Posts by myelaine

90

Just wanted to say...

by tec in

jw
friends

... how truly great this place is.. i have not been on many forums, but i think this one is unique and strong in a very important way.

it is of course a support group for those exiting the wts, or trying to deal with remaining within it, first and foremost.

but the awesome thing about this place is how it welcomes everyone.

myelaine

dear talesin...

I do believe IN Him.

I also believe WHAT He says.

Jesus was all about DOING the will of His Father. If His Father didn't take kindly to those who would worship false gods WHAT makes you think Jesus did?...God is a jealous God.

I'm a messenger...I tell you words of truth you don't want to hear and you respond however you like...but it comes right down to the fact that we have all been given the light of the gospel and many here have turned away from the Light of the world to PURSUE other paths...and Jesus said: john 3:19-21...

If I didn't care about you or what you were doing I wouldn't say anything...I'd just watch you run wild in the streets, wouldn't I?

love michelle

90

Just wanted to say...

by tec in

jw
friends

... how truly great this place is.. i have not been on many forums, but i think this one is unique and strong in a very important way.

it is of course a support group for those exiting the wts, or trying to deal with remaining within it, first and foremost.

but the awesome thing about this place is how it welcomes everyone.

myelaine

dear Tammy...

healing of the spirit and the body comes from Jesus Christ. He is the great physician.

this "place" you describe is a lot like the mount where all the baal worshippers met (1 kings 18:20)

How much longer will the God of heaven tolerate this "place" before He brings judgement upon those in its midst?

...seriously, the bible says that God wont be mocked yet for many here that is the prime motivation for meeting in this place, it isn't to bring comfort or to be comforted...the bible clearly portrays this kind of "place" as an abomination...in seems that in Gods economy that is the reality of this "place".

was Jesus wrong to display intolerance towards those who wouldn't repent? (matthew 11:20...)

(the bible says that God gives a certain amount of time to repent then He judges: revelation 2:21-23...Jesus comes like a thief in the night)

love michelle

71

Do You Know C.R.A.P. ?

by Perry in

there is no shortage of ex-elders, behelites, ex-circuit overseers on this forum that continue to spout their hatred for christians, even as they did while leading their former adherents down the same path.

the new religion for these preachers of paradise, is materialism.

in their view, science is the arbitrator of truth.

myelaine

dear Nambo...

And Michael cried and said, Come hither, also, ye angels, bring what ye have brought. And Michael was exceedingly grieved, and the angel who was with me, because they did not fill the vessel...And then came in like manner other angels weeping and bewailing, and saying with fear, Behold how we are overclouded, 0 Lord, for we were delivered to evil men, and we wish to depart from them. And Michael said, Ye cannot depart from them, in order that the enemy may not prevail to the end; but say to me what ye ask. And they said, We pray thee, Michael our commander, transfer us from them, for we cannot abide with wicked and foolish men, for there is nothing good in them, but every kind of unrighteousness and greed. For we do not behold them entering [into Church at all, nor among spiritual fathers, nor] into any good work. But where there is murder, there also are they in the midst, and where are fornications, adulteries, thefts, slanders, perjuries, jealousies, drunkenness, strife, envy, murmurings, whispering, idolatry, divination, and such like, then are they workers of such works, and of others worse. Wherefore we entreat that we may depart from them. And Michael said to the angels, Wait till I learn from the Lord what shall come to pass. And in that very hour Michael departed, and the doors were closed...(3 baruch 13)

love michelle

97

The Wacky World of Dating Sites

by Terry in

jw
friends

sooner or later each of us who does not have a significant other goes out on the trail armed with our crappy photo and lame self-descriptions and awkward smile in search of our prey: an exciting mate!.

who'd have thunk it?

it ain't easy.. not easy, why?

myelaine

And He said to me, “Turn again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing.” So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the Lord ’s house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for *Tammuz. (ezekiel 8:13-14)

* a sumerian god similar to gr. god adonis

love michelle

384

Atheism 2.0

by Qcmbr in

apologies if this has been posted before or even discussed.. this ted talk gets at the heart of what atheism is missing and my wife an di discussed this for a long time last night.

in short religion provides a framework for meeting, for ritual, for art, education and sociality.

without this framework atheism can seem lonely harsh and certainly disorganised (the general idea that education and culture can replace the gap may well be true but without a formal structure the route to personal mental fulfillment is somewhat piecemeal and patchwork.

myelaine

dear thetrueone...

you said: " A Christian is a man that feels repentance on Sunday for what he did on Saturday and is going to do on Monday "...do you think that this kind of behaviour is representitive of a person who is genuinely concerned about his standing with God?...

dear NewChapter...

in your post #5830 you say these things: "Morality is defined differently in different cultures...So what is moral in one society, is not moral in another society. However when judging CHARACTER, one has to look at how an individual follows the rules of their own culture----not an outside culture. Christianity does not do this. It sets a standard and judges people in the far reaches of the world by that standard. So in a culture where premarital sex is approved and expected, they would judge that behavior as "immoral" or a "sin", regardless of what place those people are operating from. It is ridiculous...Christianity elevates such things to an entirely new level. Society has an interest in keeping certain behavior controlled, and should do such"...

We live in an increasingly pluralistic society, most countries allow for many different beliefs without "offending" the authorities. But I contend that with this freedom "from" religion combined with a withdraw from orthodox christianity there will be the ingredients for a perfect storm. An increase of adherents within american society of a much less tolerant religion (muslim population growth rate is 1.8 per year compared to 1.12 for the world population. As of 2011, it is predicted that the world's Muslim population will grow twice as fast as non-Muslims over the next 20 years.~wikipedia). A religion that has the right and will to take up key positions in government to effect change in the dynamics of the country's "cultural norm". Right now in Dearborn Michigan the police authorities cater to the muslim population and refuse christians their right to preach the gospel.( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smw9QuH1xkA ) Now maybe this means nothing to you at the moment...but consider the possibility that once those intent on changing laws do such a thing...what right DO you think you will have as an atheist to claim any kind of morally superior charactor in comparison to your creepy religious muslim neighbour (who has been afforded his religious rights in a pluralistic society) when he takes himself a 6 year old wife according to HIS CULTURE? You might think this can't happen in america...but, as a matter of fact christians were the majority population in egypt from the 3rd century AD until the muslim invasion in 641 AD. There has been servitude, heavy taxation and persecution ever since. The muslim population is not immune to the burden of religious laws either. Entire societies have been taken over and brought under islamic law. The whole premise of islam is to bring everyone into submission to *sharia law...in order to wipe out what the muslim religious leaders decide is sinful...they are terribly strict and they believe that america is the great satan. OF course, once they get a foot-hold in american politics and succeed in their agenda, islam in america will set the standard and judge people by that standard ...perhaps you see no need to put up any kind of resistance now though because you wont be around then anyway?...What if no one puts up any resitance to this type of situation? (the less fight, the more appealing) what kind of legacy is this?

I think this is a real threat to our "cultural norm"...but if the the christian "agenda" is worrisome to you; I guess you set your own priorities in the final analysis, don't you?

love michelle

*Before the reader begins to study the Quran, he must realise that unlike all other writings, this is a unique book with a supreme author, an eternal message and a universal relevance. Its contents are not confined to a particular theme or style, but contain the foundations for an entire system of life, covering a whole spectrum of issues, which range from specific articles of faith and commandments to general moral teachings, rights, and obligations, crime and punishment, personal and public law, and a host of other private and social concerns. These issues are discussed in a variety of ways, such as direct stipulations, reminders of Allah's favours on His creation, admonitions and rebukes. Stories of past communities are narrated, followed by the lessons to be learned from their actions and subsequent fates. (please note that "actions taken" refers to whether people surrendered with less loss of life or whether they put up resistance and were massacred) http://www.jannah.org/articles/quran.html

384

Atheism 2.0

by Qcmbr in

apologies if this has been posted before or even discussed.. this ted talk gets at the heart of what atheism is missing and my wife an di discussed this for a long time last night.

in short religion provides a framework for meeting, for ritual, for art, education and sociality.

without this framework atheism can seem lonely harsh and certainly disorganised (the general idea that education and culture can replace the gap may well be true but without a formal structure the route to personal mental fulfillment is somewhat piecemeal and patchwork.

myelaine

dear NewChapter...

I said many here were hurt...which is true.

I actually only used your statement as a jumping off point for my post...I was speaking to the general audience not only to you specifically.

...but thank you for your prompt rebuttal, I think...

love michelle

384

Atheism 2.0

by Qcmbr in

apologies if this has been posted before or even discussed.. this ted talk gets at the heart of what atheism is missing and my wife an di discussed this for a long time last night.

in short religion provides a framework for meeting, for ritual, for art, education and sociality.

without this framework atheism can seem lonely harsh and certainly disorganised (the general idea that education and culture can replace the gap may well be true but without a formal structure the route to personal mental fulfillment is somewhat piecemeal and patchwork.

myelaine

dear cofty...

you said: "All religions who call themselves christian begin with the disgraceful premise that we are sinners, enemies of god and worthy only of his wrath, that all our good deeds are filthy rags, and that it took human blood sacrifice to assuage the wrath of god with whom we have an accounting"...

do you want me to apologise for rallying around the One who felt I was worth taking the wrath for?

love michelle

384

Atheism 2.0

by Qcmbr in

apologies if this has been posted before or even discussed.. this ted talk gets at the heart of what atheism is missing and my wife an di discussed this for a long time last night.

in short religion provides a framework for meeting, for ritual, for art, education and sociality.

without this framework atheism can seem lonely harsh and certainly disorganised (the general idea that education and culture can replace the gap may well be true but without a formal structure the route to personal mental fulfillment is somewhat piecemeal and patchwork.

myelaine

dear NewChapter...

you said this in regard to the UU "church": " Coming together to reach common goals---organized to do good things"

while I can appreciate why many of you would leave the "notion" of God and "religion" behind, certainly in many cases here it is because of your mistreatment at the hands of the WTBTS. That organization is adept at instilling fear, guilt and low self esteem in otherwise healthy people. This type of tyranny is not found in most other christian denominations. Though you may have carry-over belief regarding what other christian denominations are like and teach...unless you walk with them for any length of time...you can't know that you might be wrong.

I would like to draw your attention to something that you might not have thought about in regard to the reason for organized religion and its ability to flourish. One underpinning of the scriptures is the notion of good verses evil...this is easily forgotten in the debate about what discipleship means (whatever "following" Jesus Christ represents). Notably though, by the "time" we get to the NT this struggle between good and evil involves the Prince of Peace and His opposition...

I believe that none of you would knowingly be against the notion of peace...

So, maybe you are against the idea of religion because it seems that it has some kind of "control" over you. Fair enough...you can't give any "entity" more control than you allow (obviously NOT talking about the WTBTS who take control)...there are a few exceptions to this principle however and the one I would like to talk about is involved in "protection" generally. In the forces you essentially sign over yourself to an entity to do with what they will...you yourself are put on the line as a defense against the opposition.

Now why not consider that those in the religious entity called the church are called upon in the same regard?...many of the same requirements are asked to be met in the "ideal" congregation...[knowledgeable] leaders, steadfast defenders [of the faith], [closing ranks] growing up to one "man"(to move closer together in a military formation. The soldiers closed ranks and marched on the enemy in tight formation.; to join with someone in a cause, or agreement. We can fight this menace only if we close ranks. Let's all close ranks with Ann and adopt her suggestions.)I'm sure you get the idea...:)...What if there is some purpose that has been overlooked?...What if this purpose has been obscured by the opposition by shifting the focus of the church as a defender of the weak to something that preys on the weak? ...wouldn't that serve the purpose of the opposition...take out the ONLY line of defense to more easily ravish the weak?...he can come in and take all of our treasures if there is no cohesive "force" to stop him...

That is why I believe that there are so many military references in the bible...all the way to the book of revelation, we hear about the "host". As much as we have grown up with the central ideas contained in the bible; call it the christian meme, we have lost the binding agent while we found american "freedom"...

There is a sworn "enemy" to this idea of freedom. It is called radical islam. As it is, the "west" is unprepared to counter this threat. A "nation" called islam that believes their allah is the supreme God and wants to impose its religion and laws on others is not going to be stopped by a group loosely comprised of athiests, agnostics, every other named "god" and a bunch of bickering christians...A battle like this is fought in the same "arena"... in the religious arena...the christian warrior IS armed to the teeth (ephesians 6:13-18) because we have God as our fortress and our ever present protector. I hope and pray that you would get yourselves together before it's too late...this enemy comes up from behind...it sneaks in the windows...it is a "religious" ideology therefore it IS metaphorically in the "heavenly" realm...^upstairs^ in the noggin' ...*sigh*...

You can't count on the "moderate" muslims in the west to stand toe to toe against their radical "brothers" given the situation they would have to side with the radicals or lose thier lives. this is your opposition...this is how it is:...job 41:15-17...individually we can do nothing BUT, as a "nation" named and blessed to flourish by God, we can be defenders of the weak...including our moderate muslim "brothers in the flesh"...

love michelle

384

Atheism 2.0

by Qcmbr in

apologies if this has been posted before or even discussed.. this ted talk gets at the heart of what atheism is missing and my wife an di discussed this for a long time last night.

in short religion provides a framework for meeting, for ritual, for art, education and sociality.

without this framework atheism can seem lonely harsh and certainly disorganised (the general idea that education and culture can replace the gap may well be true but without a formal structure the route to personal mental fulfillment is somewhat piecemeal and patchwork.

myelaine

dear xchange...

you said: "Interesting that you resort to projecting your belief that atheists view theists as enemies. I guess that comes from Christianity teaching ‘them’ (goats) versus ‘us’ (sheep). "...

I'm not projecting...there ARE atheists who would like to see "God talk" silenced or killed as if we who speak it were their enemies. Christians are told we should pray for those who make themselves our enemies in this way. it is the GB of JW's who have made it accepted practice to have their adherents seperate the sheep from the goats (in the absence of divine authority) dependant on acceptance of their particular interpretation.

you said: "As for the rest of your post, please re-read my comment. You know, those key words: vapid, cataclysmic, portending, threats. In other words, empty words with no substance and pure speculation based on an ancient tome and dubious representation."...

you can go back and take a look at my first post on this thread to get a better idea of where I'm coming from if you'd like.

hint: I will continue to use the gospel(my faith) in the bible as a defence...(And if you, O listener, have any doubt in what We have sent down towards you, then question those who have read the Book before you; undoubtedly, towards you has come the truth from your Lord, therefore do not be of those who doubt) surah 10:94

love michelle

384

Atheism 2.0

by Qcmbr in

apologies if this has been posted before or even discussed.. this ted talk gets at the heart of what atheism is missing and my wife an di discussed this for a long time last night.

in short religion provides a framework for meeting, for ritual, for art, education and sociality.

without this framework atheism can seem lonely harsh and certainly disorganised (the general idea that education and culture can replace the gap may well be true but without a formal structure the route to personal mental fulfillment is somewhat piecemeal and patchwork.

myelaine

yeah...the multi millionaire john lennon writes a song singing "imagine no possessions" and people gobble it up

"no countries, nothing to live or die for"...no one is ethically superior(being in accordance with the accepted principles of right and wrong that govern conduct)

uh huh...lets ride the sweet sound of the anarchy train to the destruction of civility

...aaaanywaaaay...