Response (comment) #3. Fox Hunting IS BAD!!!

://i-wish-philosophy-was-pink.blogspot.com/2009/04/fox-hunting.html


In response to Ruth’s blog on Fox Hunting. (Sorry Ruth)


FOX HUNTING IS BAD/WRONG!!!!!!!!

Hunting is not a tradition! In days gone by it was a necessity, even by the upper classes, ASDA wasn’t around Henry VIII’s time. Furthermore, when was the last time anyone you know ever ate a fox.

‘Foxes are vermin.’ Maybe so, so why not employ a professional marksman, or team of them, to cull the unwanted pests.

As to whether the dogs kill a fox more humanely than traps, or any other methods, I don’t know, although I do doubt it. BUT running any animal half way across the country side until it urinates blood from the stress caused, by a gang of red coated toffs out for a good time, can’t do it that much good either.

BAD BAD BAD BAD!!!!!!!!

Dangerous Driving/SPEEDING is BAD.

http://www.safespeed.org.uk/speeding.html

Speeding, if you drive you’ve probably done it at sometime.

The link provided talks about people knowing how fast they can drive regardless of the speed limit. It seems to suggest that we should be the judges of what is safe. I am a driver and at times feel that I could confidently drive faster than the law states that I am allowed-BUT the very nature of an accident is that it is an event that you did not mean to happen.

I don’t usually pay attention to scare tactics used by the government in adverts and the such like, but there has been an advert on T.V lately where a man goes through his day and continually keeps seeing a dead little boy everywhere, the man has presumably killed the boy whilst speeding, and the slogan basically says that there is a speed limit for a reason. I really don’t see how anyone can argue with this. Even if you don’t mind putting yourself in danger, if you drive you have a responsibility for others around you too.

Response (comment) No.2-Masturbation.

http://xkatiesblogx.blogspot.com/2009/03/masturbation-x.html

In response to Katie’s blog on Masturbation.

I can fully understand that certain people think that masturbation is ‘bad’, I myself am not pro maturbation, but putting boxing gloves on children is a counter-productive idea, just like those devices we saw in the power point whilst in the masturbation lecture. I am a firm believer that with such issues as masturbation, as with with smoking, drinking and promiscious sex an offending person needs to want to stop by their own merit or with help they’ve obtained, and in no way can or should they be forced to stop, unless they are in someway harming others (I do believe public masturbation comes under this category). Free will is part of what makes us human, and whilst I don’t believe that we should masturbate, a person always needs to have the choice whether they do or don’t.

Response (comment) No.1-Disability Parking Hogs

http://claire-cee.blogspot.com/2009/03/disability-parking-hogs.html

In response to “Claire’s Blog” I just want to agree that this is indeed a ‘bad’ problem. I have often seen people who appear to be of an able nature climbing out of cars parked in disabled designated areas. The same is often to be said of ‘Parent and Child’ parking spaces (which I must admit to having used when I’ve had my daughter’s car seat in the back of the car, but have not had my daughter with me-Naughty naughty).

However I think most drivers have been in the annoying situation of the car park being absolutely rammed full (including the ‘Parent and Child’ area), only to have to drive past a long line of unused disabled parking spaces.

Specially designated parking spaces for the disabled is a definite must, although some system to combat the situation I outlined above would be welcomed by many.

BAD Bad bad--Alcohol/Drunken Behaviour

http://www.units.nhs.uk/children.html

The main focus of this blog is not to say that alcohol is ‘bad’, but to discuss the ‘bad’ behaviour which often comes as a result of drinking.

It is only in very recent years that I have seriously calmed down on the drinking front. In the past I tended to spend most nights in the pub or drinking at friends’ houses. It was, at times, a lot of fun. Waking up in unfamiliar places, loosing your socks during a night out, meeting new people (chatting up girls) and laughing at your mates while they’re being sick can be extremely entertaining.

However, there can be serious consequences to some of this behaviour. Since becoming a ‘Street Pastor’ (church initiative in the community) I have become increasingly aware how vulnerable some people become when they’re excessively drunk; I’ve seen people physically attacked, completely unable to defend themselves, people, often young women, falling asleep in public places and numerous people who are unaware of where they are or how to get home safely. These are just a few of the altogether too regular situations that happen every weekend in Wolverhampton and across the land.

Drinking can be, and should be, fun but there definitely needs to be more responsibility taken by people who are out drinking. We are all precious to someone and need to take good care of ourselves.

Infidelity-Adultery-Cheating....BAD??

http://www.ivillage.co.uk/relationships/couple/cheat/articles/0,,598861_158061,00.html

There are many reasons why people cheat. For some it is the thrill of the chase, that excitement that they believe they cannot get from their partner. For some it is because they no longer feel love their significant other and they find someone else to fill that gap. For others it may be revenge on a cheating partner. And of course naughty ‘bad’ alcohol, or drugs, has had its hand in causing many a usually faithful partner to cheat along the way. This list is not exhaustive.

Without going into all any every possible scenario I personally believe that infidelity is wrong. It is my belief that as individuals we were designed and made to be monogamous, even if some people may have an urge to have sexual relations with another other than their partners, the choice is always one which is theirs’.

As for the suggestion in the lecture on ‘Infidelity’ that women (or men) could, or should, commit adultery in order to improve their status and vantage point within a relationship, I believe very strongly, is just plain ‘BAD.’ In no way should a relationship be about one person dominating or trying to get one over on the other. A relationship is about love, acceptance and laying oneself before another in order to grow together.

“at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’, and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Holy Bible, 1984, p.986)

Bibliography

Holy Bible, (1984) The New International Version. London: Hodder and Stoughton.

Bashing that poor old Bishop (MASTURBATION).

http://www.gospel.com/blog/index.php/2007/03/20/solo-sex-straight-talk-about-the-m-word/

The lecture on masturbation proved to be amusing for most, if I am to judge from all the laughing and tittering. I must say that that I’m not going to be shaking Mark Jone’s hand at the end of this module though. ;-)

Joking aside though, masturbation is a massive issue in today’s society. Apart from recent medical research, whatever their findings may be, and as contradictory to each other as they sometimes are, there are other issues at play here.

Whilst masturbation, both male and female, may be common place in many societies, the world over, I still reject the idea that it is our primary sexual act. Statistically, I have no idea if, as suggested by Mark, more people are masturbating at any one time than having sex. This I do not believe is the issue. The issue most imprtant is that of what masturbation actually achieves. I do not believe that masturbation can provide the inner, even spiritual, fullfillment that sex within a loving, monogomous, relationship can.

SHMOKIN' (Smoking), is it BAD??

http://www.smoking-facts.net/

Smoking is a funny old thing. Why do some people do it? Surely everyone knows that that it is ‘bad’ and has the potential to seriously shorten their life and give them a highly undesirable end. Even those who do not die as a direct result of smoking usually suffer some adverse effects, which may include loss of breath, low immune system, coughing, stained teeth, cravings, smell…….. the list could go on……. I think the cost is also worth mentioning as well though.

I smoked for over 10 years and suffered from all of these, apart from death, obviously, although I did have a few near misses as I still have a scar from 1999 when I fell asleep smoking a cigarette in bed and then rolled onto it, luckily putting it out in the process. The pain still haunts me to this day though.

I stopped smoking the day I was baptised, July 1st 2007, which strangely enough happened to coincide with the day smoking in public places was banned. I mostly went cold turkey, although I did resort to occasionally using the most minging ash tray tasting type of nicotine gum for a brief time at the beginning. Previously I had tried many ways to quit the ‘bad’ habit which included using nicotine patches, Zyban (a medical drug that reduces craving), those weird plastic nicotine inhalers that look like tampons and I even tried knitting a scarf to give my hands something to do. Even to this day I still get the odd craving, usually after a meal or with alcohol. I also understand the wonderful camaraderie that smokers experience when forced out into the open to brave the elements.

I really do not want to say that it is ‘bad’ and that that is that. I am not one of those reformed smokers who tries to convert everyone else to my clean and free of addiction type of life. However, I do believe that smoking is ‘bad’ for any individual and it is ‘bad’ for those around the smoker, especially children who are often forced to suffer the consequences of another’s actions.

Now free of this addiction I seriously pray that I never become a slave to its grips again. ;-)

Scrap Stealing-It's BAD

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/02/21/oap-steals-from-two-supermarkets-in-first-criminal-offence-at-age-of-62-86908-21140532/

Ten Commandments: #8 – “You shall not steal.” (NIV, 1990, p.84)

Whether a believer of the Bible or not most people in western society, and indeed the world over, have heard the Commandment mentioned above. It is number eight of the Ten Commandments, which are actually the first part of 613 commandments, which the Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible, records God to have given to Moses. (NIV, 1990, p.83-84). Therefore, being number eight of 613, I think it is fairly clear to say that not stealing seems to be rather high on God’s list of don’ts and that it is something ‘bad.’ (He generally knows best :-P )

Using Immanuel Kant’s “test of universalizability” (Law, 2007, p.104) the categorical imperative which states that “for an action to be moral, the underlying principle on which you act must be universalizable: it must be a maxim that everyone can adopt.” (Law, 2007, p.105), it is clearly shown that stealing is ‘bad’ for everyone. If everyone who did not have the money to buy something simply stole whatever it was they wanted then the whole concept of earning what you want, rather than stealing would disintegrate.

However, tragically there may always be times in which ‘good’ people may have to face having to steal things, e.g. food and clothes for their families, or the elderly surviving on a measly government pension. How do these ‘good’ people fare in times when certain ‘bad’ celebrities steal for the thrill? Or when certain companies charge high prices for many of life’s little necessities and may themselves be accused of stealing? To this question I have no final and decisive answer.


Bibliography

Law, S. (2007) The Great Philosophers. London: Quercus Publishing Plc.

Thompson, F.C. (1990) The Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible-NIV. Indianapolis: The B. B. Kirkbride Bible Company, Inc.

Gangster Rappers Wannabe Bad.

http://www.knowgangs.com/gang_resources/411/gangster_rap/

Are gangster rappers really ‘bad’ people? I cannot believe that they all are. I am sure a lot of what they say and publically do is mostly an act.

However, whether they themselves are, or whether they are not, what they propose to be, the fact still remains that they are influencing thousands of youngsters. Rap itself is not the problem, it is the ‘bad’ message that certain ‘artists’ are conveying within this particular music genre that is causing major problems within our societies. Glorifying guns, fighting, stealing and promiscuity is ‘bad’ and is completely unacceptable.

Also, as a personal gripe at rappers, like 50 Cent, I become, as a Christian, unwillingly annoyed at the wearing of crosses and crucifixes whilst employing a ‘bad’ life style which is obviously contradictory to the message of the gospel. Christ died for us all, gangster rappers as much as anyone else, but until they realise this and become new creatures of God I would so much more prefer that they leave the jewellery at Elizabeth Duke.

Lying Newspapers-Bad?

http://www.britishpapers.co.uk/redtops/daily-sport/



The dictionary terms lying as to “make a deliberate falsehood” (Collins English Dictionary, 2006, p.340).

“Don’t believe everything you read” is probably something everyone has heard, or even found themselves saying at some point. This is often in relation to newspapers and the stories they print. So it seems that it is commonly accepted that we are lied to by newspapers. Is this not a bad thing?

I can fully understand why certain people might read newspapers such as “The Sport” or “The Sun” etc. They are generally easy to read as the vocabulary contained within them is often limited and of a simplistic nature. Pictures, often of semi exposed women, regularly break up the bulk of text, which is frequently presented with a twist or play on words within its particular headline. This makes for an altogether more light-hearted, and uncomplicated read.

However! Newspapers have, and continue to repeatedly lie to us. Whether we know and accept this or whether we are blissfully unaware of it. This cannot be good; I would go as far as to say that many, if not most newspapers are ‘being very bad.’ Why should we accept that, although we live in a society which is built on the idea of good morals, such as telling the truth, the people who are writing public information, regardless of its genre, should be allowed to flaunt those basic principles and tell bare faced lies?

Finally though, as ‘bad’ as I believe newspapers to be for lying, maybe it is we, the general public, who are in error for continuing to buy and read such misinformation as we do. Maybe it our own ‘bad’ judgement and often lack of regard for the truth that keeps us going back to the newsagents for our preferred dose of daily untruth.


Bibliography

HarperCollins. (2006) Collins English Dictionary. Glasgow: HarperCollins Publishers.

Who's BAD?-13 Year Old Dad.

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?13-year-old_dad_to_take_DNA_test&in_article_id=539419&in_page_id=34

For the past few days I think a lot of people in the our proud nation of Great Britain have been watching the case, reported in the national newspapers, including “Metro” (2009), regarding a boy aged only thirteen becoming a father. The more I read the more bewildered I become. Firstly though, I would like to state that it is far from my will, or power, to be able to pass judgement on those involved, just rather that I do see many social problems entwined within what is happening; something to which I think we’re all accountable for, as we inhabit a society we have all had a part in creating.

As the story unfolds it is less easy for me to define who it is who has been “Being Bad”. Interviews with the young Alfie show just how immature he is; the same being for the slightly older Chantelle, now a mother at the age of fifteen. Can these two children really be held accountable for their ‘bad’ behaviour?

Have the parents of Alfie and Chantelle been ‘bad’ parents? No parent can, or would probably want to be constantly watching their children, but it obvious that there has been a serious lack of ‘good’ supervision somewhere along the line.

Then there are all the different official bodies who have become involved, such as health visitors, social and outreach workers, even the comments of a catholic priest have been stated. Many of these organisations have played a huge role in supporting the young couple. Has the information they have provided, alongside that of the sex education received in schools, been that of an over politically correct system gone ‘bad?’

As more boys queue up to claim that they might be the father of the newborn child, I find myself wondering who it is who is responsible for all this “Being Bad”.

Is Gazza BAD??

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2908576/Paul-Gascoigne-rushed-to-hospital-after-overdose.html

My first example of “Being Bad” is Paul “Gazza” Gascoigne. Prior to all his recent antics I have a strong boyhood memory of being sat at home with my Dad watching Gazza bawling his eyes out all the way back in 1990. At that time he was a massive superstar of the football world.

These days it scares and saddens me to look at what has happened to him. In the story, reported in the “Telegraph” (2008), it gives an account of how he had to have his stomach washed after overdosing on drugs and alcohol in Portugal, maybe even as a bid to commit suicide. His bad behaviour, whilst maybe yet another cry for help, is unacceptable. I really feel for the people who are closest to him and have to watch someone they love, the story talks of his ex-wife Sheryl and daughter Bianca, spiral out of control. I seriously pray that he is able to realise and overcome his problems, either by his own efforts or with the help of those around him. May God bless him.