Comment by Greg Stafford to a Question (page 2)

BCberean

The Old Hippies post got my attention

I would so very much like to believe there is hope .

slimboyfat

Greg is not to be taken lightly or made half-way fun of, as some here do. His "professional" side, he is a Greek scholar, is a very profound one, you can have a look at the discussions on Greek and on the Trinity, where he has taken / takes part, he is a great debater and when you consider his young age, he has reached incredible heights in his scholarship. B-Greek and other sites will testify to that.

He certainly appears to know Greek and Hebrew well and can carry on a discussion about exegesis, but I don't know how many would agree he is a "Greek scholar". He has always been very shy about revealing what University he attended, what degree he has and what he does for a living.

Slim

darth frosty

OK where is the circular reason chart that explains dub belief's?

TheOldHippie

Chicago University, where he also taught.

undercover

The line between genius and insanity is defined by whether or not you can fool people into thinking you're sane.

hillary_step

Old Hippie,

No person is disputing that Greg Stafford is learned in some theological facets, this is not relevant. It is what one does with information and learning that defines that person, especially in the public arena that Mr. Stafford has chosen to develop his personal religious journey.

For years now, Greg Stafford has been lost at sea floating with the tides of time and his own emotions to find a way to understand what is very simple, that is that the WTS does not have the 'truth'. Its history, theology and modus operandi have been exposed in every nuance imaginable by its critics to the point where no defence can be offered for its existence.

Greg Stafford is still in a see-saw motion of religious uncertainty, trying desperately to salvage something from the WTS as a religion. He will find to his detriment that not only will he be on the losing end of this process but that despite his obvious talents in certain regards, no person is immmune to the discomfort of cognitive dissonance.

He needs to wake up and really see the light. He has backed the wrong horse and needs to face up to this rather than confuse his expectant readers with a ship of hope that will never float. Many of us held to the 'reformation' hope while within the WTS, some of us for years. It is a hopeless cause. I seldom quote scripture being a non-beleiver, but I will here - "That which is crooked, cannot be made straight".

HS

yaddayadda

I'm going to order Stafford's book. That essay was like a breath of fresh air. Despite what you make of his dubious parallels between the ancient Israelites, Rev 2,3, and the JW's, he has made a very prescient observation - that the time is coming when those more loyal to the bible than the Watchtower Society will have to break off and start their own group. That day is definitely coming although it appears to be a looong way off (decades).

I echo the sentiment that there are many redeeming things about the JW'S, particularly their rejection of most of the ridiculous dogmas taught by mainstream christianity. The problem is that the power wielding control-freaks on the GB at the top are clinging on to a number of false teachings, burdensome works programmes, and harmful policies that are depressing the organisation.

I havn't given up hope for reform, although it may not even come in my lifetime, but I think men like Greg Staff should be applauded by not throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Love him or hate him, men like him are exactly what the organisation needs.

Yadda

Comment by Greg Stafford to a Question