I wonder if the David and Goliath story has the same meaning today as it did when it was first told.  We live in an age where underdogs are beloved and we all root for the little guy, so it's easy to see how a boy against a giant appeals to modern-day western culture, but I wonder if the original message wasn't more like 'Don't bring a knife to a gunfight,' or 'God's chosen people are too clever for the big, stupid Philistines.'

Interesting point.  I didn't mean to imply that the Philistines really were big & stupid, I was just wondering how David could be the underdog if he was fighting with the superior weapon.  'David and Goliath' has come to mean unexpected victory over seemingly impossible odds, but... a ranged weapon versus hand-to-hand weapons?  How could David lose?  I keep thinking of Indiana Jones, in the first movie, where he shoots the guy with the sword.

Yes, lets keep the religious debate elsewhere and just respect that other people have different opinions. 

I was also pretty pleased with the documentary.  It was well produced.  The slinger had a funky style though (whole arm, underarm rotation).  He only could get up to speeds of 80 mph, which is quite low.  I imagine Larry or Jurek must be exceeding 200 mph. 

Chris

Chris
How can I get a copy of this program? Will BBC put it on a DVD or something?
Thanks

Ok, Johnny, I have in fact read the Bible.  And the Koran.  And the Dao De Jing.  I am very interested in other religions.  I just think they are false.   And my gran is Irish, Roman Catholic.  My mum and dad used to sorta make me go to church, so i have some idea of religious stuff.  Also, I have a GCSE A* in religious studies.  So trust me, I can speak with conviction.  Hope I don't offend any sensibilities, I just state what I believe.
Anyways, like I said, it was a good program, and I knew the sling was powerful, but as powerful as a bullet?!  Amazing.  And if world class record breaking slingers like Larry or Yurek can do better, then I would love to see the power then.  I'd guess it'd have the same power as a .45, not just a puny .22.  
I think I will leave the whole religion thing alone now.

I know where you're coming from Johnny.   I have a bit of a background with a variety of martial arts and have studied their philisophical approach to understanding life's lessons.   I was also trained as a special weapons specialist by the U.S. Air Force and came to learn about the ties that bind ALL who practice the way of the warrior.  In that time I have learned....at some cost.....that no man is truly an island unto himself and that the concept of complete individual autonomy is self delusional.   In my personal opinion,  a most pivotal discovery that one can make is the daunting realization that we as individual humans are, ourselves, largely tools in the hands of much greater warriors than ourselves.......Just who we choose to serve (either subconsciously or consciously) is at least as important as the stability of the axis upon which our world turns.   The samurai of old had an integral maxim....."no way is way".     The same is true with many aspects of life......"no choice is choice".    This forum, for example is a highly interesting microcosm from which much can be learned about the amazing variety of threads that bind us all.      

Tech, once again, you're right on the mark!
I like the oxymoronic statement: "I am absolute there are no absolutes".