AlmostAtheist

Joined

• started 257 topics
• posted 5,296 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by AlmostAtheist

• 
  61

  Is anybody out there....

  by wings in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ....that is not sure if you believe in god?

  i envy those of you who have moved through this space.

  wings.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AlmostAtheist

  >> I just find it akward to hit big life changing events and not turn to prayer for help.

  If nothing else, prayer served the purpose of making you articulate your thoughts. They weren't just rolling around in your head randomly, you were forced to spell them out. Despite not having an entity to direct them to, you can still pray. Call it thinking out loud if you'd rather, or talking to yourself.

  Whatever label you use for it, it's a form of organizing your thoughts. You also get a chance to list them, prioritize them, and for that matter, expose them for the not-such-a-big-deal's that they sometimes are.

  Good luck, wings. And to us all.

  Dave
• 
  12

  Health Canada and the Fluoride Debate

  by sammielee24 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  waterloo region to decide on plebiscite issue.

  by carole clinch .

  the town of dryden, ontario voted against fluoridation of their water on april 22nd, ending a debate that has gone on for more than one year.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AlmostAtheist

  >> Chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, parkinsons, alzheimers, obesity, rampant diabetes, attention disorders - all these are far more prevalent during the past 40 years than at any time before

  Are those things more prevalent in countries with fluorinated water than those without? THAT would be the study I'm looking for.

  Dave
• 
  61

  Is anybody out there....

  by wings in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ....that is not sure if you believe in god?

  i envy those of you who have moved through this space.

  wings.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AlmostAtheist

  "Sure" isn't something I find any comfort in anymore. I think the existence of a loving god is extremely unlikely, and the possibility of any sort of involved entity is very unlikely. But they are only likelihoods, not certainties.

  Do you feel a need to be certain? Why?

  Dave
• 
  12

  Health Canada and the Fluoride Debate

  by sammielee24 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  waterloo region to decide on plebiscite issue.

  by carole clinch .

  the town of dryden, ontario voted against fluoridation of their water on april 22nd, ending a debate that has gone on for more than one year.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AlmostAtheist

  I wouldn't write it off as a non-issue out of hand, but I would like to see some large-scale studies comparing fluoride-water drinking communities with non-fluoride ones. Not studies showing that fluoride is bad by itself, or studies showing how rats act this way or that way. Studies of the actual populations and how the two groups compare.

  Until that research is done, all this other stuff is just not convincing enough to worry about. In my opinion.

  Dave
• 
  52

  If someone told you to take a Hike --- would you take this one?

  by AK - Jeff in

  1. social
  2. physical

  http://www.brightcove.tv:80/title.jsp?title=1438490562.

  jeff .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AlmostAtheist

  Looks cool, but I got all tingly and freaked out just watching the video. Probably not for me!

  Dave
• 
  8

  For Real - African Penis Snatching is Back Up!!!

  by AK - Jeff in

  1. social
  2. current

  http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyenoughnews/idusn2319603620080424?feedtype=nl&feedname=usoddlyenough.

  penis theft panic hits city...thu apr 24, 2008 9:47am edtby joe bavier.

  kinshasa (reuters) - police in congo have arrested 13 suspected sorcerers accused of using black magic to steal or shrink men's penises after a wave of panic and attempted lynchings triggered by the alleged witchcraft.. reports of so-called penis snatching are not uncommon in west africa, where belief in traditional religions and witchcraft remains widespread, and where ritual killings to obtain blood or body parts still occur.. rumors of penis theft began circulating last week in kinshasa, democratic republic of congo's sprawling capital of some 8 million inhabitants.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AlmostAtheist

  "Well yeah, it's small NOW Baby! But you shoulda seen me before that damn witch-doctor touched me!"

  I'm with Kwin on this one.

  Dave
• 
  16

  book recommendations?

  by Switch in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  missinglink and i read steven hassan's combatting cult mind control.

  it appears that the moonies and other cults use similar lingo to the jw's like truth and worldly people, etc.

  and shunning, recruiting new ones and many other concepts are comparable.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AlmostAtheist

  That's a good idea -- the non-fiction story of someone leaving a cult that isn't JW's. It would be completely non-threatening, but it might trigger them a bit in the back of their minds.

  If you find one, please post the title!

  Dave
• 
  27

  Local needs: 40% of the congregation are irregular at meetings

  by truthseeker in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well, our local needs talk was a bit out of the ordinary - normally it's something mundane like improving bible studies.. after harping on about the good things the congregation is doing, we got to the meat.. there are 100 publishers in the cong - 40% of them are irregular meeting attenders.. the elder said that those who are irregular at meetings are also irregular on field service.. he also said the elders would continue to shepherd these ones, yet most of us never get as shepherding call.. he said that those who've lost their joy feel this way because they don't fellowship often enough and lack appreciation for sacred things.. there are those who are liberal, manifest an independent spirit and have worldly associations.. he even said that those who need to hear this counsel are those who are missing.. .

  oh well.

  i suppose it's good news..

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AlmostAtheist

  >> He said that those who've lost their joy..

  It never dawns on him that perhaps they've FOUND joy in skipping the joyless meetings?

  Question: When the bookstudy goes away, will they have to skip even MORE meetings just to keep their percentages down? I would, just to be on the safe side. (Don't do the math, or you'll wind up not skipping more meetings!)

  Dave
• 
  34

  Dreams yet to be realized.....

  by wings in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this topic was inspired by oompa and his sail boat.

  on the other hand i am stuck in this room with my mother, and have a long night ahead of me and need some entertainment.

  for you younger posters, i would love to hear from you because you have time to make your dreams real.. for the older ones, i would like to know how you reconciled dreams lost, dreams still out there, and what you are left with.. wings (of the middle aged posters).

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AlmostAtheist

  >> Maybe a small cafe on the beach somewhere. Simple life.....is that possible?

  MMMmmmmm... that DOES sound nice. Especially the "simple" part.

  Dave
• 
  34

  Dreams yet to be realized.....

  by wings in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this topic was inspired by oompa and his sail boat.

  on the other hand i am stuck in this room with my mother, and have a long night ahead of me and need some entertainment.

  for you younger posters, i would love to hear from you because you have time to make your dreams real.. for the older ones, i would like to know how you reconciled dreams lost, dreams still out there, and what you are left with.. wings (of the middle aged posters).

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AlmostAtheist

  I would love to have some really solid dreams. I don't want much of anything. Not "satisfied" per se, just not desirous of anything in particular. I'd like to learn to juggle. I'd like to entertain people. I'd like to be financially secure. But I'm not passionate about any of it. I can't think of a single thing that once obtained would make me feel anything beyond, "Oh, that's cool. Yeah. I like that."

  Maybe the "entertain people" one. Can that be my dream? I'll pencil it in for now.

  Dave