1955 was my "turning point" so to speak! I was dunked in early March just below the 45th parallel. One might say I joined the Polar Bear Club, but then that would have been less profound. Promised for years to gain insight and understanding only when "baptized" my dunking opened my eyes to the reality that I was being put off from having my questions answered. So within three years I was out having chosen to leave home rather than live in a dysfunctional family and faith community. I chose to write my own future rather than have the borg do it for me. carm
Posts by Carmel
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441995 The Year That Saw A Turning Point
by The wanderer in<!-- .style1 { font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; } .style2 { font-size: 18px; font-family: arial; color: #330099; } .style3 { font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; color: #330099; } --> 1995 the year that saw a turning pointduring the 1980s, the thought that this generation will not pass until all .
of these events occur was the watchtowers theme.
the countdown .
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Testing a Second Hypothesis...
by XJW4EVR inwhat must be, in order for what is to be what it is?.
in other words, what has to be in place for what is now, to be what it is.
example: outside of a structure it is 100 degrees farenheit, but inside the structure it is 70 degrees.
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Carmel
I'm not sure what you mean by "how nature is revealed". Do you mean how it is "revealed" in the bible or how nature is becoming more understood with the advancement of time and technique? Contrary to "onthewayout" I put a lot of confidence in the scientific process and don't view the bible as a literal history or a scientific tome. Most Christians and "wanabe" christians are hell bent to authenticate the bible as an absolutely infallable document when dates, times, places and stories are concerned. The trap of literalism has most of them in its clutches. For me it is an overview of the spiritual path of humanity and its evolving relationship and understanding of its creator. How the physical world came into being is irrelevent to me, what we do with our lives and how we use our material experiance is infinately more important not only for our personal growth and development but for all of mankind. Hence the description of Jehovah in the OT is flavored by the authors and their allegience to Israel and the spin that puts on their cosmology. The revelation of Christ changed all that, but then through the eyes of the likes of Paul and others, even that pure message took on a tone influenced by cultural context. One cannot excape the implications of cultural and historical context. carmel
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E-Watchman's take on the Special Talk - interesting
by truthseeker innice write-up.
http://www.e-watchman.com/commentaries/2007-special-talk-commentary.html.
2007 special talk: .
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Carmel
Actually the choice was between the Titanic and the "lesser vessel" the Cedric. One made it to New York while the other didn't! carmel
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Are there other religions that don't go to millitary service?
by GBSJG inthe argument that jws are the only religion that doesn't go in military service is one i hear frequently.
but is this really so does anyone know any other religion that doesn't go to war?
perhaps the mormons?
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Carmel
Baha'is are discouraged from military service as a career, however, they must be obedient to their govenment, hence if drafted they serve but if possible request non-combatant status. If that is not available they do as their govenment requires up to but not including renunciation of their faith. Tough to do in Islamic countries where they are considered heritics. carmel
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Am I in some sort of phase?
by Inquisitor inwhy i am so obsessed with christianity?
i've been reading many books on religion and church history, which i would never have done before.
i'm consuming all this information but i don't know what the purpose is.
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Carmel
I think it is perfectly normal to try and understand what the world is all about and investigation begins with familiar territory. I spend several years researching different denominations of Christianity before slipping my big toe into other world religions. Lo and behold, they were wet too! You'll likely find your appetite will wane for as a former dupe for the dubs, you'll see the hypocracy in others as well. My personal journey led me to conclude that christianty had spend itself and no longer held the answers to the complex society that we live in. It has been surpassed by other faiths, science and modern humanistic aspirations. Once you've exhausted your christianity trip, you may be ready to look beyond that sand box and explore the rest of the world. just my nickle's worth... carmel
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Count-Down 6: The Risk of Life
by Amazing inwe are at risk from the moment of conception onward.
anything can happen as our dna unfolds our development into a complete human.
besides all the screwy things that can happen to us outside of our control, we can also make choices (knowing and unknowing) that effectively screw ourselves.. in my own case, my mother was urged by military doctors to abort me because giving birth to me threatened her life.
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Carmel
Jim, never give up! Remember, Moses was once a basket case!! carmel
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The THIRD DIMENSION of Understanding
by Terry inwhat could be more separate?
what could be more distinctively unalike than a cricle .
a triangle...
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Carmel
Terry, Good post! Next step, back up a few more paces and broaden the circle beyond Christianity and the bible! carmel
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The THIRD DIMENSION of Understanding
by Terry inwhat could be more separate?
what could be more distinctively unalike than a cricle .
a triangle...
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An introduction
by Toshiro Mifune inwhere to begin?
i hope this will serve as my introduction to this group.
(hope im in the right section.
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Carmel
Welcome aboard mate! Theres a recent book out that makes the claim..."All I needed to know I learned in Kindergarden". If you were born into the JWs likely much of your outlook on life has been nearly pemanently imprinted into your brain. Only intensive counter-cult treatment can neutralize some of the mind sets created and reinforced by the relentless indoctrination methods of the "faithful slave". I find that fifty years after leaving I still ocassionally see traits in myself that were formed early on in life and were significantly influenced by a dysfunctional family and the publishing company masquerading as a religion. Luckily I left before I was 15 and had lots of opportunity to investigate alternative world views, religions and formal education. You will have a facinating journey, I'm sure. Enjoy the ride! be well, carmel
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The Question Of Religion—The Question of Atheism
by The wanderer in<!-- .style1 { font-size: 14px; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; } .style2 { font-size: 18px; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; color: #006699; } .style4 {font-size: 16px; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; color: #006699; } --> the question of religionthe question of atheism recently, i posted some thoughts and questions about atheism and after having .
read some of the individual thoughts on that thread it is understandable why some.
individuals on both sides feel the way they do.
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Carmel
"A rose is a rose, no matter in what garden it grows". Truth abounds and bears seeking no matter where it may take one! Your open mindedness is the mark of a "true scientist"! Happy wandering! carmel