Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Humanities/2016 January 20

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January 20

Estimates for the number of civilian firearms per state

I'm trying find estimates for the number of guns owned by civilian in each of the 50 states of US. Alternatively a guns-owned-per-capita estimate could also work, since I can just multiple it by the state population.

I found a couple of "gun ownership" maps by state[1][2][3][4], but they count "percentage of population who are gun owners", so it's a slightly different statistic.

I asked this question previously about a month ago[5].

Askedonty contributed this excellent link[6], but that only tracks Title II weapons which are required to be federally registered. Since the regulation of Title II weapons vary from state to state, their numbers cannot be extrapolated to obtain the overall firearms numbers.731Butai (talk) 16:30, 20 January 2016 (UTC)

You asked a similar question less than a month ago.[7] ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 19:46, 20 January 2016 (UTC)

Yes, that's exactly what I said: "I asked this question previously about a month ago[8]." Don't you know how to read? Oh silly me for asking, you won't be able to respond anyway. 731Butai (talk) 03:32, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

Do you think new information may have come to light in the last few weeks? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 03:35, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

Different people are on the ref desk compared to a month ago. Now buzz off if you're not interested in actually answering the question.731Butai (talk) 03:38, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

I'm not aware of any new information in the last 24 days. Good luck in your search, though. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 03:56, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

Quranic Verse sought

I’m looking for a Quranic verse that states, what Saudi Arabia is doing to the people’s businesses, is eligible/appropriate. – I would be happy if someone could at least provide the verses that discusses about ‘how to deal/run/compete with other businesses’… -- Mr. Zoot Cig Bunner (talk) 20:19, 20 January 2016 (UTC)

Are you referring to Islamic banking and finance? --DHeyward (talk) 21:56, 20 January 2016 (UTC)

No. The last verse of the Quran for example, states that, apparently a person could eat haram food if only there is no other food available; in order to save themself(s). So, I'm expecting such type of verse(s) for business dealings, or at least verses that teaches you how to deal/handle businesses in 'the muslim way'... -- Mr. Zoot Cig Bunner (talk) 20:33, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

That sounds like the Jewish concept of "the greater sin". The theory being that while it may be a sin to eat non-kosher, it's a greater sin to allow yourself to die. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 15:34, 22 January 2016 (UTC)

Read this section.

I'm not saying anything this time because last time I said about Christianity, tried to help, I ended up calling you and you helped me out... Who knows what they do this time. -- Mr. Zoot Cig Bunner (talk) 18:21, 22 January 2016 (UTC)

Commander and conqueror (in Chief) of the Universe

Who’s the second Commander and conqueror of the Universe if God is the first? -- Mr. Zoot Cig Bunner (talk) 20:19, 20 January 2016 (UTC)

He didn't "conquer" the universe, He created it. And because He is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent, there is no need for a "second in command". ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 20:29, 20 January 2016 (UTC)

Fgf10 (talk) 09:42, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

Cited!. -- Mr. Zoot Cig Bunner (talk) 19:37, 22 January 2016 (UTC)

But wouldn't it be nice to aspire to becoming Vice-God, Deputy God, or Assistant God. -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 21:31, 20 January 2016 (UTC)

Or even a demi-god. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 21:39, 20 January 2016 (UTC)

I always wondered, why is it called demigod, when its clearly a semigod.--Scicurious (talk) 23:36, 20 January 2016 (UTC)

Some insight:[9] ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 00:59, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

A demigod has jurisdiction over a certain Hollywood starlet while a semigod rules over trucks. Wabbott9 Tell me about it.... 01:01, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

Do you get a semi while looking at Demi ? StuRat (talk) 01:16, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

Er, wow. That's a bit beyond the range of responses one would normally expect from a reference desk. AlexTiefling (talk) 10:00, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

Yeah, shame on you, shame on you, shame on you, you manipulated bunch. Also, shame on you for calling God's puppets as His children and alike Him. Read this flop stars. -- Mr. Zoot Cig Bunner (talk) 07:52, 22 January 2016 (UTC)

Now, say for example, according to our religious teachings, if semi-god is an Angel, and demi-god is a God's child, then God's puppet is ____________! -- Mr. Zoot Cig Bunner (talk) 08:08, 22 January 2016 (UTC)

Pretty much the same as anyone's puppet? InedibleHulk (talk) 20:14, 22 January 2016 (UTC)

A violation of Wikipedia policy, if it tried to edit? Wabbott9 Tell me about it.... 17:06, 23 January 2016 (UTC)

InedibleHulk: [[File:|20px]] Will you make Nokia 3210 for the smart phone era?

I wouldn't have stated the following, I'm doing it to clarify, conclude and disclose something I gathered as knowledge and re-wrote from WP articles (stated above) in my book:

1st: Do you think God needs protection and care-takings from the wrong doers who can’t erase their recorded (blasphemous) sins? Who are trying their best to manipulate good people the wrong way by showing them the wrong paths/to astray, just to cover their sins?

2nd: Was you involved when God was pupating, ever? If not than you are okay. If yes, then you are in a heap of trouble. Don’t worry about what the puppet does i.e. good and or bad – cause it’s a human being at the end of the day, – worry about an atom's (not subatomic) weight of an offence will lead to catastrophe for your afterlife. Plus, this is the 21st or 2nd century (or something), who knows what the knew one could bring, while living as well as in the hereafter. - So many came by right?

3rd: My advice (according to our articles), best to stay away if come across one. If wish to follow than follow his righteous ways. If you are unhappy with his ways, than go back to where (the religion/no religion) you came from – No Problems At All Whatsoever. And, if you think you are stuck in anyway whatsoever in/with it, help him in every righteous way possible. – Morality!

4th: Support and or help if only you wish or if possible. Do not go out of your way. However if you do, than it will be accountable for, as usual/regardless. Remember, satisfying one is not an easy task. Beside you are not satisfying "it", You are satisfying someone else i.e. God!

5th: If it doesn’t want it or need it than don’t. If you are extra good and you wish to even if it is saying no, just be there if possible, that’s the best you can do for it... Don’t perform satanic activities/deed(s) with it, for it and or to it.

Remember, if you play your cards right, God will play His cards right, no matter what the puppet does – this statement goes for the life you live for yourself too – Give as you wish to get from Him. Spoiler alert: Good always wins, because [Good] is in it.

Mr. Zoot Cig Bunner (talk) 21:38, 23 January 2016 (UTC)

Eternity is nothing to etch a record onto. Made of water and fire, always freezing, melting, evaporating and igniting. Like a cauldron, but larger and colourful. The realm of the salamander. You take "man" from "salamander", you're essentially cheating at cards. Have you ever met the supreme lord of card tricks? If you're researching the pupation for your book, she'd be the one to ask. InedibleHulk (talk) 04:44, 24 January 2016 (UTC)

No, I’ve never met them, that’s why I’m using WP articles. A fictional story is a fictional story, I’m just trying to write a book. Sorry about the above post of mine; that’s what I understood from WP articles…

One last I’ll state since you guys are my teachers and teach me every day:

According to WP articles, [S]He is unknowable and effable. [S]He consist of many names, I don’t think calling Him/Her a trickster would bother them at all; I don’t think anyone would ever know what God is capable of doing!

We all have a destiny(s) to fulfil. Past is past, present is present, future is future. You die when it is complete. You can’t change the past, you can manipulate the present for the future, but you just can’t change the past – repenting for a sin(s) is not as easy as some religions/people make it out like; some donate their whole life to it…

The brain is provided for a reason along with a free will. You can’t blame others (God, Angels, Satan, Devils, any physical to spiritual things) for your mistakes – you can try, but you won’t win all the time in the physical realm; especially not with God and in His/Her ways/paths and army; physical and or spiritual realm... Heaven and Hell are created for a reason. I guess, the trick is, you first, [S]He second!

Others (prophets/messengers/apostles/messiahs) came and done their job. Whatever you need to know is out there, in WP articles too. Follow as guided if possible, use your logic/consciousness if possible.

Regards.

Mr. Zoot Cig Bunner (talk) 18:47, 24 January 2016 (UTC)

• Under which specific religion or system of belief? --Jayron32 02:06, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

Also, even if you can't pick anyone one system of belief in particular, the article Hierarchy of angels may lead you to places to help you answer your question. --Jayron32 02:08, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." The meek were meant to inherit the Earth, but the Übermensch were bigger. The trickier question is what did God master back in the day? InedibleHulk (talk) 04:29, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

Or wait, no, it's pretty straightforward. InedibleHulk (talk) 04:35, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

I hope its a woman. I'm dying for a girlfriend... -- Mr. Zoot Cig Bunner (talk) 07:52, 22 January 2016 (UTC)

Yaldabaoth - Nunh-huh 06:16, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

• This question is unanswerable in its current form, as you didn't specify which particular work of fiction you're following. Fgf10 (talk) 09:42, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

  The word fiction in this context implies a lack of earnestness in believers; other less pejorative words that did not imply a lack of earnestness would be more useful here. Belief system works well. --Jayron32 16:58, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

• The nature of many of Russell's questions suggest he's either Christian or is interested in Christianity (or both). If that's not what he's talking about this time, maybe he could come here and elaborate. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 17:15, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

  Rather more seriously, I've studied Christian theology and never really come across "Commander" or "Conqueror" as epithets of God. The closest I know of is "Pantokrator" meaning "ruler of everything" but that doesn't imply conquest at all, nor the kind of military or quasi-military order issuing authority implied by "Commander". So I suspect that the question is coming from a different belief system -- one that I am quite unfamiliar with.Wabbott9 Tell me about it.... 22:24, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

Gnosticism, or at least some flavors of it, has a notion of an evil creator god, called a demiurge, who ranks lower than the true God. That might be some sort of answer to the original question.

I have to admit I'm fascinated by this notion of universal conquest. It seems like a natural thing that might have come up in any number of supernatural belief systems, but I'm unaware of an example of one supernatural being creating the universe (or at least being in charge of it), and then another one coming along and taking it away by force.

Sort of like the War in Heaven, if Lucifer had won it. This is hard to imagine from a contemporary Christian standpoint; most Christian traditions either don't believe in the War in Heaven or at least don't talk much about it. (It's not really there in the Bible, at least not in any easy-to-read form.Hmm, I was thinking of the "how thou art fallen" line which it turns out is from Isaiah. Per our article, there is some other stuff in Revelation.) But if they did believe in it, presumably they would say that the outcome was never in doubt, as Lucifer was a created being and had no chance against an omnipotent God.

Maybe old Norse religion might have some concept along these lines? --Trovatore (talk) 22:38, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

A fairly typical part of conquering and dominating is erasing the memory of the old culture from the new. Makes your subjects think your way is the only way, because that's the way it's always been. So if God did take over from someone else of roughly equal stature, it's not surprising that he'd rewrite that part. He is a jealous god. I've never met a jealous human who didn't have legitimate competition. InedibleHulk (talk) 00:46, 22 January 2016 (UTC)

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." InedibleHulk (talk) 01:03, 22 January 2016 (UTC)

Jehovah's Witnesses have published related information at http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/402014122.

—Wavelength (talk) 22:57, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

I don't know. I'm writing a book. Apparently you can lie in a book, and people will either kiss or criticise your butt for it"... I don't know what to write about, so I thought I'll take bits of the religious scriptures/texts and make my own one... I was told to be very careful cause apparently a person will go to Hell straight up for copying religious texts/scriptures information...

Yes, I'm manipulated after reading WP articles (for the good of it) and I try to get into the characters lifestyle, otherwise I can't write the book properly. I have to read one thing a thousand times, cause my English is rubbish, so I change my wiki-name all the time, to pretend to be the one...

Yes, I'm Muslim and not proud of the people that exist/express God in it...

I also have no issues with Christianity, questions arise because, it comes after a Jewish tradition...

Mr. Zoot Cig Bunner (talk) 07:52, 22 January 2016 (UTC)