Taliban not original--Moses 1st

by patio34 21 Replies latest jw friends

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  patio34

  Hi all,

  Hope you're having a swell evening.

  There are two Christian young women from the U.S. who are imprisoned in Afghanistan for trying to make converts. Of course, it seems astonishing to folks here in the U.S.

  It seems things have come full circle, because in the law of Moses if someone came to you talking about another god besides Jehovah, even your 'wife lying in your bosom,' you were to report them. The punishment was death.

  So, the two Christians are being treated in the same way that the Bible prescribed long ago.

  This religious intolerance is sad, but not new.

  Also, ever notice how the religious people can become so angry and the atheists don't?

  Another thing, when a JW or other religious people do things for others, there's always a hidden agenda. The JW is trying to convert you and that's the motive for kindness, IMO. I know, been there and done that.

  Pat
• 

  jelly

  Hello,

  I believe in a higher power, I also believe that some parts of the bible are inspired. I also believe that any law based of the Bible, Koran (SP), or any other holy book is just insane.

  I don’t however believe that religion is the cause of this war; religion is just the excuse. Removing religion from society will not remove hatred, prejudice, greed, or lust for power and these are the base causes of war.

  Jelly
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  Introspection

  The logic is simple. If you are an athiest, or otherwise believe the religions are the works of man, then man is responsible.

  Also, ever notice how the religious people can become so angry and the atheists don't?

  Ehhh.. In what context exactly? Are you including people who apparently get pissed off at the idea of God, or more accurately say what kind of person God is when they profess not to believe in such? Maybe they are not true atheists.. What I see is that when people want to believe something, they cling to it regardless of it being of a religious nature or not. This can just as easily apply to athiests.
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  Introspection

  So.. You can always read their mind? What about the non-proselytizing religious people? Would you even know they're religious in any way? You might have been a JW, but have you been a member of all other religions? Even if so, can you make such a broad statement with certainty? Most people would atleast acknowledge the possibility that religious people can be kind without an ulterior motive, but simply attribute it to some other non-religious factor like diet or genetics. I'm sorry I don't mean to be harsh, but that is quite a cynical view. You're welcome to it, I think it's pretty much off the mark in terms of how it matches up with reality though.

  Another thought: Even if we say the atheist world view is better than all religious ones, I can't help but wonder whether talk in terms of athiest people is simply indicative of being part of another "special group", being better etc... Another way to identify yourself with a tribe.

  Another thing, when a JW or other religious people do things for others, there's always a hidden agenda. The JW is trying to convert you and that's the motive for kindness, IMO. I know, been there and done that.
• 

  GWEEDO

  Religion is a tool. If there were no Christianity or Koran, evil despots would just have some other dogma for their sicko ends. I'm an Atheist...so was Stalin, wasn't he a nice guy. Look at China, great human rights record...and Godless too.
• 

  radar

  Patio34

  A exellent analogy.

  It would be good to use that comparison to any local JWs that came knocking on your door, with their carefully rehearsed introduction "What do you think of events in America, etc etc" (as they do you know)

  Radar
• 

  waiting

  Hey Pat! (She's my sister ---- and flying from one ocean to another to see ME tomorrow ---- whooooooo hoooooooo!)

  I'm sitting down now, thank you. The comparison is good between Moses & Taliban. But, for some unknown reason, I've not heard that on the news. Why, even the way they treat their women is pretty much like "back then."

  We are shocked when we see it in reality, but will honor (even worship) the book which praises that behaviour. How strange we were/are.

  You might want think about "qualifying" your atheist statement. I've learned to live a longer weblife that way. The Stalin point was good - he was a monstrous killer of millions.

  But, you're good too, sis!

  waiting - for you!
• 

  SixofNine

  Stalin was a closet elder.
• 

  patio34

  Hi all,

  Thanks for the replies. Yeah, the whole atheist/religionist thing was not well thought out. I had just had a bit of a run-in with a religionist at work and she became emotional very fast and I dropped the whole thing.

  I meant to say "in a religious- evolution-atheist discussion," atheists seem to stay calmer.

  But looking back, I became emotional very fast too in a religious setting when my faith felt threatened.

  Jelly,
  Thanks for your reply. It was interesting.

  Introspection,
  As far as the hidden motive for being nice, I don't know about all religions, but I still think it holds true for JWs in general, maybe not each individual.
  That's just my experience and opinion though. That the general 'spirit' is how to give the best witness (i.e., preach/make a convert). it is cynical, but I till think it's part of the JW mindset.

  It doesn't seem to me that atheists are generally kinder or that religionists can't be kind. It's just that the JW religionist usually wants to do some preaching someway if they can.

  Gweedo and Radar,
  The whole Taliban thing on imprisoning the two Christians was my main point. It's ironic that the book that Christians use contains the same intolerance that they're being endangered with. While it's tragic for the young women, it was also tragic for ones way back in Bible times.

  It's also ironic that the book that was religiously intolerant then later commands its adherents to go to where others may be just as religiously intolerant.

  Waiting (see you tomorrow!!),
  Thanks for the tip on qualifiers. As an excuse, I had taken my sleeping meds! But my original statements were very broad.

  Pat
• 

  teejay

  Would Bush call the ancient Israelites "evildoers"?

  Leviticus 20: 10-18
  If a man commits adultery with another man's wife--with the wife of his neighbor--both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death. If a man sleeps with his father's wife, he has dishonored his father. Both the man and the woman must be put to death... If a man sleeps with his daughter-in-law, both of them must be put to death... If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death... If a man marries both a woman and her mother, it is wicked. Both he and they must be burned in the fire...

  If a man has sexual relations with an animal, he must be put to death, and you must kill the animal... If a woman approaches an animal to have sexual relations with it, kill both the woman and the animal. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

  If a man marries his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off before the eyes of their people. He has dishonored his sister and will be held responsible. If a man lies with a woman during her monthly period and has sexual relations with her, he has exposed the source of her flow, and she has also uncovered it. Both of them must be cut off from their people.

  Exodus 21: 20, 21
  If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property.

  ---------------------------------------------

  Lots of "righteous" killing going on back then, 'cept when it came to slaves. What's so bad about the Taliban? Come on... give 'em a break!

  peace,
  tj

  You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free, but first it is going to make you incredibly miserable.

  -- Brenda Clark