Posts by El blanko

125

Is the Bible Just B.S.?

by shamus in

do you think that god enjoys killing people?

it sure sounds like it to me; jw doctrine more or less scared me into thinking that god is going to kill all persons whom he/she thinks is not doing his will.

my question is, how can god kill someone for not being "christian", or following the bible out of sheer ignorance?

El blanko

Abbadon (sorry if I got your name wrong):

I do try to be a literalist, but at the same time I have read too many accounts across the internet and also through other reading to be absolutely certain in all areas. For sure, it would be nice to be able to walk by faith alone and dismiss arguments put forth, yet for me over the past two years that has not been possible due to my enquiring mind.

I personally would never place Santa and Jesus Christ side by side. I understand where you are leading my mind with that line of argument, but know that the texts refering to Christ as outlined within the pages of the Bible, help describe a whole being and one who taught fine and understandable qualities for our combined benefit. Other characters plucked out of history may well do this in their own way, but Christs claim to be the "Son of God" makes him unique and worthy of special attention (if only to falsify his claims).

Mormons & Islam. Strange choice being as both have a relationship with old Bible law. I get your point though and accept that not everybody on this planet shares my own vision of reality.

Thanks for taking the time to read my words.

125

Is the Bible Just B.S.?

by shamus in

do you think that god enjoys killing people?

it sure sounds like it to me; jw doctrine more or less scared me into thinking that god is going to kill all persons whom he/she thinks is not doing his will.

my question is, how can god kill someone for not being "christian", or following the bible out of sheer ignorance?

El blanko

The OT contains more archological history IMO (and errors too) than the NT which realatively has as much proof as Peter Pan.

"IMO" should not really be applied to archeology, as many here appear to consider that area of exploration and knowledge as absolute evidence that the word contained within the Bible is either correct or incorrect.

But, in reality, you are right. IMO is the essence of many of the archeological findings. The record in many instances stand incomplete.

The greatest victory over the material universe, is that Jesus Christ does exist in the hearts of many individuals across the globe and proves to be true in the spirit of love that is generated there within.

The "New Testament" is a historical record unto itself. The spread of Christianity can be traced back to ancient Rome. Plenty of evidence there then!

44

NIV vs NWT

by azaria in

im here for just a few minutes to post this.

i will try to come back later this evening.

niv titus 2:11-14 for the grace of god that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

El blanko

UnDisfellowshipped:

Gumby appears to be character who bases his understanding of this life strictly in the objective/material world and does not believe in the invisible possibilities unless they can be measured and rationalized before his eyes.

Preaching the good news to him is pointless, as he has made his mind over.

You have to respect that I suppose and move on.

Gumby:

Have you ever considered looking into the world of the occult sciences? If you want well documented evidence of intelligent spirit creatures, try looking there. Eliphas Levi is an interesting character to start you quest for knowledge. Also, Dr John Dee.

125

Is the Bible Just B.S.?

by shamus in

do you think that god enjoys killing people?

it sure sounds like it to me; jw doctrine more or less scared me into thinking that god is going to kill all persons whom he/she thinks is not doing his will.

my question is, how can god kill someone for not being "christian", or following the bible out of sheer ignorance?

El blanko

If I am honest, I have "mostly" found the Old Testament scary ever since I was a tot, but the Christian scriptures "mostly" provide me with a light feeling and hope within my heart. I do enjoy the insight into human relationships contained within those books; looking at how we can treat each other in a respectful way, whilst never leaving God out of the picture.

As for God destroying nations who do not come to his Son, well for me at least, I tend to apply the "other sheep not of this fold" to those ones. Who knows, maybe God is far more merciful than any of us can imagine?

I do love the Bible regardless of it's contradictory nature. When observing the old & the new side by side, the old appears to lack love. Yet, I suppose discipline is part of being a shepherd anyway, so ....

44

NIV vs NWT

by azaria in

im here for just a few minutes to post this.

i will try to come back later this evening.

niv titus 2:11-14 for the grace of god that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

El blanko

Personally I use the NIV for a straight read & NWT for comparison (occasionally).

I too find the NWT a little awkward in translation and grasp the meaning of scripture far better using the NIV.

15

TV Presenter Caron Keating has died

by Simon in

jw
friends

she was a presenter of kids tv (blue peter) and some daytime programmes.. .

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3625457.stm.

pictures:.

El blanko

That's sad news. Cancer is vile and to strike such a vibrant personality at that age .... awful

On the plus side, at least she brightened up the dreadful UK TV a few years back.

26

Looooong Prayers!

by BigJ in

ok, who remembers all those long prayers?

especially at the district conventions!.

we had our convetions at a small hockey arena and the stairs were really steep.

El blanko

It is hard to judge the motivation of a person who feels the need to stand publically before an audience and make a prayer last for over a minute. My personal view of prayer is that it is a private affair, a one to one between yourself and your maker.

20

Were You Able To "Express Freeness of Speech" While You Were A JW?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i've come to appreciate that "freeness of speech" is something one could have only if they were studying with witnesses.

once you became a witness, it was all over!

no more questions, discussions or contrary opinions.

El blanko

an elder stepped up and got right in my face and was not yelling but talking very loud so all could hear , and man he went off on me saying" jehovahs children learn right from wrong ,it makes them stronger on what to do and not do

What a fool.

... and yes as a JW one has to control not only word and deed but also random thoughts, that swoosh back and forth across the mind without direct will.

A brother I knew was that frightened by the mind police and eventually God, that he constantly swore in his mind when reading the Bible. He developed an obsessive compulsive disorder and ended up on a pile of meds.

Those who attacked me for speaking out of turn occasionally were often the most hypocritical when one examined their own lifestyle and general daily practise.

The WTBS can be a frightening spiritual retreat for the vulnerable.

65

A question for Christians, bible thumpers, and heathens.

by gumby in

are we punished for our parents' sins?

exodus 20:5 "for i the lord thy god am a jealous god, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

" (repeated in deuteronomy 5:9)

El blanko

However, if we believe that we all came about by two humans, aka Adam and Eve then surely in order to carry the human race on there must have been sexual relations between the brothers and sisters? Does this not make God to be a hypocrite???

It depends whether you define Eve as being Adam's sister or his wife?

Yet that leads on to other questions, as to their children and their own sexuality.

So yes, it is awkward.

Maybe our inherent repulsion (for the most part) sexually towards our own close family members is as logical as fear of spiders or snakes. Inbred genetically to safeguard us in some way from physical harm? Close sexual harmony between siblings appears to contain a high risk factor regarding deformity physically (and mentally?) according to my own knowledge.

If we believe in the fall of man and all that may have meant towards our flesh, then it is possible that incest at some point became a danger to us as a species.

Can't give you a definite, but life and certainly faith is not always as black & white as I'd like it to be.

65

A question for Christians, bible thumpers, and heathens.

by gumby in

are we punished for our parents' sins?

exodus 20:5 "for i the lord thy god am a jealous god, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

" (repeated in deuteronomy 5:9)

El blanko

Well yes, to the nation of Israel it is understandable that God would have taken that stance. They were an elite tribe amongst tribes and carried the "Ark Of The Covenant". If you believe the Bible account, then those people at that time were a priviledged host nation and bore great responsibility.

There would have been little doubt amongst them (man & child) that the spirit of Yahweh was amongst them, again if you believe the Bible account.

Therefore the quoted texts were primarily directed at Israel.

God forged a line through history that was fulfilled in Christ through that nation and jealously guarded that line through direction and indeed, punishment.

etc ..

Also, if a father does not guide his child in a right way, then punishment does continue down the hereditary line of that father to the child and often to the child's offspring as well. Traits of character can become ingrained and therefore, that within itself can be a punishment towards future generations. Ignorance breeds ignorance.

Apply those texts primarily to ancient Israel.