i enjoyed this article about how the state of israel came to be and the history behind some of the present day conflict.. full article here:.
http://www.zmag.org/shalom-meqa.htm.
teaser below:background to the israel-palestine crisisby stephen r. shalom.
Adding a bit of flavor to the topic, it was primarily Christian nations that had been persecuting Jews in their own country that decided to create a "homeland" to which they could send their problem away to. So Russia, Germany, Britian and other European countries got rid of the "killers of Christ" by putting them in Palistine. Only it didn't absolve them!
carmel
last week in the book study the paragraph stated that satan used "false religion" to lead people away from jehovah.
citing the teaching of false "truths" in the bible (trinity, hellfire, etc).
i almost had to comment because i do not believe this is so because i think we would all agree that just about all religions outside of jw's are way more vocal about hating the devil, satan.
You went to a book study? Too much time on your hands!
carmel
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...the one and only.. on another thread lisa said her goodbyes and i just wanted her to know that despite the way it may appear she will be missed.
come back soon.. j2s
Those that return will have to sit in the back row for a year and lurk! No exceptions. They must show they are worthy!
caveman
i've been a member of the site for a month, but have been reading the posts for a lot longer, however this is my first post.
i was raised a j-dub by my mother (my father wasn't religious) with my sister and brother.
i was pretty much convinced by my dub friends, bible study conductor, and mother that i should get baptized when i was 15 and decided to go for it.
I guess I would put my energy into something more genuine, like finding new "mother and family"!
carmel
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http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=493740339707143103&q=jehovah
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Now I have!
i know this has probably been discussed before, but i would like to take a poll of your thoughts as to what you personally would do, disassociate yourself or just fade over time.
i've been in the process of "fading" myself since november of last year, (last meeting in january, and never going back).
i have been considering making it official though by formal letter of da.
You could always DF the Borg! After all, don't they qualify as apostates? Seriously, you're riding a good horse, why switch rides when the pace it good and you can choose another stead anytime you wish in the future. Keep your options open.
carmel
all of the stuff re wts.
yet with all of this stuff happening in the mideast....with al gore's "an inconvenient truth" and scientists backing him up...with nkorea....with "christian" rhetoric....with pornography taking over the minds of our men.....bird flu....debt up to the eyeballs....complacency....pacs.....enron...corruption...serial killers in phoenix.....shrinking dollar....economy being sold to overseas.....etc.
can anyone reassure me?
THIS RADIANT CENTURY
In the estimation of historians this radiant century is equivalent to one hundred centuries of the past. If comparison be made with the sum total of all former human achievements it will be found that the discoveries, scientific advancement and material civilization of this present century have equaled, yea far exceeded the progress and outcome of one hundred former centuries. The production of books and compilations of literature alone bear witness that the output of the human mind in this century has been greater and more enlightening than all the past centuries together. It is evident therefore that this century is of paramount importance. Reflect upon the miracles of accomplishment which have already characterized it, the discoveries in every realm of human research, inventions, scientific knowledge, ethical reforms and regulations established for the welfare of humanity, mysteries of nature explored, invisible forces brought into visibility and subjection, a veritable wonder-world of new phenomena and conditions heretofore unknown to man now open to his uses and further investigation. The east and west can communicate instantly. A human being can soar in the skies or speed in submarine depths. The power of steam has linked the continents. Trains cross the deserts and pierce the barriers of mountains; ships find unerring pathways upon the trackless oceans. Day by day discoveries are increasing. What a wonderful century this is!
(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 227)
i was looking up a couple of verses the other day in my nwt reference bible the one with larger print, footnotes, cross references, etc.
in my day i was quite a diligent student - the bible is filled with my notes and comments, and i'd already worn out another one earlier.
one of the things that i found surprising as i was reading my notes, was how often they were pointing out inconsistencies, contradictions and obvious lies in the biblical text.
The followers of all the prophets engaged in hagiography. I remember when our family would get together with relatives and the story telling would begin. I'd hear stories recounted about me and my brothers that were "enhanced" to show those "heathens" how much better good little JWs were than the Mormon cousins. It's a reoccuring practice that stories about the "baby Jesus" never crying, probably never soiled His britches either, on and on. The same was true of all the others. So what do we make of the "myth making"? Is it a fundamental fault of the spiritual leader that the followers make up tales? What is the essential truthes taught, vs, what exagerations creep in in the telling of the story?
carmel
it has been a cycle of being a full fledge witness then reverting to a state of total inactivity for my family and i. we do awesome for a month or 2, then we're missing in action for another 6 months.. where i am breaking this cycle, i say no more, my husband who was raised in the 'truth', remains inactive yet devote in heart.
i respect that.
this is all he's ever known.. however, i was raised a good little mormon girl, left one church claiming to be the only true religion, i know i can do this too.
Welcome Tremoka! It sounds to me that you have judged all religion by the experiance you've had with two fringe belief systems. I could be wrong, but are you looking for a cosmology that transcends the limitations of what you presently know about organized religion? Certainly there exists a more inclusive approach to humanities relationship to the metaphysical. I left the JWs over 40 years ago for some of the same reasons, at least what I perceive to be similar ones.
I hope you are able to set aside as much of the brainwashing you've had from two fringe faiths and seek reality with an open mind and a pure heart.
carmel
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its the middle of summer, i am trying to keep 3... 6 footers fed and can only serve steak or hamburgers so many nights.. its too hot to heat up the oven and i am running out of ideas.. any grill miesters out there willing to share your favorite recipe would be appreciated, including marinades, veggie side dishes etc.. many thanks in advance.
(yes i know this isn't a cooking forum, but we all have to eat and thought it would be fun for everyone!).
Fresh spring chinook salmon fillets marinated in sauce of 1pt lemon juice, 1pt olive oil and 1pt soy sauce! Helps to have fishermen friends to bring you the fish, otherwise it's about $20 lb.
carmel
