Posts by Arthur

25

WTF? Cancelling our Karma.

by Sparkplug in

from the years 500 bce to 800 ce, the religion is in its classical age.

according to religious studies done at the

the same source simplified it by using the explanation that life is bad and unpleasant so the hindu must want to die.

Yes, I've read some of this too. According to some forms of Buddhism, individuals can accumulate "good karma" by refrainining from "sin" and doing good works; thereby attaining a higher plane of consciousness in the next life cycle. It is believed that the Buddha was able to attain enlightenment because of his striving toward spiritual purity throughout several past life times. Many Hindus believe the same regarding many of their spiritual sages and Yogis.

Some Buddhist beliefs teach that the exact timing of a person's death is karmically set a birth. Therefore, they teach that material striving is trivial, and that striving for spiritual purity in this lifetime is of utmost importance.

I have even read of idividuals of the Buddhist persuasion claim that Jesus himself made references to Karma and rebirth (i.e., his reference to Jesse returning as John the Baptist).

Some of this stuff is pretty far out there. It does makes for some fascinating reading though.

2

Can Someone Here Post a Copy of the Convention Program?

by Arthur in

jw
friends

does anybody here have a convention program that you can scan and post here?

if not, could you at least post a link to where i can find an outline or detailed notes that cover the convention program?

i am not going to attend this convention, but there are particular individuals that i need to pacify by telling them that i attended.

Arthur

Does anybody here have a convention program that you can scan and post here? If not, could you at least post a link to where I can find an outline or detailed notes that cover the convention program?

I am not going to attend this convention, but there are particular individuals that I need to pacify by telling them that I attended. I appreciate whatever info. or links you can provide.

Thanks !

34

What is the JW View of Clowning :o)??

by Seeker4 in

jw
friends

(i threw this into the "jw view of cloning" thread yesterday, and thought maybe a few would like to have some fun with it so i gave it its own thread.

there was this comment in a letter to the body of elders about clowning in march 2003:

"as to the matter of clowning, we can see from phil.

Arthur

I can just see the Watchtower article now:

WT 8/15/07 pg.22

IS CLOWNING FOR CHRISTIANS?

"Clowning has become a popular pass-time in many Western countries. Many Christians have even joined in on these activities claiming that it is just harmless fun. But is it? Would we not want to make sure that our means of recreation is pleasing to God?

Clowning has several pagan roots which stem all of the way back to ancient Babylon; the center of false worship. According to historian Josephus, many citizens of Babylon celebrated pagan orgies by dying their hair and wearing brightly-colored garb. Would Christians want to participate in any activities which contain pagan origins? The Apostle John warned honest hearted ones to flee from Babylon the Great and to not pariticipate in her sins. (Rev. 18:7,8)

Considering the pagan roots of clowning then, would Christians want to participate in anything that might jeopardize their relationship with Jehovah God? The Apostel Paul conseled Christians to 'put on the new personality which was created according to God's will in true righteousness and loyalty'. (Eph. 4:22-24)

Considering all of the Babylonish roots behind clowning, it is appropriate that Christians refrain from such activities. Would we not want to remain clean and wholesome in God's righteousness? Let us therefore 'do all things for God's glory', and remain steadfast in our worship to our Grand Creator, by proving ourselves to be without spot and without blemish from the world. (Eph. 5:185,16)

15

Watchtower display in Yellowstone Park this morning

by RunningMan in

jw
friends

this morning, i drove through yellowstone park, on my way to jackson hole.

just before noon, i saw a sign that said, west thumb geyser basin.

it looked interesting, so i wheeled in.. after seeing the geysers, i noticed a couple people sitting behind a desk with a display beside them.

Arthur

On their other side was a sign that said something like “This group is exercising its first amendment rights. It is not affiliated or endorsed by the park in any way.”

This surprises me. I am surprised that the ACLU has not sued state or federal agencies over this. I would think that the ACLU would throw a fit over this; claiming that it is somehow a government endorsement of religion. Even though the Witnesses had a disclaimer sign, I would think that activist attorneys would claim that their very presence on Federal property was an endorsement of religion. Remember, they sued a municipality over displaying a nativity scene on government property. They sued and had the Ten-Commandments removed from courthouses. The New York City Transportation Authority banned Witnesses from passing out literature on the subways because of this very argument.

Mark my words. Sooner or later, the ACLU is going to file suit regarding these activities. And when they do, the Witnesses are going to start howling that they are being persecuted.

72

NEED ADVICE ON FAKING A REINSTATEMENT

by Mary in

jw
friends

a friend of mine who is df'd is seriously considering trying to get reinstated in order to have his family back in his life.

this is not an easy decision because he's fully aware that this isn't "the truth", but the pain of being excluded from normal family relations is really tearing him.

he has two choices: either move away from his family and try and start a new life, or bite the bullet, try and get reinstated and then do the fade.

Arthur

I would tell him to go for it. He knows what answers the elders want to hear to their questions. All he has to do is just tell everybody what they want to hear, and to to a meeting now and then.

Yes, considering the pain he is going through without his family, he should go ahead and do the reinstatement thing.

31

How do you say good-bye?

by hambeak in

my doctor called me today and told me i have a very aggressive case of colon cancer.

i go back on monday for more tests and maybe surgery and chemo i don't know.

my partner is a total mess over this and he is all i have.

Arthur

Hey Gary,

First of all, thanks for opening up to us and sharing this part of your life with us. I'm sorry to hear about the emotional difficulty that this is puting you and your partner through. I just wanted to give you some encouragement and let you know that I have personally known people who have beated colon cancer. But hey, anybody in your shoes is going to be worried. Who wouldn't be? It's understandable.

We are all rooting for you. We are here for you. Keep in touch with us and let us know how things are going. Take care, and best of luck to you, friend.

With warmest regards,

Arthur

27

Active JW Apologists: Did you take the OATH at the Convention?

by kid-A in

inquiring minds want to know: how did respond to oath # 7 which all jws were required to take at the latest dc?

"we will resist with all our strength the spirit of the world manifested in such things as materialism, unwholesome entertainment, overindulgence in food and alcoholic beverages, the plague of pornographic material and the curiosity or temptation that lures one into association with outsiders through internet chat rooms.

our resolve is to be no part of world as we carry on worship that is clean from the standpoint of our god.

Arthur

I know the fruitlessness of internet debate, so I gave it up awhile back, but due to boredom, lack of self-control, I find myself reading visiting boards I know are total trash.

I noticed that this was your 132nd post. It seems as if you have been experiencing quite a lack of self-control and boredom lately.

We are not impressed with people who attempt to climb up on a soap box and sanctimoniously wag their fingers at us. In just the few months that I have been here, I have seen several people of this type come and go. They are just a passing parade of circus characters.

So, do us a favor, and please don't talk down to us as if you were some sort of school marm. It's rather dull and it's a waste of bandwidth.

11

Please help with Sparkplug's Assignment!!

by arrowstar in

jw
friends

from our sparky...(who ran out of posts) .

here is the assignment: .

the paper and presentation should focus on how the societal views of spirituality and religion have been influenced, and how social and political life has been impacted by the selected eastern religious tradition, then compare and contrast the selected religion to at least one other studied in this course.

Arthur

Here's an idea. I don't know if it will help or not.

Why not look up or Google the different branches of major religions or religious literature to research who inspired them. For example:

Different branches of Buddhism: Mahayana, Zen, Hinayana, Lotus Land, Tantric, Tibetan, and Won. You could do the same for branches of Islam, Judaism, etc.

Here are some religious scriptures and writings that have had a significant impact upon their particular religions as well as culture: Aggadah, Bhagavad-Gita, Book of Kells, Diamond Sutra, Gnostic Gospels, Kabbalah, Lotus Sutra, Midrath, Nicene Creed, Ramayana, Rig Veda, Upanishads, Vedas, and the Yoga Sutras.

21

Was you ever an attendent or had an attendent in the family?

by jayhawk1 in

jw
friends

i got to thinking about the conventions and such today.

here is a guy... always a guy who is in charge of a section of seating.

his job is to get up every so often and count people.

Arthur

Us females were just left to sweat in panty hose!

And the sisters also had to wait in those huge long lines for the restroom while the brothers just got to stroll right in to the men's room without waiting. I always felt sorry for the sisters about that stuff.

21

Was you ever an attendent or had an attendent in the family?

by jayhawk1 in

jw
friends

i got to thinking about the conventions and such today.

here is a guy... always a guy who is in charge of a section of seating.

his job is to get up every so often and count people.

Arthur

Yeah, I was an attendant several times. To tell you the truth, I never liked it. It was very stressful. I am a very laid-back and introverted type of person. I hated acting like a policeman. It just isn't in my nature.

The part that was most stressful was enforcing the "First 3 Rows For the Elderly and Infirm" rule. Whenever I saw someone who didn't look "elderly", I had to go remind them of the rule. How exactly does one define "elderly"? Several times, people got really snotty and sarcastic with me.

It was also very stressful to remind people to only save seats for themselves and their immediate family or car group. That is another area where people can get really testy.

Of course, 80% of the friends were always well-behaved, decent, and cooperative. I just wish I could have had pepper spray for the other 20%. ( hee-hee )