Posts by sparrowdown

6

Clarification on child abuse

by joe134cd in

i remember some months ago reading on jw.org about the issue with child abuse.

i tried to find it last night but couldn't.

so if anybody has a link to it can you post it.

sparrowdown

I reckon they have had teams of lawers working behind the scenes "cleaning house" for them for years.

Paying victims off, slapping them with gag orders. That might have something to do with why official figures would seem unbelievably low.

31

CNN: Does the big bang breakthrough offer proof of God?

by EndofMysteries in

interesting article on cnn blogs http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2014/03/20/does-the-big-bang-breakthrough-offer-proof-of-god/?hpt=hp_t4.

i have a similar belief so far.

.

sparrowdown

Thanks for explaining that to me snare,

I find it deliciously ironic that in the congregation we were encouraged to "make sure of all things, hold fast to what is fine.."

Best advice ever, cause now I know jws are deludinoids, the lot of them. And I'm sure of it!

sparrow

63

First Post...Hi everyone! Thanks for all of your help over the years!

by stuckinarut2 in

jw
friends

well... as they say on talk back radio "i'm a long time listener, first time caller"(poster in this case!).

i have been a "lurker" for several years, but never had the courage to take the step and join up...until now.. i really want to thank everyone for their insights and comments throughout the forum.

although i have not contibuted to discussions, i have benefitted very much from all of your comments and observations on all topics.

sparrowdown

G,day and welcome stuckinarut2,

How does it feel to make your first post after lurking? Pretty dam good I hope.

Yes it is a big first step as I am relatively new here myself, I can honestly say it has helped me grow in confidence and self esteem. I am no longer afraid to be me. As you settle in you will start to relax once you realise you are amongst kindred spirits.

Enjoy yourself. Be happy.

sparrowdown

31

CNN: Does the big bang breakthrough offer proof of God?

by EndofMysteries in

interesting article on cnn blogs http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2014/03/20/does-the-big-bang-breakthrough-offer-proof-of-god/?hpt=hp_t4.

i have a similar belief so far.

.

sparrowdown

But you are right this woman with the big giant head has not helped by combining opinion and fact like they are interchangable. Good point.

sparrow

31

CNN: Does the big bang breakthrough offer proof of God?

by EndofMysteries in

interesting article on cnn blogs http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2014/03/20/does-the-big-bang-breakthrough-offer-proof-of-god/?hpt=hp_t4.

i have a similar belief so far.

.

sparrowdown

Hi snare,

I agree with you facts are important. If science were a compass, facts and evidence would be intellectual and academic "north".

Without them we are adrift in a sea of "what if's".

Facts and evidence give us the confidence to explore the possibilities that are yet to be discovered.

The foundation that allows us to play with ideas and theories.

Yes evidence and ideas are two very different things, but they often spring from each other.

Sometimes serendipitously, sometimes as a result of years of experimentation.

The example I was thinking about is Stephen Hawking and how his theories about a Big bang contradicted one of the science heavies of his day.The guy who said the universe has always been here. (I am sorry I cannot remember the other guys name, but I will look it up promise.)

It was years then before those other guys took a fresh look at radio static and linked it to left over energy from the big bang which proved Mr Hawking's theory.

I apologise for the extreme oversimplification.

But my point is sometimes an awful lot of crap needs to be waded through before we can arrive safely at a fact.

But that's ok cause it's all about this neverending journey of discovery called life.

And it's people like you who keep propelling us forward.

Thanks snare

sparrowdown

27

So how many of us had guilt pangs because our WT was not highlighted?

by cultBgone in

jw
friends

we attended several different congregations in different states, and the one common thread among them all was...if you had your study article highlighted, you were a good jw.. honestly, how often did you cover over your magazine when the attendant walked by handing out copies to visitors?.

sheesh.

would anyone believe how weird this organization really is?.

sparrowdown

I never felt guilty about not marking answers or drawing moustaches and glasses an all the people in the mags.

13

Soon... In use since 1879!!

by ILoveTTATT in

jw
friends

i wondered how fast the wt publications used the word "soon"... as in expectation of some prophecy or fulfillment.... eight pages into the first watchtower... july 1879.... "our design has been to present to the body of christ, "the chaste virgin" church, which expects soon to go in to the marriage and become christ's bride, a selection of sacred songs especially adapted to her condition and expressive of her desires and hopes.".

the expectation?

1881. http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/1800s.php.

sparrowdown

Ah yes the "soon" dilemma.

How many peoples live's have been ruined because of that one very small, very dangerous (in the wrong hands) word.

And if I membah correctly every decade since 1881 " it" has been "soon ".

41

Circuit Overseer wakes up, packs his bags and leaves!

by Anony Mous in

i just heard this about a co i knew back in the day before he was even a co. he must be in his mid-late 40's now, my mother told me the story as she knows the family very well (the entire family has gone 'apostate' including several elders, circuit overseers and missionaries - this was an "example" family, always on the stage etc).. he wasn't 'feeling well' so he took time off from his co duties.

that week he packed his suitcase, told his wife he can't do it anymore and he's leaving, leaves her the car and the house and went to live in a small apartment, bought a small car and a week later got a decent job.. this was very recent so not everybody within the org has heard yet what happened..

sparrowdown

WOW, that's like total amazeballs!!!

Hope it triggers an avalanch of questions and murmuring.

126

This is my first post

by Make Lemonade in

i wanted to express appreciation to the members of this forum.

there are resources here that are deep.

like we heard from the stage, "what is your depth and breadth of bible knowledge?

sparrowdown

Hi Make Lemonade,

I am impressed by your courageous stand.

You go right ahead and keep on speaking your mind about the INglorious b*stards. Fight the good fight.

Would you like ice with that "lemonade".

cheers

sparrowdown

31

CNN: Does the big bang breakthrough offer proof of God?

by EndofMysteries in

interesting article on cnn blogs http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2014/03/20/does-the-big-bang-breakthrough-offer-proof-of-god/?hpt=hp_t4.

i have a similar belief so far.

.

sparrowdown

snare&racket,

I am enthused by your passion and appreciate your analytical approach. And please excuse my ignorance, but what you said made me think.

Some of the greatest discoveries throughout history were made by people who pushed the envelope, and refused to accept the available evidence as being the whole story. Neither were they content to be "safe". They were often thought to be maverics unafraid to question current information and understanding, even if it made them unpopular with their contemporaries.

Evidence is fine but there just has to be room for dreamers in science. Even if it seems like a contradiction in terms.

I only mean to supplement what you say not disagree with it.

cheers

sparrowdown