jwfacts

Joined

• started 352 topics
• posted 8,707 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by jwfacts

• 
  23

  Dr. Hans Kristian Kotlar supports creation.

  by Darkanyons in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  hello gents and ladies.

  whats your take on this article on jan 2014 awake?.

  did your view of evolution change?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  jwfacts

  God gave us a rainbow

  More likely that part is the lie. The laws of refraction did not change after 2400 B.C. Rainbows have been around as long as there have been sunlight and water droplets.
• 
  79

  The life differences between a good christian and good athiest

  by EndofMysteries in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  let's compare a christian who goes to a non judgemental / non guilt trip church which focuses really on the gospels, jesus teachings on being non judgemental, anything out of love there is no law against, and they contribute to society.

  then an athiest who if you put side by side w/ the above christian, you would not know any difference unless you asked their beliefs.

  both are good people, who are able to lead lives doing what they want, enjoying their life, and trying to help their neighbors too.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  jwfacts

  You were saying that the promise of afterlife is the ONLY ..... , that was what I beg to differ.

  What I meant was that without the hope of everlasting life, there would be no religion. It would then just become a social club. I take your point that you feel Jesus is also providing day to day assistance, but I wonder if there was no promise of a resurrection, whether you would still think he is making your day to day life better.
• 
  54

  Hello, its good to be back, seriously!

  by AllTimeJeff in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  for the last year or so, the opening lyrics to gloria estefan's "always tomorrow" have been howling at me.. i've been alone inside myself, far too long.

  never really wanted it that way, but i let it happen..... .

  (btw, the message in that song is great for former jw's, if you want to think about the lyrics that way....).

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  jwfacts

  Everyone who is, or was, a JW is so different.

  That is so true. I am constantly told by friends that I am incredibly unique. I have a large circle of friends, mostly from places that I have worked since leaving the religion, and we go out a lot. They love me, want me around and are very complimentary, with comments that I am the most honest and real person they have ever met, but also look on me as if I am a bit of an alien.

  But if I had to explain what makes me different, I really have no idea what it is, or how to become normal.
• 
  79

  The life differences between a good christian and good athiest

  by EndofMysteries in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  let's compare a christian who goes to a non judgemental / non guilt trip church which focuses really on the gospels, jesus teachings on being non judgemental, anything out of love there is no law against, and they contribute to society.

  then an athiest who if you put side by side w/ the above christian, you would not know any difference unless you asked their beliefs.

  both are good people, who are able to lead lives doing what they want, enjoying their life, and trying to help their neighbors too.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  jwfacts

  Jgnat - It is not rational.

  I think that is where my theory fails.
• 
  79

  The life differences between a good christian and good athiest

  by EndofMysteries in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  let's compare a christian who goes to a non judgemental / non guilt trip church which focuses really on the gospels, jesus teachings on being non judgemental, anything out of love there is no law against, and they contribute to society.

  then an athiest who if you put side by side w/ the above christian, you would not know any difference unless you asked their beliefs.

  both are good people, who are able to lead lives doing what they want, enjoying their life, and trying to help their neighbors too.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  jwfacts

  jwfacts: In my opinion, that is the only reason people worship God. If there was no promise of an afterlife, there would be no religious people.

  Not so. The first of my cherished beliefs to die was the assurance of a life to come. I remain a Christian albeit a reformed one. If there are people like me then religion offers more than the carrot of eternal life. There are other motivators.

  jnat - I probably didn't word it as well as I could. It was concentrating on the reason people love and worship god. People go to church for other reasons, such as social, moral code etc. But I doubt many would devote themselves pecifically to a God that offered no reward of eternal life. A god that said "I created you, so you must worship me and devote your short life to me" would not be very popular.

  rawe I think that is too narrow. Many (most?) religious people feel God is helping them right now, answering their prayers, giving them an absolute moral code that improves their lives, or the opposite -- evil spirit forces are against them, etc.

  I expected this comment. I guess I find such a belief in prayer ignorant. Does God answer prayers? Try praying for a new limb after an amputation. Why doesn't God answer the prayers of the millions of children that starve to death each year, if he is so concern with a rich Americans pray for a safe trip, or new job? Are children in Catholic schools unworthy of having their prayers answered to have a priest stop abusing them?

  Prayer is the same as the concept from The Secret, that if you want something enough you will get it. It just does not work that way. If you think day and night about getting a sports car, it does not guarantee you will get it, but by focusing on it, you are more likely to do what is required to get one. Same with prayer. If millions of people think about ending child starvation, it will not end it, just as prayer has not ended it. But focusing on it will mean those people are more likely to do something positive to help.

  Nor does God give a moral code. Different religious tenets provide different moral codes in their religious books, and then the denominations each interpret those moral codes differently, so it is hard to say it is from God. For instance, each Christian church comes up with slightly different ideas on what constitutes porneia. The moral code has changed as culture changes, regarding such things as sacrifice, womens rights and slavery. Non-religious cultures also develop similar moral codes.

  UMB101 Not really. Afterlife is not my concern so far, yet. I decided to become a Christian because I was told Jesus is my saviour , He is my friend and He will always be with me and watch over me.

  Doesn't saying that Jesus is your saviour mean that he is saving your life, offering you everlasting life? In what way does he always look after you? Do you never get sick, never stub you toe, don't have car accidents, and never have a broken heart. Will you avoid cancer, and die peacefully at an old age? From what I can tell, the good and bad aspects of life affect Christians the same way as they affect atheists.
• 
  79

  The life differences between a good christian and good athiest

  by EndofMysteries in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  let's compare a christian who goes to a non judgemental / non guilt trip church which focuses really on the gospels, jesus teachings on being non judgemental, anything out of love there is no law against, and they contribute to society.

  then an athiest who if you put side by side w/ the above christian, you would not know any difference unless you asked their beliefs.

  both are good people, who are able to lead lives doing what they want, enjoying their life, and trying to help their neighbors too.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  jwfacts

  Those who are now athiests.......do you wish you could have the freedom you have now, but still have a hope of an afterlife?

  In my opinion, that is the only reason people worship God. If there was no promise of an afterlife, there would be no religious people. No one loves God, they love the promise of something else after death.

  Whilst an atheist may want to believe, not everyone can believe in something just because they want it to be true. If it were the case, I'd believe in unicorns.
• 
  24

  Just got off the phone with my dad!

  by Kool Jo in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  [if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>normal</w:view> <w:zoom>0</w:zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:saveifxmlinvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:ignoremixedcontent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>en-us</w:lidthemeother> <w:lidthemeasian>x-none</w:lidthemeasian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>x-none</w:lidthemecomplexscript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:compatibility> <w:browserlevel>microsoftinternetexplorer4</w:browserlevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont m:val="cambria math"/> <m:brkbin m:val="before"/> <m:brkbinsub m:val="&#45;-"/> <m:smallfrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin m:val="0"/> <m:rmargin m:val="0"/> <m:defjc m:val="centergroup"/> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"/> <m:intlim m:val="subsup"/> <m:narylim m:val="undovr"/> </m:mathpr></w:worddocument> </xml><![endif].

  [endif][if gte mso 10]> <style> /* style definitions */ table.msonormaltable {mso-style-name:"table normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"times new roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif].

  had this conversion with my dad earlier today, hes an elder...both my parents were laid off during the recession, however, they saved and lived a decent life.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  jwfacts

  Sounds like a nice dad.

  We received a letter from HQ, stating that our congregation has donated the least over the past decade and that they’re concerned.

  I have never heard of that before. They really are on a money hunting mission these days.
• 
  74

  The Gall Of WT To Give This Advice To Pioneers:

  by JW GoneBad in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  this past week's wt study lesson was entitled: 'pioneering strengthens our relationship with god'.. under the subheading 'remaining in the full-time service' in par 14 the wt has the nerve to give this admonition to pioneers: .

  'desiring to learn from jesus' example, a pioneer does well to keep in mind that the more material things he has, the more he will have to maintain , repair, or replace.'.

  i don't think the gb or anyone in the writing department has the freedom to speak on giving adivce on the matter of 'material things' given the fact that wt has close to a billion dollars in real estate and loads of money in various bank accounts; given the fact that gb is currently building themselves new living quarters with who knows what sort of comforts and other amenities.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  jwfacts

  SFPW - I'd still take my life over theirs any day.

  I agree when you say that the GB don't live to the level of a pop star, with their MTV crib. But they do have a very financially comfortable life, with no concerns about money. They are provided with nice rooms, great views, servants to cook and clean, new cars, unlimited travel, and a lot of cash in hand donations. And the adulation they receive is definitely Rock star/ tele-evangalist status. Why would you take your life over theirs?
• 
  74

  The Gall Of WT To Give This Advice To Pioneers:

  by JW GoneBad in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  this past week's wt study lesson was entitled: 'pioneering strengthens our relationship with god'.. under the subheading 'remaining in the full-time service' in par 14 the wt has the nerve to give this admonition to pioneers: .

  'desiring to learn from jesus' example, a pioneer does well to keep in mind that the more material things he has, the more he will have to maintain , repair, or replace.'.

  i don't think the gb or anyone in the writing department has the freedom to speak on giving adivce on the matter of 'material things' given the fact that wt has close to a billion dollars in real estate and loads of money in various bank accounts; given the fact that gb is currently building themselves new living quarters with who knows what sort of comforts and other amenities.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  jwfacts

  close to a billion dollars in real estate

  Actually, they have billions of dollars in real estate. There was around 1 billion dollars worth of property in Brooklyn alone.
• 
  17

  I hate watching this religion screw with my BF's mind

  by ilikecheese in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  cheese lover here.

  i don't post much, so refresher course: i've been dating an unbaptized jw for years.

  he's not super into jwism and probably never will be because he thinks a lot of it is a pile of poo.. .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  jwfacts

  That was a great summary of JWs, and you have an amusingly captivating way of telling a story.

  I feel very sorry for you b/f. I spent 10 years in the state that you describe, and though I never started talking to walls, it did get me very down. Somehow, you need to encourage him to research other points of view, and meet other people. I was astounded at how other religions really did have solid reason for their doctrine, and also how nice worldly people could be.