Posts by OldSoul

32

Are you a Generalist or a Specialist

by joelbear in

jw
friends

i am definitely a generalist, i have a bit of interest in 1000 things.

this is one of the reasons i have always been so unhappy, because i have attempted to force myself to be a specialist.

it just doesn't work.

OldSoul

Unlike Robert, I generally specialize.

369

Why naturalism is irrational

by Shining One in

irrational naturalism (#201) .

by henry morris, ph.d. .

abstract .

Imagine I put you in a room with walls painted white but with black ceilings and floors, then I hand you a sheet of paper with a method of determination on it that limits you to an investigation of ceilings and floors AND ONLY ceilings and floors.

Imagine I bring someone else into the room and hand them a sheet of paper with a method of determination that does not limit their investigation to ceilings and floors.

If I ask you both, "According to the method you are using, what color are the walls?" How would you each answer and why?

This is an allegorical logic problem.

OldSoul

369

Why naturalism is irrational

by Shining One in

irrational naturalism (#201) .

by henry morris, ph.d. .

abstract .

OldSoul

ts,

in unfalsifiable situations, should you go with the simple or the complex probabilities?

In application of the Scientific Method to the examination of physical reality, the simple. As you know, I don't believe it lends itself to the investigation of all reality and under other methods of perceiving reality it is simpler to accept that God(s) does exist and is the origin of the universe. Doesn't speak at all to the nature or God(s), but one learns through experience, eh?

OldSoul

31

Jehovah's Witness Debate in Southern CA

by Unclepenn1 in

jw
friends

for anyone who lives in so cal and is interested, we are having a formal debate between a jw and a christian pastor.

the topic of discussion will be the trinity.

the event is wednesday, oct 5th, at 7pm at the rock church in san diego, ca.

OldSoul

I don't know why Pastors won't challenge a JW doctrine instead of arguing in favor of their own.

30

1919

by l3gi0n in

.

when did the teachnig that jesus choose jehovahs wittness in 1919 start?.

OldSoul

Confession,

The latest quote I could find in a study article similar to what you describe follows:

w96 1/15 p. 15 Jehovah's Sheep Need Tender Care 4 Jesus gave the congregation "gifts in men," some as "pastors," or shepherds, who treat Jehovah's flock in a tender way. (Ephesians 4:8, 11; King James Version) One of these men was Charles T. Russell, the Watch Tower Society's first president.

This makes the point you described, since Jesus supposedly gave C.T. Russell to the congregation prior to the congregation being chosen. C.T. Russell died in 1916, prior to the current understanding of the timing of "the inspection of the temple."

I couldn't find any article matching your description within the last few years. I doubt one like this will surface again.

Respectfully,
OldSoul

58

Did Noahs Ark drift about aimlessly in the Great Flood?

by EliJah in

no where does it mention that noah traveled around the world in his big boat.

in fact, is says that the ark was floating "high above the earth".

also, what does matthew mean about "just like in the days of noah?

OldSoul

stillajwexelder: and arranged for all the masrsupials to be in Australia?

HEY! You take that back! We have the opposum, or as rural folks call it, "Stew meat"!

OldSoul

87

Why Fundyism is Irrational

by jgnat in

lately i've been putting a lot of thought in to what is rational and what must be relegated to faith alone.

ever since the scientific method was discovered, humanity has attempted to put it to work in so many areas.

after all, discoveries exploded once we were set free from the shackles of tradition.

OldSoul

[tips hat to g.f as he enters discussion] Hola, Brother Less-than-significant Blue-green Algae! How goes the hunt? I am enjoying this discussion, too.

(ASIDE: Wouldn't "Brother Less-than-significant Blue-green Algae" be a cool name for one of the characters in a Bible drama titled, "Creation: How Did He Do It?")

tetrapod.sapien: but i think that just being aware of probabilities can change peoples lives. ; if the probability favours the possibility of other life out there in the universe, it could drastically change the way we view ourselves, the universe, and ourselves in the universe.

I had not considered this benefit. I suppose I have to adjust my view of this formula. There. Done. Now it reads, "Mostly Harmless." LOL

I have come to believe, through the laws of probability, that I am very likely to find Lime Jello gelatin between the walls of my home. I know it exists, that I can empirically prove. It is made of matter, the molecules of which are formed by groupings of atoms, there is an incredible number of atoms in the universe...this logic could be used to turn nearly any possiblity into a probability approaching 1.

I obviously doubt I will find very much Lime Jello between the walls of my home, but there remains the possiblity. The chances of doing so are complicated by the variable of the number of contractors who worked on my home in the mid-70s that preferred Lime Jello, and of those the number that actually brought some to the site, and of those the number who would have dropped some somewhere between the walls of my home, but since there are so many atoms the probability is still near 1.

However, if I attempted to prove my belief to be true, it could be costly in terms of resources diverted to the pursuit. These funds could be better directed toward things like a much needed new roof, adding on an addition to the home, replacing worn fixtures, etc. In my opinion, the existence of a possibility of Lime Jello between the walls does not justify spending a single dime or the required time and energy in terms of human production looking for it. If I found it, what then? How did I profit from finding it?

I hope my analogy sufficiently stands up to scrutiny. It was developed in the few minutes it took to write this post. I'm throwing it to the ravenous beasts, for whatever it's worth.

Respectfully,
OldSoul

293

A newbie's impression on this board, pros and cons

by smelly onions in

cons.

i don't know who is scarier, the jw's or some people on this board.

man, r u guys bitter?

OldSoul

Smelly logged in to buzz the place. Basically a know-it-all about how everyone should react to the WT. Love that word "should."

369

Why naturalism is irrational

by Shining One in

irrational naturalism (#201) .

by henry morris, ph.d. .

abstract .

OldSoul

Origins ask the question, "How did any of this get here?" God is widely admitted possible answer to that question.

Naturalism asks a different question, "How did all this diversity get here?" God is a possible answer, but for the most part there are answers to this question that are provable and can be explained by genetic trial and error. Sometimes steps taken backwards have produced results more fitting for a later environment in the long run.

OldSoul

369

Why naturalism is irrational

by Shining One in

irrational naturalism (#201) .

by henry morris, ph.d. .

abstract .

OldSoul

Origins ask the question, "How did any of this get here?" God is widely admitted possible answer to that question.

Naturalism asks a different question, "How did all this diversity get here?" God is a possible answer, but for the most part there are answers to this question that are provable and can be explained by genetic trial and error. Sometimes steps taken backwards have produced results more fitting for a later environment in the long run.

OldSoul