eh, labels, labels. Can't trust 'em. Think of the labels JWs use, for instance. Labels set you up to have expectations about people, and you'll find you are disappointed more often than not. Just take people as they are. Makes me think, too, of S. I. Hayakawa's wonderful old book, "Language in Thought and Action." As he said, typewriter 1 is not typewriter 2. Even if you knew who is gay, who is straight, who is Jw, who isn't, who has been DF, who faded, it still wouldn't tell you about the real person. It would just summon up what you think about that category of person, so you would actually know even less about the people who post here than if you just spent some time reading the posts and jumping in. I've embarrassed myself on this forum by jumping to conclusions, misunderstanding someone's post. It isn't serious.
signs
by BR25 25 Replies latest jw experiences
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Marcel
i dont think labels would be a good idea. on first sight maybe, but not really. some people would rule out arguments just because of a sign. cant be good. that "all you say is wrong because youve got that label on your forehead" is jw thinking but serves not a purpose in the search of truth.
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lisavegas420
Are you talking like the boy and girl signs next to our ages, (which may or may not be our actual age)?
How would that work..with beliefs? Just because my conclusion is the same as another person's that doesn't mean my reasoning in the same.
lisa
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jgnat
I despise labels. It sets up a whole bunch of assumptions about that person, their beliefs and habits. As I say in my profile, "Please don't read the label, talk to me."
If you want to see what a profile would look like with labels, check out this discussion board: http://www.christianforums.com/
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funkyderek
BR25:
It would be alot easier if they had symbols on here for everyone below their names. I dont know if they do or not.
Like these, perhaps?
I try to back the jws, but I dont know if I am talking to athiests, other christians, disfellowshiped ones, or people who just left the truth. It would be nice to know sometimes.
You are talking to human beings.
You might ask why I would wanna know because I should answer everyone the same way, but on here you cant. For example alot of topics that focus on the rules, I assume that most of the ones posting are disfellowshiped, but I dont know that for a fact. It would be easier for me to understand where everyones beliefs are stemming from.
If you want to know where someone's beliefs come from, ask them. If you want to know whether someone is disfellowshipped, ask them. A little symbol beside my name won't tell you much about my beliefs or how I acquired them, but if it helps, I was raised a JW, baptised, never disfellowshipped, and am now an atheist. (That would take at least three symbols to get across, and you still wouldn't know how I arrived at my beliefs.)
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greendawn
People may not want to post their situation up for everyone to see, but if you visit a lot here you will soon come to know who is what eg atheist, Christian etc some people state their beliefs in their personal history (click on user name).
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Borgia
A label is a one dimensional description. Barcodes tend to be multi dimensional given the sequence of numbers having a meaning. But then again, you would need a database with the meaning of every single digit. So, anyone wanting to post here would need to pick a barcode and maintain that in the course of changing believes and circumstances.
Did you say: mess? Ah yes, quite so. Sometimes you need to concentrate on people you like to get to read better. And if you want any clarifiction: just send a pm. APart from hat: don't be afraid to make a mistake.
Cheers
Borgia
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BR25
Thanks for all those who posted nicely, but for those who said I was trying to use these things to assume isnt that what you just did with me as to the reason why I asked.
yeh I am a jw backer, but that doesnt mean I dont think everyone on here is not smart about what they post. There is actually of intelligent posts on here. I was trying to make more sense of some of the comments on here that seem like they come from left field. I though maybe I could make more sense of it if I knew what the person was. Maybe not the best thing to ask, so I apoligized if it was offensive. Im by myself on here didnt think it hurt to ask though.
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VanillaMocha73
BR25: I would go with the suggestion to check out the profile link. You get to know several people. Labelling - well, I'm me.... I don't fit into a box. My profile will likely give you a background. In short, raised in truth, zealous pioneer (call me Sister Paul) who learned she was much mistaken and zealous for the wrong stuff. Now a happy Christian!!!
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What-A-Coincidence
I am in favor ... but as an option. Its nice to get a sense of the person you may be replying to ... example: If this was a thread about cars, wouldn't it be a great option to include an area where you can say what car you drive/or like (or a pic of one)? Life is fast paced like this board ... The option would enhance this forum. Then again I don't if that option can be included. Those are my 2 cents.
