It is perhaps escaping your attention that you've posted an essay on not being able to write an essay!
Posts by Terry
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15My difficulties in writing academic essays, contrasted with the same difficulties by NK elites
by fulltimestudent ini struggle to write good academic essays.
i'm never happy with the result of my labours.
i've had a few hds, but still feel they lack something.. for some months, i have been pondering why i have this problem, and the realisation is becoming clear that my problem is the result of having my brain washed clean by jesus for 40 years (my period of enslavement to the wt cause).
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK: "Was Jesus a person of FAITH?"
by Terry inyou are probably wondering if i've lost my mind with a question like this~!.
there is a method to my madness, however.. ________________________.
here is where this query originated; follow closely and comment.
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Terry
If Jesus were acting out of certainty he would not be the pound-for-pound equivalent of a disobedient Adam because Adam
was merely pursuing equality with God. Colossians informs us this was not a consideration of Jesus.
Adam's plunge into disobedience was an ambitious seizing of the opportunity to "be like God."
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9
A PARABLE for Jehovah's Witnesses
by Terry ina man buys a parrot from a pet store but returns it the next day.. he demands to see the owner as he places the brass cage on the counter with a loud thump.. "i wanted the best parrot money can buy.
i can afford it!
i'm a billionaire, you idiot!
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Terry
A young man in Jamaica listens to his brother describing the Bible study he is having with one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
"That sounds strange to me. I'm going to investigate this religion." Off the young man goes and does a month of Internet
research. He returns to his brother and tells him, "Please let me speak with your JW teacher. I have questions for him."
The meeting is arranged.
The Elder quickly sizes up the opposer by the definite questions he is asking!
The young man asks, "When did your religion begin teaching 1914 was the date of Christ's return?"
The Elder pauses and narrows his eyes.
"The understanding of 1914 got clearer over the years, but it was taught as a marked year in the late 1800's."
The young man turns to his brother and shakes his head. "He is deflecting, my Brother, watch this."
"Answer me this, Elder, "When did Jehovah's Witnesses STOP teaching Christ returned in 1874?"
The Elder twitches and squirms.
"I believe it was around 1906 or so."
The young man pulls out of a briefcase several WT publications and lays them on the table.
"That is a LIE. I will prove it by showing you there was no teaching of 1914 as Christ's return until 1933!"
The Elder stands up, rather red in the face.
"Don't let him confuse you, son--how do we know those aren't FAKES by apostates to snare the sheep away from Jehovah's Truth?"
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A PARABLE for Jehovah's Witnesses
by Terry ina man buys a parrot from a pet store but returns it the next day.. he demands to see the owner as he places the brass cage on the counter with a loud thump.. "i wanted the best parrot money can buy.
i can afford it!
i'm a billionaire, you idiot!
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Terry
Two Jehovah's Witnesses are sitting at a table having coffee after a day out in the door to door ministry.
A third person walks up, a neighbor who recognizes them.
"Did you read in the newspaper about a clergyman arrested and charged with child molestation?"
The first JW at the table smiles. "Jehovah's Witnesses would never have that problem; they are true Christians."
Next week, same place.
The neighbor appears holding a newspaper.
"There is a story in this morning's news about a Jehovah's Witness Elder charged with child molestation. How about that?"
The two JW's look at each other and shrug.
"He wasn't a true Jehovah's Witness. No true Jehovah's Witness would ever do such a thing."
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A PARABLE for Jehovah's Witnesses
by Terry ina man buys a parrot from a pet store but returns it the next day.. he demands to see the owner as he places the brass cage on the counter with a loud thump.. "i wanted the best parrot money can buy.
i can afford it!
i'm a billionaire, you idiot!
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Terry
*Based on the Fallacy of the Excluded Middle
A man buys a parrot from a pet store but returns it the next day.
He demands to see the owner as he places the brass cage on the counter with a loud thump.
"I wanted the best, most perfect parrot money can buy. I can afford it! I'm a billionaire, you idiot! This parrot doesn't even talk!"
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The pet store owner presents a 2nd parrot and off the man goes only to return the next day.
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He screams for the owner as he places the silver cage down on the counter with a loud thump.
"Are you deaf? I specifically told you I wanted a PERFECT parrot; the best money could buy. This is the 2nd time I've
had to bring one of these birds back. I'm leaving this with you. Call me when you've located a PERFECT bird."
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The rich man storms out of the pet shop.
A month later, the wealthy man returns and confronts the proprietor.
"I received a telephone message indicating you have located a PERFECT parrot. If this is so, hand it over and I'll
pay whatever the cost."
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The pet store owner hands over yet another bird, this time in a gold and platinum cage.
Early the next morning the rich man dashes back into the pet store and flings the bird in the cage directly at the owner in a rage.
"YOU MORON, THIS BIRD DOESN'T TALK!"
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The store owner excuses himself. He goes in the back of the store and brings out a parrot.
The bird immediately speaks."Polly want a cracker. Sweety bird. Sweety bird. I Love you. I love you."
The billionaire finally relaxes and smiles.
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"Why the hell did you put me through this if you already had a bird who could speak?"
The pet store owner shrugged his shoulders and explained.
"All this time I thought you wanted a perfect bird, so I gave you birds that could think. But, all you
really wanted was a bird that could talk."
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What is the meaning of this parable?
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9
QUESTION OF THE WEEK: "Was Jesus a person of FAITH?"
by Terry inyou are probably wondering if i've lost my mind with a question like this~!.
there is a method to my madness, however.. ________________________.
here is where this query originated; follow closely and comment.
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Terry
You are probably wondering if I've lost my mind with a question like this~!
There is a method to my madness, however.
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Here is where this query originated; follow closely and comment. . .
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FAITH is clearly connected to HOPE. But, there is a distinction with a difference.
How so?
FAITH is a single-minded certainty without proof which does not entertain the possibility of failure.
HOPE is an optimism carried along by positive thinking--but--with the awareness things may not work out ideally.
A harsher, more pragmatic way of saying it:
FAITH borders on obsessive delusion while HOPE is more clear-headed because it does not INSIST on excluding disproof.
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If you can accept my definitions and the distinctions cited, please consider the topic question in that narrow context.
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1. If Jesus KNEW, from the experience of having been in heaven, His death would lead to resurrection and installment as King--
FAITH would not have been a component of his motives, personality, and actions.
On the other hand,
2. If Jesus only gradually came to a kind of interior mental awareness (epiphany) of His identity and decided to act on it fully
(suicidal as it was) then He would be a person of FAITH.
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WHICH one is it?
"My God, my god; why have you forsaken me," sounds very much like loss of faith under duress.
The prayer in Gethsemane, "Let this cup pass from my lips. . .,"sounds like faith under duress.
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WHY DO I ASK THIS QUESTION?
This uncertainty, doubt, momentary wavering must have confused early Christians who thought of Jesus as demi-god, or God himself.
There were many, many opinions. There were many writings. There was considerable ongoaing debate and discussion.
I believe this mixture of viewpoints seeped into the New Testament.
This would explain why BOTH Trinitarian and non-Trinitarian texts are present.
This would explain why three hundred years passed and during the Nicene Council the bishops were STILL arguing.
Even after a Trinity was agreed upon, there were temporary reversals; first Arius, then Athanasius prevailing and finding favor.
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Rather than discuss THE TRINITY--please . . .
Answer the topic question in this rather narrow way.
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Listen to Raymond Franz in the fascinating interview
by Terry ini don't know if many of you have watched this exceedingly in depth interview in which raymond franz expounds so many wonderful.
subjects with such precision and affection.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ttdozz-chg. .
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Terry
Had Ray Franz been a different sort of man, he easily could have started a REFORM J.W. movement and split off.
There was none of that in him.
He got it all out of his system with two books and personal appearances.
Ohhhh the fear which must have bubbled to the surface in the Tower headquarters while Ray was on the loose:)
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CAN WE SOLVE THE MYSTERY of why Watchtower doctrines changed when they changed?
by Terry inif a person gives a police report of a traumatic event, but later changes their facts during cross-examination, these changes are used to impeach the honesty of the witness.. this impeachment flows from a logical understanding facts must match reality without contradiction.. lets examine the history of the watchtower corporations leaders with a view to the harmony of.
true teaching over a period of years from 1879-1942.. "even though christmas is not the real anniversary of our lord's birth, but more properly the annunciation day or the date of his human begetting (luke 1:28), nevertheless, since the celebration of our lord's birth is not a matter of divine appointment or injunction, but merely a tribute of respect to him, it is not necessary for us to quibble particularly about the date.
we may as well join with the civilized world in celebrating the grand event on the day which the majority celebrate - "christmas day.
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Terry
We shouldn't overlook the nature of the character of folks of an Adventist mindset.
Keep in mind what occurred at the so-called GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT. William Miller's
followers saw a prophecy (explained in excruciating detail) REFUTED.
What do we call a refuted prophecy? FALSE.
Here is what is interesting about the character and intelligence of these people:
PLENTY OF THEM IGNORED THE FALSE aspect, and went back again and again for MORE false dates!
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What am I saying?
There are certain kinds of people who are DETERMINED to be RIGHT even when disproved time and again!
What mentality is this?
Charles Taze Russell dismissed the "false" aspect of Miller's false prophecies.
Russell had this peculiar mind-set: IGNORE THE FACTS and keep on keepin' on!
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When the Watchtower shits its collective pants with false dates, they will confess to the smell, but self-praise
with awkward "We were eager to see the fulfillment of Jehovah's promises."
WHAT IS THIS BIZARRE PERSONALITY TRAIT?
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I contend that--whatever this trait is--it allows the Jehovah's Witnesses to accept more and more and more mind-numbing
doctrines.
RELIGIOUS NUMBSKULLERY!
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Why is it wrong for Christians to celebrate Christmas?
by james_woods inthis was inspired by terry's thread.... it is something that raises many questions about the jw belief system.. .
for one thing - the bible certainly explains all the details of the christ birth.
it certainly does not tell people to avoid celebrating it with feasts, customs, etc.
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Terry
Study this rather extensive tour of the development and borrowings leading to official Watchtower doctrine on END TIMES and Date setting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses
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Why is it wrong for Christians to celebrate Christmas?
by james_woods inthis was inspired by terry's thread.... it is something that raises many questions about the jw belief system.. .
for one thing - the bible certainly explains all the details of the christ birth.
it certainly does not tell people to avoid celebrating it with feasts, customs, etc.
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Terry
If you rewind the video backward through the century to the mid 1800's you'll discover something interesting.
Take a look at what sort of people listened to William Miller's silly prediction for THE END OF THE WORLD.
Who were these people?
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Before we can understand we must realize something about Americans!
America was colonized by religious nuts!
Puritans pissed people off in Europe by being WEIRD.
Holier-than-thou and obsessive compulsive families settled and built cities and lots of churches.
You could be hanged for missing church on Sunday!
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Now HOLD THAT THOUGHT.
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Less than a century after Americans fought for Independence from England, along comes this war hero, WILLIAM MILLER.
He made a name for himself in the War of 1812 and he was a kind of semi-Apostate from the Baptist church at the time!
But, he figured his military success just HAD TO BE because God was on HIS side. (i.e. the man was delusional.)
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Just like every subsequent nut-job, Miller sat down with his Bible, a pen, and paper, and asked the same God who gave him military victory
to tell him when JEEZUS was coming back. Gentiles Time: HERE WE COME!!
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When Miller shared this crackpot wack-job nonsense with his fellow Baptists. . . (wait for it. . . wait for it. . .) most of them thought he was crazy. But, they gave him respect for being a Baptist WAR HERO.
ONLY A FEW in each church thought it was not only plausible, but it sounded ABSOLUTELY TRUE!
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I SAID ALL THE ABOVE TO NOW SAY THIS:
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The Great Disappointment only disappointed his fellow nutjobs. The rest of the maybe-yes, maybe-no followers simply went back to church!
So what?
So, even though Miller's computations were DEAD WRONG (proving himself a False Prophet) enough nut-jobs hung around for a second disappointment.
And a 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc.
Miller gave up, but his fellow crazies WOULD NEVER ADMIT THEY WERE WRONG.
What kind of people do NOT admit they are wrong even when completely disproved?
THAT'S THE ANSWER TO THE TOPIC QUESTION.
People who were able to think they are right and everybody else is wrong CAN COME UP WITH ANYTHING as long as it is contrary to common sense.
Miller begat the 2nd Advent sect.
The 2nd Advent sect begat the Bible Students.
The Bible Students who follow Russell begat a cult led by Rutherford.
Rutherford begat Jehovah's Witnesses.
Jehovah's Witnesses begat CRACKPOT BELIEFS contrary to common sense.