Posts by Merry Magdalene

in the wake of richard dawkins bestseller 'the god delusion' (which i and many others here have read) there has been a good deal of rebuttal from the 'faith' community.

now a new book is out published by alister mcgrath, professor of theology at oxford university.

it is entitled 'the dawkins delusion'.. has anyone read it or ordered it yet?

Merry Magdalene

I haven't read anything by Dawkins yet, but based on others' reactions, I have to ask in regard to this--

it gets the job done

--what job done? Giving those who already agree with him something to stand up and cheer about? That's cool. Increasing the alienation of those who don't agree with him, lessening the chance that they will want to consider whatever points they might possibly have found valid otherwise? Not so cool. Getting the vote for oppressed athiests? Cool (but I think they already have it). Liberating believers from their "delusions" so that they will be free from ___ to ___? (A little like ex-JWs wanting to liberate JWs from their WT "delusions"? Although that I understand better.)

If these questions sound ignorant that's because they are. I would genuinely like someone to mention what it is Dawkins is wishing to accomplish through both his content and his style of delivery. I imagine he has declared his intent. Whatever it is, it appears that some feel he is not going about it in the best possible manner. Not PC enough, perhaps? Or, as I remarked above, too alienating?

I'm a fan of free speech and free expression, and don't think these should be inhibited. I like people who challenge me, my ideas and beliefs and feelings, but not by insulting me. It's a turn off. A door closer. A discussion inhibitor. I like people who stimulate thought and natural curiosity, so that is what I tend to be drawn to.

fwiw

~Merry

59

The Day all Jehovah`s Witness`s are put into Concentration Camps!

by OUTLAW in

jw
friends

when i was a kid,kingdom halls still had windows.thats a while ago..as a kid i was told in the last days,jehovah`s witness`s would be rounded up and be put into concentration camps..i was told,when the government came to take me away and seperate me from my parents,i should wear my warmest coat and boots.as i would have to fend for myself in the concentration camp..i was told never to give up my faith.even if they tied my parents to a stake and was foced to light the fire that would burn them alive.....jehovah`s witness`s are the "happiest people on earth!

".....do you have any happy memorys like mine?...outlaw

Merry Magdalene

Must be why (subconsciously) I decided to become a Muslim. I have a much better chance now of being persecuted and put in a detention centerLOL

~Merry

What Really Happened in Najaf?

by Merry Magdalene in

http://electroniciraq.net/news/2876.shtml.

in today's independent, patrick cockburn writes:.

there are growing suspicions in iraq that the official story of the battle outside najaf between a messianic iraqi cult and the iraqi security forces supported by the us, in which 263 people were killed and 210 wounded, is a fabrication.

Merry Magdalene

http://electroniciraq.net/news/2876.shtml

In today's Independent, Patrick Cockburn writes:

There are growing suspicions in Iraq that the official story of the battle outside Najaf between a messianic Iraqi cult and the Iraqi security forces supported by the US, in which 263 people were killed and 210 wounded, is a fabrication. The heavy casualties may be evidence of an unpremeditated massacre.
...

It is difficult to know exactly what happened in Najaf. Unfortunately, followers of Iraq news are often forced to work as detectives and search western media and Iraqi media alike for clues. The above account cannot be confirmed yet, but it deserves to be shared. eIraq will follow this story closely.

~Merry

65

cult personality type?

by Mysterious in

jw
friends

another thing that has been intriguing me lately is the idea that cults can help sway people towards a certain personality type more towards a judging personality for example, or becoming more feeling rather than thinking.

i know my meyers-briggs type changed from istj when i was a jw to intj after i left.

i was curious if anyone else was aware of a similar shift in their actual measurable personality traits..maybe putting on the new personality is literal?

Merry Magdalene

Interesting thread and test. I ended up with INFJ too Tall Penguin, although my percentages were different (except judging, also 1%).

~Merry

6

Which site has the best info on 1874 return of Christ by Russell.

by icocer in

i debated my jw coworker for hours today.

i threw the 1874 teaching into the mix and he said they thaught that for a very, very, very, short time.

he might be willing to see old watchtower scans that show the amount of years that the society (or should i say russell and rutherford) actually taught the doctrine.

Merry Magdalene

http://www.reexamine.org/quotes/1874.htm

~Merry

28

please send prayers my way

by junctions-wife in

jw
friends

my 83 year old grandmother is very sick.

she has not eaten anything in two days, we tried chicken noodle soup tonight and she just drank the broth.

anybody have any kind of suggestions i will listen.

Merry Magdalene

Loving prayers coming your way AmandaSorry your dear one is unwell. A woman I once helped care for stopped eating, had no appetite, would only drink, so her family bought Ensure for her (I think it was) so that she was still getting balanced nutrition.

I wish you all the best.

~Merry

106

POLL: Would You Ever Consider Going Back To The Organization?

by minimus in

jw
friends

yes, no or maybe....and why?

Merry Magdalene

For a while I thought about going back and faking it in order to ease the worried minds of my mother and grandmother and be able to socialize with them again, but the few times I went to the meetings convinced me there was no way that I could pull it off. Then, after my daughter was born I knew there was no way I would sacrifice my child on their bloody altar. Then I found JWD and Freeminds and a wealth of information on WTBTS BS. My dear mother and grandmother are now dead, my daughter is alive and well, and my short answer is NO.

~Merry