Todd Said:

Without fear and shock tactics, would it be as easy to indoctrinate children into religions?

We Answered:

"fear is not as an essential teaching aid for humans as it is for animals"
I'm sorry to say, but yes it is an essential teaching aid when our children are small and it's for the same main reason animals do it... Predators. Many parents tell their children that if they aren't careful someone will take them away and maybe hurt them (there's really no maybe to that, but we don't want to terrify them so badly that they don't even want to go outside). We warn them of accepting candy from strangers because it could make them sick, etc.... We DO indeed have predators... one in particular... ourselves and that is a life threatening situation. And people with small children, it is a daily occurrence. You are thinking of this on the level of an animal that is a predator Eating their prey. But Predator in the "human world" has come to mean sexual predators, adults who prey on our children.

Fear is a natural survival instinct, even when it comes to religion (they want their souls to survive death). But the exception to this is, animals do not cause fear in their own kind. You don't see rabbits ganging up and bullying another rabbit because it's fur is a different color or it decided to live in a different hole than the others, etc... They don't use Fear to try to gain power over others of their own kind. Humans are really the only animal that has such an ego and will do whatever it can to Harm it's own kind, while most animals work with their own kind in order to further their own species. We're the only animal that kills itself for pleasure and power.

Mildred Said:

can someone tell me whats wrong with this essay, ie plagrisum, runnon ect?

We Answered:

Check for plagerism by checking at the turn it in website.

Audrey Said:

Why were Christians in support of slavery and why were atheists against it?

We Answered:

Most religious people are detached from reality, and like to live in the dark ages. As the 'devil wanted to rule over man, they wanted to rule over men. Athiests are more realists, they believe what they see, and what proves to be the real truth, not what you are told. They are able to think independantly or, for thier own selfs, they don't have to be told what to think. They have free will.
Was it "christians" that coined the term, athiest, because they did not identify themselves with an established christian group?
I think "Christians are Satan worshippers, and they want the rest of the world to join them. But in this modern age they can't force thier will anymore, so they must tempt, or seduce, with many promises. No thanks, I no longer worship the false god, Satan.

Salvador Said:

Majoring in Math: Do I have a shot?

We Answered:

If you enjoy math and have done well in "introductory classes" (i.e. the ones you listed), you should definitely keep the major. As you may know, there are many different proof methods, and some are a lot easier--- and indeed more algorithmic--- than others. My first encounter with proofs was in number theory (first proof by induction then contradiction and so on), and I took it in my sophomore year. Frankly, I wouldn't be too concerned with your lack of experience in proofs. Working at it until you understand is key.

I don't know your schedule nor your university's, but I tend to limit myself to two math courses a semester. I would recommend looking at your degree requirements and match that with the time-line in which you want to complete your B.S.

Finally, a note on the difficulty of analysis. An anecdote given by one of my professors is that there are largely two types of mathematicians: analysts and algebraists. Many in either specialty may or may not be very apt with the other specialty. That is, a Ph.D. with a focus in analysis may leave the doctor at a similar level to advanced undergraduates in certain areas. What I am getting at here is that some topics in math are easier or more difficult for each person, and undergraduate university is largely your time to figure out your interests.

Keep going in math if it is what you enjoy. You will find things you enjoy, contrary to their supposed difficulty, will not be difficult once you become intimate with them. I know some pretty average-IQ math majors who do quite well.

Angel Said:

Anyone know a good book (fiction or non) on AIDS in Africa, poverty in 3rd world, or modern genocide?

We Answered:

The Other Hand, by Chris Cleave.

It's about refugees, and the soldiers on Nigeria.

It got very good reviews, and was shortlisted for the 2008 Costa Novel Award.

Hope I helped. x

Milton Said:

The revised story of creation? Consolation for modern man.?

We Answered:

This story sounds more credible than the one in the bible. However, when designing the human body this god had flaws, such as the appendix or mammory glands in males. Either way, I don't believe this story any more than I do the bible.

Joann Said:

how do modern christians deal with the OT verse about the "sin of sodom" vs the hate Paul teaches in NT?

We Answered:

Paul was a sexually repressed, misogynist jerk that hated his own religion and culture to become Romanized and then when he had a stroke on the side of the road, he switched his hatred back to Rome and it's paganism and freedom of sexuality.

Thankfully, I'm not Christian and Paul has a lot to do with that decision.