If CC were the real world, would stem-cell research, gay marriage, abortion pass?

College Confidential Community
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<p>Many who are against stem-cell research, gay marriage, and pro-choice abortion use religious arguments to substantiate their views, but since religion can offer no proof, the foundation for their arguments is therefore weaker. If smart people are more likely to challenge the perceived truth, they are more likely to dismiss such arguments, hence why they tend to be more socially "liberal."</p>

<p>"Besides, posting a poll like this here is like asking a stadium full of rabid Yankee fans which baseball team is the best. You're totally excluding the vast population of highly intelligent non-prestige whores that don't visit this site."
Why? Because you assumed that smarter people are more likely to be socially liberal?</p>

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<p>I'm against anti-life abortion and I'm an atheist.</p>

<p>and, no, I don't think that is what katho11 is saying.</p>

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<p>
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No surprise that CC members, some of the smartest people in America, are socially liberal overall.

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... and some of them are surprisingly tactful to opponents. How liberal!</p>

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<p>Wow, I really hope the rest of our country isnt like CCers, cause if it is...this place is getting worse and worse with all the liberally trashed minds</p>

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<p>I am very conservative myself, but I am not intrusive, nor do I believe society is entitled to make someone chose. As such, civilized and enlightened societies (like Scandinavia, Canada, France, Germany, etc...) are typically pro-choice.</p>

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<p>Those "civilized and enlightened" societies also bear many characteristics that would make a true conservative go ***** his/her pants.</p>

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<p>"Many who are against stem-cell research, gay marriage, and pro-choice abortion use religious arguments to substantiate their views, but since religion can offer no proof, the foundation for their arguments is therefore weaker. If smart people are more likely to challenge the perceived truth, they are more likely to dismiss such arguments, hence why they tend to be more socially 'liberal.' "</p>

<p>You would be surprised at how many non-religious people and outright Atheists there are who are firmly against legalizing abortion, stem-cell research, and gay marriage. They base their positions not on religious truths, but on pure reason. The moral philosophers John Kekes, Keith Burgess-Jackson, and Margaret Somerville come to mind. You should read them.</p>

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<p>
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Why? Because you assumed that smarter people are more likely to be socially liberal?

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</p>

<p>What I'm saying is that it's an inaccurate assumption that intelligence equals liberalism...especially if it's based on a poll on a site which doesn't represent a wide variety of intelligent youth. </p>

<p>The likelihood to question something doesn't guarantee the conclusion either.</p>

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<p>Equating liberalism with intelligence might be valid, but only liberalism in the classical sense of the term. Contemporary liberals -- who are in actuality advocates of a morally relativistic, defeatist, suicidal, Godless socialism -- have absolutely lost their minds. It is like they are trying to quicken the fall of Western civilization. Any person over the age of 35 who subscribes to this ideology -- that is, who has not grown up and is clearly not going to grow up -- should be slapped like a red-headed step-child.</p>

<p>There is nothing scarier than a middle-aged contemporary liberal. It's just not right.</p>

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<p>Abortion is advocated only by persons who have themselves been born.
Ronald Reagan (1911 - 2004) </p>

<p>Remains true to this day, as far as I've heard.</p>

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<p>^never read that Reagon quote anywhere but witty</p>

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<p>Reagan was amazing. He had the quickest wit of any American president. My favorite Reagan quip was when he was asked by an interviewer whether age (he was nearly 70 when he entered the White House) would affect his campaign. "I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience."</p>

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<p>Tis the Truth, I am amused by your typically liberal assumption that those whose ideologies differ from yours are somehow either handicapped by lesser intellegence or drinking some very powerful Kool-Aid. </p>

<p>Were the poll to have been posted on the University of Notre Dame site, the answers would have been markedly different. Yet another reason why I am pround to be an alumna of that fine institution, as well as a parent of the ND class of '09 and the incoming class of '11. </p>

<p>To those who wonder what sets Notre Dame apart, it is the fact that, despite its top-tier academic reputation and massive financial endowment, it refuses to succumb to the leftist tidal wave so prevalent in academia.</p>

<p>Judging by the results of this poll, the world needs more places like the University of Notre Dame, if for no other reason that to provide an alternative to the lockstep leftist manifesto that stymies independent thought in our university system today.</p>

<p>For those of you Ivy types out there, I think my favorite Harvard grad has got to be Bill O'Reilly. Not only is he a brilliant man, he has my utmost respect not only for having the guts to say what is on his mind--even though I don't agree with all of it--but for having managed to get through Harvard with his independence intact. My hat is off to all of those who survive an Ivy education without falling prey to the liberal elitist mindset.</p>

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<p>Ddjones:</p>

<p>Are logic-driven people more likely than faith-driven people to challenge religious teachings? </p>

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... leftist tidal wave so prevalent in academia.

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Why is the "leftist tidal wave" so prevalent in academia? What % of Notre Dame's faculty would identify themselves as socially liberal? </p>

<p>Why did the Catholic Church take such a long time to accept that the sun was at the center of the universe and that humans evolved from apes?</p>

<p>Why is sexual orientation not included in Notre Dame's official non-discrimination policy? </p>

<p>Relative to its peers in the top 25, does Notre Dame have a higher percentage of students who do not approve of homosexuality? Why? Offer some logic-based support.</p>

<p>Which is more pro-active about promoting intellectual freedom (such by encouraging the study of all kinds of text, be it books on atheism, witchcraft and wizardry, religious texts, etc.): Notre Dame or Harvard (or some other secular university)?</p>

<p>
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"Were the poll to have been posted on the University of Notre Dame site, the answers would have been markedly different."

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</p>

<p>I chose to post this thread in the area of the forum frequented by students from different universities, otherwise results would be skewed.</p>

<p>Why do you think it so bad to say that smart people are more likely to challenge religious teachings? You then suggested that I assumed that "those whose ideologies differ from [mine] are somehow either handicapped by lesser intellegence." But why are you so defensive? I think that people of "lesser intelligence" are not inferior persons to people of the greatest intelligence. There's absolutely nothing wrong with people who are not that intelligent. I hope that you find in your heart the strength to acknowledge that most people have little to no control over their IQs. </p>

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To those who wonder what sets Notre Dame apart, it is the fact that, despite its top-tier academic reputation and massive financial endowment...

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It is very un-Christian to brag about a "top-tier academic reputation and massive financial endowment." I hope that you find the strength in your heart to realize that prestige and money mean very little in life. I will ask my friend to pray for you.</p>

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<p>i am pro choice, pro gay marriage and pro-stem cell research. :D</p>

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<p>
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Why is sexual orientation not included in Notre Dame's official non-discrimination policy?

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</p>

<p>It's a private university. They have no obligation to support things that they find less than agreeable. </p>

<p>Don't like their policies? Don't attend their university.</p>

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Why do you think it so bad to say that smart people are more likely to challenge religious teachings?

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</p>

<p>Probably because it implies that since smart people are more likely to not be religious that those who are religious are more likely to be idiots. I'm not religious, myself, but I can at least realize that comments like that can be offensive to those who are. </p>

<p>Like I said before, though, the likelihood to question by no means guarantees the outcome. </p>

<p>People need to learn how to respect differing opinions and beliefs instead of making condescending remarks. Or at least realize that when they do make those remarks that they're going to get backlash.</p>

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<p>
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It's a private university. They have no obligation to support things that they find less than agreeable. </p>

<p>Don't like their policies? Don't attend their university.

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You did not answer the question. I asked why Notre Dame does not include sexual orientation in its non-discrimination policy. I'm asking for the logic the university used in making that decision. </p>

<p>And ha ha ha, I most certainly will not attend Notre Dame.</p>

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<p>
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Probably because it implies that since smart people are more likely to not be religious that those who are religious are more likely to be idiots.

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</p>

<p>You made that assumption, not I. I simply stated that smart people are more likely to challenge religious teachings.</p>

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<p>
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People need to learn how to respect differing opinions and beliefs instead of making condescending remarks.

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</p>

<p>Liberals are more open-minded than conservatives. </p>

<p>Also, what condescending remarks do you speak of? the fact that ddjones linked the phrases people of "lesser intelligence" and being "handicapped"? If so, I agree.</p>

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<p>Oh yes, liberals are oh-so-open-minded...as long as everyone agrees with everything y'all say/think.</p>

<p>Not to say conservatives aren't the same way, but gah...stop claiming open-mindedness when you're only open to what you feel like being open to. </p>

<p>I so wish this country weren't run by a two party system.</p>

<p>And if you can't recognize that some of your comments were condescending, there's really no point in arguing about it.</p>