astro

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Posts by astro

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  113

  Question: Demons

  by ladybug25 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  growing up, i remember hearing stories from my own parents and others in the congregation about experiences with demons.

  sister x wore a t-shirt that she purchased at a second hand store and the demons attached themselves to the shirt and gave her problems.

  certain movies and/or cds would give a family problems.

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  astro

  Well said Derek!

  There are other mental processes other than sleep paralysis that can affect the mind-reinforcing a delusional belief(demons).

  When people say others experienced this with them etc. folie a deux comes to mind.Shared paranoia and psychosis is not a rare event.

  With the superstitious groundwork already laid one can easily fall into this.I find it interesting that some people automatically believe it's demons.They don't seem to even want to learn that there are alternative explanations.That's where the lack of critical thinking skills shows up-thanks to wts indoctrination.

  There are many disorders and diseaeses of the mind that explain these events. I would encourage those who think this stuff is real to broaden their minds and perspectives.SUre it takes some research and work but it's an excellent method to begin divesting oneself of superstitions etc.
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  53

  how many atheist and agnostics on this site

  by dannygwalsh in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi everyone just a question to satisfy my curiosity , and if you are a non believer are you happier for being so

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  astro

  well said GaryB!!

  I am an atheist and a generally happy person.

  It has opened my mind and I have learned so much,thanks to being able to critically think again.

  It has freed me from stupid superstition,allowed me to view myself and the world around me in a rational sane manner.

  It helped me learn what real personal responsibility is as well as global responsibility.Once an individual can get rid of the limiting ignorance that is entailed by 'believing' a sense of real freedom is achieved.

  I could never put myself in the stopthink mental mode that any religion requires again.
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  113

  if an atheist does something good...

  by DannyBloem in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

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  if an atheist leads good life with high moral standards, because he choice to do so and thinks for logic it is a good thing, does it not mean much more then when a theist does the same, because his gods tells him to do it?

  what's your thoughs on this?

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  astro

  Wow!

  Lots of erroneous assumptions here regarding the atheist,let alone downright ignorance of the 'atheist worldview'.

  The arguement that morals come from god are ridiculous.The burden of proof is on the individual to evidence a god even exists first.

  It is through the forces of biological and social evolution in societies that have created moral codes and principles.Issues of self-interest,rational consideration,compassion,similar human needs,interactions with others and the world are factors.No mythical skydaddy is needed to achieve this.

  I'm curious as to why pedophilia was brought up ..as a comparison?Intimating the atheist would not know this to be repugnant without someone/thing telling them so? Kind of says something about one making such a comparison.Would they need it dictated/told to them that it is abhorrent? Sophmoric thinking there.As well as evidence of narrow and close-minded thinking.

  I ssee some here haven't a clue about the atheists 'worldview'.It would help if you understood it factually rather than operating under error and ignorance.

  The atheist makes positive moral decisions based on good will and personal responsibility-not at all in conjunction with 'reward and/or punishment the absolute theist does.

  KidA,Fd Skeptic! Great posts!!
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  1093

  THE NEWS IS BIGGER THAN DATELINE, BBC, CBC, ETC.

  by AndersonsInfo in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  if i told you that something bigger is on the horizon than dateline, bbc, cbc, sunday (australia), and all other tv programs which exposed the sexual child abuse cover-up by watchtower in 2002-2003, would you believe me?

  have i ever misled you?

  i'll answer that--no!

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  astro

  Returning here after a long time-catching up on issues such as this.

  The disappointment I feel is great-for reasons others said better than I could.This reminded me exactly of the congregational type 'hype' regarding the coming of more 'new-light'.

  The degree of importance-coming thru the filter of newly 'left the org' individuals does not correspond with how the 'real(neverbeenadub) perceives such issues.

  The "I know something you don't know' hinting and waiting game was in itself cruel and juvenile. But can't truly fault the individual as they haven't spent much time acclimated to the 'real world' and it's thinking. The build-up and hype here proves that no matter one's previous position in the org. it will take some time or better yet some exit counseling to learn how to reconcile realistic expectations with jdub definitions and behaviors.
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  194

  Thank you Jehovah for answered prayers

  by Annie Over in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when i got off for lunch today i decided to go to the walmart deli and get something to eat.

  it is a huge store, groceries, a bakery, mc donalds, a bank , eye center, beauty shop, a great deli, and a huge garden center.

  i had taken back a 80 gig hard drive dvd recorder ( i couldn't figure out how to hook up <smile> and had received 238.00. i picked up a couple of things in the store then went to the deli.

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  astro

  Hi Funky,

  Very well stated!

  The clarity and rational thought you've provided are a great pleasure to read.Thanks,T
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  194

  Thank you Jehovah for answered prayers

  by Annie Over in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when i got off for lunch today i decided to go to the walmart deli and get something to eat.

  it is a huge store, groceries, a bakery, mc donalds, a bank , eye center, beauty shop, a great deli, and a huge garden center.

  i had taken back a 80 gig hard drive dvd recorder ( i couldn't figure out how to hook up <smile> and had received 238.00. i picked up a couple of things in the store then went to the deli.

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  astro

  My my! Thank the goddess that your god has his priorities right!

  The cries of a starving child,for example,should NEVER take precedence over a jw's purse.
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  23

  Anyone remember me?

  by hippikon in

  1. jw
  2. friends

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  i've been away toooooo long.

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  astro

  Hello hippi,

  I remember you well.

  I too have been gone for quite some time.

  I'm attempting to play catch-up right now. Trying to see how some issues have progressed i.e.sexual abuse issues etc.

  Have there been anymore doctrinal 'flip-flops'.......Wondering how the rank and file JW's are handling the issues???(if they're even aware of them) Wondering what the general atmosphere in the KH's is like at this time...?

  I see JW's doing streetwork often around here(Chgo).I hadn't noticed them for some time but seems like they've picked up the pace with that.Can anybody tell me why this is happening? Has there been yet another 'Armaggedon push' lol?

  A brief synopsis for the last couple of years would be appreciated...Thanks in advance.T
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  11

  SEX ABUSE claims against JW church may go to trial

  by DannyHaszard in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  napans' claims against church may go to trial

  comment box add yours.

  napa valley register, ca - 1 hour ago.

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  astro

  Thanks Danny,

  Did my heart good to see this Napa case making national news!

  It's becoming a big story on the religion blogs. regards,T
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  91

  Evolution still bugs me

  by Geronimo in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i know there are a lot of threads on evolution and creation and i've read a few here and there.

  how can complex systems arise of themselves in the face of entropy?

  one evolutionist book i read used snowflakes to show this is possible.

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  astro

  'brain centers' that deal with religion/spirituality.........concepts of religion/spirituality are nothing more than the result of subjective cognitive processes. There is no 'unique,special' extra part of the brain that deals with these specific topics/issues.
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  21

  144K. Were they just the really crazy ones?!? How did they get the call?

  by Sailor Ripley in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i remember this sister that used to come to the memorials, not sure where she was the rest of the time, that would partake of the offering.

  i mean she would take a gulp of the vino and the bread and not one person said a thing.

  how did they know they were a part of the super friends?

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  astro

  I can still clearly remember the reactions of some elders towards the few who partook the emblems.

  Of the very aged brother who partook,there was rolling of the eyeballs and one elder actually made the 'crazy' circle about his head in reference to said brother.

  Anyone under the age of 65 was brought into the back room and 'counseled',-this was before any changing 'light' on this issue.

  What is the 'present light' regarding this? I've been away from the corp. for years and haven't kept up with things borgish.Thanks in advance! T