sorta grey area. Instances like <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-locsatan17031702mar17.story?coll=orl-home-headlines">this</a> are definitely unaccepatble. So are things like:
*The town of Franklinton, La., recently put up four signs proclaiming “Jesus is Lord Over Franklinton.”
*Putting the 10 Commandments in Court Rooms/Schools/Monuments.
Politicians are supposed to not be influenced by their personal beliefs when making laws (in most cases, some instances, it will happen no matter what, and it isn't always that big of a deal.) If they do that, then they are not committed to some of this nations founding principles, and I would think one of the most important ones. Freedom of Religion. You can't have true freedom of religion if your goverment is pushing one paticular set of beliefs. It creates undue pressure, and can eventually lead to oppression and persecution of those who believe differently. Basically, if that law or decision they make pushes any particular belief, it DEFINITELY violates seperation of church/state. Laws like "don't kill" for example, don't push a paticular belief, and though the reasoning behind it for one person may come from the bible, people like me believe that the reasoning behind that is because there IS an inherent value to human life.