I'm not unlike you-I was born into it as well but my thought about the elder is that he believes what he wants to believe. Most people just believe what they want to. My statement is pretty simplistic but I'm thinking that many people that join are looking for something even if they don't know it-some might call this vulnerability. He (the elder you mention) may have said he was an atheist but I'm sure if he had been secure in that he wouldn't have become JW. Anyway, I knew JWs that said they were atheist before going into "the truth" but when I think about it now they described more of an agnosticism.
under74
JoinedPosts by under74
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For those who joined themselves.
by pc ini was wondering for those unlike myself, born into the borg, what made you come.
what did they show you that changed your view of religion or god.
there is an elder in my dad's congregation who trys to preach to me when i visit.
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Kristy says, "I love you" and sends her hugs to yall.
by Frannie Banannie inshe was thrilled with all the well-wishes, encouraging words and flowers yall sent....loved the irises, the japanese and other garden scenes and peaceful woodland and marine scenes and wind in her sails, and all the bouquets....and those of yall that shared your own personal struggles with kristy, she appreciated it very much and her heart goes out to yall.....she loved the poem from doubleedge and french baby face's accent.
good news!
the docs found out what was affecting her blood....anemia and an infection that had migrated from her uti and they've solved the cath problem, so she can go home probably tomorrow and get on the road to recovery very soon after they finish the regimen of antibiotics and get her built back up.
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under74
Very good news. I wish her all the best and the same to you too.
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Would You Buy Cigarettes For Your Friends?
by Englishman inwhen i go abroad, my smoking friends often ask me to bring cigarettes home with me.
they can be purchased for a fraction of the price in france and the savings on a few hundred cigarettes can be quite considerable.. i always refuse.
it makes me feel a bit priggish to do so, but i don't feel good about aiding someone to continue with a life threatening habit.. now i feel better!.
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under74
I would buy my friends cigarettes...but only because I smoke. I think it's completely understandable why you wouldn't want to do it.
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Asian House Churches - Freedom of Worship question...
by LittleToe ini recently saw a tv program highlighting the plight of folks in vietnam, regarding freedom to worship.. it appears that in several countries in the far east (e.g.
china, vietnam, etc.
) there are formal bodies set up to regulate religion (not just christianity).
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under74
Little Toe- I'm not really sure how I feel on the subject. While I think people should have the freedom to worship as they wish without any fears...I have some old resentments. This isn't to say the resentments I hold are right, I'm just being honest. I'd like to say that if there are any JWs in Vietnam they should be able to be JWs without their government interfering but in the back of my head the little voice says "they love the persecution." I haven't let go of some of the hate I hold....but I'm working on it.
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Literature
by CeriseRose inokay, i'm a bad person.
i promised seeitallclearlynow when i started here way back in march that i would start a thread on literature that i liked to read and see if we can have some good conversation come out of it.
a little bit about me.
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under74
Well I wish I was more read in classics. I have read Heart Of Darkness and Little Women (years ago). What I found really interesting was reading King Leopold's Ghost- it's non-fiction about Belgium colonies in Africa. There's some interesting stuff about Conrad in this book. Let's see, books I've read recently are The Man Without Qualities-Robert Musil, A Confederacy of Dunces-John Kennedy Toole, Love In The Time of Cholera (maybe it's just me...but I didn't really care for this book-100 Years Of Solitude is much better) and I just re-read This Boy's Life-Tobias Wolffe.
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144,000 a literal number
by Bonnie_Clyde inthe questions from readers has affirmed that the 144,000 is a literal number.
it states that some numbers in revelation are symbolic and others are literal.
it argues that since the great crowd which is unnumbered is mentioned right after the 144,000, then logically the 144,000 would have to be literal.
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under74
Umm...I thought this was always the case. Did the JWs ever say those numbers weren't literal? If they did, I must have missed it. Or maybe they said it after I left?
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Why do many religious people dislike non-religious people?
by Elsewhere ini've noticed that usually when someone who is very religious finds out that i am an atheist, they become very agitated even though i never actually said anything negative about their religion.. are they embarrassed?.
do they think i am condemning them?.
do they see me as a threat?.
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under74
Madalyn Murray O'Hair--the name of the woman you're talking about.
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Anyone in Northern California?
by TweetieBird injust wondering if there is anyone from northern california.
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under74
Not from Northern Ca., but I'm in the Bay area now.
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Is Imperfection the same as Sin?
by jgnat inlately i have made some pretty bold statements about the value of dialogue.
so i thought i would put it in to practice.
i've picked this topic, one i have not studied out thoroughly.
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under74
I believe that I was taught (in a round about way) that Adam was imperfect because he sinned and because of that the human race is imperfect. I was taught that imperfection wasn't necessarily sin but was a factor in it...or just because you're imperfect doesn't mean you commit a sin but are prone to sin. I've always had a hard time with this because it's kind of a chicken or egg question. My head's spinning a little and I think I need to lay down....
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Ozzie's Weekend Poll #116
by ozziepost ing'day fellow weekend posters!.
how's things for you this weekend?
strange turn of events weatherwise here downunder where last week we were "enjoying" 100 degrees fahrenheit and this weekend is now at a miserable 68!!!
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under74
No way. I thought Jesus was a JW.