gaiagirl

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Posts by gaiagirl

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  14

  The Real Truth

  by Satanus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i got into a discussion w a customer about religion and ambiguity.

  she asked me if there is truth.

  thinking about that, the only thing that i could come up w is 'all is one'.

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  gaiagirl

  The recent Scientific American had an article on the history of the Universe, which suggested that "The Big Bang" wasn't quite as believed, that instead of beginning as a singularity, a previous Universe had contracted to a point of very high (but not infinite) density, then expanded once more to form the Universe in which we live. High, but not infinite density would mean that laws of physics would not break down at the cusp between the previous Universe and the present Universe. This would imply that "time" did not begin 14 billion years ago, but extended even before that.
  
  It might also imply that there was no "beginning" to the Universe, that it has always existed in one form or another. Whether this turns out to be correct or not depends further research into whether loop or string theory better desribes our Universe.
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  11

  Do you believe humans can solve the problems they create?

  by gaiagirl in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  wtbts says that "it does not belong to man who is walking to direct his steps", however the genesis account says that god viewed the humans as having "become like us", in other words, like gods.. .

  further, the story regarding the tower of babel indicates that god confused the language because "there is nothing that they have in mind to do that will be unattainable for them".. .

  so, it would seem that human capabilities rival those of god, and god is worried about it.. .

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  gaiagirl

  WTBTS says that "it does not belong to man who is walking to direct his steps", however the Genesis account says that God viewed the humans as having "become like US", in other words, like gods.
  
  Further, the story regarding the tower of Babel indicates that God confused the language because "there is nothing that they have in mind to do that will be unattainable for them".
  
  So, it would seem that human capabilities rival those of God, and God is worried about it.
  
  Do you think that humans can solve the problems which face them as a culture? Will we learn to get along with one another, and care for one another, as well as the planet upon which we live? Or will we go from bad to worse?
  
  I take the positive view, that we have gotten much better at inter-tribal relations (not perfect yet), and not so much at the mercy of diseases, etc. We tend to solve problems when they become really inconvenient, not when they are first noticed. Already, a greater percentage of the population live longer lives in relative comfort and good health than ever before. I expect this trend to continue, perhaps with minor setbacks, into the future.
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  15

  Do you consider yourself a monkey's uncle?

  by compound complex in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  or, less simply stated (asked, actually): did you get here by creation or evolution?

  i mean you personally.

  there are some lovely books on the subject, but i trust your gut feeling more than i do a certain book-publishing-empire-posing-as-a-religion-that-shall-remain-nameless-but-its-initials-are-xxx&xx and, of late, has been accused of scholastic dishonesty!

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  gaiagirl

  I'm one strand in the web of life, which is connected to ALL the other strands. Ultimately, if traced back far enough "we are stardust, we are golden".
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  21

  What New Movies Did You See Or Plan On Seeing?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i want to see w and religilous.

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  gaiagirl

  I'm up for Religulous, and for the latest Indiana Jones film (I always wait until movies come out on disc so I can watch them at home).
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  32

  ONE CREATIONIST EXPLANION FOR DINOSAURS DEMISE

  by badboy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  they didn't arrive on time at the ark.. can't remember where i read it?.

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  gaiagirl

  One of the publications from the WTBTS clearly shows a Tyrannosaurus, or similar theropod dinosaur, drowning the rising floodwaters outside the Ark. Water is up to its head, and partly into its mouth. Can't remember the title of the book, perhaps someone remembers it and can post the image?
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  16

  Was there ever a GOOD time to be a JW?

  by gaiagirl in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  considering the history of the "organization", and how beliefs, practices and attitudes have changed through time, was there ever any time that a "international bible student" or jw was relatively more enlightened or had more freedoms than members of other religions?

  or have they always been enslaved to one set of superstitious beliefs or another, to a greater degree than most other religions?

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  gaiagirl

  Considering the history of the "organization", and how beliefs, practices and attitudes have changed through time, was there ever any time that a "International Bible Student" or JW was relatively MORE enlightened or had MORE freedoms than members of other religions? Or have they always been enslaved to one set of superstitious beliefs or another, to a greater degree than most other religions?
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  3

  If C.T. Russell were alive today...

  by gaiagirl in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  if c.t.

  russell were alive today, what teachings would he still recognize in the church he started?

  what teachings would his church disfellowship him for?

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  gaiagirl

  If C.T. Russell were alive today, what teachings would he still recognize in the church he started? What teachings would his church disfellowship HIM for?
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  2

  Looking for Texas Circuit #1 JW's I used to know...

  by gaiagirl in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i'd like to hear from (or at least about) any of the following people and catch up, basically where do they live, are they still attending meetings, what kind of job do they have now, any kids, etc.

  would like to hear from:.

  jim or shirley mccreery.

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  gaiagirl

  I'd like to hear from (or at least about) any of the following people and catch up, basically where do they live, are they still attending meetings, what kind of job do they have now, any kids, etc.
  
  Would like to hear from:
  
  Jim or Shirley McCreery
  Skip or Kim McCreery
  Tim or Terry Sparck
  Ron or Donna Russell
  Ron Davis
  Teri Southworth
  Brenda King
  Terry Thibodeaux
  Kim Burger
  Kim McCullough
  Brenda Kolle
  Rhonda, Tony, or Alisa Cooke
  Ann, Terry, or Jenny Coburn
  Martin or Dawn St.Nicholas
  Arlen or Michelle Wiggins
  Bruce, Dana, or Michelle Dozier
  Cathy Boone
  Rosario Garcia
  Elnora Genteman
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  17

  Anyone watch Kath & Kim?

  by drwtsn32 in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  simply horrible.

  what a shame; the original australian version was hilarious!

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  gaiagirl

  I also didn't much care for Kath & Kim, although I generally like Selma Blair in other roles. There is a fair amount of "cross-pollination" between the U.S. and Britain.
  A few years ago, NBC aired "Coupling" based on a British show. I liked it quite well, although only four episodes were shown before the series was cancelled (supposedly, 13 or so were filmed, and I'd love to have them on DVD).
  On the other hand, NBC has had a BIG hit with "The Office", another copy of a British show.
  Sometimes, shows aren't given sufficient time to find their audience, such as the case with "Coupling","Oh Grow Up", "Wonderfalls", and "Its Like You Know".
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  10

  Unitarians?

  by dogisgod in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've been invited to "visit" the unitarinan church tomorrow am.

  what do you guys think?

  it doesn't really sound like a religion to me.

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  gaiagirl

  From a flyer at the Unitarian Universalist church where I attend:
  "We affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person,
  justice, equity and compassion in human relations,
  acceptance of one another and encouragement to spritual growth,
  a free and responsible search for truth and meaning,
  the right of consience and use of the democratic process within the congregation and in society at large,
  the goal of world community with peace liberty and justice for all,
  and respect for the interdependent web of existence of which we are a part"
  
  
  "Unitarian teachings are drawn from many sources:
  Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life
  
  Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love
  
  Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life
  
  Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbor as ourselves
  
  Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit
  
  Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celelbrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature"
  
  Unlike many other churches, UU's tend to not have dogmas which must be accepted as an article of "faith". Many spiritual paths and ideas are presented, and members are encouraged to decide for themselves which have the most meaning for themselves as an individual. For example, a UU may decide for themself if they believe what science says about evolution, or not. Creation myths from many cultures are discussed and compared in UU sunday school, as well as many other topics.