yesterday's (18 october, 2009) wt lesson had a picture of milton & newton with a caption that said both men "knew" about the hope of living forever on earth.
(interesting it didn't say they "believed" it.
that's just a side point to this thread.).
I doubt the society and Newton would agree on much if he was alive today. Interesting reading on Newton, OTWWO.
The watchtower does consider mortal to mean one who "could" die. I always felt they were trying to keep a thumb on me, even into forever. Kinda like, yeah, you made it, but God could still kill you ant time, so maintain that fear.
There is a bit of a difference between those who can be killed and those who "will" die. Newton spoke of the latter.
i've never smoked tobacco or a joint in my life!
i know some regular pot smokers and they're pretty cool people.
they typically say pot is better than alcohol and that it should be completely legal.
How many states have legalized so far? Some are in the process. I hear Illinois i going to vote on it in Nov.- Jan. Passed in the senate already, just needs to pass the House. Michigan legalized.
Legalization is working, little by little. Of course, I think they should do it NOW.
It is the one of the oldest and most effective medications given to us by nature/god. It is definitely much less harmful than most pharmaceuticals that people readily swallow. It is way less harmful to the life of a chronic pain patient than the pills they give you at the pain clinics-narcotics that can be helpful, but carry a big bite in the end.
I always feel that people don't want to legalize marijuana because it makes people happy. They just seem to think that people will cheat and get happy, even if they aren't already miserable.
Why can't we all be happy if we choose to? I'm willing to share the happiness. I don't drink because of health reasons, but I don't miss it. I also don't care if other people use alcohol to get happy.
Nobody understands chronic pain until it crawls into your life and refuses to leave. Have a heart and give these people anything that relieves their suffering. Then share the happiness with the rest.
the point is sometimes made in these forums that the societies constant insistence that the end is nigh has meant that so many jws fail to make adequate financial provisions for their retirement.. however , ive noticed an increasing trend amongst jws in middle age to elderly ones that they also havent made adequate emotional provisions , as they have been constantly told that they would never get old in this system.
most non-jws , aware that sooner or later they will experience a deterioration in their health, are mentally better prepared to cope with this.
with many jws it seems to throw them completely.. a good friend , aged around 50 , has just been diagnosed with a fairly serious illness.
I agree that it is a big emotional adjustment when you realize that you will grow old and die just like everyone else. I really believed that the 1914 generation would see the end.
It was the beginning of the end when they changed that teaching, for me. I remember, at the hall, how they just kept saying "nothing has changed". It was like a mantra they kept repeating to themselves, less someone scream out, "everything has changed".
I had been wondering about so many things for quite a while, but trying to ignore this like nothing had changed was too much for my mind. It helped to break through and think rationally. Then came the ridiculous fraction doctrine and I had to break rank.
Growing old is not for sissies. That is what older folks used to tell me and I watch my parents and I know it is true. I've heard so many older jws say they just want to live to see the end and watched them slip away.
At least, I encouraged my kids to go to college and plan for the future. they will have an easier time, I hope.
Father was a storm chaser. They still think the boy was on the balloon. Afraid he may have fallen out. Can't find him around the house or property. There are some reports that something was seen falling from the balloon.
Hope he is all right.
ok ok so i'm still doing research and i'm not giving up on this beleif of paradise earth!
but after doing some studying and after seeing the mistakes jw has made.
i now stubbled.... the watchtower also does not tell new converts that although they closed the door to heaven in 1935 they had closed the door to heaven once before in 1881. they were wrong in 1881 are they wrong again now?
The witnesses have taken what is really a spiritual teaching in the bible and turn it into a physical one. The bible really never promises physical immortality. The Bible states that you cannot take material things with you when you die, nor are they of utmost importance.
Yet, what do the witnesses look forward to? Large homes and property, material riches.
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i started a topic like this about 4 years ago but, as you'd expect, most of the images no longer show so here we go again .
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@ twinkle toes, I think that is the best depiction I have seen of the place you find yourself towards the end of a watchtower experience.
That balloon was made by the boy's father and was in their backyard. Apparently, the father has a sort of strange history.
is there anyone out there who still goes to meetings or hasnt been for some time.
i feel so confused dont think i want to go back, but dont want to lose friends either.. its been about 10 months since i attended a meeting ( did go to the memorial though).
been living apart from my jw husband who just cant believe it, he is well stressing.
The two things that help with guilt trips are time and using that time to research what you really do believe. Open your mind and read the Bible and other material to answer the questions you still have.
Don't let others decide what is right for you and listen to your inner voice. welcome to the board. cl
Hey, it looks like it is empty. They don't know what happened to the child. Don't know if he fell out and there is a hole in one part of the compartment where some peg came undone. Maybe he wasn't ever in there?
It's about to land-at 500 feet. The 6 year old boy is alone in there.
