Mephis

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Posts by Mephis

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  45

  People should learn more about the Bible flaws

  by opusdei1972 in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i have noted that the main problem for those who are seduced by the watchtower society is their ignorance about the bible itself.

  people who believe that the bible is the word of god usually ignore the studies on textual criticism and how scientific criteria forbid absurd stories like that of the global flood.

  so, i strongly believe that students in schools need at least an obligatory course on "the bible" through the point of view of science and the textual criticism.

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  Mephis

  Oh Lars. No. If you can overturn orthodoxy convincingly, you get tenure. In the sciences, it puts you in for a Nobel prize. In history, it takes longer to filter through but new ideas, supported by evidence, do percolate and shift prior views. (My own field has seen massive changes in accepted views since the 70s, all because one academic asked a question no-one had thought to ask before - though I'd expect the History channel not to have caught up for another 10 or 20 years yet!). Questioning is encouraged - in fact, it's part of the academic process of comparing and contrasting arguments and weighing up the evidence. And dishonesty is harshly penalised when discovered to have been intentional. One simply cannot equate religion and higher education. Although I do take the point that there can be politicisation of some things which taints research. I've seen academic papers given in one language missing critical conclusions available in others. It happens at times and says more about humans and politics than it does about higher education. The truth will out...
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  45

  People should learn more about the Bible flaws

  by opusdei1972 in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i have noted that the main problem for those who are seduced by the watchtower society is their ignorance about the bible itself.

  people who believe that the bible is the word of god usually ignore the studies on textual criticism and how scientific criteria forbid absurd stories like that of the global flood.

  so, i strongly believe that students in schools need at least an obligatory course on "the bible" through the point of view of science and the textual criticism.

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  Mephis

  If you treat the bible as one would any other ancient text, it's fairly profitable. There's a lovely breakdown of logic in the view that "the bible is accurate because parts of it have been supported by archaeology". Well, yes. It's the parts which aren't supported which tend to be the big ones though - creation myths, flood sagas and dead men coming back to life. It's of little surprise that around the time a scribal tradition arose in the community of exiled Jews that things get into synch with the histories of other nations. One is also tempted to see the mythologies of at least one nation entering into the Jewish origin myths (eg creation cycle, flood saga, Moses' birth etc.). It's fairly amusing to see the same story, when on a Babylonian tablet, identified as myth but when found in Jewish tales claimed as literal truth.

  I think it's difficult to put this into schools in countries where there are strong faith traditions which will push against anything which is directly highlighting problems within the beliefs of a particular religion. There shouldn't be room, however, for children to leave school without at least being shown the scientific evidence for the origins of life. History has a hard enough time getting adequate time on the curriculum here (and is subject to all kinds of political interventions and directives in any case), so I can't see how one could shoehorn that into a packed schedule. Overall, isn't the best thing to do to ensure that children are equipped to use their brains and be critical in the information they believe? A general approach seems best suited - whether to understand how marketing works or how to research the beliefs of a religion or even how to look past the headlines. One could almost link it in with the similar subset of skills used to critique a text.
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  40

  July Broadcast Denies That JW Children Die Rather Than Have Medical Care

  by BluesBrother in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  anthony morris 3rd delivered the broadcast this month and advised that lies are circulated that they let children die rather than have medical care .

  he says this is so inaccurate as to be a boldfaced lie ...... further he says it is "up to the parents to determine what would be the best treatment for their children" .

  now, does this mean that parents are really free to make a decision to accept blood for their minor child, if they so choose?

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  Mephis

  Oh, they never lie. They dissemble, evade, prevaricate, confound, confuse, distract, obscure, subtly misrepresent and willfully misunderstand with what often appears to be a positively gleeful relish and are generally perfectly capable of contriving to give one an utterly unambiguous impression of their future course of action while in fact intending to do exactly the opposite, but they never lie. Perish the thought. (Iain Banks)
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  204

  Candace Conti Settles

  by Nitty-Gritty in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  hot topic on topix seems to be candace conti settlement.

  but it's all quiet here.

  are you guys aware that your hero, who was not in it for the money but to change policies, settled without changing anything?

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  Mephis

  I'd wait and see for changes. I doubt you'll see them broadcast in the WT - they're more likely to be tucked away in letters to elders. Regardless of that, Candace's bravery in speaking out and fighting this has helped place the WBTS under intense scrutiny even here in Britain. And she's also set a precedent for others who have been through similar things to take action.
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  18

  Time Magazine Article: Now’s the Time To End Tax Exemptions for Religious Institutions

  by AndersonsInfo in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  http://time.com/3939143/nows-the-time-to-end-tax-exemptions-for-religious-institutions/?xid=newsletter-brief.

  june 28, 2015 .

  nows the time to end tax exemptions for religious institutions.

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  Mephis

  From a British perspective, I'd be very much in favour of a much tighter restriction on charitable status being given to religions. I really do not think that 'preaching' should automatically count as a 'public good'. Maintaining a listed building (as JWs do in eg Manchester), should give some exemptions. And those religions which do offer charitable works should of course get an exemption or be able to have those parts of the religion listed as charities in their own right. In effect, push the charitable aspects away from the religious parts as much as possible. Many religions do this already.

  The Plymouth Brethren case here in Britain has already indicated that there is some appetite to look at the idea of 'public good' more broadly. I'd like to see it pushed further, although I think it is an unlikely scenario here without really looking at the role of religion in British society. We still effectively have a state religion after all.
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  26

  Sir David Eady to give judgement on the Watctower Appeal in the Otuo v Morley and Watch Tower case at the High Court tommorrow

  by Adwoa Kromo in

  1. forum
  2. announcements

  sir david eady sitting as high court judge will hand down judgement tomorrow at 11:00am in the appeal of the decision from master leslie for refusing to strike out the claim as an abuse of process.

  in his judgement in november 2014 he stated in his judgement delivered ex-tempore " i am bound to say that this case causes me a good deal of trouble".

  from notes that i have from the hearing last week, i will be utterly surprised if the retired judge sir david eady takes a different view.

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  Mephis

  Currently this is to get things heard at a trial. The WBTS has been trying to get it dismissed on various grounds for a couple of years now. Initially they complained that the lawsuit was filed a day too late. A judge agreed with them. Then Mr.Otuo found that the judge had made an error and the action was filed just in time. He was allowed to appeal and won that. This latest round is the WBTS appealing against a decision to not dismiss the lawsuit on other grounds (that there was no defamation and no damage done to reputation). Mr.Otuo has won again and this should now move towards trial once more.
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  26

  Sir David Eady to give judgement on the Watctower Appeal in the Otuo v Morley and Watch Tower case at the High Court tommorrow

  by Adwoa Kromo in

  1. forum
  2. announcements

  sir david eady sitting as high court judge will hand down judgement tomorrow at 11:00am in the appeal of the decision from master leslie for refusing to strike out the claim as an abuse of process.

  in his judgement in november 2014 he stated in his judgement delivered ex-tempore " i am bound to say that this case causes me a good deal of trouble".

  from notes that i have from the hearing last week, i will be utterly surprised if the retired judge sir david eady takes a different view.

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  Mephis

  Did the WBTS really try to claim they could re-define the meaning of the word 'fraud' so it wouldn't be defamatory? Just too funny. They keep turning up to British courts thinking they're in the US and that the word 'religion' grants some automatic immunity from being made to answer in court.

  Can't imagine the pressures on Mr.Otuo as he does this himself. All the best to him really as he seeks answers and closure.
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  21

  Videos at the a$$emb£ies?

  by punkofnice in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  my spies tell me that they are getting shown videos very regularly at the 2 day convention(tm).. i figured it may be because the wbt$ wants mass indoctrination using their tried and tested propaganda techniques.. the average elder won't be aware that the wbt$ uses these thought reform techniques so will be incapable of using them himself.

  also, the elder might not put the money grabbing, 1984 ministry of truth spin on things and actually say something good instead.

  we know the wbt$ don't like 'good'!

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  Mephis

  The constant appeals and pressure for men to 'reach out' points towards a shortage. Smaller pool from them to choose from and then you get what blondie says magnified even further. Videos help allow them to cover over that.
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  35

  What Would Happen if the Watchtower Loses Their TAX EXEMPT STATUS?

  by John Aquila in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  would it really affect them?

  how would it affect volunteers at any construction project since that work would now be taxable.

  any materials they buy would be taxable.

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  Mephis

  I don't think they will lose tax exempt status here in the UK. The only recent applicable case was with the Plymouth Brethren, and they cobbled together a deal with the Charity Commission to allow them to have it. I'd imagine the WBTS will twist and do sufficient to pass the 'public benefit' test here, whilst telling the faithful nothing has changed. They'd have to try really hard to lose charitable status and there doesn't really seem to be a need as they can airbrush those changes however they like.
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  9

  William Malenfant: Do Not Be Misled By the Wicked

  by wifibandit in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snvmn13dyym.

  the irony is killing me!.

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  Mephis

  The biggest hoax ever perpetrated on the human family.... took place about 6000 years ago. When a snake spoke to Eve.

  I cracked at that point and am still giggling.