so who does this forum represent now?

by groovycat. 12 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  groovycat.

  This may seem a bit audacious for a newbie, but who is this forum for and has it diversified from its original conception?

  The reason I ask: I was reading through some of the early posts on the forum and it seemed pro Jehovahs Witness, almost like a resource for active JWs to use, however, the gist I get now is it is anti JW and pro Apostate. Or maybe I have cherry picked the wrong topics?

  I suppose Simon would be the man to ask, but even some of the older members could shed some light on how the forum has progressed over the years.

  In any case, thanks for the forum Simon.
• 

  gumby

  The reason I ask: I was reading through some of the early posts on the forum and it seemed pro Jehovahs Witness, almost like a resource for active JWs to use, however, the gist I get now is it is anti JW and pro Apostate.

  Correct It's not anti-JW in that those here are not there to help them,...... it's anti JW beliefs in many areas.....well.........most areas.

  Gumby
• 

  JH

  This is a place to say your point of view without being afraid of being DF'd or shunned.
• 

  Pole

  From what I have seen and read, this site is mainly about having open discussions about JW-related (and other) topics. Now, the problem is you can't be pro-witness and intellectually honest at the same time. Not for a long time, at least. It's IMPOSSIBLE. That's why very few properly conditioned, stereotypical witnesses contribute to this site. They wouldn't even read anything posted here if they were to follow their doctrine. You know the directions: "If you want to use Internet resources about the WTS, go to www.watchtower.org"
  
  On the other hand, though it's a great place for mental healing and recovery for many witnesses who are more or less ready to face the truth about the TRUTH_TM.
  
  Pole
• 

  Englishman

  Now, the problem is you can't be pro-witness and intellectually honest at the same time. Not for a long time, at least. It's IMPOSSIBLE

  It's a bit like being a conservative and regarding it as an ideology.

  Englishman.
• 

  Pole

  Englishman,
  
  When you consider something just an ideology, but you refuse to admit it may as well be 99% wrong at the same time, you lose intelectual honesty.
  
  But of course, as you wrote you can also be a sort of a politician who uses one ideology or another as an instrument. Can anybody name an intelectually honest and sucessful politician, though?
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  Simon

  Can anybody name an intelectually honest and sucessful politician, though?

  Tony Benn ?
• 

  Pole

  Well, I only have a very vague idea of what he represents (I only know he's a long time labour MP??:), but I admit, I made a very general statement and used it as a rhetorical figure. Still, intelectually honest ideologies only appeal to "niche" markets of voters. They are characterised by the lack of promises which are impossible to keep, among other things.
  
  Now, the promises WTS makes are a scam. There is no way to keep them. There is no way to prove they make sense.
  
  Imagine Tony Benn having to defend an extreme variation of neo-conservatism. (Not sure if it's a good analogy)
• 

  Simon

  Yeah, the people who are honest and standup for what is right tend to be marginalised and never really given the power and influence that others sieze.
• 

  jgnat

  The way I see it, politicians are forced in to dishonesty or, at best, mediocrity because of the electoral process. They cannot afford to offend any major voting sector.

  That does not mean that intellectually honest people are always marginalized. Smart politicians hire them to do the necessary evils, then, when the public is precitably incensed, they give them an ambassador's post in a tropical country.

  I can dream, can't I?

  Soooooo, back to the original question. What does the forum represent? It represents the majority of posters, which changes over time. I have seen it go through cycles of learning.. debating.. acrimony.. fluff.. relationships.. healing.. changing relationships.. politics.. publicinformationservice.. fluff.. and maybe again a touch of cerebral. What a difference to the board when leoalia finished her studies and had time to post.