Its that flawed idea that there must be a "right" way to do something, and that there can only be one way. That isn't just limited to the religious crowd, I see it in different professions where one practioner claims that this is the proper way to do it and any one who doesn't do it this way is a hack, etc. Another one of those sterling qualities we humans seem to have in abundance that provide for such a stress free world (insert extreme sarcasm here).
Big Dog
JoinedPosts by Big Dog
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4
Why do different Christian sects have set "beliefs", or interpretations?
by sonnyboy ini often wonder why so many religions choose to interpret the bible and set their interpretations in stone.
wouldn't it be better to simply support the members of the congregation and let them use their own discernment?
i remember the jws preaching against the formation of sects.
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108
Do you believe in miracles?
by hibiscusfire in.
i believe in miracles.
even the birth of a new born is a miracle.. there is no such thing as luck.. hibiscusfire
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Big Dog
Okay Hibs, I understand. Just a thought, even Jesus said there was a time to move on when the message wasn't being accepted. Not that I'm saying you should leave, but just maybe accept at a certain point that the message is not getting through here.
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108
Do you believe in miracles?
by hibiscusfire in.
i believe in miracles.
even the birth of a new born is a miracle.. there is no such thing as luck.. hibiscusfire
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Big Dog
This is painful to watch. Hibs, why do you want to heap this kind of abuse on yourself?
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108
Do you believe in miracles?
by hibiscusfire in.
i believe in miracles.
even the birth of a new born is a miracle.. there is no such thing as luck.. hibiscusfire
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Big Dog
No Hib, I don't believe in miracles as I have never been witness to one. I don't think anyone here hates you Hib, but you do understand given the make up of this forum how some of your comments and assertions can tend to call in the clans so to speak don't you? If you make bold assertions you just have to be prepared for people to have just as strong of convictions in opposition to your views, that's all that is happening here, not hatred.
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My words My feelings - you're welcome to add yours
by LouBelle infor some reason i just want to put this out there.....because i can.. .
i don't know what kind of a ""christian"" (i don't label myself as one) i am, as i feel that if for certain reasons one doesn't believe in a god, because there is a lack of evidence - he isn't gonna condemn anyone.
because you believe in ra/ vishnu or whatever other god doesn't mean you are under condemnation.
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Big Dog
It can seem sad that we only have 80 years to live but me personally I can say that my 17 years on this planet at the moment has been anything but boring and pointless.
Daunt, I totally agree with you, my 41 years has been far from boring or pointless as well, that's exactly why I would like more time. I don't mean this to sound patronizing but when you get older, 70 or 80 years seems like less and less time. I also agree that even in 70 or 80 years that we are barely able to scratch the surface of what we can know or accomplish. You are young yet, come back in 20 or 30 years and let me know if 80 years still seems like a long time. I used to roll my eyes at the "old folks" too when i was your age when they would go on about time getting away from them and where did it all go.
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My words My feelings - you're welcome to add yours
by LouBelle infor some reason i just want to put this out there.....because i can.. .
i don't know what kind of a ""christian"" (i don't label myself as one) i am, as i feel that if for certain reasons one doesn't believe in a god, because there is a lack of evidence - he isn't gonna condemn anyone.
because you believe in ra/ vishnu or whatever other god doesn't mean you are under condemnation.
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Big Dog
Its sort of amazing, I walked away from the KH over 20 years ago, went to college, built a life and never really gave this stuff much thought. I would go through phases of not believing in a god while at other times thinking there must be a god. But I never really sat down and thought about issues like evolution, intelligent design, etc. they just didn't impact my life. But the last couple of days reading all the threads with the evolutionists and creationists squaring off really got me to thinking about this whole issue, and what I actually believed.
Tetra, I think you hit the nail on the head, I have a hard time NOT separating the mind from that lump of gray matter that resides atop of our necks. The mind, the human intellect, conscience, self awareness, the things that make us unique among the animal kingdom and amongst ourselves I have a hard time reducing to a set of binary solutions. If A does not promote the species then discard and go to B. But I also hear what you are saying in that the "higher" brain functions evolved along with our physical traits, they became more complex as we became more complex and there is a certain sense and beauty to that I suppose.
I certainly do not dispute evolution, it appears to be as much a fact as any arguement I could hope to persuade a jury of. Now, where everything came from (including possibly some of the attributes we have been discussing, those that make us human), the universe at large, well the jury is still out on that one. I can certainly see why people want to discount the existence of a (G)god(s) given there is zero tangible proof of one and I could see myself going that way though I will admit to being somewhat saddened by that prospect. I have heard many say that their life is full of meaning without a god, and that they enjoy their existence and I can respect that. But a part of me is saddened by the thought of a scant 70 or 80 years of existence if I'm lucky and then eternal nothingness, that there is nothing more, nothing greater to aspire to or hope for. Or that if some are correct that life was such an amazing coincidence that in the whole universe this might be the only place it happened, it just shrinks the tapestry for me.
Many say that if there is a god and things have been allowed to go the way they have that it just ruins the notion of god for them, I feel the same way in the opposite, if all this, the universe, humans, animals is all just the result of a mathematical probability playing itself out on this remote spec of rock in a vast universe, that just doesn't sing to me, or fill me with much sense of granduer.
My point? No point really I guess, just thinking aloud. I don't think of myself as delusional, I live my life and make my living by what I can prove, and I don't ignore science or the things it explains, but I guess I am going to hold a little hope back that maybe there is something more to the whole deal, though I certainly would never try to prove that to anyone else as that is foolhardy. Once again thanks for all the thought, effort, and patience you put into addressing my questions, put it this way, you have pretty much convinced me of how things have happened, I am just going to take the ultimate why under advisement at this point.
Humble thanks from BD.
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What's your favorite holiday?
by Princess inmy kids occasionally ask me this.
i usually respond "christmas" because it's so cheerful and festive or "halloween" because i'm always so touched at the kindness of my neighbors.. now i say "labor day".
they are puzzled.
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Big Dog
Thanksgiving is the best, stuff yourself to the gills, football all day, and three days to digest without all of the running around and hoopla that goes with Christmas (though Christmas is a close second).
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Creationist Answer Please
by skyman inyesterday there was a post that made me think.
i have a question for you.
i think creationist are ruled by emotion and not by provable facts.
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Big Dog
I said it before and I'll say it again, Tetra, Daunt, and the lot of ya are good eggs! I have learned more in the last couple of days reading these threads about evolution etc. than I have in years. Keep up the good work!
And Daunt, I hear you about rising to the challenge, I think everyone has subjects that they are passionate about that we have to be careful not to get too crazy over. You know what they say, nothing worse than a reformed (fill in the blank).
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Legal Question on forcing the blood issue...
by SamIam1976 ini have a question to shoot out there to anyone who may be familiar with the jw legalities with the blood transfusion issue.
i would like to know if i should put anything in writing to protect my rights as an independant married adult and cannot be forced by the courts to not take a blood transfusion if one is needed to save my life.
my parents are still very active jw's and they have always fought with me about my rights when anything legal like this comes up.
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Big Dog
Keep in mind that the acid test is when the judge brings the gavel down to end any proceeding. I'll have clients ask me, well can this happen, or can that happen, etc. In this world and legal system, quite frankly anything can happen. Your job, and your attorney's job is to be as careful and methodical as possible to do everything to prevent an outcome you don't want from taking place. Estate planning, medical directives, etc. is all about doing your best to ensure that your wishes are carried out. But relatives, parents etc. can always try to attack your plan, just make sure it is as solid and tight as possible.
If you have worries of this type (JW relatives trying to impose their wishes) I can't stress enough to have good lawyer involved in the planning process.
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Evolutionist Caught in a Lie
by Kenneson ineugenie scott of the national center for science education has written a retraction, after being slapped with a libel suit.
she wrongly accused roseville, california attorney larry caldwell of presenting for adoption to the school board two books on young-earth creation, one (get this!
) published by jehovah's witnesses.
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Big Dog
"For those who believe in God, Christ, for goodness sake it is not turning your back on these things to accept the possibility that nearly all the scientists are right about much. ; The Bible does not teach anything that excludes evolution or any other science. ; Which Bible are you reading, or rather whose intepretations have you put your trust in. "
Very well said Jaffacake.