NationStates Jolt Archive

Name: Church and State Debate

Description: Following a recent and highly publicized debate between members of organized religion and atheists over references to God in government documents and ceremonies, most remarkably in an oath said by @@NAME@@’s schoolchildren on a daily basis, the issue has been brought to the notice of the government and both sides are demanding action.

Validity: All


[option]“ References to God in any government document are completely unacceptable. @@NAME@@’s government should be respectful of those who do not believe in a God.” Protests well known atheist children’s author @@RANDOMNAME@@. “ How would you people like it if the government said there is no God? We should remove any references to God or religion by the government and make them illegal.”
[effect] The mention of God by the government has been outlawed.
[stats] Civil Rights down, Religion and Spirituality down, Political Freedom down

[ option]“ Back when I was a young whipper-snapper, this wouldn’t have even been an issue. We all knew that God was an important part of our lives.” Says an old man who walked up to you on the street. “ Today’s youth just don’t seem to get the message. Maybe if we made prayer and religious education compulsory in schools, they would learn to respect their Creator.”
[effect] Religious education is now part of the curriculum in schools throughout the nation.
[stats] Education up, Religion & Spirituality up, Civil Rights down

[option] “We don’t need to be influenced by these radical fundamentalist crackpots any longer!” screams @@RANDOMNAME@@, spokesperson for Athiests Against God. “ We should execute every one of these Bible thumping freaks, before they brainwash us all. While we’re at it, lets build an arena and make the executions public, for a fee of course. We can eliminate these psychos once and for all, and make money while we’re at it”
[effect] Gory public executions have become a popular new form of entertainment.
[stats] Economy up, Civil Rights down, Religion and Spirituality down

This is the first issue I've written. Any suggestions are welcome. Please help me to make my issue better!

I like it, of course exadurated but thats how all issues are supposed to be.

Ok...anybody else have any thoughts?

I can’t really understand why civil and political rights both go down for option one. Perhaps I am exposing my own bias, or you yours, but it would seem that political freedoms for everyone except those who belonged to the religion previously favored by government would increase.

Likewise everyone’s civil rights would be increased because there would be no obligation upon the people to respect this aspect of spirituality. It’s unfortunate sometimes but giving the people the ability to do disrespectful things makes for more freedom.

I can’t really understand why civil and political rights both go down for option one. Perhaps I am exposing my own bias, or you yours, but it would seem that political freedoms for everyone except those who belonged to the religion previously favored by government would increase.

Likewise everyone’s civil rights would be increased because there would be no obligation upon the people to respect this aspect of spirituality. It’s unfortunate sometimes but giving the people the ability to do disrespectful things makes for more freedom.

You make a good point. This is something to take into consideration. Thank you.

Wait, quick point of clarity. Are we wholly outlawing God or simply the government mentioning God?

After I did a quick re-read I noticed the confusion. If we are outlawing religion entirely it makes perfect sense. If we are merely restraining out politicians from mentioning God then my original thoughts stand.

Wait, quick point of clarity. Are we wholly outlawing God or simply the government mentioning God?
simply the mention of God at this point

Well that would be the clincher then. If the mention of god is being wholly removed I’d think a big drop in civil rights and a smaller one in political would be fair.

My more constructive criticism would be that the wording at the end needs to be changed so that others don’t confuse this as well.

Alright...any suggestions that would make you less confused?

Trying to kick this back up...

As I'm trying for a Theocratic/Christian approach to my nation (as much as possible with the options that are available in issues anyway :) ) I'ld vote for the second one....However if possible I'ld like to see the compulsory part changed to optional, or maybe another option for that added.

(Here in Australia religious education in public schools is optional for the children and families.)

Just a noob's 2¢ worth ;)

Name: National Lottery A Winner?

Description: Recent surveys of @@NAME@@’ s citizens show that many feel a national lottery would be just the trick to boost the economy

Validity: All

[option] @@RANDOMNAME@@, the head of the national PTA says “ We desperately need this lottery to improve our schools. Give the money to education.”
[effect] A new lottery program is in place to provide extra funding to schools
[stats] Civil Rights up, Education up, Economy up,

[option] “ How about we give this money to hospitals instead.” Suggests @@RANDOMNAME@@, a noted surgeon. “ Just last week, I had to perform surgery using nothing but a butter knife and a Popsicle stick. I hadn’t even had time to read the joke yet.”
[effect] Hospitals are reaping in the benefits of a new national lottery
[stats] Civil Rights up, Healthcare up, Economy up,

[option] “Yo dude, how ‘bout we, like, use the money to buy some trees man” said a passerby in a tye-dye shirt. “ The environment needs the money more than anything else, man”
[effect] Forests are being planted as a result of the new national lottery
[stats] Civil Rights up, Environment up, Economy up,

[option] “ We need this money to go somewhere important, like defense.” asserted three-star general @@RANDOMNAME@@. “ The military needs to have more money for research and development. How about we fund that with the lottery?”
[effect] Money from the new lottery is being used for research into newer and deadlier weapons
[stats] Civil Rights up, Defense up, Economy up,

[option] “ What if we just distributed the funds equally between all the government agencies?” asked @@RANDOMNAME@@, a citizen, when interviewed by a local news agency. “ Nobody would get much, but everybody would get some.”
[effect] Money from the new lottery has not been having much of an effect
[stats] Civil Rights up, Economy up


[option] “ Lotteries are the tool of the devil.” Commented @@RANDOMNAME@@, a televangelist. “ We must ban lotteries or any gambling and give the money that would be used for the lottery to Jesus.”
[effect] The government funds televangelism
[stats] Civil Rights down, Economy down, Religion & Spirituality up

This is my second idea for an issue. Please give me some feedback.

aaaaannnnnd heres # 3

Name: Horny Teens Demand Free Condoms

Description: Safe sex awareness groups are demanding that the government provide free birth control to all its citizens

Validity: All

[option] “ @@NAME@@’s government should provide everyone with free condoms and pills” says Students For Safe Sex protestor @@RANDOMNAME@@. “ Sure it would cost a little money, but isn’t the welfare of our citizens worth it?”
[effect] Birth control is given out freely by the goverment
[stats] Civil Rights up, Taxes up, Economy down

[option] “ Giving people free birth control only serves to encourage promiscuous behavior.” Argues @@RANDOMNAME@@, a concerned parent. “ I don’t even want to think of what our children would be out there doing if this were allowed to happen. We should put an age restriction on buying birth control so that only people at a responsible age can get it. Maybe then, youth will think twice about having sex.”
[effect] The government has put an age restriction on birth control
[stats] Civil rights down, Economy down

[option] “This raises an interesting issue, and that is: why do we need birth control in the first place? “ comments @@RANDOMNAME@@, author of the book “ Birth Control is Bad”. “ We should ban birth control and go back to having sex the natural way.”
[effect] Birth control has been outlawed
[stats] Civil Rights down, Economy down

I liked the second issue best but on the planting trees option why does economy go up?

Also the name for issue three needs to be changed as it's not acceptable, I'm not sure whether the issue is acceptable but the name definately needs to be changed.

ok...valid points. thanks

Name: National Lottery A Winner?

Description: Recent surveys of @@NAME@@’ s citizens show that many feel a national lottery would be just the trick to boost the economy

Validity: All

[option] @@RANDOMNAME@@, the head of the national PTA says “ We desperately need this lottery to improve our schools. Give the money to education.”
[effect] A new lottery program is in place to provide extra funding to schools
[stats] Civil Rights up, Education up, Economy up,

[option] “ How about we give this money to hospitals instead.” Suggests @@RANDOMNAME@@, a noted surgeon. “ Just last week, I had to perform surgery using nothing but a butter knife and a Popsicle stick. I hadn’t even had time to read the joke yet.”
[effect] Hospitals are reaping in the benefits of a new national lottery
[stats] Civil Rights up, Healthcare up, Economy up,

[option] “Yo dude, how ‘bout we, like, use the money to buy some trees man” said a passerby in a tye-dye shirt. “ The environment needs the money more than anything else, man”
[effect] Forests are being planted as a result of the new national lottery
[stats] Civil Rights up, Environment up, Economy up,

[option] “ We need this money to go somewhere important, like defense.” asserted three-star general @@RANDOMNAME@@. “ The military needs to have more money for research and development. How about we fund that with the lottery?”
[effect] Money from the new lottery is being used for research into newer and deadlier weapons
[stats] Civil Rights up, Defense up, Economy up,

[option] “ What if we just distributed the funds equally between all the government agencies?” asked @@RANDOMNAME@@, a citizen, when interviewed by a local news agency. “ Nobody would get much, but everybody would get some.”
[effect] Money from the new lottery has not been having much of an effect
[stats] Civil Rights up, Economy up


[option] “ Lotteries are the tool of the devil.” Commented @@RANDOMNAME@@, a televangelist. “ We must ban lotteries or any gambling and give the money that would be used for the lottery to Jesus.”
[effect] The government funds televangelism
[stats] Civil Rights down, Economy down, Religion & Spirituality up
[option]I think one of the options needs to be replaced with something like this:
"Why does the lottery have to be state-owned?" Asks @@RANDOMNAME@@, an employee of a large corporation "Wouldnt it be better to have the lottery owned by the private sector, and return nationalized industries to their rightful owners?"
[effect]All of @@NAME@@'s lotteries are owned by large greedy corporations
[stats]economy up, taxes up

Hmm...I was thinking of that. I like the idea, but I'm not sure I like the way you phrased it.

Hmm...I was thinking of that. I like the idea, but I'm not sure I like the way you phrased it.
Maybe you ould phrase it differently. The whole idea is to have an option about handing this stuff over to the private sector, so that capitalizt nations will not dismiss the issue.

I'll definetly incorporate something into my final version.

[option]"Why does the lottery have to be state-owned?" Asks @@RANDOMNAME@@, an employee of a large corporation "Wouldnt it be better to have the lottery owned by the private sector, and return nationalized industries to their rightful owners?"
[effect]All of @@NAME@@'s lotteries are owned by large greedy corporations
[stats]economy up, taxes up

There is an issue about returning nationlized to private businesses, although I forget its name.

There is an issue about returning nationlized to private businesses, although I forget its name.
Still, thats really only part. The maiin section of the option is to give the lottery to the private sector.

*bump*